July 29 coronavirus news

By Nectar Gan, Adam Renton, Melissa Macaya, Meg Wagner and Mike Hayes, CNN

Updated 12:40 p.m. ET, July 30, 2020
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9:55 a.m. ET, July 29, 2020

The $600 unemployment enhancement expires in 2 days. Here's where stimulus talks stand now.

From CNN's Phil Mattingly

The negotiators responsible for brokering a sweeping stimulus deal that will keep many Americans from losing federal unemployment benefits are currently at the "airing our differences" phase of talks.

But the weekly $600 federal unemployment enhancement expires in 48 hours, and, as a person involved told CNN last night, negotiators are "in different universes right now."

Here's where things stand this morning:

  • Republicans vs. Republicans: Divisions within the Republican conference spilled out last night as some GOP senators dismissed parts of their party's own leadership's stimulus plan. In particular, senators blasted the administration for including $1.75 billion in the bill to build a new FBI building.
  • What the GOP plan says about unemployment: The GOP proposal would cut enhanced federal unemployment benefits to $200, from the current level of $600, as states transition to implement a system designed to provide approximately 70% wage replacement for laid off workers.
  • What Democrats want: Democrats — who already passed their stimulus plan in the House — aren't budging on the $600 federal unemployment enhancement, nor the nearly $1 trillion for state and local funding.
  • What happens next: Contrary to where things currently sit, there are solutions here. People involved in the talks — most of whom are veterans of a half-dozen or more extremely high stakes deadline negotiations — acknowledge there are deal points here that can be reached. But they also make clear neither side is anywhere near moving towards those points at the moment. Today, Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and White House chief of staff Mark Meadows will return to the Capitol Wednesday to meet again with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer.
10:32 a.m. ET, July 29, 2020

Iraq reports new daily record with almost 3,000 coronavirus cases, health ministry says

From CNN'S Aqeel Najim in Baghdad

A person prays by the grave of someone said to have died from Covid-19 at a cemetery near Najaf, Iraq, on July 20.
A person prays by the grave of someone said to have died from Covid-19 at a cemetery near Najaf, Iraq, on July 20. Anmar Khalil/AP

Iraq’s Ministry of Health reported at least 2,968 new coronavirus cases on Wednesday. This is a new record in daily cases.

The total number of cases in Iraq now stands at 118,300.

The health ministry reported 68 Covid-19 deaths, bringing the total number of deaths in Iraq to 4,603.

9:25 a.m. ET, July 29, 2020

Trump heads to Southern Covid-19 hotspot today

As the US nears 150,000 coronavirus deaths, President Trump is traveling to Texas today, one of the country's virus hotspots.

According to the President's schedule, Trump lands in Texas at 11:30 a.m. local time. He is participating in a roundtable with supporters and delivering remarks at a fundraising committee luncheon in Odessa, Texas.

Afterwards, Trump will motorcade to Midland, to participate in a tour of Double Eagle Energy Oil Rig and deliver remarks on energy.

Here is a look at where cases stand across the state, according to data from Johns Hopkins University.

Texas currently has the fourth-highest number of Covid-19 cases:

8:59 a.m. ET, July 29, 2020

The US is nearing 150,000 coronavirus deaths

The US is nearing the grim milestone of 150,000 coronavirus deaths as the country continues to battle surges of Covid-19 cases.

According to Johns Hopkins University's latest tally, at least 149,260 people have died from Covid-19 in the US. The country leads the world in cases with more than 4.3 million cases.

Meanwhile, at least 22 US states are seeing increases in new Covid-19 cases compared to the previous week.

9:34 a.m. ET, July 29, 2020

Peru records highest daily increase in Covid-19 cases since June

From CNN’s Claudia Rebaza and Jimena de la Quintana

People bury someone said to have died from Covid-19 at a cemetery in Arequipa, Peru, on July 22.
People bury someone said to have died from Covid-19 at a cemetery in Arequipa, Peru, on July 22. Jose Sotomayor Jimenez/AFP/Getty Images

Peru reported its highest daily increase in new Covid-19 cases with at least 5,288 in the last 24 hours, according to data released by the Health Ministry on Tuesday evening. The increase is the highest the country has recorded since June 12. 

The total number of coronavirus cases in the country stands at 395,005, according to the same data, while the death toll reached 18,612 with 194 new deaths.

Earlier on Tuesday, President Martin Vizcarra announced an additional grant of 760 soles (more than $200) for 8,500 million vulnerable families affected by the pandemic.

During a televised speech celebrating Peru’s independence day at parliament, the president also announced a lifetime financial grant for children orphaned by Covid-19 of 200 soles per month (about $57).

