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About The daily Astorian. (Astoria, Or.) 1961-current | View Entire Issue (June 27, 2020)
A7 THE ASTORIAN • SATuRdAy, JuNE 27, 2020 US hits all-time high in daily cases OBITUARIES Jewell Esther Smotherman States reimpose virus restrictions Salem May 1, 1919 — June 20, 2020 By MICHELLE R. SMITH and FRANCES D’EMILIO Associated Press Texas and Florida clamped down on bars again Friday in the biggest retreat yet amid a surge across the South and West that sent the number of confirmed new coronavirus infections per day in the U.S. to an all-time high of 40,000. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott ordered all bars closed, while Florida banned alcohol con- sumption at all such estab- lishments. Together the two states joined the small but growing list of those that are either backtracking or put- ting any further reopenings of their economies on hold because of comeback by the virus. Abbott had pursued up to now one of the most aggres- sive reopening schedules of any state and had not only resisted calls to order the wearing of masks but had also refused until last week to let local governments take such measures. “It is clear that the rise in cases is largely driven by certain types of activities, including Texans congregat- ing in bars,” he said. “The actions in this executive order are essential to our mission to swiftly contain this virus and protect public health.” The Florida agency that governs bars acted after the daily number of confirmed cases neared 9,000, a record that was almost double the previous mark set just two days earlier. Texas, meanwhile, reported more than 17,000 confirmed new cases in the past three days, with a record high of nearly 6,000 on Thursday. The day’s tally of over 4,700 hospitalizations was also a record. A number of the hard- est-hit states, including Texas, Florida, Arizona and Arkansas, have Republican governors who have resisted mask-wearing requirements and echoed President Don- Ross D. Franklin/AP Photo Arizona Republican Gov. Doug Ducey speaks about the latest coronavirus data at a news conference on Thursday in Phoenix. ald Trump’s desire to quickly reopen the economy. In Oregon, the Oregon Health Authority said the state should brace for “expo- nential growth” in new coro- navirus infections by the middle of July, according to the latest modeling released Friday. The grim forecast sug- gests Oregon could see any- where from 910 new daily infections to an astound- ing 5,030 a day by July 16, depending on the level of spread. Amid the surge, the White House coronavirus task force, led by Vice Presi- dent Pence, was scheduled to hold its first briefing in nearly two months on Friday after- noon signaling the adminis- tration’s recognition that it cannot ignore the alarming increases. Meanwhile, the number of confirmed new infections in the U.S. per day soared past the previous high of 36,400, set on April 24, during one of the deadliest stretches in the crisis so far, according to the count kept by Johns Hop- kins University. The average number of new cases per day has risen about 60% over the past two weeks, according to an Associated Press analysis. While the increase is believed to reflect, in part, greatly expanded testing, experts say there is ample evidence the virus is making a comeback, including rising deaths and hospitalizations in parts of the country, espe- cially in the South and West. Deaths from the corona- virus in the U.S. are down to around 600 per day, com- pared with about 2,200 in mid-April. Despite the rise in cases, some experts have expressed doubt that deaths will return to that level, because of advances in treat- ment and prevention and also because a large share of the new infections are in younger adults, who are more likely than older ones to survive. The virus is blamed for 124,000 deaths in the U.S. and 2.4 million confirmed infections nationwide, by Johns Hopkins’ count. But U.S. health officials said the true number of Americans infected is about 20 million, or almost 10 times higher. Worldwide, the virus has claimed close to a half-mil- lion lives, according to Johns Hopkins. In addition to closing bars again, Abbott scaled back restaurant capacity and shut down rafting operations and said any outdoor gatherings of more than 100 people will need approval from the local government. The move came as the number of patients at Texas hospitals statewide more than doubled in two weeks. On Thursday, Arizona put on hold any further efforts to reopen the econ- omy, with Republican Gov. Doug Ducey saying the num- bers “continue to go in the wrong direction.” Arizona reported over 3,000 addi- tional infections Thursday, the fourth day in a week with an increase over that mark. Nevada’s governor ordered the wearing of face masks in public, Las Vegas casinos included. Elsewhere around the world, China moved closer to containing a