'40,000 New Daily COVID-19 Cases in the US Reach Record High'

40,000 Infections Daily... Highest Level Since COVID Crisis
Texas, Florida and Other Infection Hotspots Strengthen Regulations Including Bar Closures
White House Resumes COVID Task Force Briefings

Citizens are playing in the water using tubes along the Comal River in Texas. [Image source=AP Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy New York=Correspondent Baek Jong-min] The state of Texas in the United States, where the spread of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) is soaring, has decided to partially cancel the reopening of economic activities. This is a stronger measure following the decision to halt additional economic reopening the day before. The number of new infections in the U.S. reached 40,000 per day.

According to CNBC, on the 26th (local time), Texas Governor Greg Abbott announced that bars would cease operations starting that evening, allowing only delivery and takeout services. Restaurants will be allowed to operate at up to 50% capacity starting from the 29th. Gatherings of more than 100 people require approval from authorities. Rafting and water play using tubes were also banned.

Governor Abbott explained the background of this measure, stating, "It is certain that the spread of infection occurred through activities at bars and similar venues." As a Republican who hastened economic reopening, this decision is inevitably painful for Abbott. Furthermore, he emphasized, "If the positive test rate exceeds 10%, additional measures will be taken to mitigate the spread of COVID-19."

Texas has recently seen an average of 4,657 new infections per week, showing a 79% increase. On the 24th, the number of new infections reached 6,400. In mid-June, the daily new infections in Texas were at the level of around 1,000. This indicates how severe the spread has become.

Florida, which also reported more than 5,000 new infections for two consecutive days, announced on the same day that drinking alcohol in bars statewide would be suspended. Florida was in the second phase of economic reopening, allowing the sale of alcohol in restaurants and bars.

According to data compiled by Johns Hopkins University, the total number of new infections in the U.S. also reached 40,000, a record high, as infections increased in Texas, Florida, and California. California surpassed 200,000 cumulative infections the day before.

Judging the spread of new infections to be serious, the White House resumed task force briefings on the same day after about two months.

Vice President Mike Pence said that COVID-19 cases are increasing in 16 of the 50 states and urged residents in states with many infections to comply with social distancing and listen to local authorities' orders.

However, Vice President Pence stated that 34 states show stable numbers, emphasizing, "The truth is we have slowed the spread. We have flattened the curve," and "Significant progress has been made." U.S. media such as CNN criticized Pence's perception of the current situation as complacent, reporting that the spread is increasing in 30 states.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.