Immune To COVID? New Study Suggests Why

Governors across the nation are mulling when and how to end stay at home orders and other restrictions issued in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, with a handful already moving to reopen despite warnings from some health experts that it's too soon.

Minnesota, Vermont and Texas are among the first states to begin restarting some activities and businesses that have been closed for several weeks or longer, but on a limited basis and with certain requirements such as social distancing. What "reopening" looks like for each state is different, since some have more restrictive rules and widespread business closures in place than others.

More than 716,000 cases of COVID-19, the disease caused by the new coronavirus, had been confirmed in the U.S. as of Saturday morning, according to data compiled by Johns Hopkins University. At least 37,730 people have died in the U.S.

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The number of confirmed cases worldwide has soared to above 2.2 million, and more than 158,000 deaths have been attributed to the pandemic.

Latest Developments

United States:

-Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz expanded the list of outdoor activities that are allowed under the state's coronavirus restrictions. Effective today, people can fish, boat, golf, hunt and hike as long as they maintain social distancing. Facilities that support those activities are also allowed to reopen or remain open. Residents are also advised to do these close to home, the governor said in statement. Minnesota has reported 2,070 cases of COVID-19 and 111 deaths.

-In Vermont, businesses will reopen in phases. The first wave starts Monday and includes outdoor businesses and construction operations and retailers offering delivery or curbside pickup, according to an announcement from the state's Agency of Commerce and Community Development. Employees must follow social distancing of at least 6 feet and wear cloth coverings over their noses and mouths. Vermont has 779 cases of COVID-19 and 35 deaths.

-Texas Gov. Greg Abbott announced on Friday that stores that had been closed can provide pickup service starting April 24, some elective surgeries will be allowed and state parks will reopen for visitors, although visitors must wear face coverings and maintain social distancing, the Dallas Morning News reported. More than 18,000 people in the state have been diagnosed with COVID-19 and 450 have died.

-Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis gave cities and counties the go ahead to open beaches and parks if they had been closed, as long as it can be done safely. A statewide order to close beaches was never given, and decision as to what restrictions to place on them remains up to local governments. Some are closed completely, while others are open for exercise only.

-Boeing already reopened some of its factories around Seattle, and plans to reopen a plant in Pennsylvania on Monday, the Washington Post reported. Plans are also underway to reopen a Boeing repair facility in Ohio. All three states are still under stay-at-home orders. At least 100 Boeing workers have been infected with COVID-19 and one has died. Company executives say they are taking measures to protect their workforce, including social distancing, fewer people working at one time and, in some locations, requiring employees to wear face coverings.

-Amazon has started using thermal cameras to scan warehouse employees for fevers, Reuters reported. Cases of COVID-19 have been reported at more than 50 Amazon facilities.

-Some 6,912 deaths in the U.S. have been linked to outbreaks in nursing homes and long-term care facilities, according to data compiled by The Associated Press.

Worldwide:

-Other countries, many with restrictions and lockdowns more stringent than most U.S. states, are also grappling with how and when to start to return to normal.

-Singapore and Japan, which appeared to have their outbreaks under control until recently, both reported a new surge in cases on Saturday, according to the AP. Japan's reported number of cases topped 10,000 with more than 190 deaths. Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, concerned that social distancing wasn't being observed, offered residents $930 in cash as an incentive to stay home.

-The chief of staff to the president of Nigeria died Friday from COVID-19.

-Some businesses in hard-hit Iran's capital city of Tehran reopened Saturday, although things like gyms and shopping malls will remain closed.

-Spain remains as the country with the second highest number of cases behind the U.S., with more than 190,000 reported COVID-19 infections and at least 20,000 deaths. Countries with the next largest outbreaks are Italy, France, Germany and the United Kingdom.

-Cases in the United Kingdom soared to more than 115,000 with at 15,497 deaths as of Saturday.

For the latest coronavirus information in your county and a full list of important resources to help you make the smartest decisions regarding the disease, check out our dedicated COVID-19 page.

The Weather Company’s primary journalistic mission is to report on breaking weather news, the environment and the importance of science to our lives. This story does not necessarily represent the position of our parent company, IBM.