US coronavirus: Country tops 1,000 coronavirus deaths 4 days in a row as experts urge shut down

“Right now, we are on a path to lose more than 200,000 American lives by November 1st. Yet, in many states people can drink in bars, get a haircut, eat inside a restaurant, get a tattoo, get a massage, and do myriad other normal, pleasant, but non-essential activities,” read the letter, which was sent to the Trump administration, members of Congress and state governors.

In the past two days, these states broke records:

As the country’s caseload and death toll climbs, at least four states reported record-breaking numbers since Friday.

California, which is leading the nation with the most recorded coronavirus cases, reported 159 deaths linked to the virus Friday — the highest number recorded in a single day since the start of the pandemic. More than half of all virus-related deaths in the state come from Los Angeles County, where more than 4,260 deaths have been reported. The state has had more than 446,450 reported infections, according to Johns Hopkins.

Georgia also broke a new single-day record Friday, reporting at least 4,813 new coronavirus cases. Health officials reported 3,787 new cases Saturday. More than 165,180 people have tested positive in the state, according to Johns Hopkins.

Oregon reported nine new coronavirus-related deaths Friday, breaking its record for most reported fatalities in a single day since the pandemic began. Health officials in the state reported 396 new cases, bringing the state’s total to more than 16,100.

For the second day in a row, Hawaii reported a record number of new cases, identifying 60 new positive tests Friday, according to health officials. On Thursday, Hawaii reported 55 new cases. the state has had at least 1,620 reported infections, according to Johns Hopkins.

Florida’s youngest victim was a 9-year-old girl

Across the state, at least 50 hospitals have no ICU beds available.

Last week, a 9-year-old girl with no pre-existing conditions became the state’s youngest coronavirus victim. Kimora “Kimmie” Lynum was taken to a local hospital to treat a “very high” fever, her family said.

Kimmie’s cousin and family spokesman Dejeon Cain said the hospital told the family to return home. After doing so, the young girl complained of not feeling well and collapsed, Cain said. She didn’t have a detectable heartbeat.

Her family said they don’t know how Kimmie contracted the virus, as she had appeared healthy and had spent the summer at home.

Texas hospital could send patients home to die

Officials in Starr County announced they’re creating committees to review patients’ cases at the Starr County Memorial Hospital — where at least 50% of patients admitted to the hospital’s emergency room have tested positive for coronavirus.

“Unfortunately, Starr County Memorial Hospital has limited resources and our doctors are going to have to decide who receives treatment, and who is sent home to die by their loved ones,” Starr County Judge Eloy Vera wrote in a Facebook post on Thursday. “This is what we did not want our community to experience.”

Earlier this month, the governor ordered a statewide mask mandate and urged residents to heed the precautions in order for businesses and the economy to remain open.

CDC in favor of reopening schools

Many teachers and staff members across the US have strongly opposed returning to classrooms next month as the virus runs uncontrolled across American communities.

President Donald Trump has said he’s putting pressure on governors to reopen schools in a push to get the US back to business as usual.

In new guidelines posted last week on education and childcare, the CDC came down hard in favor of reopening schools, saying children don’t suffer much from coronavirus and are less likely to spread it.

The CDC guidelines recommended local officials consider closing schools — or keeping them closed — if there is substantial, uncontrolled spread of the virus.

“It is critically important for our public health to open schools this fall,” CDC Director Dr. Robert Redfield said.

“School closures have disrupted normal ways of life for children and parents, and they have had negative health consequences on our youth. CDC is prepared to work with K-12 schools to safely reopen while protecting the most vulnerable.”