fresh outbreak in Beijing. Another record daily increase in India pushed the caseload in the world’s sec- ond most populous nation toward half a million. And other countries with big pop- ulations like Indonesia, Paki- stan and Mexico grappled with large numbers of infec- tions and strained health care systems. South Africa, which accounts for about half of the infections on the African continent with over 118,000, reported a record of nearly 6,600 new cases after loosen- ing what had been one of the world’s strictest lockdowns earlier this month. Jewell Esther Smoth- moving to Salem, Ore- erman was born May 1, gon, to a retirement facil- 1919, the ninth of 11 girls ity in 2016. While living in Warrenton, she born to JPC and worked in var- Louiza Wil- liams in Birch ious canneries, retiring in 1982. Tree, Missouri. She was At 101 years old, very active in she went to sleep the Warrenton and awoke in her United Method- savior’s arms on ist Church, and June 20, 2020. had accepted Jewell was Jesus as her sav- preceded in death by her hus- Jewell Smotherman ior at an early band, Otto Smo- age. She was therman, and son, Lowell a member of the Veter- Smotherman, her mother, ans of Foreign Wars Aux- father and all of her sisters. iliary and, as long as she She leaves behind a son was able, she supported and daughter-in-law, Ger- the Warrenton baseball and ald and Katena Smother- basketball teams. man, four grandchildren, 12 A graveside service will great-grandchildren and 13 be held at 11 a.m. Tues- great-great-grandchildren. day at Ocean View Cem- Jewell moved from etery, for family and close Birch Tree to Clatsop friends. Caldwell’s Luce-Lay- County in the early 1940s, living in Astoria for a ton Mortuary is in charge short time, then purchas- of the arrangements. Please ing a home in Warrenton in sign our online guest book 1944, where she lived until at caldwellsmortuary.com Geraldine A. Humpal Waukee, Iowa Jan. 2, 1930 — June 23, 2020 Geraldine A. Humpal, 90, passed away June 23, 2020, at Legacy Pointe in Waukee, Iowa. She was born Jan. 2, 1930, in Des Moines, Iowa, the daughter of Don- ald H. and Doris E. (Gie- brich) Kast. She attended Seaside High School during World War II, but graduated from Roosevelt High School in 1947 in Des Moines. Then she continued her educa- tion at Drake University, obtaining a degree in sub- stitute teaching. Geraldine married Mer- lin J. Humpal on April 8, 1949, in Des Moines, where they made their home and raised their chil- dren, and later retired to Seaside, Oregon. In 2018, they returned to Waukee to be closer to family. They celebrated their 71st anniversary this spring. Geraldine is survived by her husband, Merlin; six children, Alice Doolittle, of Johnston, Iowa, Teresa Revell, of Brooklyn Park, Minnesota, James (Candi) Humpal, of Detroit, Mich- igan, Tim (Kim) Humpal, of Waukee, Iowa, Beth (Larry) Doolittle, of Red- ding, Iowa, and Erin (Nick) Doolittle, of Mount Ayr, Iowa; 13 grandchildren; 25 great-grandchildren; and a sister, Evelyn Christensen, of Racine, Wisconsin. Westover Funeral Home in Des Moines is in charge of arrangements (ilesfuner- alhomes.com). Pregnant women added to virus risk groups By MIKE STOBBE Associated Press NEW YORK — The nation’s top public health agency on Thursday revamped its list of which Americans are at higher risk for severe COVID- 19 illness, adding pregnant women and removing age alone as a factor. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention also changed the list of under- lying conditions that make someone more suscepti- ble to suffering and death. Sickle cell disease joined the list, for example. And the threshold for risky levels of obesity was lowered. The changes didn’t include adding race as a risk factor for serious ill- ness, despite accumulating evidence that Black people, Hispanics and Native Amer- icans have higher rates of infection, hospitalization and death. Agency officials said the update was prompted by medical studies published since CDC first started list- ing high-risk groups. They sought to publicize the infor- mation before Independence Day weekend, when many people may be tempted to go out and socialize. “For those at higher risk, we recommend limiting contact with others as much as possible, or restricting contacts to a small number of people who are willing to take measures to reduce the risk of (you) becoming infected,” said CDC Direc- SEVENDAY FORECAST FOR ASTORIA TODAY SUNDAY MONDAY tor Dr. Robert Redfield. The same advice holds for people who live with or care for people at higher risk, Redfield added. Previously, the CDC said those at high risk of serious illness included people aged 65 years and older; those who live in a nursing home or long-term care facility; and people with serious heart conditions, obesity, diabe- tes, liver disease, chronic kidney disease, chronic lung disease and conditions that leave them with weakened immune systems. In