Unemployment falls as 4.8 million jobs added; additional 1.42 million apply for benefits
Some much-needed good economic news this morning: the U.S. Department of Labor reports 4.8 million jobs were added in June, bumping the unemployment rate down to 11.1%. Even so, an additional 1,427,000 Americans applied for unemployment the week ending June 27, a decrease of 55,000 from the previous week’s level, which was itself revised up to 1.482 million. Most of the new jobs came in the leisure and hospitality industry, which added 2.1 million jobs as more states relaxed pandemic lockdown restrictions. While the addition of jobs is good news, experts warn there are warning signs on the horizon. For example, the high weekly numbers of people continuing to apply for unemployment indicates the recession is hitting more industries than was initially expected. Additionally, without additional monetary support from Congress, more small businesses could go under, resulting in more job loss. The House on Wednesday unanimously approved an extension to the small business loan program (PPP) through August 8, meaning small businesses affected by the pandemic will still be able to apply for loans and grants through the small business loan fund, which has about $130 billion remaining to be disbursed. The Senate approved the extension in a surprise move late last night. The bill now heads to President Trump’s desk for his signature.
President Trump calls Black Lives Matter a “symbol of hate”
In a since-deleted tweet Wednesday, President Trump called Black Lives Matter a “symbol of hate.” The president was reacting to news that the words ‘Black Lives Matter’ were to be painted on New York City’s Fifth Avenue, outside of Trump Tower. Trump tweeted in response: “Maybe our GREAT Police, who have been neutralized and scorned by a mayor who hates & disrespects them, won’t let this symbol of hate be affixed to New York’s greatest street.” Asked by ABC News’ Jon Karl why the president called black lives matter a “symbol of hate,” White House Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnany said the president believes that “all black lives matter” but claimed he was specifically referring to the organization, not the phrase. President Trump has yet to directly condemn white supremacist rhetoric after recently re-tweeting a video that included a supporter shouting the phrase “white power.” McEnany argued that the president has done enough to condemn racism, saying in part, “[T]his is a president who has repeatedly condemned hate and repeatedly encouraged for us all to come together.”
COVID-19 numbers
Here’s the latest data on COVID-19 coronavirus infections and deaths.
Latest reported numbers globally per Johns Hopkins University
Global diagnosed cases: 10,717,158
Global deaths: 516,738. The United States has the most deaths of any single country, with 128,062.
Number of countries/regions: at least 188
Total patients recovered globally: 5,501,622
Latest reported numbers in the United States per Johns Hopkins University
There are at least 2,686,587 diagnosed cases in 50 states + the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and Guam. This is more than in any other country.
U.S. deaths: at least 128,062. New York State has the greatest number of reported deaths in the U.S., with 32,043.
U.S. total patients recovered: 729,994
U.S. total people tested: 32,827,359
The greatest number of reported COVID-19 cases in the U.S. is in New York, with 394,079 confirmed cases out of a total state population of 19.5 million. That is the most reported cases than in any other single region in the world.
COVID-19 headlines
US reports new record-high 50,000+ new COVID-19 cases in a day
More than 50,000 new cases of COVID-19 were identified in the United States on Wednesday, according to data compiled by Johns Hopkins University. That marks the first time the U.S. has reached or exceeded 50,000 reported COVID-19 infections in a single day. The previous single-day infection record was set just last week, when 45,000 new cases were confirmed on Friday, June 26. There are now at least 2,686,587 diagnosed cases in the U.S. with at least 128,062 deaths. These cases include people from all 50 U.S. states, Washington, D.C., and other U.S. territories as well as repatriated citizens. An ABC News analysis pf coronavirus trends across all 50 states and Washington D.C. found there were increases in the daily rate of positivity in 32 states, increases in hospitalizations in 25 states, and increases in daily deaths in 14 states.
WHO says 60% of all COVID-19 cases reported in the last month
Confirming the recent worrying upward trend in reported cases, the World Health Organization reported Wednesday that 60% of all global COVID-19 infections were reported in the last month. WHO Director General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said in the past week, “the number of new cases has exceeded 160,000 on every single day.” The increase in worldwide cases comes six months since the first COVID-19 cases were reported in Wuhan, China. The U.S. continues to be the nation that’s most affected by the pandemic, with at least 2,686,587 diagnosed cases and 128,062 deaths, according to data compiled by Johns Hopkins University. The WHO noted that the rise in the number of new cases is to be expected as nations relax restrictions against the spread of the coronavirus, but added the safeguards against the virus’ spread must be maintained.