By Melissa Macaya, Meg Wagner, Helen Regan and Steve George, CNN
From CNN's Jamiel Lynch
Arkansas has reported 415 new Covid-19 cases, according to officials in a news conference.
Of the 415 new cases, 35 were in correctional facilities, meaning that 380 cases were from community spread, the officials said.
Gov. Asa Hutchison said that this is the largest increase of community spread cases the state has seen since it began reporting Covid-19 cases.
The state has reported 14,631 total cases and 214 deaths.
From CNN’s Jamiel Lynch and Jennifer Henderson
North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper has vetoed a bill that would have allowed indoor and outdoor fitness facilities to reopen in the state.
In his reasoning for the veto, Cooper said, “Tying the hands of public health officials in times of pandemic is dangerous, especially when case counts and hospitalizations are rising."
He continued: "State and local officials must be able to take swift action during the Covid-19 emergency to prevent a surge of patients from overwhelming hospitals and endangering the lives of North Carolinians. The bill could restrict leaders who need to respond quickly to outbreaks and protect public health and safety.”’
The bill will be sent back to the House. To override the veto, it must pass with a three-fifths majority of those present.
From CNN’s Devon M. Sayers
An employee at DeKalb County Elections in Georgia has tested positive for Covid-19, according to a release from the county.
The County Board of Elections is seeking permission from the Georgia secretary of state to postpone the certification of the election results from June 9, which were scheduled to be certified Friday.
The offices of the DeKalb County Voter Registration were closed Friday after the employee tested positive Thursday.
The temporary employee began working on June 11, the statement said.
All employees who work in the office and who may have come in contact with the employee have been recommended to self-quarantine for 14 days.
CNN has reached out to the Georgia secretary of state’s office to see if the extension will be granted.
From CNN's Kevin Dotson
The National Hockey League's Tampa Bay Lightning closed their training facilities Thursday after three of the team's players and additional staff members tested positive for Covid-19, according to a statement from the team's general manager Julien BriseBois.
The team did not provide the names of any individuals who tested positive for Covid-19.
The infected players have been placed in self-isolation, and those who came in contact with the infected individuals have been notified.
Team facilities will remain closed until the team can ensure a safe environment.
"The Lightning are steadfast in doing all that we can to ensure the health and safety of our players, staff, fans and the community," BriseBois said in a statement.
From CNN’s Amanda Watts
Dr. Peter Lurie, president of the Center for Science in the Public Interest, told the House Committee on Science, Space and Technology Committee that hydroxychloroquine “turned out to be a black eye” for the US Food and Drug Administration.
Lurie called the FDA’s handling of hydroxychloroquine a “disappointment” and an “embarrassment.”
“I don't think it's because of the career officials at FDA, who I believe are completely committed to scientific integrity and proper regulatory procedures in this pandemic. But I do think that people have turned out to be susceptible to political pressure,” he told the panel on “Repurposing Therapeutic Drugs for COVID-19: Research Challenges and Opportunities.”
Lurie, who used to work at the FDA, said drug trials are conducted by the drug manufacturer themselves.
"Quite frankly, the process is infected with conflict of interest, and there's not very much that can be done about it.”
“It’s a given that there will be that kind of conflict of interest, in that the companies will come in with an interest in depicting the data in the way that best suits them. That's where the FDA comes in,” Lurie added.
The FDA will review the data itself, Lurie said. “That kind of insulating of the reviewers from the manufacturer is so important.”
Hydroxychloroquine has been used for many years to treat diseases such as malaria, rheumatoid arthritis and lupus. President Trump touted hydroxychloroquine as a treatment for Covid-19.
From CNN's Artemis Moshtaghian
Phoenix City Council has enacted a mandatory mask order requiring everyone over the age of six to wear a face covering when leaving their home.
According to the mandate, people in the city are required to wear a face mask whenever they are within six feet of another person who is not a member of their family or household.
From CNN's Sarah Moon
Unions representing Disneyland employees are calling for a delay in reopening the Southern California theme park, which is scheduled to open on July 17 with approval from the state and local government.
In a letter to California Gov. Gavin Newsom dated Wednesday, the Coalition of Resort Labor Unions (CRLU) expressed their concerns over the reopening of the park.
The CRLU is a group of dozens of unions of the Disneyland resort, representing approximately 17,000 service workers.
“Unfortunately, despite intensive talks with the company, we are not yet convinced that it is safe to reopen the parks on Disney’s rapid timetable,” the CRLU said. “There are numerous questions about safety which Disney has not yet answered, including any serious discussion of ‘testing.’”
Some context: In a post last week, Disneyland announced a phased plan to being reopening parts of the resort as early as July 9.
On Thursday, Disney Parks Chief Medical Officer Dr. Pamela Hymel shared updates on health and safety guidelines.
Parks will be reducing capacity, checking temperature for guests, increasing cleaning and disinfecting, making changes to accommodate physical distancing and requiring face coverings for guests two and older, Hymel said.
CRLU is still waiting for a response from Disney on safety proposals made by the coalition, according to the letter.
From CNN’s Kay Jones
Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt said that the state has 352 new positive Covid-19 cases today, just one day ahead of President Trump’s rally in Tulsa.
The state has 9,706 total cases, up 3.8% since Thursday’s report, Stitt said during a news conference today. He also said that 211 people have been hospitalized with symptoms.
Speaking about Saturday’s rally in Tulsa, Stitt said there will be temperature checks for the attendees and he also expects most people to wear a mask.
From CNN’s Jenn Selva
Californians who don’t wear face masks in public settings can be fined after Gov. Gavin Newsom issued a statewide order Thursday requiring residents wear the coverings when outside of home.
Newsom’s office today told CNN that the mask order is enforceable if necessary, as a misdemeanor carrying a potential financial penalty and other penalties. State agencies like the Division of Occupational Safety and Health could also take action over violations of the face mask order.
The governor’s order requires face coverings in "high risk" settings, including inside any indoor public space, taking public transportation, or seeking medical care.
“This is a statewide requirement and flows from the same legal authority as all of the other state orders,” California Department of Public Health spokesperson Ali Bay said. “Californians have done incredible work following those orders — saving lives in the process. We expect that will continue to be the case.”
