Rise in virus cases seen as state lockdowns ease
Local outbreaks, more tests also impact tally
NEW YORK — States are rolling back lockdowns, but the coronavirus isn’t done with the United States.
Cases are rising in nearly half the states, according to an Associated Press analysis, a worrying trend that could intensify as people return to work and venture out during the summer.
In Arizona, hospitals have been told to prepare for the worst. Texas has more hospitalized COVID-19 patients than at any time before.
And the governor of North Carolina said recent jumps caused him to rethink plans to reopen schools or businesses.
There is no single reason for the surges. In some cases, more testing has revealed more cases. In others, local outbreaks are big enough to push statewide tallies higher.
But experts think at least some are due to lifting stay-at-home orders, school and business closures, and other restrictions put in place during the spring to stem the virus’s spread.
The virus is also gradually fanning out.
“It is a disaster that spreads,” said Dr. Jay Butler, who oversees coronavirus response work at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “It’s not like there’s an entire continental seismic shift and everyone feels the shaking all at once.”
The virus first landed on the U.S. coasts, carried by international travelers infected abroad. For months, the epicenter was in northeastern states. More recently, the biggest increases have been in the South and the West.
Some worry the situation may get worse as social distancing restrictions lift and more people gather.
One concern is that large recent racial justice protests across the country might spark at least some spread of the virus.
In other developments:
Days after his predecessor abruptly quit, Orange County’s new interim health officer said Thursday that he will lift a requirement for residents to wear face coverings in public and instead recommend they do so to help reduce the spread of the coronavirus.
Utah Gov. Gary Herbert instituted a “pause” on lifting any additional virus-related restrictions on Thursday as the state’s rate of positive COVID-19 tests continues to skyrocket.
The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame is reopening, but fans better practice social distancing by staying at least “two Stratocasters apart” and bring their credit cards, officials announced Thursday. Rock’s shrine will reopen Monday after closing on March 14 because of the coronavirus pandemic.