A large crowd has gathered on a beach in Florida, where the daily number of COVID-19 infections has exceeded 5,000. [Image source=EPA Yonhap News]
[Asia Economy New York=Correspondent Baek Jong-min] The number of confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) in the United States reached its highest level in two months. As fears of a resurgence grow, the U.S. stock market plunged sharply.
According to data from Johns Hopkins University on the 24th (local time), the number of new confirmed cases in the U.S. the previous day was 34,700, the highest since April 24, when 36,400 cases were recorded at the peak of the COVID-19 outbreak. Judging by the numbers alone, the spread in the U.S. has reached another peak. It is the third highest number since the pandemic began in earnest in February. The cumulative number of infections exceeded 2,376,000 as of that day.
The resurgence of COVID-19 in the U.S. is centered around the three most populous states: California, Florida, and Texas. In California, 7,149 new confirmed cases were reported on the 23rd alone, setting a new record for two consecutive days. Florida also saw a sharp increase with 5,511 new cases on the same day, jumping vertically from around 3,000 the previous day. Texas reported 5,489 new confirmed cases in one day, the highest since the COVID-19 outbreak began. According to CNN, the population of these three states is 32.8 million, accounting for 27.4% of the total U.S. population.
In addition, cases are gradually increasing in Arizona, Oklahoma, and other states. According to the Wall Street Journal (WSJ), one in five people tested for COVID-19 in Arizona was classified as infected. WSJ reported that the number of COVID-19 patients increased in 34 out of 50 U.S. states over the past two weeks, and CNN reported that at least 10 states saw an increase rate of over 50% in confirmed cases in the past week.
The outlook is not good. On the same day, the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME) at the University of Washington School of Medicine projected that the number of deaths from COVID-19 in the U.S. would reach 180,000 by October 1. Considering that the current number of deaths in the U.S. is 121,932, it is expected that about 60,000 additional deaths will occur in the next three months. The World Health Organization (WHO) raised its alert level, warning that the cumulative number of COVID-19 cases worldwide will reach 10 million next week and that the spread has not yet peaked. However, IHME added that if 95% of Americans wear masks, the death toll could be reduced to 146,000.
As the situation worsens, movements to delay economic reopening or reimpose lockdowns are spreading. The three states hardest hit in the early stages of the COVID-19 outbreak?New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut?announced that they would impose a 14-day quarantine on visitors coming from newly spreading areas to prevent further spread. The newly designated spreading areas include nine states: Texas, Florida, Arizona, Arkansas, and Washington, among others. Additionally, North Carolina decided to temporarily suspend economic reopening measures for three weeks.
Apple, the iPhone manufacturer, decided to close its Apple Store in Houston, Texas, where COVID-19 cases are increasing. On the 19th, Apple had already closed 11 Apple Stores in four states?Florida, Arizona, North Carolina, and South Carolina?due to the spread of COVID-19. As a result, the total number of closed Apple retail stores has increased to 18.
Greg Abbott, Governor of Texas, who had decided on early economic reopening, issued a de facto stay-at-home order on the day, saying, "The infection is serious. There is no reason to leave home." Gavin Newsom, Governor of California, also warned that economic reopening could be reversed if the spread of infection continues.
The New York stock market also plunged due to concerns over the spread of COVID-19. The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell by 2.72%, breaking below the 26,000 mark, and the Nasdaq index dropped 2.19% to 9,909.17, falling below 10,000 again.
Amid the resurgence of COVID-19, President Donald Trump's approval rating is further declining. According to a Reuters-Ipsos poll released on the day, President Trump's approval rating for his COVID-19 response was 37%, the lowest since related polling began.
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