Hospitals in Sunbelt nearing capacity
Miami closes eateries as virus cases mount
MIAMI — Hospitals rapidly approached capacity across the Sunbelt, and the Miami area closed restaurants and gyms again because of the surging coronavirus Monday, as the U.S. emerged from a Fourth of July weekend of picnics, pool parties and beach outings that health officials fear could fuel the rapidly worsening outbreak.
“We were concerned before the weekend and remain concerned post-holiday, as anecdotal stories and observed behavior indicate that many continue to disregard important protective guidance,” said Heather Woolwine, a spokeswoman for the Medical University of South Carolina.
Confirmed cases are on the rise in 41 states plus the District of Columbia, and the percentage of tests coming back positive for the virus is increasing in 39 states.
In Miami-dade County, Mayor Carlos Gimenez ordered the closing of restaurants and certain other indoor places, including vacation rentals, seven weeks after they were allowed to reopen. Beaches will reopen on Tuesday after being closed over the weekend.
“But if we see crowding and people not following the public health rules, I will be forced to close the beaches again,” the mayor warned.
Hospitalizations across the state have been ticking upward, with nearly 1,700 patients admitted in the past seven days compared with 1,200 the previous week.
Officials in Texas also reported hospitals are in danger of being overwhelmed. Hospitalizations statewide surged past 8,000 for the first time over the weekend, a more than fourfold increase in the past month.
In Arizona, the number of people hospitalized with COVID-19 topped 3,200 and hospitals statewide were at 89 percent capacity. Confirmed cases surpassed 100,000, and more than half of those infected are under 44 years old, state health officials said.
Meanwhile, three of the top U.S. medical organizations issued an open letter urging Americans to wear masks, social distance and wash hands often to help stop “the worst public health crisis in generations.”
The White House again rejected calls for a nationwide order to wear face coverings, with White House chief of staff Mark Meadows saying on Fox News that it is a matter for governors and mayors to decide.
In other developments:
Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms said she has tested positive for COVID-19. She tweeted Monday that she had no symptoms but still tested positive. Meanwhile, organizers of Dragon Con, a popular sci-fi, fantasy and gaming convention in Atlanta, have announced that the in-person event will be canceled this year.
New York hospitals released more than 6,300 recovering coronavirus patients into nursing homes during the height of the pandemic under a controversial, now-scrapped policy, state officials said Monday.
Mississippi’s Republican governor, Tate Reeves, said Monday he is isolating himself after coming into contact with a member of the state House of Representatives who tested positive for the coronavirus.
The national labor union representing stage actors and managers has given the go-ahead for two Massachusetts theaters to resume theatrical performances, offering potential road maps for the national return to live performances.