U.S. COVID-19 Cases Rise to New Single-Day High as Country Welcomes Fourth of July Weekend

As the U.S. enters the Fourth of July weekend, COVID-19 cases in the country rose to another single-day high.

The U.S. has reported more than 52,000 new cases on Thursday. Data from Johns Hopkins University shows that this is around 1,000 more than the previous day. The country’s death toll topped 128,700.

Fox Business reported that Washington Gov. Jay Inslee said he would pause a phased reopening for all counties for two weeks and announced a statewide directive for businesses to require face coverings for both customers and employees.

“The better we can protect ourselves from the virus, the better we can avoid repeating some of the painful measures we had to take in the spring to shut down the economy,” he said.

Government leaders have advised people to remain cautious in their Fourth of July weekend celebrations.

“This virus is just as contagious and deadly on a holiday as it is any other day,” said North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper. “We have to remember that a large gathering, especially without masks and social distancing, is one of the most likely places for COVID-19 to spread.”

Los Angeles County and San Francisco had fireworks shows canceled. Festivities have gone virtual in other places, such as Philadelphia hosting seven days of Fourth of July events online. Beaches in Miami and other South Florida counties will stay closed this weekend.

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