July 30 coronavirus news

By Nectar Gan, Adam Renton, Emma Reynolds, Ed Upright, Melissa Macaya and Meg Wagner, CNN

Updated 12:00 a.m. ET, July 31, 2020
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9:49 p.m. ET, July 29, 2020

Italy extends coronavirus state of emergency

From CNN's Nicola Ruotolo in Rome

Italy has extended the state of emergency imposed in the country due to the coronavirus outbreak until October 15, according to a government statement released early Thursday morning local time.

"The Council of Ministers, on the proposal of President Giuseppe Conte, approved the extension," the statement read.  

Italy was one of the first European countries to be hit by the virus and went into a state of emergency on January 31.  

The legal framework gives the government special powers to curb certain freedoms and access to additional resources to stop and contain the spread of Covid-19. 

The latest numbers: The country has so far recorded 246,776 coronavirus cases and 35,129 deaths, according to Johns Hopkins University data.

10:20 p.m. ET, July 29, 2020

These 5 principles could stop coronavirus surges, Fauci says

From CNN’s Naomi Thomas

US National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Director Dr. Anthony Fauci.
US National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Director Dr. Anthony Fauci. Alex Wong/Getty Images

Dr. Anthony Fauci, the US' top infectious disease expert, said on MSNBC Wednesday that adherence to five principles could help stop coronavirus surges happening in states. 

The principles are:

  1. Universal wearing of masks
  2. Avoiding crowds
  3. Physical distancing of at least 6 feet
  4. Typical hand hygiene
  5. Avoiding bars or closing them where possible

Looking back on the Southern states that have already experienced resurgences, Fauci��said, there was an increase in the percent positive of tests being done, which is “surefire indication that you are in a process where you’re heading towards a resurgence.” 

He said that they were starting to see that in some states now, such as Kentucky, Tennessee, Ohio and Indiana. 

Fauci added that he and other members of the White House coronavirus task force made the point on the weekly call with governors that “it is very important to get ahead of the curve, because what we are seeing now is what actually took place a couple of weeks ago.”

“If we don’t start initiating rather strict adherence to the five principles I just mentioned,” Fauci said, “what inevitably is going to happen is that the states that are not yet in trouble will likely get into trouble."

“If you’re not getting your arms around and suppressing that surge that’s coming up, that’s just a little bit below the radar screen, before you know it, two to three weeks down the pike, you’re in trouble," he added.

10:20 p.m. ET, July 29, 2020

As US passes 150,000 coronavirus deaths, experts call for reset in national response

From CNN's Jason Hanna, Madeline Holcombe and Shelby Lin Erdman

The United States on Wednesday surpassed 150,000 recorded Covid-19 deaths -- a milestone that comes as the country's number of daily coronavirus deaths is the highest it's been since the spring.

The first death in the US was reported on February 29. The country reached 50,000 deaths 54 days later on April 23, and 34 days later, on May 27, crossed 100,000 deaths. It has taken 63 days to add another 50,000 to reach the 150,000 mark.

The country's coronavirus death toll was 150,676 as of Wednesday evening -- more than a fifth of the world's 665,000-plus recorded deaths, according to Johns Hopkins University.

Calls for reset: The US needs to restart its response with policy actions at the federal, state and local levels to get control of the pandemic, scholars at the Johns Hopkins University Center for Health Security said in a report.

"Unlike many countries in the world, the United States is not currently on course to get control of this epidemic," the report says. "It is time to reset."

The report includes 10 recommendations that include universal mask mandates, federal leadership to improve testing and, in places where rates of transmission are worsening, stay-at-home orders.

The report says federal, state and local leaders should mandate non-medical mask use in public and limit large indoor gatherings.

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