US Reports Smallest Daily CCP Virus Case Increase in 4 Weeks

People walk while wearing protective masks as New York City moves into Phase 3 of reopening following restrictions imposed to curb the CCP virus pandemic, on July 14, 2020. Cindy Ord/Getty Images

The United States on Aug. 2 counted more than 47,000 new CCP virus cases, which is the smallest daily increase in about four weeks, according to a report.

Researchers with Johns Hopkins University provided the update, noting that about 4.67 million people in the United States have contracted the CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus, a novel coronavirus that emerged from Wuhan, China, late last year.

The 47,511 new cases reported by The Wall Street Journal, which cited the university’s data, is the lowest number of cases since July 6, when about 44,900 were registered. A day before that, on Aug. 1, more than 58,000 cases of the virus were reported nationwide, and on July 31, about 67,000 cases were noted.

California reported about 9,032 new cases, and Florida reported 7,084 cases on Aug. 1, according to the data.

In the midst of the decline, White House CCP virus response coordinator Dr. Deborah Birx told news outlets on Aug. 2 that the virus is more widespread than ever, recommending that some schools in higher-risk areas implement distance-learning methods, rather than having students return to in-person classes.

“What we are seeing today is different from March and April. It is extraordinarily widespread. It’s into the rural as equal urban areas,” she said in an interview with CNN.

Americans should follow health care professionals’ recommendations, including practicing social distancing and wearing a protective mask, she reiterated.

Coronavirus Response Coordinator Dr. Deborah Birx listens as President Donald Trump speaks during a coronavirus task force press briefing at the White House in Washington on April 18, 2020. Jim Watson/AFP via Getty Images

“To everybody who lives in a rural area, you are not immune or protected from this virus,” Birx told CNN. “If you’re in multi-generational households, and there’s an outbreak in your rural area or in your city, you need to really consider wearing a mask at home, assuming that you’re positive, if you have individuals in your households with comorbidities.”

More than 173,000 deaths in the United States are expected by Aug. 22 if public life proceeds largely unchanged, according to a report from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). So far, more than 150,000 Americans have died, according to researchers.

“It’s not super-spreading individuals, it’s super-spreading events, and we need to stop those. We definitely need to take more precautions,” Birx added.

Outside of the United States, several other countries have seen significant increases in cases. India reported more than 50,000 new cases of the virus for a fifth consecutive day.

Brazil on Aug. 1 reported more than 45,000 cases of COVID-19 as well as 1,088 deaths, with the death toll rising to 93,563 and cases rising to about 2.7 million. South Africa, meanwhile, reported 10,000 new cases on Aug. 1, bringing the total to more than 503,000, according to the BBC.

Australia’s Victoria state declared a state of disaster after reporting 429 new cases over the weekend. President Donald Trump, on Twitter, pointed to the Australian announcement to defend the U.S. response to the pandemic.

“Big China Virus breakouts all over the World, including nations which were thought to have done a great job. The Fake News doesn’t report this. USA will be stronger than ever before, and soon,” he wrote on Aug. 2.