August 2 coronavirus news

By Julia Hollingsworth, Adam Renton, Ivana Kottasová, Fernando Alfonso III and Amir Vera, CNN

Updated 12:06 a.m. ET, August 3, 2020
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9:45 p.m. ET, August 2, 2020

Brazil surpasses 94,000 coronavirus deaths as Latin America region tops 200,000 total deaths

From journalist Rodrigo Pedroso in Sao Paulo, Brazil

Brazil's Health Ministry reported 541 new Covid-19 deaths Sunday, bringing the country's total to 94,104.

Latin America and the Caribbean surpassed 200,000 total deaths from the virus, with Brazil holding the highest number of deaths and accounting for nearly half the region's total.

The Brazilian Health Ministry also reported 25,800 newly confirmed cases, bringing the total number of cases in Brazil to 2,733,677. 

Last week, first lady Michelle Bolsonaro and another two ministers in President Jair Bolsonaro's government tested positive for Covid-19. Since the beginning of the pandemic, eight high-ranking officials have been infected by the novel coronavirus. That includes the President, the first lady and six ministers. President Bolsonaro has since recovered and tested negative for the virus.

5:59 p.m. ET, August 2, 2020

NY Mets player who did not show up to game opts out for “Covid-related” reasons, GM says

From CNN's Kristina Sgueglia

Rich von Biberstein/Icon Sportswire/Getty Images
Rich von Biberstein/Icon Sportswire/Getty Images

New York Mets outfielder Yoenis Céspedes decided to opt out of the season “for Covid-related” reasons, Brodie Van Wagenen, the baseball team's general manager, told SNY during a post game interview Sunday.

The news comes after Céspedes did not report to the ballpark for the team's game against the Atlanta Braves on Sunday and the Mets could not get in touch with him.

Van Wagenen said the Mets did not know the player was considering this and during the game was the first time the Mets were aware of his concerns.

The Mets had sent security to his hotel room, where he and his belongings were not found, the GM said.

Van Wagenen said the organization will “support” and “respect” Céspedes’ decision, as they would every player, because it's their right to decide. He did add that it was “surprising” without question.

The GM said Céspedes was safe and healthy and he wished his family the same.

5:33 p.m. ET, August 2, 2020

Los Angeles County Health Department investigating after reports of a private indoor party at a bar

From CNN's Kyung Lah and Kim Berryman

The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health told CNN in an emailed statement Sunday that it is investigating reports of a private indoor party.

Dozens of patrons reportedly went to the Sassafras Saloon in Hollywood on Friday. Lisa Strangis, spokeswoman for 1933 Group, which owns the Sassafrass Saloon, said the owners had rented out the bar to someone who wanted to “honor a group of first responders.” While she said she was unwilling to name the first responder agency, Strangis said the renters paid for the space and 1933 Group employees worked the event.

We are investigating reports of a private indoor party and remind all businesses that have been ordered to close indoor operations that there are no exceptions. This is exactly the situation that puts our entire community at unnecessary risk,” the health department's statement read.

CNN was tipped off to the Friday night event by a source with direct knowledge of the party. The source was told it would involve 100 to 150 law enforcement personnel at Sassafras Saloon.

On July 13, California Gov. Gavin Newsom announced a new round of statewide restrictions as California’s Covid-19 cases spiked. The restrictions halted all indoor dining and closed down bars unless they serve food. The state allows outdoor dining at restaurants. 

5:25 p.m. ET, August 2, 2020

Jaguars quarterback Gardner Minshew II placed on NFL's Reserve/Covid-19 list

From CNN's Kevin Dotson

Jaguars quarterback Gardner Minshew II drops back to pass during a game against the Atlanta Falcons in 2019.
Jaguars quarterback Gardner Minshew II drops back to pass during a game against the Atlanta Falcons in 2019. Carmen Mandato/Getty Images

Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Gardner Minshew II has been placed on the NFL's Reserve/Covid-19 list by his team. This move does not necessarily indicate that Minshew himself has tested positive for Covid-19.

Four more Jaguars players were also placed on the Reserve/Covid-19 list. Those players are:

  • Running back Ryquell Armstead
  • Tight end Charles Jones
  • Wide receiver Michael Walker
  • Safety Andrew Wingard.

The NFL describes the Reserve/COVID-19 category as a roster status created for a player who either tests positive for Covid-19 or who has been quarantined after having been in close contact with an infected person or persons.

