Quarantine security, fireworks secret, strike teams: News from around our 50 states

Alabama

Montgomery: Gov. Kay Ivey on Thursday announced she is extending a statewide mask order that she and health officials have credited with reducing COVID-19 cases in Alabama. The Republican said the mask order, which had been set to expire next week, will be extended until Oct. 2. The governor also said she will keep in place other health orders, such as reducing occupancy in stores and limiting table seating in restaurants. “Folks, I understand you don’t want to wear the mask. I don’t either,” Ivey said in a news conference at the Capitol. “I wish we didn’t have to wear masks, but we are seeing a drop in our hospitalizations and daily COVID-19 numbers,” Ivey said, adding that she believed the decrease was due to the mask order. The Republican governor has faced a mix of praise from health officials and criticism from some conservatives for the decision to issue the statewide mask order unlike some other Southern governors.

Alaska

Juneau: Additional unemployment benefits approved by the federal government are expected to reach state residents in six to eight weeks, officials said. The temporary payments that will increase unemployment assistance by $300 weekly will not be available to all of unemployed residents. Without the $600-per-week federal boost that expired at the end of last month, the state’s maximum unemployment payment is $370 per week, plus a stipend for parents. State governments were given an option to provide an additional $100 per week above what the federal government is funding. Alaska independent business owners who are part of the so-called gig economy of short-term jobs, such as Uber drivers, will not receive the benefits because states were required to contribute for those workers to receive the additional federal funding.

Arizona

Phoenix: Gyms and some bars across metro Phoenix and Tucson were allowed to reopen Thursday as coronavirus transmission numbers in several counties dropped to moderate levels that let the businesses restart with capacity limits. Maricopa and Pima counties, the state’s two most populous, fell from substantial transmission levels they had seen when the Arizona Department of Health Services published the guidelines for business reopenings early this month. Also falling to moderate transmission levels were Apache and Navajo counties. The four joined five smaller counties that were already in the reopening category. Pinal County failed to meet the metrics for reopening, a surprise because Health Services Director Dr. Cara Christ said earlier this week that it had also been expected to see a decrease in cases. Six of 15 Arizona counties remain in the higher category where gyms, bars, nightclubs and water parks can’t reopen without a state waiver.

Arkansas

Little Rock: The state on Wednesday reported its second-highest one-day increase in COVID-19 deaths so far and 649 new confirmed cases of the coronavirus that causes the illness. The Department of Health said the 21 new deaths bring the state’s death toll to 732 since tracking of the outbreak began in March. The number of people hospitalized because of COVID-19 dropped by seven to 435. Wednesday’s deaths are the most since last Friday, when the state announced 22 people died from COVID-19. Meanwhile, Gov. Asa Hutchinson said it’s going to take some time before the state is able to start paying the $300 weekly extended unemployment benefit under President Donald Trump’s executive order. The Trump administration on Tuesday approved Arkansas’ application for the unemployment benefit.

California

Sacramento: The state Senate abruptly canceled its session Wednesday after a lawmaker tested positive for the coronavirus, putting the Legislature’s work in jeopardy as it rushes to pass legislation ahead of a Monday deadline. Sen. Brian Jones, a Republican from Santee, confirmed in a Facebook post that he had tested positive for the virus. Jones wore a mask on the Senate floor Monday, as is required of everyone in the building. He said he is getting tested again to ensure his results are accurate, but in the meantime, he will follow state and federal protocols. The delay further complicates a legislative session that’s already been put off twice because of the virus. This postponement comes at the worst time for lawmakers because they can’t vote on bills after Monday. Senate President Pro Tempore Toni Atkins said she canceled the session so officials could “conduct immediate contact tracing and inform anyone who may have been exposed.”

Colorado

Denver: Small businesses suffering from the effects of the coronavirus will be able to apply for grants and loans under a new state program, Gov. Jared Polis said Wednesday. The Energize Colorado Gap Fund will be open to businesses with fewer than 25 employees and will place an emphasis on minority-, women- and veteran-owned firms as well as those in rural communities, Polis said during a briefing on the pandemic. The $25 million fund received bipartisan support with public and private grants and loans to go toward those businesses either unable to participate in the federal government’s Paycheck Protection Program or still struggling after the program ended. Some small businesses didn’t qualify because they didn’t have “the right relationship with their banks” or because the application process was too complicated, Democratic state Sen. Faith Winter said.

