Spotlight: Surge of COVID-19 cases throws into question reopenings across U.S.

As at least 19 U.S. states are witnessing a surge in new COVID-19 cases, many states and cities are pressing pause on reopenings across the country.

The Washington State Department of Health on Saturday released the latest statewide situation report, which showed COVID-19 transmission continued to increase in eastern Washington as of the end of May, with a possible uptick in western Washington as well.

Quoting the report, Washington Governor Jay Inslee raised concerns over further spread of COVID-19 in a statement.

"The report estimates cases and deaths will soon increase substantially if COVID-19 continues to spread at current levels," Inslee said in the statement.

"Washingtonians have done the hard work to flatten the curve on COVID-19... But today's report shows us there is still reason for strong concern in parts of our state," he added.

In Oregon, Governor Kate Brown placed a seven-day hold on loosening social restrictions as an increasing number of new COVID-19 cases emerged.

In Baltimore, Maryland, Mayor Bernard Young also announced decisions to pause the phase two of planned reopening.

"Let me be crystal clear with everyone: I, more than almost anyone, would love to see that Baltimore city is open and safe, but that simply is not what the data is telling us at this time," said Young in a statement.

According to local media report, Jay Butler, who oversees COVID-19 response work at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, warned recently that the pandemic is different from other crisis because "it is a disaster that spreads."

"It's not like there's an entire continental seismic shift and everyone feels the shaking all at once," Butler said.

Meanwhile, despite the spike in COVID-19 cases in other U.S. states, New York state reported the lowest numbers of COVID-19 hospitalizations and daily deaths since the pandemic began.

New York Governor Andrew Cuomo said at Saturday's briefing that 32 people in the state died from COVID-19 on Friday, down from a record-high of 800 some nine weeks ago.

The number of total hospitalizations was also down to 1,734, the lowest level since March 20 when the state was about to enter a lockdown.

Out of the 70,840 tests conducted across the state on Friday, 916, or 1.29 percent, were positive. New York City's positive rate remains the highest in the state at 1.7 percent, according to the state government.

Cuomo said the Western New York region is expected to enter phase three of reopening on June 16 and the Capital Region is to follow suit on June 17, with nail salon and other personal care services to resume operation and restaurants to offer indoor dining.