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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12:58 p.m. ET, July 4, 2020

Houston-area county bans some outdoor gatherings of 10 people or more

From CNN’s Leslie Perrot

Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo issued a countywide order prohibiting outdoor gatherings of 10 or more people, except for some Independence Day activities.

The order, which was issued on Friday, says fireworks displays/gatherings with more than 100 people are allowed only if people view the celebrations from inside a motor vehicle.

The order is in effect until at least 11:59 p.m. local time on Aug. 26. 

Other exceptions to this order include gatherings of 10 or more people at:

  • Religious services
  • Local government operations
  • Child care services
  • Youth camps
  • Recreational sports programs for youths and adults
  • Professional, collegiate, or similar sporting events
  • Swimming pools
  • Water parks
  • Museums and libraries
  • Zoos, aquariums, natural caverns, and similar facilities
  • Rodeos and equestrian events
  • Amusement parks.

Harris County includes Houston, which has seen increased coronavirus cases in recent days.

At least two Harris County hospitals are "pretty much at maximum capacity," Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner said earlier this week.

5:29 p.m. ET, July 4, 2020

Biden: "One of the most patriotic things you can do is wear a mask"

Joe Biden arrives to speak at an affordable health care event on June 25 in Lancaster, Pennsylvania.
Joe Biden arrives to speak at an affordable health care event on June 25 in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. Joshua Roberts/Getty Images

Continuing his efforts to encourage Americans to wear a mask, presumptive Democratic Presidential nominee Joe Biden tweeted that as the nation marks Independence Day, that “one of the most patriotic things you can do is wear a mask.”

Some background: Biden has said if elected president, he would make wearing a face covering in public compulsory, furthering himself on the issue from President Trump, who has stressed that masks are voluntary and has flouted public health recommendations.

In May, Biden called President Trump "an absolute fool" for sharing a tweet that mocked the former vice president for wearing a mask.

12:33 p.m. ET, July 4, 2020

Los Angeles-area beaches are closed, so some people are sunbathing on nearby sidewalks

From CNN's Paul Vercammen

Paul Vercammen/CNN
Paul Vercammen/CNN

Beaches in  the Los Angeles area are closed this holiday weekend as coronavirus cases continue to rise across the state — but that isn't stopping the most determined sunbathers.

Some would-be beachgoers laid out on the walkway near the closed Manhattan Beach yesterday.

"Just trying to get some sun since they won’t let us hang out at the beach," one of them told CNN.

Souther California official announced the beach closures, which began yesterday and run until Monday, earlier this week.

“We cannot risk having crowds at the beach this holiday weekend,” Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Hahn said.

Los Angeles County Sheriff deputies are patrolling the beaches over the weekend, enforcing the closure. Violators could face a $1,000 fine.

12:11 p.m. ET, July 4, 2020

If you go out to eat for July Fourth, take these precautions

From CNN's Alaa Elassar

Patrons wait in line outside a bar and restaurant on July 3 in Los Angeles, California.
Patrons wait in line outside a bar and restaurant on July 3 in Los Angeles, California. Richard Vogel/AP

Restaurants and bars across the country have reopened to the public. While the option is there, it's important to realize that eating out will increase your risk of exposure to the coronavirus.

If you still choose to eat at a restaurant or cafe to celebrate the Fourth, there are a few precautions you can take:

  • You should be seated at a table with a minimum distance of 6 feet from other tables. While this won't entirely eliminate the risk of infection — fans and air conditioning can allow respiratory particles from someone's sneeze or cough to travel farther — it will create some distance from other customers.
  • It's best to visit restaurants that mandate employees wear masks. While that does add a layer of protection, there is still a risk from other customers who can't wear masks while they eat and talk.
  • Try to visit restaurants that offer contactless menus you can access on your phone or have tables surrounded by protective barriers, such as plexiglass or screens.
  • Outside dining is safer than indoor dining. Maintaining eye protection via glasses and intermittent mask use between bites and sips would also decrease the risk of transmission.
  • It's also important to remember that the longer the time someone is exposed to a person who is infectious, the greater the risk — so it's also a good idea to spend as little time in the restaurant as possible.
12:41 p.m. ET, July 4, 2020

Trump's July Fourth message: We are "close to fighting our way out" of the pandemic

From CNN's Nicky Robertson

President Trump wished Americans a happy Fourth of July and referenced the coronavirus pandemic in a video message on the White House’s official Twitter page.

Trump said that four months ago, before the US got “hit with this terrible plague," the country was “doing better than any country had ever done in history, not just us, any country.” 

“Now we are getting close to fighting our way out of [the pandemic],” Trump said.

Watch the full message:

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.