US: COVID-19 surges nationwide; Texas tops 1 million cases

Texas on Wednesday became first state with more than 1 million confirmed COVID-19 cases, and California closed in on that mark as a surge of infections engulfs country from coast to coast.

In New York, Gov. Andrew Cuomo said all restaurants, bars and gyms statewide will have to close at 10 p.m. starting Friday, a major retreat in a corner of U.S. that seemed to have brought virus largely under control months ago. He also barred private garings of more than 10 people.

Texas, second-most populous state, has recorded 1.01 million coronavirus cases and over 19,000 deaths since outbreak began in early March, according to data compiled by Johns Hopkins University. California, most populous state, has logged more than 991,000 cases.

U.S. has reported about 10.3 million confirmed infections, with new cases soaring to all-time highs of well over 120,000 per day over past week. Health have blamed increase in part on onset of cold wear and growing frustration with mask-wearing and or precautions.

Cases per day are on rise in 49 states, and deaths per day are climbing in 39. A month ago, U.S. was seeing about 730 COVID-19 deaths per day on aver; that has w surpassed 970.

Among many health officials sounding alarm was Dr. Julie Watson of Integris Health in Oklahoma.

“We are in trouble,” she said. “If thing is done soon to slow rise in cases, our hospitals will be more overwhelmed than y already are and we won’t be able to be re for all of those who need it.”

Oklahoma's health department said Wednesday that 1,248 people were hospitalized for confirmed or probable coronavirus, shattering previous one-day record of 1,055.

Texas reported 10,865 new cases on Tuesday, breaking a record set in mid-July. One of hardest-hit places is border city of El Paso; its county has nearly 28,000 active cases and has suffered more than 680 COVID-19 deaths.

American Medical Association renewed its plea for mask-wearing, physical distancing and frequent hand-washing.

“With holidays quickly approaching, each of us must do everything possible to reduce spread of COVID-19, “ AMA President Susan Bailey said. “Failing to do our part will prolong suffering and disruption to our lives and inevitably lead to more deaths of our friends, neighbors and loved ones.”

Meanwhile, many traditional Veterans Day celebrations gave way to somber virtual garings Wednesday. Many veterans homes have barred visitors to protect ir residents from virus.

In New York City, a quiet parade of military vehicles, with spectators, rolled through Manhattan to maintain 101-year tradition of veterans marching on Fifth Avenue.

More than 4,200 veterans have died from COVID-19 at hospitals and homes run by Department of Veterans Affairs, and nearly 85,000 have been infected, according to department.