Fri 31 July 2020:
The United States counted 1,379 new deaths from the virus in 24 hours, according to Johns Hopkins University.
It was the third day in a row with more than 1,200 deaths, according to the Baltimore-based school.
The US has tallied a total of 151,826 deaths from the virus, making it the hardest-hit country in the world.
There were also 72,238 new infections officially recorded, meaning the US has seen a total of nearly 4.5 million infections since the beginning of the pandemic, with at least 1.4 million of them having recovered.
Masks to be mandatory in 8 more Mississippi counties
Mississippi is continuing to see a sharp increase in reported cases of the virus, and Gov. Tate Reeves says he will put eight more counties under restrictions that include mandatory masks in public.
The restrictions are already in place in 29 of the state’s 82 counties, covering more than half of the state’s population. Those are being extended until August 17.
The eight counties that will be added Monday have seen a rapid rise in cases.
The state epidemiologist says Mississippi has “astoundingly high” numbers of people hospitalised with the virus.