If a player falls into either of these categories, their club is required to immediately place the player on the Reserve/COVID-19 list. Per agreed-upon NFL-NFLPA policy, clubs are not permitted to comment on player's medical status other than referring to roster status. Clubs may not disclose whether player is in quarantine or is positive for Covid-19.

5:01 p.m. ET, August 2, 2020

Miami-Dade students will continue virtual learning until at least October, superintendent says 

From CNN's Melissa Alonso 

An exterior view of Coral Gables Senior High School in Coral Gables, Florida. Miami-Dade County Public Schools Superintendent Alberto said students will continue virtual learning until at least October.
An exterior view of Coral Gables Senior High School in Coral Gables, Florida. Miami-Dade County Public Schools Superintendent Alberto said students will continue virtual learning until at least October. Johnny Louis/Getty Images

Miami-Dade County Public Schools Superintendent Alberto Carvalho says officials will revisit a possible return to in-class learning at the end of September.

M-DCPS announced this week it will be delaying the start of the school year by one week and delaying "the in-school model by a month," Carvalho told CNN affiliate WPLG's Sunday morning political affairs program, "This Week in South Florida."  

We will revisit the conditions around September 30th for a possible return to the schoolhouse as early as October 5th, if the conditions are appropriate," Carvalho said. 

Carvalho said there is a possibility that certain groups of "fragile and young" children, including kindergarten students and children with disabilities, could return to schools before October 5. "Because we recognize there has to be a balance between the protection, as far as well-being and health of our teachers and students, but also the resumption of normalcy," Carvalho said.  

That would have to be done in a very protective and phased-in manner, a "dimmer-switch approach," Carvalho said. This was presented to the school board and is still being discussed, Carvalho said.  

Carvalho told WPLG that returning to in-person classes is contingent on "a number of criteria" including a positivity rate of "at least 10% or lower." 

Training week for teachers and staff as well as student orientation is scheduled for August 24, Carvalho said in a tweet.  

4:46 p.m. ET, August 2, 2020

Pennsylvania sees significant increase in Covid-19 cases among younger age groups, health department says

From CNN's Laura Ly

Pennsylvania is seeing significant increases in Covid-19 cases among younger age groups, particularly those between 19 and 24, according to a news release from the state’s health department.

An alert was sent to healthcare providers about the changing COVID-19 case demographics, as there are more cases in younger age groups than in those 50-64 and 65+,” the health department said.

Sunday, the state reported 654 more cases and five new deaths, bringing statewide totals to 113,590 cases and 7,209 deaths. Of those deaths, 4,910 have occurred at nursing homes or personal care facilities, the news release states.

4:15 p.m. ET, August 2, 2020

Kentucky governor: "We remain at war with the coronavirus"

From CNN’s Laura James

Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear announced 463 new cases and two new deaths Sunday, bringing statewide totals to 31,185 cases and 742 deaths. Of the new cases reported Sunday, 11 were in children age 5 or younger, Beshear said.

We’ve made it to August, and while I know we all hoped months ago when this pandemic first arrived in Kentucky that we’d be closer to a decisive victory, we remain at war with the coronavirus,” Beshear said.

According to CNN's map tracking coronavirus, Kentucky has more than 30,000 cases.

4:09 p.m. ET, August 2, 2020

Chief minister of India's southern Karnataka state tests positive for Covid-19

From CNN's Jennifer Hauser

Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa of India's southern state of Karnataka announced Sunday that he tested positive for coronavirus.

Earlier he tweeted his "prayers for a quick and complete recovery" for India's minister of home affairs, Amit Shah, who also tested positive for coronavirus Sunday.

India surpassed 1.7 million cases this weekend. According to India's Press Information Bureau, Karnataka state has the second highest number of cases in the country. The state of Maharashtra has the most.

4:02 p.m. ET, August 2, 2020

Chile reports more than 2,000 new Covid-19 cases and 75 additional deaths

From CNN's Kay Guerrero in Atlanta

Nurses transfer a Covid-19 patient to the Critical Patients Unit at Barros Luco Hospital in Santiago, Chile, on June 24.
Nurses transfer a Covid-19 patient to the Critical Patients Unit at Barros Luco Hospital in Santiago, Chile, on June 24. Martin Bernetti/AFP/Getty Images

Chile, one of the countries most affected by the coronavirus pandemic in Latin America, reported 2,081 new confirmed cases of Covid-19 on Sunday. Chilean health authorities also reported 75 new deaths.

Chile now has a total of 359,731 cases and 9,608 deaths from the virus. The country has the seventh highest number of cases in the world, according to Johns Hopkins University.