White House: COVID-19 Cases Increasing in Washington and 8 Other Cities

White House (Photo by Yonhap News)

[Asia Economy Reporter Moon Jiwon] A U.S. White House health official warned that the number of COVID-19 cases is increasing in nine cities including Washington DC. The death toll from COVID-19 in the U.S. has surpassed 160,000.

On the 7th (local time), according to Fox News and others, Debi Bucks, the White House COVID-19 response coordinator, held a private phone meeting with health officials from nine cities and urged caution regarding the spread of COVID-19.

The nine cities where Bucks mentioned an increase in COVID-19 cases are Washington DC, Baltimore, Atlanta, Kansas City, Portland, Omaha, Chicago, Boston, and Detroit.

Bucks warned, "The positivity rates are gradually rising in Washington DC, Chicago, Boston, and Detroit," and added, "Baltimore and Atlanta have very high numbers of cases, which is concerning."

She emphasized, "This time, the spread is occurring simultaneously in both urban and rural areas, which is different from the outbreak situation in March and April."

In Hawaii, which is detached from the U.S. mainland, confirmed cases are rising again, prompting the state government to reinstate travel restrictions. Governor David Ige announced in a statement that travelers arriving in Hawaii will be required to quarantine for 14 days and that travel between islands will be restricted.

According to Johns Hopkins University, the number of COVID-19 cases in the U.S. is 4,926,068, with 160,980 deaths reported.