July 4 coronavirus news

By James Griffiths, Brett McKeehan, Laura Smith-Spark and Meg Wagner, CNN

Updated 0448 GMT (1248 HKT) July 5, 2020
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11:53 a.m. ET, July 4, 2020

Here are the latest coronavirus numbers from New York

From CNN's Tina Burnside

 

There were 726 more positive cases of Covid-19 yesterday across New York, according to Gov. Andrew Cuomo. 

New York also reported an additional 11 deaths from the virus, a tweet from Cuomo said. 

There were 62,403 test taken yesterday, and a total of 1.16% tested positive, according to the tweet. 

Total hospitalizations fell to 844 across the state.

12:41 p.m. ET, July 4, 2020

Brazil's president vetoes parts of face mask mandate

From Marcia Reverdosa in São Paulo

Brazil President Jair Bolsonaro arrives at the Palácio do Alvorada wearing a face mask on May 27 in Brasilia, Brazil.
Brazil President Jair Bolsonaro arrives at the Palácio do Alvorada wearing a face mask on May 27 in Brasilia, Brazil. Andressa Anholete/Getty Images

Brazil's President Jair Bolsonaro vetoed on Friday parts of a law that requires people wear face masks in public during the pandemic.

The use of masks in shopping malls, stores, religious temples, educational establishments and other closed places where people gather will no longer be mandatory. 

Bolsonaro also vetoed fines for those not wearing masks in public sites, as well as to establishments that do not provide masks and hand sanitizer to employees.

However, states and municipalities have the authority to impose the use of face masks. In states like Sao Paulo and Rio, masks have been mandatory and those who don't wear them can be fined. 

Bolsonaro's move comes as the country surpassed 1.5 million cases on Friday. The country ranks second globally with the highest number of cases and deaths after the US. 

12:42 p.m. ET, July 4, 2020

Brexit Party leader responds to critics who claim he broke quarantine

From CNN's Samantha Tapfumaneyi

Brexit Party leader Nigel Farage arrives to a television appearance on February 2 in London, England.
Brexit Party leader Nigel Farage arrives to a television appearance on February 2 in London, England. Hollie Adams/Getty Images

Brexit Party leader Nigel Farage responded to social media critics who accused him of breaking UK quarantine rules, after he posted a photo of himself drinking at a pub Saturday following a recent trip to the US to attend a Trump rally.

In a tweet, Farage said: “To all those screaming and shouting about me going to the pub.... I have been back from the USA for 2 weeks and I have been tested — the result was negative. Sorry to disappoint you. Cheers!”

Farage faced a flood of critical comments after tweeting picture of himself holding a pint of beer Saturday — the first day pubs reopened in England after lockdown — with the caption “12 o’clock, first customer in. Love it.” 

Farage was in the US for President Trump’s Tulsa rally on Saturday June 20. UK quarantine rules state that anyone flying in from abroad has to self-isolate for 14 days. 

11:49 a.m. ET, July 4, 2020

Florida reports more than 11,000 coronavirus cases in one day — a new record

 

Cars wait in line at a drive-thru coronavirus testing site on July 2 in Miami Beach, Florida.
Cars wait in line at a drive-thru coronavirus testing site on July 2 in Miami Beach, Florida. mpi04/MediaPunch/AP

The state of Florida is reporting at least 11,445 new coronavirus cases today, the state's largest number of new coronavirus in one day. 

The previous Florida record for coronavirus cases was on Thursday, when the state reported 10,109 cases.  

The state also reported two new deaths on Saturday. 

There have been at least 190,052 total coronavirus cases reported in the state, and more than 3,700 people have died.

 

10:51 a.m. ET, July 4, 2020

US soccer tournament game pushed back

From CNN's Jacob Lev

 Major League Soccer said one of the game in the opening of MLS is Back Tournament has been postponed after a team delayed travel to the tournament site following "inconclusive" Covid-19 tests.

Officials have not yet announced a makeup date for the match, the Group B game against the Vancouver Whitecaps and FC Dallas, according to a MLS statement.

The Whitecaps were initially scheduled to arrive at the tournament site on July 1, but were delayed due to two "inconclusive" Covid-19 tests, the league said in the statement. Both tests have since come back negative. The club will now depart for Orlando on July 6.