Connecticut

Cheshire: The organization that oversees high school athletics in the state plans to move forward with a fall sports season, including football, despite the recommendation of state health officials. The revised plan released Wednesday night by the Connecticut Interscholastic Athletic Conference will allow full-contact practices beginning Sept. 21 in all sports and games to begin Oct. 1. The CIAC said it decided to pick Sept. 21 as a start date because most schools will have been in session for at least two weeks, and that will give the organization a better idea of how in-person learning is affecting the spread of the coronavirus and what that impact might be on extracurricular activities. The decision comes despite a recommendation from the state Department of Health not to play football or indoor volleyball this fall.

Delaware

Wilmington: In a reversal, school districts and charters will be required to notify families when they learn of positive COVID-19 cases in their buildings, the state announced Wednesday. How parents are notified and the information included is up to the school, but it must follow state and federal privacy laws. Public health officials had previously said the decision to notify families would ultimately be left to the district. School leaders pointed to the liaisons assigned through the Division of Public Health and said they would do whatever public health officials advised when and if positive cases appeared. But there was no mandated requirement for every district to offer the same level of transparency. Wednesday’s modification to Gov. John Carney’s state of emergency order instead said public health liaisons will work with schools to notify parents anytime someone who tests positive with COVID-19 is in the building at the same time as students.

District of Columbia

Washington: A new mandate from Mayor Muriel Bowser’s office would require insurers to cover coronavirus tests for those who are at high risk, WUSA-TV reports. The mandate, issued Tuesday, requires all health insurers to cover testing for residents who are in high-risk settings or have high-risk complications from the virus. It also requires insurers to cover testing of the disease caused by the coronavirus or those who have potentially already been exposed to those with COVID-19. “If you need a test, you should get a test, and you shouldn’t be worried about the cost,” Bowser said of the new mandate. “This is one more way we can keep Washingtonians safe and work to stop the spread of COVID-19.” Insurers would cover one test a week for free, and those looking to get tested wouldn’t need approval from a doctor, the new order said.

Florida

Fort Lauderdale: A task force appointed by Gov. Ron DeSantis will recommend that nursing homes and assisted living facilities in the state begin allowing visitors after more than five months of keeping elderly residents isolated from loved ones. The group agreed on recommendations Wednesday that come with a long set of rules and wide leeway for wary nursing homes on how to implement them. Critics expressed concern about what will likely be a patchwork approach that varies greatly among facilities statewide. The recommendations, which will be finalized in the coming days before they are formally presented to DeSantis for his approval, come as Florida reported about 4,400 people being treated in hospitals for the coronavirus as of Wednesday, a decrease of about 140 from the previous day and down from peak levels of more than 9,500 five weeks ago.

Georgia

Baxley: The governor said Wednesday that he’s considering creating mobile testing strike teams to deploy to schools and colleges to control COVID-19 outbreaks. Brian Kemp told news outlets the teams could also be used to control coronavirus outbreaks at long-term care facilities. The Republican has expressed frustration in recent days that fewer people are being tested than at the peak of the summer outbreak, meaning the state has unused testing capacity. The number of confirmed COVID-19 cases continues to decline slowly, though the state still has the second-highest number of new confirmed cases per capita over the past 14 days. Death reports remain high, but hospitalizations have fallen about 30% since an early August peak. Kemp touted those gains Wednesday during a tour of southeast Georgia. “Don’t be discouraged by the national or even Atlanta media that has bad headlines,” he said at Coastal Pines Technical College in Baxley.

Hawaii

Honolulu: More than 10% of people tested for COVID-19 in the state over the prior 24 hours were found to have the disease, new data showed Wednesday, underscoring that coronavirus was becoming more widespread in the community. “It’s basically telling us we’re in a very serious situation from a public health point of view,” said Tim Brown, a senior fellow at the research program of the East-West Center in Honolulu. Out of 2,518 tests conducted over the past day, 277, or 11%, were positive. “That is not good,” U.S. Surgeon General Jerome Adams said in a video that Lt. Gov. Josh Green posted on social media. Adams noted during a news conference with Honolulu’s mayor that Hawaii had previously enjoyed a 5% percent or lower positivity rate. A rate above 10% could overwhelm the health care system, he said.

