The U.S. has now confirmed more than 1.66 million COVID-19 cases. To date, at least 98,223 individuals in the U.S. have died from the coronavirus causing COVID-19.
At least 29,229 of those COVID-19 deaths occurred in New York, 11,147 in New Jersey, 6,416 in Massachusetts, 5,241 in Michigan, 5,148 in Pennsylvania and 3,767 related deaths reported in California. Worldwide, nearly 5.51 million cases have been reported and 346,836 related deaths, according to the Johns Hopkins virus dashboard. On Friday (May 22), New York had its lowest single-day death toll since March, with 84 deaths recorded on that day. And on Monday (May 25), the state recorded 79 related deaths, according to Worldometer, which is tracking coronavirus stats.
Most states have at least partially reopened (or about to reopen), with just a few that are still under statewide lockdowns: Delaware, Illinois and New Jersey, according to The New York Times. New Jersey’s governor also increased the number of people allowed in outdoor gatherings from 10 to 25, and also opened campgrounds. And NYC’s mayor says beachgoers might be allowed into the water starting in June. Florida is now allowing summer camps and youth athletics to run without restrictions, though local governments can impose their own guidelines, the Times reported.
The CDC has released its guidelines for reopening various parts of society, including schools, childcare centers, restaurants and public transport, The Washington Post reported May 19. Some institutions, the CDC said, should stay closed to stem coronavirus transmission for now. President Donald Trump is pushing to reopen schools, criticizing the nation’s top infectious diseases expert Dr. Anthony Fauci, who said in front of the Senate Health Committee on Tuesday (May 12) that reopening too soon could have serious consequences, The New York Times reported.
The FDA has approved the first at-home saliva test for COVID-19, Live Science reported. The spit tests appear both more reliable (fewer false results) and less invasive than the current swab tests, which involve poking a swab way down the nose and throat.
Gov. Andrew Cuomo described preliminary results from the antibody tests taking place in various counties in grocery stores. Overall, after a survey of 7,500 individuals completed by April 27, 14.9% of individuals had tested positive for antibodies specific to this novel coronavirus. Then, on May 1, once more than 15,000 individuals were tested, that number went down to 12.3% testing positive for antibodies to SARS-CoV-2.
We are unsure of what is going to happen, but we must remain hopeful.
