Coronavirus News Update – Nov. 21: U.S. Passes 12 Million Cases, Sets Daily Record

Logan Circle, Philadelphia

The United States, which only recorded its 11 millionth case six days ago, crossed the 12 million mark on Friday, as a record 198,500 new infections were reported and added to the total.  On average, the number of cases has increased by 67% over the past 14 days.

The increase came as the number of infections globally crossed the 58 million mark. The United States leads in the number of cases, with 12.3 million, followed by India with nine million and Brazil with six million.  The United States is 12th for the number of cases per million members of the population. The list is led by tiny Andorra, with a population of 76,000, followed by Bahrain, Qatar, Montenegro, and Belgium.

The latest surge in cases comes at the start of the Thanksgiving travel season, during which millions of Americans typically journey to parents or grandparents for the four-day weekend.  This year, the Centers for Disease Control and Infection issued a warning, telling people not to intermingle households in order to reduce the spread of the virus.

The United States and Canada further extended their border closure through December 21, amidst a rise in cases on both sides of the 49th parallel.  “The situation is serious,” said Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in a tweet.

The state of Illinois issued a stay-at-home order on Friday.  “Effective today, all of Illinois enters Tier 3 Mitigation,” was the message residents in the Land of Lincoln received on their mobile phones. “Work from home when possible, avoid unnecessary travel, and celebrate the holidays virtually with extended family,” it suggested.

The limited stay-at-home order issued by Governor Gavin Newsom of California went into effect late Thursday.   The curfew extends from 10 p.m. to 5 p.m., during which all businesses must remain shuttered.  A similar order is in effect in New York State for bars and restaurants only.

The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania implemented new restrictions as well.  Masks are required everywhere in the state except in private homes.  In Philadelphia, restaurants are shuttered, as are museums, libraries, and gyms.

None of the states where the coronavirus appears to be spreading the fastest, namely Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wyoming, is under a curfew or shutdown order, although governors of some of those states have begun to require masks indoors.

In Washington, D.C., Senator Rick Scott of Florida was the latest Member of Congress to test positive for virus.  Senate Majority Leader Mitch O’Connell sent the Senate home one day early and warned Republican Senators to stay healthy lest they risk their lame-duck session agenda. Earlier in the week, Senator Chuck Grassley of Iowa, the oldest member of the Senate at 87, tested positive, as did Congressman Don Young of Alaska, who is also 87.

The Trump legal team was potentially exposed to the coronavirus after Rudy Giuliani’s son, Andrew, a White House staff member, tested positive.  Andrew is believed to have exposed the team, which includes his father, at a news conference at Republican National Headquarters on Thursday. He is currently in isolation with mild symptoms.

In Canada, Ontario Premier Doug Ford announced that outdoor dining would close in Toronto and two suburbs (indoor dining was already suspended), and closed non-essential stores except for curbside pickup.  Gyms, salons, barbershops, and pools will close and outdoor gatherings will be limited to ten people for the next 28 days.

The Iranian government issued stay-at-home orders in 160 cities including the capital, Tehran, after the number of new daily cases for the past week remained over 12,000.

The virus is impacting Black Friday as well.  The French government is delaying the shopping holiday, which is the unofficial start of the Christmas season, until December 4.  Amazon agreed to delay its Black Friday sales there until then.

(Photo: Accura Media Group)