Idaho

Boise: The state’s public health officials are trying to decide whether they’ll officially adopt new CDC guidelines that no longer recommend coronavirus testing for asymptomatic people who have had close contact with infected people. Some experts said the decision could have a big impact on how coronavirus spreads in Idaho. How to proceed is under discussion as Idaho faces a critical juncture – with kids starting classes in several school districts across the state and many residents increasingly weary of social distancing, wearing masks and avoiding crowds. The CDC guidelines have drawn widespread criticism from scientists who said it runs counter to what is necessary to control the pandemic. “I don’t know how anyone believes that we have a better chance at controlling the spread of this virus by doing less testing,” said Dr. David Peterman, a pediatrician and the CEO of Primary Health Medical Group, the largest independent medical group in Idaho.

Illinois

Chicago: Metra says Union Pacific’s refusal to send conductors into train cars is costing the Chicago-area commuter rail carrier $1 million each month in lost ticket revenue. Union Pacific, which operates the UP North, Northwest and West lines for Metra, is not allowing conductors into the aisles to punch tickets, citing coronavirus safety concerns, the Chicago Tribune reports. That is giving passengers on those lines a free ride, Metra said. Metra has suffered financially during the coronavirus pandemic, operating at about 10% of its normal ridership while people work from home and attend school remotely. In early June, Metra resumed in-person ticketing, but Union Pacific has chosen not to. “The safety of Chicago commuters and employees is paramount to Union Pacific,” said Raquel Espinoza, a Union Pacific spokeswoman, noting guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Indiana

South Bend: The University of Notre Dame has added security personnel at its COVID-19 quarantine and isolation sites after students were observed leaving the off-campus apartments and hotels in violation of safety protocols, officials said Wednesday. Notre Dame provides secured off-campus rooms to isolate students who test positive for coronavirus and quarantine those who’ve had close contact with them or are awaiting test results. University spokesman Dennis Brown told the South Bend Tribune that students under quarantine or isolation agreed to a code of conduct requiring them to remain in their designated rooms. He said students who don’t adhere will face sanctions that could include dismissal. Meanwhile, Indiana’s statewide face mask order will remain in place for another month as Gov. Eric Holcomb said Wednesday that it was still needed to control the coronavirus spread.

Iowa

Johnston: Gov. Kim Reynolds on Thursday ordered that all bars be closed in six of the state’s largest counties in response to surging numbers of confirmed coronavirus cases blamed in part on young people ignoring mask and social distancing recommendations in such establishments. Reynolds ordered the action in Black Hawk, Dallas, Linn, Johnson, Polk and Story counties effective at 5 p.m. Thursday on a day when the state saw nearly 1,500 confirmed cases, a new high that topped levels recorded in the spring. In the past 24 hours as of Thursday morning, Iowa recorded 1,475 confirmed cases, surpassing the April 25 total of 1,284. During that period, there were 18 more deaths for a total of 1,079. In Story County, where Iowa State University is located, 28% of tests reported Wednesday were positive, and in Johnson County, where the University of Iowa is centered, it was 25%, according to state data.

Kansas

Lawrence: Local health officials have ordered residents of 10 University of Kansas fraternity and sorority chapter houses to quarantine for two weeks following a coronavirus outbreak on campus. The Lawrence-Douglas County Public Health Department announced the 14-day quarantine order in a news release Wednesday night. Contact tracing showed residents in the Greek houses were most likely to have come in close contact with some of the more than 200 students who have tested positive for the virus, the department said. The university opened its fall semester Monday with in-person classes and offered free testing for students, faculty and staff. By Tuesday, 222 people had tested positive out of 19,452 test results received, for a positivity rate of more than 1.1%, according to the health department. But the rate among fraternities and sororities was nearly 5.5%, with 133 Greek members testing positive.

Kentucky

Frankfort: The governor offered a blistering assessment Wednesday of new guidance from federal health officials, calling it “reckless” and contradictory to the need for aggressive testing policies to combat the spread of COVID-19. Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear responded to the guidance that says it’s not necessary for people who don’t feel sick but have been in close contact with infected people to get tested. It was posted earlier this week on the website of the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Beshear, who took office last year, is usually restrained in criticizing the federal executive branch under Republican President Donald Trump, who remains popular in Kentucky. But the governor didn’t hold back this time, telling reporters that the new guidance “doesn’t make any sense at all.” “It is inexplicable,” Beshear said. “And in Kentucky, we’re going to still continue to do the right thing.”

