This archive report was first published on 24 May 2020.
US Edges Closer to 100,000 COVID-19 Deaths Amid Easing Lockdowns ¶
As the US edges closer to 100,000 COVID-19 deaths, the country is easing lockdown restrictions, despite warnings from medical experts that this could lead to a spike in cases.
On Saturday, the US reported 84 new deaths from the virus in New York, the first time the daily death toll has fallen below 100 since late March. Governor Andrew M. Cuomo announced that gatherings of up to 10 people would be allowed anywhere in the state, including New York City, provided that social-distancing protocols were followed.
However, the risks of trying to return to normal life were underscored in Missouri, where health officials said that a hair stylist who worked for eight days at a salon while sick with the virus had potentially exposed 84 clients and seven co-workers.
A new study found that black patients seeking care have more advanced cases of COVID-19 compared to white or Hispanic patients. The study suggested that black patients may have had limited access to medical care or postponed seeking help until later in the course of their illness, when the disease was more advanced.
Meanwhile, the founder of the #ClapForOurCarers movement, Annemarie Plas, said that next week's national applause should be the last, pointing to concerns that the act of recognizing healthcare workers had become politicized.
The NBA is in the early stages of discussions with the Walt Disney Company to restart its suspended season in late July at the Walt Disney World Resort in Florida. However, several hurdles remain to a resumed season, including testing and obtaining a green light from the players' union.
US government scientists have finally published remdesivir data, confirming that the experimental drug shortened recovery time from 15 days to 11 days in hospitalized patients.
