Coronavirus US: New case numbers drop to lowest in a month

New coronavirus cases in the United States are at the lowest they have been in a month but a data map shows that 61 percent of counties across the country are still seeing an uncontrollable spread of the virus and 1,000 Americans are dying each day. 

The average number of new infections across the country is currently just over 53,000 a day, which is the lowest since July 10 before the Sunbelt states saw a surge that saw single daily highs of more than 70,000 cases, according to Covid Tracking Project data.  

Despite declining for a month now, cases in the US surpasses the grim 5 million milestone on Sunday. 

More than 162,000 Americans have now died from COVID-19 and the average death toll is still more than 1,000 per day. 

A data map, which was compiled by spatial analytics company Esri, shows the 61 percent of counties across the US are still seeing an uncontrollable spread of COVID-19 infections.

The data map shows that almost every state across the country has at least one county experiencing an ‘epidemic trend’, or uncontrollable spread, of coronavirus cases. 

The average number of new infections across the country is currently just over 53,000 a day, which is the lowest since July 10 before the Sunbelt states saw a surge that saw single daily highs of more than 70,000 cases

Despite declining for a month now, cases in the US surpasses the grim 5 million milestone on Sunday. More than 162,000 Americans have now died from COVID-19 and the average death toll is still more than 1,000 per day

Despite declining for a month now, cases in the US surpasses the grim 5 million milestone on Sunday. More than 162,000 Americans have now died from COVID-19 and the average death toll is still more than 1,000 per day

Of the 3,141 US counties, 1,944 are currently experiencing an epidemic outbreak. 

Every state has counties – 785 in total across the country – that are seeing spreading trends, which is an outbreak that could still be controlled if preventative measures are taken. 

Arizona, Louisiana, Tennessee, Alabama, Florida, Mississippi, South Carolina, North Carolina, Delaware and Maryland are only seeing epidemic or spreading trends, the data shows. 

The only three states that do not have an uncontrollable spread are in the far Northeast, including Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont. 

Five states currently account for more than 40 percent of total infections in the US, including hotspots California, Florida and Texas; original epicenter New York; and Georgia.  

California reported over 8,373 new cases on Sunday, bringing the state’s total to more than 554,000. The most populous US state has now recorded more than 10,000 deaths.   

In Texas there are more than 481,000 infections statewide and 8,300 deaths.  

On Sunday Florida’s Department of Health confirmed 6,229 additional cases of COVID-19 bringing the total to 532,806 and the statewide death toll to 8,186. 

In Georgia there are 213,427 cases of the virus, there have been over 4,000 deaths and there are currently over 20,000 hospitalizations.  

A data map, which was compiled by spatial analytics company Esri , shows the 61 percent of counties across the US are still seeing an uncontrollable spread of COVID-19 infections

A data map, which was compiled by spatial analytics company Esri , shows the 61 percent of counties across the US are still seeing an uncontrollable spread of COVID-19 infections

Infections are still rising in 20 states and White House COVID-19 task force members last week warned there was ‘trouble ahead’ for states and cities if they didn’t act to stop the spread. 

A revised forecast predicted the US death toll would almost double by the end of the year but 70,000 lives could be saved if everyone wears a mask. 

The University of Washington’s Institute for Health Metrics revised its death toll forecast last Thursday to predict nearly 300,000 deaths by December 1.

Researchers say that 70,000 lives could be saved if 95 percent of Americans wear masks from today when they leave their homes. 

The death rate is a lagging indicator and can continue to rise weeks after new infections drop. A coronavirus death, when it occurs, typically comes several weeks after a person is first infected.  

The current death rates are below the levels seen in April when an average of 2,000 people a day were dying from the virus – mostly in the original epicenter of New York.  

Deaths surged in April in the weeks after coronavirus infections spiked mostly in the Northeast. 

California reported over 8,373 new cases on Sunday, bringing the state's total to more than 554,000. The most populous US state has now recorded more than 10,000 deaths. There has been a considerable decline in cases and deaths appear to be on the downward trajectory

California reported over 8,373 new cases on Sunday, bringing the state’s total to more than 554,000. The most populous US state has now recorded more than 10,000 deaths. There has been a considerable decline in cases and deaths appear to be on the downward trajectory

On Sunday Florida's Department of Health confirmed 6,229 additional cases of COVID-19 bringing the total to 532,806 and the statewide death toll to 8,186. Cases and deaths are now declining across the state

On Sunday Florida’s Department of Health confirmed 6,229 additional cases of COVID-19 bringing the total to 532,806 and the statewide death toll to 8,186. Cases and deaths are now declining across the state

Cases in Texas have started declining in late July after surging in June. There are currently more than 486,000 infections statewide and 8,400 deaths

Cases in Texas have started declining in late July after surging in June. There are currently more than 486,000 infections statewide and 8,400 deaths

Arizona's cases have declined considerably since early July when infections and hospitalizations peaked. There are currently more than 186,000 cases and over 4,100 deaths

Arizona’s cases have declined considerably since early July when infections and hospitalizations peaked. There are currently more than 186,000 cases and over 4,100 deaths 

The number of fatalities have been increasing in Sunbelt states and across the Midwest after infections surged there throughout June and July.  

IHME Director Dr Christopher Murray acknowledged there appeared to be fewer transmissions of the virus in the hotspot states of Arizona, California, Florida and Texas but said deaths were rising and will continue to rise for the next week or two. 

He put the drop in infections down to a combination of local mandates for mask use, bar and restaurant closures and more responsible behavior by the public. 

‘The public’s behavior had a direct correlation to the transmission of the virus and, in turn, the numbers of deaths,’ Murray said. 

‘Such efforts to act more cautiously and responsibly will be an important aspect of COVID-19 forecasting and the up-and-down patterns in individual states throughout the coming months and into next year.

‘We’re seeing a rollercoaster in the United States.

‘It appears that people are wearing masks and socially distancing more frequently as infections increase, then after a while as infections drop, people let their guard down and stop taking these measures to protect themselves and others – which, of course, leads to more infections. And the potentially deadly cycle starts over again.’   

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