The United States reported an increase of 36,900 cases of COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, its largest ever single-day increase, surpassing the prior peak of April 24. This represents an increase of 1.5 percent, which is close to double the rate of increase we were experiencing two weeks ago. Deaths were up only 748, or 0.6 percent. Deaths are considered a lagging indicator and trail cases.
Cases surged in California, reaching 7,149 on Tuesday, a record for the state, bringing the state total close to 196,000. While the state has ramped up testing and also conducted a record number of tests, the positivity rate for the tests increased to 5.1 percent from 4.6 last week. Hospitalizations in California reached 4,095 and ICU admissions ticked upwards, although at a lower level than overall hospitalizations. California reported 91 news deaths for a total of 5,728.
Texas followed in California’s footsteps, reporting 5,5551 new cases for a total of just under 126,000. This increase was a new record, surpassing the one set the day before. There are only 1,153 patients in Texas that are hospitals who have tested positive for COVID-19. The state reports that there are 12,951 hospitaliz beds available, and more than 1,300 are ICU beds. On June 24, Texas reported 29 new deaths due to COVID-19 for a total of 2,249.
