The United States continues to see thousands of new coronavirus cases daily as some states reiterated that reopening at this time may not be the best option, especially considering that the country has yet to flatten the curve in rising infections.
Over 28,000 New Cases
The U.S. on Thursday logged at least 28,420 new COVID-19 infections and 2,231 lives were lost to the country's coronavirus battle. The data was confirmed by the Johns Hopkins University, CNN reported.
With the new cases recorded on Thursday, the world's largest economy now has a total of 1,257,023 confirmed coronavirus cases and at least 75,662 deaths from the fast-spreading disease.
Alabama Mayor Insists State is 'Not Ready' for Reopening
Mayor of Birmingham, Alabama, Randall Woodfin said on Thursday that the state is "not ready" to reopen yet, adding that he believes that opting for saving the economy instead of ensuring the people's health "is dangerous."
Woodfin went on to urge other elected officials like himself to "do less talking" and to listen to health experts' warnings instead. He explained that at this point, it is more crucial to base reopening decisions on data instead of dates.
In his daily briefing, Woodfin also acknowledged that the state lacks COVID-19 testing kits and contact tracing among infected patients is also inadequate.
As of Wednesday, the state of Alabama registered a total of 8,691 confirmed coronavirus cases and 343 deaths.
NYC Homeless Services Workers Reportedly Forced to Wear Trash Bag PPEs
The Department of Homeless Services in New York City have started requesting for more health protection and support from the government as they have been wearing makeshift trash bags as protective equipment.
According to the New York Post, AFSCME District 37 Local 924 president Kyle Simmons revealed that members of his team need protective gowns to ensure their safety as the help the homeless in moving their belongings around the city.
The DHS has also received multiple requests for health protection and equipment but Simmons said "they refuse to do anything." Simmons has since sent in photos as proof that homeless services laborers in NYC need PPEs.
As of Wednesday, New York logged 323,978 confirmed COVID-19 cases and 25,623 deaths. It remains the hardest-hit state in the U.S.
Nearly 10,000 New Cases in Brazil
On Thursday, the Brazilian Health Ministry registered 9,988 new coronavirus cases and 610 new deaths from the fast-spreading disease. The national cases toll now stands at 135,106 and the deaths have reached 9,146.
The news came a day after Brazil's presidential spokesman and army general Otavio Rego Barros tested COVID-19 positive. The president's office said Barros is recovering at home.
Barros is among the over 20 government officials who have contracted the virus, including national security minister Augusto Heleno and communications head Fabio Wajngarten.
Brazilian president Jair Bolsonaro, despite the increasing number of people under his administration getting infected, has been going out in the streets, showing support for rallying parties who call for social distancing measures to be lifted.
Mexico Logs Record-High COVID-19 Deaths
Mexico on Thursday recorded 257 new deaths linked to the coronavirus, marking the highest daily increase in fatalities in the country.
According to Reuters, the Latin American country now has reached a total of 29,616 confirmed COVID-19 cases and 2,961 deaths following near 2,000 new infections over the last 24 hours.
As part of the government's efforts in implementing social distancing measures, some officials have recommended moving Mother's Day Sunday to July as it is the beginning of the week that health experts believe will see the peak of the virus in Mexico.
In Mexico, Mother's Day is recognized as one of the most important annual holidays but it is expected that festivities will be largely be reduced even if the holiday pushes through on Sunday.
