Rural areas see worrying virus trend

Big percentage surges in Idaho, Oklahoma

For many states and counties in the U.S., the dark days of the coronavirus pandemic in April unfolded on their television screens, not on their doorsteps. But now, some places that appeared to have avoided the worst are seeing surges of infections, as worries shift from major cities to rural areas.

While much of the focus of concerns that the United States is entering a dangerous new phase has been on big Sunbelt states that are reporting thousands of new cases a day — like Texas and Florida — the worrying trend is also happening in places like Kansas, where livestock outnumber people.

In early June, Kansas looked to be bringing its outbreak under control, but its daily reported case numbers have more than doubled in recent weeks

Idaho and Oklahoma have seen similarly large percentage increases over the same three-week period, albeit from low starting points. In Oklahoma, the seven-day average for daily new cases climbed from about 81 to 376; Idaho’s jumped from around 40 to 160.

Missouri is seeing a worrying trend, and Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas ordered employees and patrons of businesses to wear masks, when 6 feet of separation isn’t possible.

Across the state line, Kansas City, Kansas, and the county it’s in also decided to order masks be worn in public starting Tuesday.

But many politicians, even those in place with spiking cases, have been hesitant to issue such orders, as subject has become a political lightning rod.

Florida and Texas have recently pulled back on their reopening plans in response to increasing cases. In other developments:

■ Florida set another record in daily confirmed coronavirus cases.

Florida health officials on Saturday reported more than 9,500 new COVID-19 cases, surpassing the previous day’s total by more than 600 confirmed cases. The figures come as officials move to reclose beaches and discourage bar gatherings.

The state’s Department of Health said 24 more people have died with COVID-19, raising the death toll to 3,390.

Hospitalizations for COVID-19 also are ticking upward statewide. Although they are not rising as dramatically as the reported number of cases, they are approaching the levels of new admissions seen in April and May.

■ Washington Gov. Jay Inslee announced Saturday that a recent increase in coronavirus numbers means counties won’t be able to move to the fourth phase of his reopening plan.

Inslee and state Secretary of Health John Weisman made the announcement Saturday.

Before Saturday, eight counties were eligible to move from the third to the fourth phase of the reopening plan.

■ The Department of Health and Environmental Control reported nearly 1,600 new cases of the coronavirus Saturday in South Carolina, surpassing the previous daily record of 1,290 set on Tuesday.

The state said the 1,599 new cases reported bring South Carolina’s total cases to 31,850. The increase comes as the state reported 15 more deaths related to COVID-19, bringing the state’s toll to 707, The State reported.

Should cases continue to surge, Gov. Henry McMaster said the state is prepared to implement a plan to add more hospital beds.

Charlie Riedel The Associated Press A man wearing a mask Friday watches the sunset at a park in Kansas City, Mo. Missouri and Kansas are seeing virus increases.