New cases and hospitalizations for covid-19 are increasing in the United States

(CNN) – Thursday was the first day with more than 70,000 new cases of COVID-19 in the United States in three months, and the hospitalization rate is on the rise, new data indicate.

32 states have reported an increase in COVID-19 infections, according to data from Johns Hopkins University.

Thursday was the day with the highest number of new infections since July 24 and the day with the fourth highest total of all time, with 71,671, according to Johns Hopkins.

More than 41,000 people have been hospitalized across the country, according to the Covid Tracking Project (CTP). This is the highest level of admissions nationwide since August 20.

The number of people hospitalized has increased by 33% since the beginning of October, the CTP says.

Deaths also rose, to 856 Thursday, according to Johns Hopkins. The 7-day average death rate continues to rise, reaching 763. This is the highest level of average weekly deaths in a month.

An updated model from the University of Washington’s Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation predicts that more than 140,000 Americans are likely to die from the virus in the next three months.

In reports from the White House Coronavirus Task Force obtained by CNN this week, officials say there are “early signs of deterioration in the” solar belt “states and continuing deterioration in the Midwest and the US from the north.” . Other state leaders have sounded the alarm of rising infections, hospitalizations and deaths.

States are likely to ‘re-impose some social distancing mandates’

The institute says the “autumn / winter surge has begun”, just a couple of weeks behind Europe, and will intensify in November and December before peaking in January.

“Many states will face enormous pressure on hospital capacity and will likely have to strengthen some social distancing mandates,” IHME said. “The best strategy for delaying re-imposition and associated financial hardship is to expand the use of masks.”

Oregon is the only state that is heading in the right direction, according to Johns Hopkins data, which also shows:

• At least eight states reported record hospitalizations Thursday: Kentucky, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.
• At least 12 states had the highest seven-day average of new daily cases: Alaska, Colorado, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Minnesota, Montana, Ohio, Oklahoma, Utah, and Wyoming.
• And at least six states – Colorado, Indiana, Montana, Ohio, Oklahoma and Utah – have reported the highest number of daily cases.

This week, health officials issued a jail order for all University of Michigan undergraduate students amid a spate of coronavirus cases.

“There is a bit of fatigue from COVID-19,” University President Mark Schlissel said.

“It’s the university population. And the epidemiology of these cases shows us that they are not happening due to the spread in our classrooms or in our campus facilities. They are happening in social circumstances where a small number of people have let their guard down, “he told CNN’s” New Day “.

Illinois Governor JB Pritzker has announced regional restrictions.

New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell said anyone who doesn’t wear a mask could be fined $ 500.

“There are already laws in the books,” he said. “It’s just a matter of taking that step to enforce, at the discretion of our police officers.”

Utah has announced further efforts for more than 20 high-risk transmission counties. These efforts include limiting random social gatherings to 10 people.

Small gatherings and house parties fuel the increase

In its state reports, the White House task force recommended “strong mitigation efforts”, including “wearing masks, physical distancing, hand hygiene, avoiding crowds at public meetings and private social media.”

This comes just days after the group raised concerns about small family reunions that help fuel the increase in cases.

Maryland Governor Larry Hogan said Thursday’s family reunions are the main source of broadcast in his state.

“Our contact tracing operation continues to show that social gatherings continue to be the most likely source of broadcasts,” the governor said. “The number one activity that has been successful continues to be family reunions, followed by parties at home.”

Experts worry that the holidays can lead to infections. Doctors fear college students returning home may carry the virus, with large family reunions around Thanksgiving and other events adding to the spread. Infectious disease experts say the virtual celebrations may be the best this year.

US Secretary of Health and Human Services Alex Azar said Friday that family reunions have become an “important vector” of the spread of the coronavirus.

“This is happening driven by individual behaviors right now,” he told CNN’s Jim Sciutto. “We need to stay focused on washing our hands, looking at our distance and covering our faces when we can’t look at our distance, and especially be careful in family gatherings.”

Remdesivir gets FDA approval

Meanwhile, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved remdesivir for the treatment of COVID-19 infection, the drug’s manufacturer, Gilead Sciences, announced Thursday.

The drug, sold under the Veklury brand, has been used with emergency use authorization since May. It is the first drug approved for the treatment of covid-19.

“In the United States, Veklury is indicated for adult and pediatric patients (12 years of age and older and weighing at least 40 kg) for the treatment of COVID-19 that requires hospitalization,” the company said. in a statement.

“Veklury should only be administered in a hospital or healthcare setting that can provide acute care comparable to inpatient hospital care.”

But earlier this month, World Health Organization officials said a study had shown that the antiviral drug has “little or no effect on mortality” for patients hospitalized with the virus and does not appear to help patients with the virus. the virus. recover faster. The WHO said the study provided “conclusive evidence” and the results were disappointing.

Betsy Klein, Rebekah Riess, Gregory Lemos, Maggie Fox, Melissa Alonso, and Brandon Miller of CNN contributed to this report.