Louisiana

Baton Rouge: Louisiana State University’s defense of its college football national championship is off to a rocky start because of the coronavirus pandemic. With just one month before the Tigers open their season, positive COVID-19 tests or a risk of exposure to infected individuals has sidelined nearly the entire offensive line position group in quarantine, according to a report in the Baton Rouge Advocate. Citing multiple people, the story by the Advocate said all but four members of the offensive line have either tested positive for the novel coronavirus or are isolating due to high-risk exposure. Players who test positive must isolate for 10 days and be symptom-free for at least 24 hours before returning to practice, according to SEC COVID-19 protocols. Individuals with high-risk exposure must quarantine for 14 days.

Maine

Augusta: Gov. Janet Mills is allowing external drop boxes for absentee ballots and letting clerks begin processing ballots earlier to deal with the anticipated heavy volume, her office said Thursday. The executive order limits the number of people in polling places to 50 and requires physical distancing. “The right to vote is the foundation of our democratic process, and I take seriously our responsibility to ensure that every Maine person has the opportunity to cast their ballot and to do so in a way that protects their health and safety during this ongoing pandemic,” Mills said. The deadline will be extended from Oct. 13 to Oct. 19 for voter registrations submitted by mail or third person. In-person voter registration can still continue right through Election Day. The order also gives clerks the ability to start processing absentee ballots seven days ahead of an election, instead of four.

Maryland

Rockville: The state has issued six-figure fines against three nursing homes in Montgomery County after inspectors said they placed residents in “immediate jeopardy” during the coronavirus pandemic. The Washington Post reports the penalties followed surveys conducted by state inspectors in June. The state said the facilities were faulted for failing to properly isolate potentially contagious residents. Collingswood Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center was penalized $275,000. Potomac Valley Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center was fined $120,000. Kensington Healthcare Center was fined $294,000. Earlier this year, Republican Gov. Larry Hogan said all nursing homes and assisted-living facilities must conduct coronavirus testing of all residents and staff. State data indicates at least 78 people living at the facilities have died of COVID-19. More than 270 have been infected.

Massachusetts

Boston: A legal challenge to a state ban on evictions during the coronavirus pandemic has been dealt a setback by a judge. Suffolk Superior Court Judge Paul Wilson on Wednesday denied a request by landlords to stop the eviction moratorium while their lawsuit against the state proceeds, saying it was unlikely they will ultimately prevail, The Boston Globe reports. Another suit brought by the same landlords in federal court will get another hearing next week after a federal judge asked lawyers for the state and three landlords this week to consider a settlement. “He basically ordered us to talk about a settlement or mediation,” said Richard Vetstein, the attorney representing the landlords in both cases. The pause on evictions took effect in April and was extended by Gov. Charlie Baker through at least mid-October. Tenants are still obligated to pay rent.

Michigan

Detroit: Officials are keeping mum about the Detroit-area location of a major fireworks show to honor first responders, hospital workers and others on the front lines of the coronavirus pandemic. The display next Monday is intended to replace an annual show that typically draws thousands of people to the Detroit River in late June. That event was canceled. The fireworks will be aired on WDIV-TV. Mayor Mike Duggan said the show will be staged 20 miles away in a suburb. “The fireworks will not be visible from anywhere in the city,” Duggan said Wednesday. “If you come down to the river, there won’t be any barges there. There won’t be any fireworks there. … So, please, enjoy them on TV, but don’t come down looking for them here.” Earlier Monday, Detroit will host a drive-thru memorial at Belle Isle State Park to honor city residents who have died from COVID-19.

Minnesota

St. Paul: A large batch of almost 19,000 late tests from a private laboratory has contributed to an artificial spike in reported cases of COVID-19 across the state Thursday, according to a statement from the Minnesota Department of Health. Of the 1,158 cases reported in the state Thursday, 265 were part of that batch of late tests, according to MDH. About 14,000 late tests are still being processed by the health department and will affect case counts into early next week. Thirteen deaths attributed to COVID-19 were reported Thursday, according to the report. Since the start of the pandemic, 72,390 cases have been confirmed in Minnesota, and 1,806 people have died. As of Thursday, 305 people were hospitalized, with 139 requiring intensive care units. Since the start of the pandemic, 6,326 people have required hospitalization in the state.

