NJ, VA, go into emergency mode and KY calls National Guard
Covid is continuing to cause surges across America, and while deaths still remain low, some state governments are taking drastic action to stop the spread. Staffing issues have also been an issue for many hospitals around the country, spurring emergency orders from some to relieve those shortages.
Load Error
In Virginia, a state of emergency has been declared by the Governor in an effort to combat capacity shortages during a surge in cases. Under the order, hospitals will be allowed to expand capacity and some regulations on staffing roles will be lifted.
The state has suffered a 153 percent increase in cases over the past two weeks, with 200 of every 100,000 residents testing positive every day – both figures putting the state towards the middle of the pack. Virginia is also suffering 0.16 deaths per every 100,000 residents every day, the third lowest rate of any U.S. state.
New Jersey has been one of the hardest struck states by the Omicron-fueled Covid surge tearing through America. The state has the fourth highest infection rate in America, with 350 of every 100,000 residents testing positive for the virus daily. Only four states are logging more than 300 cases per every 100,000 residents daily.
A public health emergency has been instituted in the state to combat rising cases. The orders from Gov Phil Murphy include increased vaccine rollout and testing efforts. Mask mandates will also be reinstated in some parts of the state.
© Provided by Daily Mail
© Provided by Daily Mail
Cases in the state have doubled over the past two weeks, though the week-to-week growth of cases has contracted in recent weeks. Many officials believe the current surge is nearing its peak, and New Jersey could be an example of the Omicron variant burning out.
Neighboring New York, also an early hot spot of the Omicron variant, is seeing its weekly growth of cases contract as well. The state is still among the leaders in infection rate, with 378 of every 100,000 residents testing positive for the virus every day. Cases have doubled over the past two weeks, though the week-to-week change has shrunk since the surge first began.
The nation’s leader in infection rate in Rhode Island, which has by far ran away from the rest of the pack in recent day. The state, where 77 percent of residents are fully vaccinated, is recording 507 positive cases every day for every 100,000 residents – a 226 percent increase over the past two weeks. No other state has more than 400 new cases every day per every 100,000 residents.
Massachusetts is the fourth and final state with an infection rate of over 300 per every 100,000 residents, at 359. All four states leading the nation have fully vaccinated more than 70 percent of their residents, and each are among the top 20 states in death rate by population.
Video: Omicron impacts hospitality (Sky News)
While Kentucky is not experiencing surges to the level of many other states, the Bluegrass state’s government is taking drastic action to stop the spread of the virus as well.
Gov Andy Beshear activated the National Guard this week, sending 445 members to hospitals and health care facilities in the state to assist with a recent uptick in cases. Over the past two weeks, cases in the state have jumped 240 percent with 188 of every 100,000 residents recording infections every day.
Some of Kentucky’s neighbors in the south are experiencing some of the worst case surges in the nation at the moment. South Carolina remains the nation’s leader in case growth over the past two weeks, up 842 percent over that period. No other state has recorded an increase of more than 700 percent during that time.
Other nearby states suffering massive case increases include Arkansas (455 percent increase over past two weeks), Alabama (392 percent), Oklahoma (376 percent), North Carolina (328 percent), Mississippi (301 percent).
© Provided by Daily Mail
© Provided by Daily Mail
While cases in the U.S. have quickly grown, deaths have not followed. Around 1,700 Americans are dying from Covid every day, only a 10% jump over the past two weeks, and nowhere near records set last winter
Many states out west have quickly creeped up as leaders in case increases over the past two weeks. The 673 percent increase in cases suffered by Alaska over the past two weeks is the second highest rate in the country. Utah (554 percent increase), Oregon (538 percent) and Montana (520 percent) are also among the five states that have suffered case increases of 500 percent or more.
Along the west coast, California, the nation’s most populous state, suffered a 401 percent increase in case over the past two weeks.
The number of states recording more than one death per every 100,000 residents has shrunk to four, even as cases spike nationwide – another sign that the Omicron variant is not as dangerous, even if it does cause record case numbers.
Indiana remains the leader in mortality rate, with 1.38 of every 100,000 residents dying from Covid every day.
Delaware comes in second, with a mortality rate of 1.28 of every 100,000. Pennsylvania (1.04) and New Mexico (1.01) make up the remaining group.
Michigan, once the leader by far in Covid deaths per capita, has finally seen its figure per every 100,000 residents shrink below 1.0 once more – falling to a 0.96 average as of Wednesday. It is a hopeful sign that the surge that hammered the Great Lakes state for months now is finally receding.
© Provided by Daily Mail
Source: Thanks msn.com