Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
'Worst Fall, From A Public Health Perspective, We've Ever Had' Coming If Americans Don't Step Up: CDC Director
CNN: The CDC Issues A Dire Warning For The Fall If Coronavirus Measures Are Not Followed
A top federal health official is issuing a dire warning: Follow recommended coronavirus measures or risk having the worst fall in US public health history. Coronavirus has infected more than 5 million people and killed over 166,000 nationwide, according to Johns Hopkins University. On Wednesday alone, there were 55,910 reported new cases and 1,499 deaths -- the highest number of fatalities since May. (Karimi and Almasy, 8/13)
And the U.S. reports the most daily coronavirus fatalities since May as death rates remain high —
The Washington Post: U.S. Reports Highest Number Of Covid-19 Deaths In One Day Since Mid-May
On Wednesday, the country reported its highest number of deaths in a single day since mid-May, at nearly 1,500. The country has now seen its seven-day average of newly reported deaths remain above 1,000 for 17 consecutive days. Georgia reported 105 deaths Wednesday, marking its second triple-digit day in a row. North Carolina reported an additional 45 deaths Wednesday, tying its highest daily number, from July 29. Texas reported 324 additional deaths from the disease. (Dennis and Dupree, 8/12)
The New York Times: U.S. Coronavirus Death Toll Reflects Sun Belt Outbreaks
Officials across the United States reported more than 1,470 deaths on Wednesday, the highest single-day total yet in August, according to a New York Times database, and a reflection of the continued toll of the early-summer case surge in Sun Belt states. The deaths reported on Wednesday were concentrated largely in Sun Belt states that saw the most dramatic case spikes in June and July. Even as case numbers have started to drop in some of those places, deaths have remained persistently high. More than 300 deaths were announced Wednesday in Texas, and more than 200 in Florida. Arizona, California and Georgia all reported more than 100 each. (8/12)
Atlanta Journal-Constitution: Georgia Records Two Days Of 100-Plus Virus Deaths
Georgia reported more than 100 newly confirmed COVID-19 deaths on Wednesday for the second straight day, a death toll that has accelerated following the persistent surge in new coronavirus cases seen since May. On Tuesday, the Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH) reported a record of 122 net new confirmed deaths, followed by the second-highest daily total Wednesday of 105. To date, 4,456 deaths in Georgia have been attributed to COVID-19. (Trubey, 8/12)
CIDRAP: COVID-19 Surge Moves To Midwest, As Young People Fuel US Case Rise
Many states initially spared from the COVID-19 pandemic is March, April, and May, are now reporting increasing transmission rates in non-metropolitan counties fueled by community spread. According to the Wall Street Journal, in Ohio, Missouri, Wisconsin, and Illinois, the weekly change in COVID-19 cases has been higher in rural regions compared to metro areas, and outbreaks are linked to social events, rather than workplace exposure or congregate living situations. (Soucheray, 8/12)