Vizcarra also acknowledged the urgent need to reactivate the economy badly affected by the pandemic and announced a plan to create one million jobs

"With an investment of 6,350 million soles (more than $1.8 billion) to carry out infrastructure works and generate more than one million jobs throughout the country, which will start in August." Vizcarra said . 

Some background: Peru started to ease lockdown restrictions on July 1 and the state of emergency in the country is due to finish on July 31.

“Lockdown has allowed us to avoid a catastrophe of unimaginable consequences” Vizcarra said.

Peru has the third highest number of Covid-19 cases in the Latin America, behind Brazil and Mexico, according to Johns Hopkins University. 

8:54 a.m. ET, July 29, 2020

Miami-Dade's Covid-19 patients are spilling over to neighboring Broward County

From CNN’s Rosa Flores and Sara Weisfeldt

In the last 7 days, Memorial Healthcare System hospitals in Broward County have seen on average 37% of hospitalized Covid-19 patients come from northwest Miami-Dade County, according to Aurelio M. Fernández, III, president and CEO of Memorial Healthcare System.

Broward County is directly north of Miami-Dade, which has become the epicenter of Florida's coronavirus pandemic.

“We are here to serve our communities, and we are making decisions on how to best manage our current volume, which includes the patients we are seeing from northwest Miami-Dade,” Fernández said. 

Fernández urged the community to wear masks, practice physical distancing and was their hands to help stop the spread of the virus.

  

8:49 a.m. ET, July 29, 2020

At least 54 hospitals have reached ICU capacity in Florida

From CNN’s Rosa Flores and Sara Weisfeldt

In Florida, at least 54 hospitals have reached capacity in their intensive care units and show zero ICU beds available, according to data released by the Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA). 

Ten of the hospitals at capacity are in Miami-Dade County, and eight of them are in Broward County, AHCA data shows.

Another 44 hospitals have 10% or less ICU capacity available, according to AHCA.

AHCA reports about 16% ICU beds are available across the State of Florida. 

8:48 a.m. ET, July 29, 2020

25% of Covid-19 patients at this Miami-Dade hospital need ICU care

From CNN’s Rosa Flores and Sara Weisfeldt

25% of Covid-19 patients in the care of Florida's Jackson Health require ICU treatment, according to Jennifer Piedra, the spokesperson for the Miami-Dade County hospital. 

The state of Florida has provided Jackson Health with 200 nurses, 50 respiratory therapists and 100 nursing support staff, says Piedra. Jackson Health has hired an additional 100 nurses. 

Jackson Health is currently caring for seven pediatric Covid-19 patients, per Piedra. Since the inception of the pandemic, children under the age of 18 have been the smallest proportion of patients treated, says Piedra.

Piedra says Jackson Health is currently increasing ICU capacity by converting beds and equipment and deploying staff.

“At Jackson Memorial Hospital, we have multiple intensive care units located throughout our campus. All of our patients in need of critical care – for COVID or for other reasons – are receiving the appropriate level of care, regardless of the location of the unit they are in,” Piedra said.
8:55 a.m. ET, July 29, 2020

Large gatherings in the US keep happening, even as they fuel more Covid-19 cases

CNN's Christina Maxouris

People attend a "Safe & Sound" concert in Southhampton, New York, on July 25. This image is from video provided by Rich Schineller.
People attend a "Safe & Sound" concert in Southhampton, New York, on July 25. This image is from video provided by Rich Schineller. Rich Schineller/AP

With the coronavirus running rampant within American communities, health officials have made clear it's not yet time to ease up on precautions.

Instead, governors and experts from coast to coast have urged Americans to keep face masks in indoor public spaces, maintain their distance from others and avoid crowded spaces.

During a stop in Kentucky over the weekend, White House coronavirus response coordinator Dr. Deborah Birx urged states who are seeing a concerning increase in cases to downsize their gatherings to less than 10 people, adding many of the young people who are spreading the virus are asymptomatic.

Despite the grim numbers and stern warnings, some Americans have chosen to return to pre-pandemic habits, ditching guidelines and attending parties.

A 700 party together in New Jersey: In Jackson, New Jersey, it took police more than five hours Sunday to break up a house party with about 700 guests. The home was being rented out through Airbnb, police said.

"Come on folks! Come on," Gov. Phil Murphy, said during a news conference Monday. "That's needlessly putting men and women in uniform and their families at risk."

His executive order limits indoor gatherings to 100 people and outdoor gatherings to 500.

Health officials say they're worried the event will lead to more coronavirus cases.

New York governor "appalled" at Hamptons concert: In New York, authorities are investigating a drive-in concert at the Hamptons after footage appeared to show large groups of people not following social distancing guidelines.

The "Safe & Sound" benefit concert took place in Southampton Saturday, according to Jack Sterne, a spokesman for New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo. It was headlined by The Chainsmokers and an event page said it would allow about 600 vehicles.

Read more here.