Covid-19: disturbing resurgence of cases in the southern United States

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The southern United States, from Florida to California, has become the hot spot for the country's coronavirus epidemic. Texas, which very quickly began its deconfinement at the beginning of May, records records of new infections. The number of hospitalizations has doubled in the past month and hospitals are concerned about being overwhelmed.

Publicity

The Texas coronavirus contamination curve is now exponential and the Houston region is the new center of the pandemic, reports our correspondent in Houston , Thomas Harms . "  We are now in the vertical curve phase and at this rate all of our beds are full within a week," says Dr. Peter Hotez of Baylor College of Medicine. If we continue on this trajectory, we will be at the level of a city in Brazil and we will be the most affected city in the United States. "

With a peak of 5,551 cases detected in Texas on Tuesday, the southern US state again tightened containment measures after being one of the first to relax them. Gatherings which were authorized up to 500 people descend to less than 100 people, masks become compulsory in stores.

Children's hospital welcomes adults

And hospitals are starting to be overwhelmed . Dr. Peter Hotez also works at Texas Children's Hospital, the fourth largest pediatric center in the United States. This private hospital decided to take care of adult patients to relieve public hospitals in the city. 

"  We are grateful to Texas Children's Hospital, " said Dr. Marc Boom, executive director of Methodist Hospital in Houston. This has already been done elsewhere in New York and elsewhere because children seem to be less affected by hospitalizations (due to Covid-19).  "

Change of speech from the authorities

"  If we are unable to slow progress in the coming weeks, we will have to reconsider how far businesses can stay open,  " said Texas Governor Greg Abbott. "  Because if it is not contained in the next two weeks, it will get out of control,  " added the elected Republican. He who insisted a few days ago on the abundant number of hospital beds in Texas, is now more cautious. "  Because the spread of the epidemic is so rapid now, " he says, " the safest way to stay is to stay at home."  "

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• United States
• Coronavirus
• Health and Medicine

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