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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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. 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 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. 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.

9:13 a.m. ET, July 4, 2020

Just one state is seeing a decrease in coronavirus cases

Vermont is the only US state reporting a decrease in new coronavirus cases in the past week compared to the week before.

Week-to-week cases are steady in another 12 states, and 37 are reporting increasing cases.

Here's a look where every state stands:

9:16 a.m. ET, July 4, 2020

President Trump signs extension for small business loan program

From CNN's Sarah Westwood

President Trump this morning signed an extension of the Paycheck Protection Program into law, according to the White House.

The House unanimously passed the extension less than a day after the program shuttered, and PPP will now remain open to applications through August 8.

About the program: Congress created the program to help small businesses keep employees on their payrolls amid nationwide closures. The program was designed to offer small business loans to bridge the shutdowns and help businesses keep employees in their jobs — and in turn, the loans taken out would be forgiven, essentially shifting into a grant.

More than 4.8 million small business owners have utilized the program, which was designed as a bridge for companies to maintain their payrolls through the worst of the pandemic.

8:42 a.m. ET, July 4, 2020

How to stay safe at the pool or beach this holiday weekend

From CNN's Alaa Elassar

People gather at the beach on July 3 in Huntington Beach, California. Michael Heiman/Getty Images

It's July Fourth and the summer heat can be brutal. What's better than splaying out on the beach or cannonballing into the pool?

Since risk of coronavirus infection is thought to be lower outside, where wind can blow the virus away, you can have fun without fear — as long as you observe social distancing measures.

Here are some tips for enjoying the water this holiday weekend:

Before heading out, it's a good idea to find out if the pool or beach you're going to is enforcing safety protocols, like social distancing rules or restricting the number of people who have access at one time. If you find that the beach or pool is too crowded to always maintain at least 6 feet from others, it might be safer to save the trip for another day.
Bring your own disinfectant wipes to clean shared chairs or pool toys and wear a face mask when you're not in the water.
Whether you're in or out of the water, keep your distance from other people. Don't swim close enough to other people that you'll come in contact with their spit or breath.
Don't blow your nose or spit in the pool or near another person. If you can, exit the water and use a tissue to cough or sneeze, then wash your hands.

8:26 a.m. ET, July 4, 2020

Japan reports more than 200 daily coronavirus cases for the first time in two months

From CNN's Yoko Wakatsuki in Tokyo

Japan's Health Ministry reported at least 249 new coronavirus infections and one death today, marking the first time the country is reporting more than 200 cases since May 3.

This brought the national total to at least 19,994 — including 19,282 on land and 712 on the Diamond Princess cruise ship — and brought the death toll to at least 990,

Tokyo governor Yuriko Koike urged residents Saturday to refrain from making unnecessarily trips outside of Tokyo in order to contain the spread of the virus.

8:21 a.m. ET, July 4, 2020

It's the Fourth of July. Here's what you need to know about the coronavirus pandemic.

Americans are marking the Fourth of July today — but government officials health experts are urging people top stay home for the holiday weekend.

Here's what we know about the pandemic as the US celebrates:

Summer festivities on pause: As Covid-19 cases surge, beaches in Miami and Los Angeles are closed and tubing in Texas rivers has been banned. Some July Fourth celebrations in cities across the US are happening mostly on live streams.
No social distancing at Trump event: President Trump spoke at a holiday event at Mount Rushmore last night. Attendees clustered together in stadium seating for hours before Trump arrived, and people at the top of the amphitheater sat in rows of folding chairs that were tied together with zip ties — preventing any social distancing.
Many states require masks: Mask mandates for Texas and Kansas went into effect Friday, which means 19 states and Washington, DC, now have such requirements.
Where cases are increasing: As of this morning, coronavirus cases are rising in 37 states. California, Arizona, Texas and Florida all posted record numbers of new infections this week. Here's a look at where cases are increasing across the US: