As many as 18 states are considered to be in the "red zone" for new coronavirus cases and should begin rolling back their reopening plans, according to a document prepared for the White House Coronavirus Task Force.
The private document, obtained by the Center for Public Integrity, suggests that states in the "red zone" should close bars and gyms.
The document, which is dated July 14, provides specific recommendations for each state. It indicates that "red zone" areas should close bars and gyms and limit any gatherings to 10 people or fewer. It also recommends those areas put out public messages reminding people to "wear a mask at all times outside the home and maintain physical distance."
Devin O'Malley, a spokesman for Vice President Mike Pence, told The Hill the document is authentic. He said it is one of the weekly data reports that Dr. Deborah Birx, the White House Coronavirus Task Force coordinator, puts together and sends to states.
O'Malley said the document shows "encouraging signs." He said this update shows 10 states meeting both of the "red zone" criteria, which is down from 16 states.
He said there have been discussions about making the reports public, but no decision has been made.
According to the Center for Public Integrity, the report states there are 18 states in the document in the red zone for new cases. Being placed in the red zone means a state had more than 100 new cases per 100,000 people in the past week. Those states are Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, Nevada, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, and Utah.
In addition, 11 states are listed as being in the red zone for test positivity. That means more than 10% of the states' tests came back with positive results. Those states are Alabama, Arizona, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Louisiana, Mississippi, Nevada, South Carolina, Texas, and Washington.
Some states seeing a surge of cases, like California, have announced shutdowns or have rolled back reopenings.
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