New coronavirus cases reached record levels in states across the United States over the weekend, with deaths trending up sharply in almost every part of the country, well beyond the hard-hit Sun Belt.
Although testing has remained flat, six states and Puerto Rico reported a record-high average of new infections over the past week. On Sunday alone, 15,300 new cases were announced in Florida, the highest figure posted in a single day by any state since the pandemic’s start. At least 3,290,000 cases and more than 132,000 fatalities have been reported in the United States.
Here are some significant developments:
The White House has moved to sideline Anthony S. Fauci, the nation’s top infectious-disease specialist, scuttling some planned TV appearances and largely keeping him out of the Oval Office for more than a month after his clashes with President Trump.
The World Health Organization reported more than 230,000 infections Sunday, setting a global record for new infections announced in one day. India, South Africa and several countries in Eastern Europe have all reported rising increases in new cases.
Trump administration officials are offering mixed messages on whether schools should open their doors in the fall. As Education Secretary Betsy DeVos has pushed for schools to reopen five days a week, Adm. Brett Giroir, an assistant health and human services secretary, cautioned Sunday that it’s still too early to do so safely.
Test results are taking so long to come back across the United States that they are often proving useless in the campaign to control the coronavirus, health experts say.
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