Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Tragic Trio: Florida Hits 1M COVID Cases, Joining California And Texas
The Hill: Florida Becomes The Third State To Cross 1 Million COVID-19 Cases
Florida on Tuesday became the third state to hit a total of 1 million coronavirus cases as the nation grapples with an alarming spike in infections. The Florida Department of Health tallied 1,008,166 cases for the state after over 8,800 new infections were added to the total Tuesday. Over 18,600 people in the Sunshine State have died. Florida has recorded at least 6,000 new cases every day since Nov. 16, according to the state’s Department of Health. (Axelrod, 12/1)
Los Angeles Times: California COVID-19 Cases Break Daily Record Again
Los Angeles County recorded a dramatic one-day rise in coronavirus cases Tuesday, shattering the single-day record and confirming some of the most dire forecasts about infections spreading ferociously as the holiday season gets underway. The surge in cases renewed worries about how the healthcare system will handle a crush of new patients, with some hospitals already approaching capacity. The numbers put more pressure on state and local officials to enact a tougher stay-at-home order in hopes of slowing the spread. Officials feared the Thanksgiving holiday period would bring a flood of new cases, and there are growing concerns the spike is far from over. (Money, Lin II and Oreskes, 12/1)
CNN: Daily Coronavirus Deaths Near 2,600 — Their Highest Since April — And Are Expected To Get Worse
The US reported the second highest day of Covid-19 deaths Tuesday, as rising hospitalizations signal even more deaths in the coming weeks. There were 2,597 new deaths reported across the US, bringing the total death toll to 270,642 in a pandemic that has infected more than 13.7 million people, according to data from Johns Hopkins University. The only day to top it was April 15, when six more deaths were recorded. (Holcombe, 12/2)
In updates from Mississippi, Maine, New York, Michigan and Oklahoma —
Clarion-Ledger: COVID-19 Cases Stressing Mississippi Health Care System
The state's hospitals are hitting a peak in hospitalizations for patients with COVID-19 in Mississippi, State Health Officer Dr. Thomas Dobbs said Tuesday at a news conference. "We are stressing out the health care system," he warned. "Hospitalizations are hitting their peak. We have 12 major hospitals (that) have zero ICU beds." (Beveridge, 12/1)
Boston Globe: COVID Surge Reaches Maine, Which Reports 20 New Deaths
The surge in COVID-19 cases sweeping the country also has reached Maine, where state officials Tuesday reported 20 new deaths, the largest increase in coronavirus-related fatalities since the pandemic began in March. Although the deaths represent the most in any single update by the state, nearly all the fatalities occurred over a week-long span dating to Nov. 23. They had not been reported until Tuesday because of delays connected to the long holiday weekend, state officials said. (MacQuarrie, 12/1)
The Hill: New York City Urges Adults Over 65 To Stay At Home Amid Surge In COVID-19 Cases
New York City’s Health Department recommended in a Tuesday advisory that residents 65 and over avoid public spaces and gatherings and limit nonessential activities amid the ongoing coronavirus surge. “To protect yourself, your household members and your communities against the spread of COVID-19, you are hereby advised to limit activities outside your home, except leaving home to travel to work or school, or for essential purposes including medical care, grocery shopping or pharmacy necessities,” the department said. (Budryk, 12/1)
Detroit Free Press: Doctors Plea To Restaurants: Don't Rush To Reopen Indoor Dining
A group of Michigan doctors are urging restaurants not to rush to reopen dining rooms as COVID-19 infections continue to surge across the state. The plea from the advocacy group Committee to Protect Medicare specifically targeted a letter from Joe and Rosalie Vicari, owners of Andiamo and other metro Detroit restaurants, that became public this week. The letter urged fellow restaurant owners and vendors across Michigan to band together and reopen on Dec. 9 if a three-week "pause" on indoor dining is extended. (Selasky, 12/2)
AP: Oklahoma Governor Declares Day Of Prayer As Virus Surges
As the coronavirus surges in Oklahoma, nearing 200,000 total cases on Tuesday, Gov. Kevin Stitt declared Thursday a day of prayer and fasting in the state. “I believe we must continue to ask God to heal those who are sick, comfort those who are hurting and provide renewed strength and wisdom to all who are managing the effects of COVID-19,” the Republican governor said in a Monday statement. (Miller, 12/2)
KHN: As Hospitals Fill With COVID Patients, Medical Reinforcements Are Hard To Find
Hospitals in much of the country are trying to cope with unprecedented numbers of COVID-19 patients. As of Monday, 96,039 were hospitalized, an alarming record that far exceeds the two previous peaks in April and July of just under 60,000 inpatients. But beds and space aren’t the main concern. It’s the workforce. Hospitals are worried staffing levels won’t be able to keep up with demand as doctors, nurses and specialists such as respiratory therapists become exhausted or, worse, infected and sick themselves. (Farmer and Feibel, 12/2)
Also —
Bangor Daily News: She Got COVID-19, Recovered, Then Died. She’s Among The Victims, But Not In The Official Tally
While the official COVID-19 death toll numbers more than a quarter million Americans, the pandemic’s true death toll is likely much higher than because the official count doesn’t include fatalities that are indirectly related to the virus. In October, federal researchers said as many as 100,000 fatalities could indirectly be attributed to the coronavirus. (Curtis, 12/2)
The Hill: Arizona Coronavirus Patient's Story Goes Viral: 'I'm 23 Years Old And I Just Had A Stroke'
An Arizona coronavirus patient’s story went viral this week after the 23-year-old experienced a mini-stroke due to COVID-19. Riley Behrens, of Tempe, Ariz., tweeted a thread Sunday evening detailing his medical experience, including his diagnosis that he suffered from a Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA), and encouraging young people to follow public health guidelines. (Coleman, 12/1)
