COVID-19 update: United States cases continue to rise
As of August 2020, COVID-19 is affecting more than 200 countries and territories around the world. The total number of cases in the U.S has reached more than 5,000,000 with over 175,000 deaths.
The University of Washington predicts the death toll could reach more than 200,000 by the beginning of December.
During the White House briefing on the pandemic, President Donald Trump commented that the pandemic will “get worse before it gets better.” The United States economy has also decreased at a rate of 32.9% between April and June, and more than 1.4 million citizens filed for unemployment.
In South Carolina, More than 100,000 people have tested positive for COVID-19 and more than 2,000 have died. The Department of Health and Environmental Control last updated on more than 700 new confirmed cases and 17 additional deaths on Aug 19, 2020.
After the reopening for the fall semester, the University of North Carolina quickly moved all undergraduate classes online after more than 300 confirmed cases arose, including students and staff members.
The Center for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that cloth face coverings are important to help slow down the spread of COVID-19. Practicing social distancing, washing hands, and regular cleaning and disinfecting surface that are frequently touched are also ways to help slow the spread of the virus.
