U.S. Coronavirus: Governors Issue Strict New Measures As U.S. Reports Staggering Covid-19 Record Of Over 184,000 Daily Cases

Already, gloomy indicators offer a glimpse of what’s to come: Just over a week after the United States first surpassed 100,000 daily infections, it reported a record high of more than 184,000 new cases on Friday. Hospitalizations also hit a new high – for the fourth day in a row – with more than 68,500 patients with Covid-19 across the country, according to the COVID follow-up project. And the country’s death toll has exceeded 1,300 at least three times this week.

In New Mexico, Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham on Friday announced a “temporary statewide order shutting down in-person services for all non-essential activities to mitigate the unprecedented outbreak of COVID-19 disease and attempt to Relieve the dramatically growing strain on hospitals and health care providers across the state. “The ordinance is in effect Nov. 16-30, the governor said.

Oregon Governor Kate Brown on Friday announced a statewide “two-week freeze”, with a list of new measures, including limiting gatherings to six people in up to two households, only allowing take-out and delivery to catering establishments; closing gyms and indoor recreational facilities; and forcing businesses to require homework as much as possible. The measures will take effect Wednesday, the governor said, and will likely last “much longer” than two weeks for “hot” counties.

“This is a dangerous situation and our hospitals have sounded the alarm bells,” Brown said. “I know it is difficult, and we are tired. But we are trying to prevent this fierce virus from quickly spreading everywhere.”

The two leaders have announced some of the toughest statewide measures this season, but they are far from the only ones stepping up their efforts to tackle alarming trends in Covid-19.

A ‘dark day’ for the United States

“It’s a dark day for the country as we are seeing cases skyrocket, we are seeing hospitals filling up and we are also seeing the death toll rising,” said Murthy, co-chair of President-elect Joe Biden. appointed the Covid-19 transitional advisory board, said.

“We are now at a point, even before Thanksgiving, where we are surpassing all the levels that we have seen in the past eight months,” he added.

As the holiday season begins, it’s important for people to wear masks, keep their distance from each other and wash their hands regularly, Murthy said.

“If you are thinking of going home for Thanksgiving, ask yourself if you can observe these kind of precautionary practices, because if you cannot then you risk putting yourself and others in danger,” he said. he declared.

Another expert said the best way forward for the country right now includes a national mask mandate.

“A vaccine will take a few months to have a real impact,” Dr. Jonathan Reiner, professor of medicine at George Washington University said Friday. “If you have a heart attack and you call 911 and I tell you the ambulance is coming in two months, it should be no comfort to you.

“What people need is a mask warrant, and they need it now.”

Less than 9% of North Dakota hospital beds are available

The rampant spread has put tremendous strain on the country’s healthcare system which now hosts the largest number of Covid-19 patients ever.

Data from the North Dakota Department of Health shows that only about 8.5% of staffed hospital beds remain available, with at least 421 people currently hospitalized who have tested positive for the virus. About 50 patients are in intensive care.

In Oklahoma, health officials reported a 7% ICU bed capacity on Friday, up from 5% a day earlier – with now 64 ICU beds available.

In Massachusetts, where reported infections have increased “sevenfold” since Labor Day and hospital admissions have increased “twofold,” the governor announced that a 240-bed field hospital will be reestablished at the DCU Center – an indoor arena and convention center complex in downtown Worcester.

“Today we have about 661 people in the hospital, up from about 178 on Labor Day,” Gov. Charlie Baker said, adding that state hospitals are operating at about 73% of their capacity. and that the overall capacity of ICUs is approximately 50%.

The DCU field hospital is expected to be available for patients by the first week of December, he said.

Vaccines will be distributed by population, official says

“Vaccines will be allocated on a pro rata basis on a population basis,” Perna added.

Pfizer has announced that it will distribute its vaccine outside of the federal framework. State health officials said they had not heard many details from the federal government on how vaccine distribution would be organized and that they had not received the funding they needed to put in place the infrastructure.

“We are working closely, with the CDC, all 64 jurisdictions and states, to ensure that the vaccine can reach those who need it first, safely and quickly,” Perna said. “And then we have plans to make sure it spreads exponentially across our country and that no place is left without a vaccine.”

Meanwhile, drug retail chain Walgreens says it is “rapidly expanding” its ultra-cold storage capacities to accommodate a potential Pfizer Covid-19 vaccine – which will need to be stored at sub-zero temperatures. This follows an announcement by the US Department of Health and Human Services that it is partnering with large drugstore chains and networks representing independent pharmacies to help distribute a vaccine once it is authorized.

“(We) are confident that we can support the successful administration of these vaccines once available,” a Walgreens spokesperson told CNN.