Coronavirus pandemic in the US

By Meg Wagner and Mike Hayes, CNN

Updated 9:32 p.m. ET, May 18, 2020
53 Posts
Sort byDropdown arrow
2:36 p.m. ET, May 18, 2020

New Jersey governor hopes graduation ceremonies might be possible in July

From CNN's Elizabeth Hartfield

New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy speaks during a press conference in Trenton, New Jersey, on May 18.
New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy speaks during a press conference in Trenton, New Jersey, on May 18. Pool

New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy said he hopes some schools will be able to have in-person graduation ceremonies in July.

Asked about whether students and families should hold out hope that schools districts might be able to hold some type of outdoor, in-person commencement ceremonies in July, Murphy said they should, and that he has “the same hope." However, he stressed that he had nothing specifically to report on that question. 

The governor also urged residents to be responsible when going outside over Memorial Day weekend, asking them to keep their distance and “wear something on your face.”  

Murphy said anecdotally, he’s noticed “there’s far too little face coverings going on right now in public places.” 

Asked about whether he was concerned about businesses defying his orders to stay closed, specifically citing a gym in Bellmawr that opened its doors to members Monday, Murphy said that he’s not concerned because residents have “overwhelmingly done the right thing.” He said that police have to enforce the rules, but that he doesn’t “want to start World War III.”  

That gym was issued a summons. 

2:33 p.m. ET, May 18, 2020

More than 800 new Covid-19 cases reported in Pennsylvania

From CNN's Kristina Sgueglia

Dr. Ala Stanford, left, assisted by medical student Tal Lee, prepares to administer a COVID-19 swab test on a person in the parking lot of Pinn Memorial Baptist Church in Philadelphia, on April 22.
Dr. Ala Stanford, left, assisted by medical student Tal Lee, prepares to administer a COVID-19 swab test on a person in the parking lot of Pinn Memorial Baptist Church in Philadelphia, on April 22. Matt Rourke/AP

Pennsylvania reported 822 new cases of Covid-19, according to the state’s top health executive Dr. Rachel Levine.

The state reported nearly 200 less new cases in their Sunday report. The total number of cases in the state now stands at 63,056.

Pennsylvania has reported 4,405 total deaths, Levine said.

She said the state has transitioned a new data resource to get “as near to real-time information regarding people whose deaths have been attributed to Covid-19, in addition to those who have tested positive for Covid-19.”

Counties will now see a difference in their counts, Levine said. She explained that a death in a nursing home, for example, will now reflect the death in the county of residence.

2:27 p.m. ET, May 18, 2020

American Public Health Association defends CDC during tensions between agency and White House

From CNN's Gisela Crespo

The American Public Health Association on Monday defended the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, saying the agency “must be allowed to maintain its scientific rigor without pressure from outside influences.”

The association issued its statement because of media reports detailing conflicts between the CDC and the White House, it said.

In a statement, the APHA said it supports CDC to lead the country's public health work during the Covid-19 pandemic. 

"We have faith in CDC as a paragon of our institutional response to this pandemic," APHA Executive Director Dr. Georges Benjamin said. “The agency must be listened to as a key voice as we work to overcome Covid-19." 

The CDC last week provided guidance, in the form of six decision tools, aimed at helping at helping businesses, communities, schools, camps, daycares and mass transit decide whether it's safe to reopen. 

The APHA argues the guidance is not as detailed as the more than 60-page document drafted by the CDC. That more detailed guidance was shelved by the Trump administration, CNN has reported. 

According to Benjamin, the CDC has been at the "forefront in the fight against disease," adding the agency "has achieved it successes without political interference." 

"Our interest is science, not politics," Benjamin said. “CDC has been the lead agency protecting the public’s health over the past 70 years. Its credibility as a bastion of scientific research, data collection and information-sharing about public health is without question. It is one of the most trusted federal agencies, and must be allowed to maintain its scientific rigor without pressure from outside influences.”

2:37 p.m. ET, May 18, 2020

Rhode Island announces reopening of beaches, parks and places of worship

From CNN's Jessica King

Pedestrians walk through Fort Adams State Park on May 9 in Newport, Rhode Island.
Pedestrians walk through Fort Adams State Park on May 9 in Newport, Rhode Island. Maddie Meyer/Getty Images

Rhode Island Gov. Gina Raimondo announced several more reopenings at her daily Covid-19 briefing Monday:

  • State beaches: Two Rhode Island state beaches will open Monday. East Matunuck State Beach and Scarborough State Beach will open for Memorial Day. While exact guidelines won’t be announced until later this week, Raimondo said to expect reduced parking, no lifeguards and closed bathrooms and changing rooms. Because amenities won’t be provided, these beaches will be free. All state beaches are expected to open in phase two of Rhode Island’s reopening.
  • State parks: As of today, all state parks in Rhode Island are now open, Raimondo said.
  • Places of worship: In-person faith services are expected to resume the weekend of May 30, Raimondo said. Exact guidelines will be announced between now and then. 
4:56 p.m. ET, May 18, 2020

Michigan governor signs order lifting some restrictions in parts of the state

From CNN's Kay Jones and Elizabeth Joseph

Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed an order lifting restrictions in the Upper Peninsula and the Traverse City area starting Friday at 12:01 a.m. 