FC Dallas — which arrived in Orlando on June 27 — announced Wednesday that six players have tested positive for Covid-19. 

"The later match date will allow both teams additional training days in Orlando in advance of their first match," the statement read.

Both clubs will now play their first matches on July 15: Dallas will face the Seattle Sounders FC and Vancouver will face the San Jose Earthquakes.

The MLS is Back Tournament is scheduled to kick-off on July 6 at the Walt Disney World Resort. 

10:30 a.m. ET, July 4, 2020

DC marks 7 days of sustained decrease in coronavirus community spread

From CNN's Chuck Johnston,

 Washington, DC, officials said there has been sustained decrease in community spread of coronavirus for seven days.

In a release, the district reported 12 new positive cases and two additional coronavirus deaths on Friday. The two new reported Covid-19 deaths are a 62-year-old woman and a 71-year-old man. 

There have been at least 10,447 total cases of coronavirus and 557 total deaths in the district.  

Phase two of reopening began in DC on June 22. 

 

10:21 a.m. ET, July 4, 2020

Iraq reports more than 2,000 new coronavirus cases

From CNN's Aqeel Najim in Baghdad

Volunteers set up a field hospital for coronavirus patients on June 21 in Baghdad, Iraq.
Volunteers set up a field hospital for coronavirus patients on June 21 in Baghdad, Iraq. Ahmad Al-Rubaye/AFP/Getty Images

Iraq's Health Ministry reported at least 2,334 new coronavirus cases on Saturday, bringing the country's total number of cases to more than 58,000.

The ministry also reported 106 more coronavirus-related deaths, bringing the total death count in the country to at least 2,368.

12:42 p.m. ET, July 4, 2020

Trump is celebrating July Fourth in DC. The mayor says the event goes against health guidance.

From CNN's Veronica Stracqualursi and Nicky Robertson

President Donald Trump and Washington, DC Mayor Muriel Bowser
President Donald Trump and Washington, DC Mayor Muriel Bowser Getty Images

President Trump is celebrating the Fourth of July in the nation's capital today — but The mayor of Washington, DC, said the event goes against health officials' guidance during the coronavirus pandemic.

Mayor Muriel Bowser said earlier this week that she has informed the Department of Interior that the Trump administration's planned July Fourth celebration goes against guidance from both the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and local health officials.

"We know that this is a special event for the Department of the Interior. We communicated to them that we do not think that this is in keeping with the best (CDC) and (DC) Department of Health guidance, but this event will take place entirely on the federal property," Bowser said.

About the event: The White House previously announced that President Trump and first lady Melania Trump would host the 2020 Salute to America on the White House South Lawn and the adjacent 52-acre Ellipse, concluding "with a spectacular fireworks display over the National Mall."

Earlier this week, the Department of Interior and National Park Service announced additional details about the event, which include a 35-minute firework display and a flyover from military branches. The event will be livestreamed.

Bowser has repeatedly encouraged Washington residents to celebrate July Fourth at home this year to avoid spread of the deadly virus. The mayor already scrapped the Independence Day parade in the nation's capital.

9:33 a.m. ET, July 4, 2020

Here's how to safely enjoy fireworks tonight

From CNN's Alaa Elassar

A small group of people watch a fireworks show at Coney Island on June 29 in New York.
A small group of people watch a fireworks show at Coney Island on June 29 in New York. Spencer Platt/Getty Images

Fireworks are arguably the best part of Fourth of July. But this year, as coronavirus cases spike in areas across the US, gathering at the park or the beach to watch spectacular shows is more dangerous than usual.

Here's how to enjoy some holiday fireworks safely:

  • Staying home and lighting your own fireworks if you live in a state where that is allowed and you have the space to do it is the best idea.
  • If you'd rather go to the park or beach to watch them, wear a mask when you are near people.
  • Always maintain social distancing, and avoid going if it is too crowded to do so.
  • Bring your own chairs or blankets, and wash your hands if you touch any kind of shared surfaces. 

While this year might look a little different than usual, that doesn't mean you can't enjoy the holiday weekend with friends and family. Just stay safe — not just for you, but for everyone around you.