TOPLINE
New coronavirus cases are notably rising in North Dakota, Texas and Alabama, three of the states that have begun to lift shutdown measures, but it remains unclear whether these upticks are a result of increased test availability or economic reopening.
WASHINGTON, DC – MAY 07: U.S. President Donald Trump (R) speaks to reporters while hosting Texas … [+] Governor Greg Abbott about what his state has done to restart business during the novel coronavirus pandemic in the Oval Office.
Photo by Doug Mills-Pool/Getty Images
KEY FACTS
On Saturday, Texas reported the most new coronavirus cases in a single day with 1,801 new diagnoses (the previous single-day high was 1,450 just three days earlier).
Texas Governor Greg Abbott’s communications director told ABC News that testing capacity has doubled since the state began to reopen on May 1, still, the Texas Tribune reports that the rise is due to an outbreak of over 700 new cases in the panhandle, home to many Latinos who work in area meat processing factories that have been COVID-19 hotbeds.
Coronavirus cases have more than doubled in Alabama’s Montgomery County since May 1, as the governor continues to walk back restrictions, allowing many businesses including bars and taverns to reopen with some social distance.
Though Montgomery’s rise was to be expected with increased testing capacity, healthcare professionals told the Montgomery Advertiser they are worried about hospital capacity: area hospitals have doubled patient count in the first half of May.
North Dakota has also experienced a spike in cases, with 86 new cases on May 16—the second highest after April 18, which saw 89 new cases.
68% of cases in North Dakota have occurred in its most populous Cass County, though only 22% state’s testing has been done in Cass; Governor Doug Burgum never issued a statewide stay-home order, but issued guidance on April 29 for businesses to reopen that elected to shutdown.
Key Background
The United States
USM
Further Reading
State and Federal Data on COVID-19 Testing Don’t Match Up (Atlantic)
‘We aren’t in safe territory yet’: Montgomery coronavirus hospitalizations increase as state restrictions relax (Montgomery Advertiser)
North Dakota sees spike in COVID-19 cases as Fargo area testing disparity continues to grow (Grand Forks Herald)
More than 700 new cases of coronavirus reported after testing at meatpacking plants in Amarillo region (Texas Tribune)
Texas COVID-19 cases rise, governor’s office says more testing being done (ABC News)
