🎙️ Voice is AI-generated. Inconsistencies may occur.
As novel coronavirus cases continue to climb across the country, at least five states have each reported more than a 50 percent spike in new infections since last week.
Total new cases reported from July 7 to 13 in North Dakota, Montana, Colorado, Minnesota and West Virginia have each surged from the total new cases reported the previous week from June 30 to July 6, according to data compiled by Johns Hopkins University.
Here we take a closer look at five states where total new infections increased by over 50 percent from the previous week.
North Dakota
Rise from previous week: over 91.2 percent
July 7 to 13: 593 total new cases
June 30 to July 6: 310 total new cases
New cases in North Dakota have been mostly rising from around June 23, according to Johns Hopkins University. The state didn't issue an official stay-at-home order, but implemented various social distancing measures—including the closure of schools and several businesses to mitigate the spread of the virus. The state began reopening some businesses from May 1.
"As of May 29th, 2020, North Dakota is in the Green - Low Risk Level," the North Dakota state government website says.
Montana
Rise from previous week: over 80 percent
July 7 to 13: 594 new cases
June 30 to July 6: 330 new cases
Montana began seeing a sharp rise in new infections from around June 7. That was roughly a week after the state entered the second phase of its reopening on June 1, which saw restaurants, bars and casinos increase their capacity to 75 percent.
"Gyms, indoor group fitness classes, pool and hot tubs can operate at 75 percent capacity and only if they can adhere to strict physical distancing and they exercise frequent sanitation protocols," the state government noted.
Earlier this month, Montana Gov. Steve Bullock announced plans for the reopening of schools across the state in three phases, with guidelines issued for each stage.
Colorado
Rise from previous week: over 70.5 percent
July 7 to 13: 2,978 new cases
June 30 to July 6: 1,746 new cases
The number of new cases in Colorado has been mostly rising from around mid-June, according to Johns Hopkins University. The state's stay-at-home order expired on April 27 and retail businesses were allowed to reopen at 50 percent capacity from May.
Access to outdoor areas was increased from June, with safety guidelines in place under the "Safer at Home and in the Vast, Great Outdoors" order issued by Colorado Gov. Jared Polis.
Minnesota
Rise from previous week: over 55.2 percent
July 7 to 13: 4,203 new cases
June 30 to July 6: 2,708 new cases
New infections in Minnesota began mostly increasing from around mid-June, with several large spikes seen through July. The state's stay-at-home-order expired on May 17 but restaurants and bars were reopened from early June at 50 percent capacity, among other guidelines in place.
West Virginia
Rise from previous week: over 52.2 percent
July 7 to 13: 871 new cases
June 30 to July 6: 572 new cases
New cases in West Virginia began increasing from around June 8, just days after gatherings of up to 100 people were permitted from June 5. Festivals, fairs and all outdoor, open-air concerts also resumed from July 1 with restrictions in place.
West Virginia began reopening from April 30 after its stay-at-home order expired. Spas, swimming pools, bowling alleys and indoor entertainment facilities were reopened from the end of May.
Over 13.1 million people across the globe have been infected since the virus was first reported in Wuhan, China. More than 7.2 million globally have reportedly recovered from infection, while over 573,800 have died as of Tuesday, according to the latest figures from Johns Hopkins University.
The graphic below, provided by Statista, illustrates U.S. states where reopenings have been stalled or reversed.
The graphics below, provided by Statista, illustrates the spread of COVID-19 cases in the U.S.
The graphic below, provided by Statista, illustrates the countries with the most COVID-19 cases.
About the writer
Soo Kim is a Newsweek reporter based in London, U.K. She covers various lifestyle stories, specializing in Read more