/https://specials-images.forbesimg.com/imageserve/5f82330bfe307eeb446d3b9b/0x0.jpg?cropX1=0&cropX2=4380&cropY1=222&cropY2=2686&w=1200&resize=1200,675&ssl=1 "Pennsylvania Sees Biggest Coronavirus Increase Since April As Northeastern Spike Worsens")
Topline
The Pennsylvania Department of Health reported 1,742 new coronavirus cases on Saturday, in the largest single-day increase since April 10, as most states across the Northeast are now dealing with their biggest sustained case spike since the spring—with no signs of slowing down.
Pennsylvania Capitol Building in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.
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Key Facts
Most northeastern states have had new case counts increase over the past few weeks, in the largest sustained coronavirus spread there since the spring.
That increase is being followed by a rise in hospitalizations, as well, reversing trends of declines that had been in place for months.
Deaths, which lag behind increases in cases and hospitalizations, have not significantly spiked, but there have been increases this month in New York and Pennsylvania.
Most states are now dealing with a coronavirus spike, as trends nationally are again going in the wrong direction.
More than 50,000 new cases of Covid-19 have been reported in the U.S. for three straight days—in a first since August—and hospitalizations are also spiking at their fastest pace since July.
Key Background
The Northeast, and especially New York, by far bore the brunt of the spring coronavirus surge in the U.S., with New York seeing a spike in deaths no other state has approached. At its worst, more than 700 people a day were dying from coronavirus in New York. Spread of the virus slowed quickly in the latter part of the spring and remained at a relatively low level throughout the summer, as states primarily in the Sun Belt region dealt with massive coronavirus spikes. But as the virus has begun to spike in much of the country beginning in late summer, many states have continued to quicken their reopening efforts. Florida, for example, has allowed bars and restaurants to reopen at 100% capacity, while Mississippi has rescinded its mask mandate, and bars in Texas are scheduled to reopen on Wednesday for the first time since June.
Big Number
57,420. That’s how many new coronavirus cases were reported in the U.S. Saturday, according to Johns Hopkins University. It’s the highest single-day case rise since Aug. 14.
Tangent
President Donald Trump, who claims he is no longer contagious with coronavirus—a claim that medical experts are very skeptical of—told a packed crowd at the White House Saturday that coronavirus is “disappearing,” a statement that is at odds with the data.
Surprising Fact
It’s not just the U.S. that’s dealing with a case spike. Most European countries are also seeing spread ramp up. Like the northeastern states, many of those European countries also have not had a major spike since the spring.
Further Reading
DOH reports 1,742 new cases, 36 more deaths statewide; Blair, Centre report new deaths (WJAC-TV)
U.S. Covid Hospitalizations Hit Highest Level Since July (Forbes)
Covid Cases Spike In Florida As Bars And Restaurants Reopen At Full Capacity (Forbes)
Mississippi Becomes First State To Lift Mask Mandate (Forbes)
Bars Will Be Allowed To Reopen In Texas, Gov. Abbott Says (Forbes)
Trump Tells White House Crowd That Coronavirus Is ‘Disappearing’ Amid Sharp Increase In Cases (Forbes)
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