Mississippi

Jackson: The state is reporting a higher number of new cases of coronavirus per capita each day than any other U.S. state, according to Johns Hopkins University data evaluated over a 14-day period. However, data from the state Department of Health show the numbers of patients hospitalized in the state is steadily decreasing. The number of hospitalized patients peaked this month at 978 on Aug. 7. On Aug. 25, some 730 patients were hospitalized. “We do continue to see trends in decreasing hospitalizations. … Certainly, all good trends, but we want to keep them that way,” Mississippi’s State Health Officer Dr. Thomas Dobbs said Tuesday. “I’m worried about our future obviously, and want to make sure we keep up the gains.” The Health Department said Wednesday that Mississippi, with a population of about 3 million, has had at least 80,110 reported cases and at least 2,373 deaths from COVID-19 as of Tuesday evening.

Missouri

O’Fallon: St. Louis-area hospitals have seen a sudden and “alarming” spike in hospitalizations for the coronavirus, and the leader of the region’s pandemic task force is imploring residents to wear face coverings and practice social distancing. For several weeks, the number of new daily admissions for COVID-19 hovered around 40. But Dr. Alex Garza of the St. Louis Metropolitan Pandemic Task Force on Wednesday reported 71 new admissions. The task force is a collaboration among BJC HealthCare, SSM Health, Mercy and St. Luke’s Hospital to track and analyze data related to the coronavirus. It was the largest one-day total since the pandemic began, topping the 69 admissions April 8. The admission numbers reflect a two-day lag. Garza also cited other concerning data. Total hospitalizations for confirmed cases reached 309, the highest level since May 22. The number of patients in intensive care units rose by 20 to 86.

Montana

Great Falls: Nervousness and excitement filled the air as parents dropped their children off for the first day of school at Chief Joseph Elementary School on Wednesday. Students and their parents donned face masks as they said their goodbyes outside the school. Parents were unable to enter the building Wednesday morning because of the COVID-19 pandemic. “I became a principal and a teacher because I love kids, and I love interacting with them and helping them,” said Bobby Ingalls, principal at Chief Joseph Elementary. “Helping them online, it felt so sterile ... you don’t get the interactions, you don’t get to have the celebrations, you don’t get to help them through the challenges the same way. So I’m happy that we’re face-to-face.” Ingalls welcomed students outside the front doors to explain the protocols of how to “gel-in and gel-out” with hand sanitizer while entering or exiting the building, while maintaining 6 feet of distance.

Nebraska

Omaha: Two sororities at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln are under quarantine after several coronavirus cases were reported at each house during the first week of classes. University officials said Wednesday that everyone living at the Delta Delta Delta sorority house has been placed under quarantine after five cases of the virus were reported there. Earlier in the week, the Kappa Alpha Theta sorority house on campus was also placed under quarantine after a separate cluster of five cases was reported there. Classes began in person Monday at the university in Lincoln. Elsewhere, Omaha school board President Marque Snow said Tuesday that he would suspend all his campaign events and isolate himself after testing positive for the virus. Snow is running for the Legislature. Nebraska reported 379 new cases of the virus Wednesday to give the state 32,727 cases of coronavirus. There have also been 386 virus deaths.

Nevada

Las Vegas: Another iconic Las Vegas Strip resort has joined casinos that have reopened since being closed in mid-March due to the coronavirus pandemic. MGM Resorts International set The Mirage reopening for Thursday, ahead of the Labor Day holiday, with a statement calling the move a step toward economic health. The more than 3,000-room resort is known for its Polynesian island theme, erupting volcano and Secret Garden & Dolphin Habitat animal attraction. It set a megaresort standard when it first opened in November 1989. Restaurants and retail shops will open this week, but live entertainment including Cirque du Soleil’s “The Beatles LOVE” remains dark amid ongoing restrictions on crowd sizes in Nevada. MGM Resorts reopened three resorts when Gov. Steve Sisolak and the state Gaming Commission lifted closure orders June 4. The company has since resumed operations at several other properties.