the changes, CDC created categories of peo- ple who are at high risk and people who might be at high risk. Those who are at high risk include people with TUESDAY WEDNESDAY chronic kidney disease, chronic inflammatory lung disease, obesity, serious heart conditions, sickle cell disease, Type 2 diabetes and weakened immune sys- tems because of organ trans- plants. The threshold for obesity concern was low- ered from a body mass index of 40 down to 30. The CDC said people are at increasing risk as they get older, but it removed people 65 and older as a high risk group. The list of people who might be at high risk includes pregnant women, smokers and those with asthma, dis- eases that affect blood flow to the brain, cystic fibrosis, high blood pressure, demen- tia, liver disease, scarred or damaged lungs, Type 1 dia- THURSDAY FRIDAY betes, a rare blood disor- der called thalassemia and people who have weakened immune systems due to HIV or other reasons. Pregnant women joined the list on the same day a CDC report found they accounted for about 9% of lab-confirmed COVID-19 cases in women of child- bearing age. About 5% of women of childbearing age are pregnant at any given time. The report showed that pregnant women had higher rates of hospitalization, of admission to a hospital intensive care unit and of winding up on a breathing machine vs. young women who weren’t pregnant. There was no clear evidence of a higher death rate among REGIONAL FORECAST Shown is today’s weather. Temperatures are today’s highs and tonight’s lows. Seattle 63 52 A shower 66 53 67 56 Spotty morning Areas of low showers clouds 63 54 64 53 65 51 65 51 A passing shower Decreasing clouds Chance of a shower Showers possible Aberdeen Olympia 62/53 65/53 Wenatchee Tacoma Moses Lake UNDER THE SKY TODAY'S TIDES Astoria through Thursday Tonight’s Sky: Before midnight, Ursa Major is high above the northwestern horizon. Astoria / Port Docks Temperatures High/low ................................ 68/56 Normal high/low .................. 65/51 Record high .................. 84 in 1896 Record low .................... 39 in 1966 Precipitation Thursday ................................. Trace Month to date ........................ 1.99” Normal month to date ......... 2.26” Year to date .......................... 37.60” Normal year to date ........... 35.87” Forecasts and graphics provided by AccuWeather, Inc. ©2020 Time 6:06 a.m. 7:29 p.m. 7.1 12:33 a.m. 2.4 7.4 12:53 p.m. -0.1 Cape Disappointment 5:42 a.m. 7:10 p.m. Source: Jim Todd, OMSI Hammond SUN AND MOON Sunrise today .................. 5:26 a.m. Sunset tonight ............... 9:11 p.m. Moonrise today ........... 12:37 p.m. Moonset today ............... 1:05 a.m. First Full Last New 5:53 a.m. 7:18 p.m. Warrenton 6:01 a.m. 7:24 p.m. Knappa 6:43 a.m. 8:06 p.m. Depoe Bay June 28 July 4 July 12 July 20 4:53 a.m. 6:25 p.m. 6.8 12:07 p.m. 0.0 7.3 none 7.3 12:04 a.m. 2.7 7.7 12:26 p.m. -0.1 7.4 12:17 a.m. 2.5 7.8 12:37 p.m. 0.0 7.3 1:34 a.m. 7.6 1:54 p.m. 2.0 0.0 6.7 11:35 a.m. -0.4 7.3 none City Atlanta Boston Chicago Dallas Denver Honolulu Houston Los Angeles Miami New York City Phoenix San Francisco Wash., DC Today Hi/Lo/W Sun. Hi/Lo/W 85/71/pc 80/67/t 87/69/pc 91/75/t 89/59/pc 89/74/pc 88/75/t 80/62/pc 93/82/pc 86/74/t 107/79/s 71/56/pc 94/76/s 87/73/t 83/67/pc 85/67/t 91/75/pc 92/61/pc 88/74/s 89/77/t 75/63/pc 94/79/pc 90/72/pc 105/78/s 67/54/pc 89/74/t Weather (W): s-sunny, pc-partly cloudy, c-cloudy, sh-showers, t-thunderstorms, r-rain, sf-snow fl urries, sn-snow, i-ice. 73/47 Kennewick Walla Walla 81/52 Lewiston 87/54 83/54 Hermiston The Dalles 85/53 Enterprise Pendleton 75/41 82/50 76/59 La Grande 78/45 73/54 NATIONAL CITIES High (ft.) Time Low (ft.) Pullman 83/51 66/53 Salem 77/50 Yakima 84/55 Longview 63/52 Portland 71/55 Spokane 79/56 67/51 67/50 Astoria ALMANAC pregnant women, however. It’s not completely sur- prising, said Dr. Denise Jamieson, chair of obstet- rics and gynecology at the Emory University School of Medicine. Pregnant women have been found to be at higher risk from other infec- tious respiratory diseases, likely because the lungs decrease in the volume as the uterus grows, Jamieson said. What is surprising, she said, is that the CDC didn’t place pregnant women in the highest risk category. “To me this is the most compelling evidence to date that pregnant women are at increased risk,” said Jamie- son, who spent 20 years at the CDC as a reproductive health expert. Corvallis 73/52 Albany 73/53 John Day Eugene Bend 76/52 79/43 80/46 Ontario 92/56 Caldwell Burns 85/44 88/55 Medford 85/53 Klamath Falls 84/43 City Baker City Brookings Ilwaco Newberg Newport Today Hi/Lo/W 83/44/pc 67/51/s 62/54/c 71/52/c 60/48/c Sun. Hi/Lo/W 63/48/t 65/52/s 64/54/sh 70/50/sh 58/49/sh City North Bend Roseburg Seaside Springfi eld Vancouver Today Hi/Lo/W 65/52/c 79/55/pc 62/53/c 76/52/c 70/55/c Sun. Hi/Lo/W 63/53/pc 68/52/c 65/53/sh 66/51/sh 71/53/sh