The new order allows for the reopening of retail businesses, office work that cannot be done remotely, and restaurants and bars with limited seating.

The order also states that businesses must adopt the safety measures outlined in executive order the governor signed earlier on Monday requiring them to provide training to their employees. Capacity at restaurants and bars will be limited to 50% of their normal seating and they are required to keep groups at least six feet from one another. All servers must wear face coverings, and restaurants must follow rigorous disinfection protocols. 

"The data shows that it's safer than indoor seating to be outside," Whitmer said in a press conference on today. "We should take full advantage of the springtime weather, and that's what we're hoping to do here." 

She went on to say that these regions are showing lower new cases than the statewide average. But Whitmer cautioned that residents in these areas should still continue to take precautions when going out, including wearing masks, staying six feet apart and washing hands.

Watch here:

3:13 p.m. ET, May 18, 2020

Michigan governor signs executive order protecting workers 

From CNN's Kay Jones and Elizabeth Joseph

Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, right, speaks during a press conference in Lansing, Michigan, on May 18.
Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, right, speaks during a press conference in Lansing, Michigan, on May 18. Pool/WLNS

Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed an executive order today to further protect workers as they begin to re-engage in sectors of the economy.

"Nobody in Michigan should feel unsafe when they go back to work," Whitmer said. "Nobody should be worried about their family member or loved one.”

The new order requires businesses to develop a Covid-19 preparedness and response plan and submit it by June 1. It will require "all businesses to adhere to strict safety guidelines to protect their workers, their patrons, and their communities from infection," according to a statement from the governor's office. 

Additionally, businesses must also provide training to employees covering such things as workplace infection-control practices, the proper use of personal protective equipment, steps workers must take to notify the business or operation of any symptoms of Covid-19 or a suspected or confirmed diagnosis of Covid-19, and how to report unsafe working conditions.  

To help ensure compliance, a new director of Covid-19 Workplace Safety will be appointed to work within the state Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity.

Watch here:

2:02 p.m. ET, May 18, 2020

There needs to be an abundance of testing before sports can return, NHL commissioner says

From CNN's Wayne Sterling

National Hockey League (NHL) commissioner Gary Bettman discussed efforts to safely continue the season at an online sports forum on Monday.

Bettman said there has to be an abundance of testing for the NHL to return. So far, the league has only tested the players who have been sick.

"Medical needs must take priority and there must be enough test to satisfy what the medical community thinks its needs are and sports desire to come back. We cannot jump the line in front of medical needs," Bettman said on the forum.

The commissioner said the NHL is looking at eight or nine different places "in NHL buildings" that can host about a dozen teams in one location, playing multiple games in one day. 

He added that players and fans want to complete the season and that the league will be ready to do so – even if it means playing in the summer and delaying the start of the 2020-2021 season.

The league is exploring whether to complete, shorten or forego the regular season and head straight to the playoffs.

2:00 p.m. ET, May 18, 2020

Here are the latest reopening plans from West Virginia

From CNN’s Mirna Alsharif

West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice speaks at a news conference in Charleston, West Virginia, on May 18.
West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice speaks at a news conference in Charleston, West Virginia, on May 18. Youtube

West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice announced Monday additional reopening plans, which will start May 26.

Here's what the plans include:

  • State park cabins and lodges will reopen to in-state residents only.
  • Indoor and outdoor bars will open with 50% capacity.
  • Museums, visitor centers and zoos will also reopen.
  • Spas and massage businesses will reopen on May 30, along with limited video lottery retailers.
  • Casinos will open on June 5 with strict guidance to keep players safe.

Justice said all reopening measures will be subject to strict guidelines to keep people safe. He added that plans are subject to change.

Dr. Clay Marsh, the state's Covid-19 czar, encouraged residents to wear masks as the state continues to reopen.

1:57 p.m. ET, May 18, 2020

New Jersey governor outlines 3 stages of reopening

From CNN's Elizabeth Hartfield

A person on a bike rides past the Seaside Heights boardwalk on May 16 in Seaside Heights, New Jersey.
A person on a bike rides past the Seaside Heights boardwalk on May 16 in Seaside Heights, New Jersey. Yana Paskova/Getty Images

New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy outlined how the state's economy will continue to reopen in three phases, saying "not everything will happen at once."

  • Stage 1: This is where the state is now, the governor said. Low-risk and outdoor activities are reopening – including parks, beaches, curbside retail, drive-in activities and elective surgeries.
  • Stage 2: The governor said this stage will be a broader restart of the economy. Restaurants will be allowed to reopen outdoor dining and potentially limited indoor dining. Some personal care businesses, libraries, and museums will also be allowed to reopen, and the state will begin putting in motion plans for what it will look like when students return to schools “hopefully” in the fall – though Murphy emphasized the word hopefully. 
  • Stage 3: Murphy said more restrictions on indoor activities will be lifted, including expanded dining, limited entertainment and bars with limited capacity and social distancing remaining in place.

Murphy did not offer specific dates for these next stages, saying they will be dictated by public health data.

Health indicators, such as sufficient health care capacity, increases in testing and tracing and widespread workplace safeguarding, will be monitored to determine when to start the next phase, he said.

“If we see a backslide, we will not hesitate to take action,” Murphy said.