California, Texas break national record for one day of new coronavirus cases

© La Colline
California, Texas break national record for one day of new coronavirus cases

The two largest states in the United States, California and Texas, both broke the national record for most coronavirus cases reported in a single day on Wednesday.

California has reported about 18,350 cases and Texas has reported nearly 16,100 according to the Washington Post. The figures are about 3,000 and 1,000 more cases than California and Texas, respectively, as records.

The two states are currently the first and only in the United States to exceed one million cases of coronavirus.

The Post reports that nearly 2,300 deaths have been reported nationwide, making Wednesday the deadliest day in the United States since May.

California Governor Gavin Newsom (R) announced a month-long curfew last week, and Los Angeles County on Tuesday exceeded the Department of Health’s threshold to order a continuation order at home, although this has not yet been issued.

Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti (R) warned, “At this rate, our hospitals will not have extra beds until Christmas,” in response to the rapid increase in cases.

Despite the surge in numbers, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott said last week he would no longer order lockdowns, sparking friction with local officials seeking more authority to order restrictions, reported the Texas Tribune.

“We’re not going to have a lockdown in the state of Texas anymore,” Abbott said in a radio interview. “Our focal point will work to cure those who have COVID, get them out of hospitals quickly, make sure they get back to their normal lives.”

The outlet noted that although he appears in the media regularly, Abbott has not held a press conference on COVID-19 for more than two months, last reporting on September 17, when he announced that restrictions would be relaxed for some hospitals.

The skyrocketing numbers were reported just before Thanksgiving, which experts say could become a big-ticket nationwide event if people fail to follow COVID-19 guidelines.

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention has advised people to limit their holiday celebrations only to those in their immediate homes.