New Hampshire

Plainfield: The town is the latest community to require that masks be worn in public to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. The Valley News reports the town Selectboard voted 3-0 for the ordinance Wednesday, and it took effect immediately. It requires face coverings in buildings open to the public and in stores and restaurants, though exceptions are made while seated at a table and eating. Masks are “strongly encouraged” but not required for people who are exercising or on trails or sidewalks, unless they are in groups of more than 15. Children ages 6 and up also must wear masks. There are exceptions for potential health risk reasons. A first offense carries a warning. Subsequent offenses have fines starting at $50. As of Wednesday, 7,159 people had tested positive for the virus in New Hampshire, an increase of eight from the previous day. The number of deaths increased by one to 430.

New Jersey

Trenton: The number of people applying for jobless benefits in the state last week fell to just over 20,000, a 21% drop compared with the prior week, the New Jersey Labor Department said Thursday. The state’s jobless claims have soared to more than 1.5 million, primarily because of the response to the COVID-19 outbreak, officials have said. Last week also marked a sharp drop in how much the state paid out in benefits, falling to $316 million. The drop reflects the July 25 expiration of a federal $600 weekly benefit for all unemployed residents. Typically, the Labor Department said, the state paid out about $500 million weekly. New Jersey has applied for a federal $300 weekly benefit for those who lost work because of the virus, Democratic Gov. Phil Murphy said. The state is not opting to chip in an additional $100 a week, as envisioned under the president’s proposal.

New Mexico

Santa Fe: The New Mexico Supreme Court upheld the authority of the state health secretary to restrict or close businesses because of the coronavirus pandemic, in a unanimous 4-0 decision Wednesday spurred by restrictions on indoor dining at restaurants. In the decision announced by Justice Judith Nakamura, the court also rejected assertions by the restaurant industry that a July 13 ban on indoor dining service was arbitrary and capricious. Nakamura invoked recent statements by U.S. Chief Justice John Roberts that the judiciary should not normally second-guess decisions regarding health emergencies. The decision bolsters the emergency powers of Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham and her Cabinet, even as the first-term Democrat announced plans to lift a ban on indoor dining as part of a revised public health order that will take effect Saturday.

New York

Plattsburgh: SUNY Plattsburgh officials suspended 43 students Wednesday after a party on Lake Champlain, becoming the latest school to clamp down on students violating rules designed to limit the spread of the coronavirus. College officials said the students violated campus health and safety policies when they gathered at the closed Sailor’s Beach park in Plattsburgh on Friday. Police said students failed to socially distance, and very few, if any, wore face coverings. Under the suspensions, the students are required to leave their residence halls rooms and will not be permitted on campus until further notice. The state college near the Canadian border called them interim suspensions, saying there will be a separate campus judicial process to determine the future status of the students. “Campus and the wider Plattsburgh community’s health and safety is our highest priority,” said President Alex Enyedi, who imposed the suspensions.

North Carolina

Raleigh: North Carolina State University told students remaining in university housing to go home Wednesday, acknowledging a rising number of COVID-19 clusters occurring in both on-campus and off-campus housing. Chancellor Randy Woodson said in an email that students in university housing should schedule a time to move out of on-campus residences. “We hoped and strived to keep residence halls open and safe to best serve our students. However, the rapid spread and increasing rate of positive cases have made our current situation untenable,” Woodson said. To ensure physical distancing, the school is establishing an 11-day window for students to move out, beginning Thursday and continuing through Sept. 6. N.C. State has reported 21 COVID-19 clusters since classes began Aug. 10, with four of the clusters in residence halls, The News & Observer of Raleigh reports.

North Dakota

Bismarck: Gov. Doug Burgum said Wednesday that risk levels for COVID-19 hot spots in the state could be elevated beginning next week if the pandemic continues to worsen. The Republican governor’s announcement came as active coronavirus cases in North Dakota rose to another new daily high, led by the Bismarck metropolitan area. Burgum said he wasn’t prepared to amend the state’s “low” risk level under his ND Smart Restart Plan, which provides coronavirus-related protocols for everything schools and businesses to family gatherings. But he said it could happen on a county-by-county basis soon. “We are going to be working with local officials on potential moves next week,” Burgum said. “Stay tuned.” The risk levels only set specific guidelines and are not mandates or “legally enforceable,” Burgum said.

