Coronavirus rates surge in 44 states by at least 10 percent, and numbers are expected to continue rising, according to CNN on Wednesday, November 11, 2020.
The number of reported coronavirus cases have exceeded 100,000 for nine consecutive days. The highest daily number reported was 140,543 on Nov. 11.
The overwhelming increase in cases is inundating hospitals and pushing medical staff to their limit — across the country.
Some states do not mandate residents to wear a mask. The hospitals in those states are at full capacity, according to North Dakota’s Gov. Doug Burgum.
Things are so bad in North Dakota that asymptomatic medical workers are allowed to come to work — even though they are actively infected with the coronavirus. They work in units designated for COVID-19 patients.
Rising Coronavirus Rates
Overall, the United States has reached over 10 million cases of people infected with the virus. Sadly, more than 200,000 people have died as a result of the non-discriminating virus.
In Illinois, Gov. J.B. Pritzker said hospitalizations of COVID-19 patients had exceeded 4,200. He confirmed during the spring of this year, that number was 4,822.
Wisconsin has exceeded 7,000 new cases. They also doubled the number of hospitalizations since last month — along with Minnesota and South Dakota.
Texas has been hit hard with virus infections exceeding 1 million.
States Implement New Guidelines
As the coronavirus rates rise, states are implementing new measures to prevent the spread of the virus.
- In Ohio, Gov. Mike DeWine said he will institute restrictions on weddings and funerals.
- In New York, Gov. Andrew Cuomo limited the number of people congregating at their homes to 10.
Relief may be on the way. A vaccine that is more than 90% effective has been introduced by the drugmaker, Pfizer, on Monday. Dr. Anthony Fauci said Moderna also has a vaccine that seems promising.
However, some doctors are not impressed by the news of vaccines via press releases. Dr. Robert Goldstein of Harvard Medical School said doctors are in the dark about the specifics of how the vaccine will roll out. Questions like who will get the treatment first — have not been ironed out.
As cases continue to surge, wearing a mask is still one of the best mechanisms to slow and prevent the virus’s spread — despite its resistance and controversy.
Written by Sheree Bynum
Edited by Cathy Milne-Ware
Sources:
CNN Health: New US coronavirus cases top 140,000, a record high for daily count; Christina Maxouris, Eric Levenson and Theresa Waldrop
Featured Image Courtesy of Gilbert Mercier’s Flickr Page – Creative Commons License
Inset Image Courtesy of Eric Golub’s Flickr Page – Creative Commons License
