COVID-19 positivity tops 25% in some states

The number of tests coming back positive for COVID-19 is topping 25% in several midwestern states in the U.S. as cases surge in the region.

That’s according to a new Reuters analysis.

Among the states studied, North Dakota averaged a 30 percent positivity rate over the past seven days, compared to just 6 percent the week before.

The World Health Organization considers rates anywhere above 5% concerning.

In South Dakota, the positivity rate for coronavirus has risen to 26%, up from 17% the previous week.

Wisconsin set records for new cases twice last week and is now reporting more new infections each day than Florida.

South Dakota set records for new cases three times last week.

While a recent increase in testing might explain some of the rise in cases, hospitalizations have also surged in the Midwest and are not influenced by the number of tests performed.

According to NBC News on Monday, Robert Redfield, director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, said the threat of the pandemic was far from over - an assessment that contradicts President Donald Trump’s claim that the country was, (quote), "rounding the corner."

NBC also reported that Redfield expressed concern that the new White House pandemic adviser Scott Atlas is sharing inaccurate information with the president.

The United States is reporting 46,000 new infections on average each day, compared with 40,000 a week ago.