BEAUMONT, Texas — This article contains ongoing U.S. and international updates on the COVID-19 pandemic and its effects. Here are some key updates for Thursday, July 16, 2020. You can find more details by scrolling through the story which we are updating throughout the day. The newest items will be at the top.
Today's Headlines:
- CDC: Cruise ships can't sail until at least Oct. 1
- Target, CVS join list of retailers requiring face masks in all stores nationwide
- 752 Texans died from coronavirus in June, halfway through July, 1,008 have died
- UK, US, Canada accuse Russia of hacking coronavirus vaccine trials
- Number of laid-off workers seeking jobless aid stuck at 1.3 million
Here are the latest updates from around Southeast Texas, Texas, Louisiana and some from the world (all times are local Central Daylight Time)
July 16, 6:30 p.m. – Beaumont ISD announced it will start the fall semester on August 17. Instruction will take place online for the first three weeks to acclimate the student body to the new procedures. Beginning in September, the district will offer both on-campus and remote learning.
July 16, 5:15 p.m. – The Beaumont Public Health Department reported 78 new cases Thursday afternoon. 70 of the cases came from Beaumont. Fannet logged five new cases followed by Bevil Oaks with two new cases and Nome with one.
Two deaths were also reported. The women were 75 and 77-year-old, according to the news release.
July 16, 5:00 p.m. – The City of Beaumont announced on Thursday there may be some relief available for low-to-moderate income families affected by the pandemic.
Rental and utility assistance is being offered to families who are eligible and are selected to receive the help through an application process.
The city isn't accepting or processing the applications, but you can apply by filling out the form and contacting Some Other Place at (409)-832-7976 or Habitat for Humanity at (409)-832-5853 to make an interview appointment. Read more.
July 16, 4:00 p.m. – An update from the Centers for Disease Control on Thursday states cruise ships in the United States will not sail through Sept. 30. Cruise lines stopped sailing in mid-March after several coronavirus outbreaks at sea.
Last month, tens of thousands of cruise ship workers were stuck at sea because of concerns about the coronavirus. The CDC is now allowing crew members to disembark from ships in U.S. waters. Read more here.
July 16, 3:00 p.m. – Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards is calling for three days of lunch fasting and prayer for the state of Louisiana from July 20-22. He says this request came from conference call with hundreds of pastors. He's inviting anyone of any denomination to join him and the first lady.
July 16, 12:15 p.m. – Target and CVS are the latest retailers to announce that they will require customers to wear masks or face coverings at their stores nationwide.
The announcements were made after other major companies like Walmart, Sam's Club, Kroger and Kohl's decided this week to require masks as confirmed coronavirus cases continue to rise across the country.
July 16, 11:45 a.m. – An open letter from 156 economists from dozens of universities is calling on policymakers to make the next round of stimulus payments recurring until the economy recovers amid the coronavirus pandemic.
"The widespread uncertainty created by the COVID-19 pandemic and recession calls for a multifaceted response that includes automatic, ongoing programs and policies including more direct cash payments to families," the letter, published by the Economic Security Project and the Justice Collaborative advocacy groups, said.
In addition to ongoing stimulus checks, the group of economists are also calling for additional unemployment benefits, state and local government aid, enhanced SNAP benefits and more child care funding.
July 16, 11:15 a.m. – Target and CVS are the latest retailers to announce that they will require customers to wear masks or face coverings at their stores nationwide.
The announcements were made after other major companies like Walmart, Sam's Club, Kroger and Kohl's decided this week to require masks as confirmed coronavirus cases continue to rise across the country.
July 16, 10:15 a.m. – COVID-19 fatalities have steadily ticked up across Texas and the state has reached a fever pitch. Halfway through July, we have already seen 1,008 Texans die from the virus. In all of June, 752 people died from the virus.
Deaths tend to lag new cases because it can take weeks for a patient to get sick enough to be hospitalized and eventually die, according to the Kaiser Family Foundation.
RELATED: 752 Texans died from coronavirus in all of June. Halfway through July, 1,008 have already died.
Data from the Texas Department of Health and Human Services show deaths reaching historic highs in July. Texas recorded the highest number of deaths in a single day on July 15 when 110 Texans died from the virus. 105 deaths on July 9 was the previous record.
July 16, 9:30 a.m. – Britain, the United States and Canada accused Russia on Thursday of trying to steal information from researchers seeking a COVID-19 vaccine.
The three nations alleged that hacking group APT29, also known as Cozy Bear and said to be part of the Russian intelligence service, is attacking academic and pharmaceutical research institutions involved in coronavirus vaccine development.
July 16, 9 a.m. – The number of laid-off workers seeking unemployment benefits remained stuck at 1.3 million last week, a historically high level that indicates many companies are still cutting jobs as the viral outbreak intensifies.
The elevated level of applications for jobless aid is occurring as new confirmed cases of coronavirus are spiking across much of the Sunbelt, threatening to weaken the economic recovery. Case counts are rising in 40 states and 22 states have either paused or reversed their efforts to reopen their economies, according to Bank of America.
July 16, 6:30 a.m. – Coronavirus testing is available today in Orange County and no appointment is needed.. Testing runs from 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. at the Orange County Convention and Expo Center at 11475 FM1442 in Orange.
RELATED: Where can I get a COVID-19 test?
July 16, 6 a.m. – Unemployment remains painfully high in the U.S. even as economic activity slowly picks up.
That reality will be on display Thursday morning when the U.S. government releases data on how many workers sought unemployment benefits last week, as well as how retailers did in June.
Both reports will be closely watched as new confirmed cases of coronavirus rise in 40 states, including huge spikes in California, Texas and Florida. Surging infections threaten to slow the nascent economic recovery.
July 16, 5 a.m. – Can a pregnant woman spread the coronavirus to her fetus?
It’s possible, but it seems to be relatively rare and scientists think they know why that is.
Many viruses can cross the placenta and infect a fetus in the womb, and evidence has been growing that the coronavirus sometimes can too.
Researchers in Italy studied 31 women with COVID-19 who delivered babies in March and April and found signs of the virus in several samples of umbilical cord blood, the placenta and, in one case, breast milk. But this sort of testing can just detect bits of genetic material — it doesn't mean there is virus capable of causing infection in those places.
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Here’s the breakdown by county of coronavirus cases for the eight-county Southeast Texas region...
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Coronavirus symptoms
The symptoms of coronavirus can be similar to the flu or a bad cold. Symptoms include a fever, cough and shortness of breath, according to the Centers for Disease Control.
Most healthy people will have mild symptoms. A study of more than 72,000 patients by the Centers for Disease Control in China showed 80 percent of the cases there were mild.
But infections can cause pneumonia, severe acute respiratory syndrome, kidney failure and even death, according to the World Health Organization. Older people with underlying health conditions are most at risk.
The CDC believes symptoms may appear anywhere from two to 14 days after being exposed.
Human coronaviruses are usually spread through...
- The air by coughing or sneezing
- Close personal contact, such as touching or shaking hands
- Touching an object or surface with the virus on it, then touching your mouth, nose or eyes before washing your hands.
Help stop the spread of coronavirus
- Stay home when you are sick.
- Eat and sleep separately from your family members
- Use different utensils and dishes
- Cover your cough or sneeze with your arm, not your hand.
- If you use a tissue, throw it in the trash
Lower your risk
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
- If you are 60 or over and have an underlying health condition such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes or respiratory illnesses like asthma or COPD, the World Health Organization advises you to try to avoid crowds or places where you might interact with people who are sick.