Ohio

Columbus: The state paused new saliva-based coronavirus tests at assisted living centers after finding discrepancies in the test results after just two days of testing. Testing data “inconsistencies” were found at a small number of assisted living facilities this week, the directors of the state aging and health departments wrote Wednesday to facility administrators. The state is investigating whether the tests produced false positives and, if so, what caused them. Dan Tierney, spokeswoman for Gov. Mike DeWine, said none of the results in question has been counted as a case in the state’s COVID-19 dashboards. All scheduled tests are to pause, the agency directors wrote, until the state reviews the accuracy of the tests. Some staff will still be tested this week using both the saliva test and two nasal swabs, according to the Ohio Assisted Living Association.

Oklahoma

Oklahoma City: The Oklahoma State Department of Health is working to revise the state’s COVID-19 alert system, which some health officials have said is not “helpful” for areas at high risk due to the coronavirus pandemic, health department spokesperson Rob Crissinger said Wednesday. Planned changes in the alert system, first reported by the Tulsa World, are being made so local and state health officials can work more closely, according to Crissinger. “They can work in tandem with the updated hospital surge plan and be a better resource for everyone,” from the state to the local level, Crissinger said. Dr. Dale Bratzler, chief COVID officer for the University of Oklahoma Medical Center, and Tulsa Health Department Director Bruce Dart have said the four-tiered system announced in July and based on statewide hospitalization rates does not reflect regional outbreaks of the virus and hospitalizations in specific areas.

Oregon

Salem: Coronavirus cases continue to decline in Oregon, as the state’s health authority on Wednesday reported a 13% decrease in the weekly case count from the previous week. The rate of positive tests also declined from 5.4% to 5.1%. One of the requirements that must be met in order for schools to reopen to in-person teaching, according to guidelines issued by Gov. Kate Brown, is that Oregon’s testing positivity rate must be 5% or less. The spread of the deadly disease has decreased since July, but authorities say the number of cases is still too high for students to return to school. Experts said the average amount of daily cases would need to decrease from about 250 to 60. If cases do not decrease, Brown warned that she may have to implement further safety measures, including closing bars and restaurants and travel restrictions.

Pennsylvania

York: Two school districts in York County have reported cases of the novel coronavirus this week, according to letters from the districts. Northeastern School District said a staff member at Spring Forge Intermediate School has tested positive for COVID-19. The individual has not been in attendance this week, according to a letter shared by the district. Thursday marked the first day of classes for the district. And South Western High School reported a confirmed case of the novel coronavirus, according to a letter to families from the district near Hanover. Monday marked the first day of school. Both school districts said they have been in contact with the Pennsylvania Department of Health. South Western said it has been advised not to close the school at this time, the letter says.

Rhode Island

Providence: Residents with questions about voting during the coronavirus pandemic now have a one-stop resource to get the answers, Secretary of State Nellie Gorbea said Wednesday. Gorbea’s office has teamed up with United Way of Rhode Island to launch a 211 voter information hotline. Voters who call the free, 24/7 hotline will be connected to trained United Way specialists who are able to provide information on questions about voter registration; polling locations; ways to vote; the mail ballot application process; and mail ballot dropoff locations. Assistance is available in more than 150 languages, and TDD/TYY access is provided for voters with hearing impairments. Rhode Island is one of the few states with such a resource, according to a statement from Gorbea’s office. The state’s primary is Sept. 8, and the general election is Nov. 3. The hotline will be available through Nov. 6.

South Carolina

Columbia: An inmate in the state prison system has died after contracting COVID-19, officials said. The Department of Corrections said Gary Clifton Hamilton, 63, died Wednesday at an outside hospital after testing positive for the virus earlier this month. Hamilton’s death marks the the 14th inmate death associated with COVID-19 in the state. The corrections agency said Hamilton had several underlying medical conditions. Hamilton had previously been housed at McCormick Correctional Institution, where 36 prisoners and 12 staff members have tested positive so far. Across state facilities, 1,477 prisoners have contracted the virus, with 857 active cases. Also Wednesday, prison officials said they were extending suspensions on visitation, volunteer, work-release and labor crew programs through the end of September. Routine transfers between institutions remain suspended.

South Dakota

Sioux Falls: The state still has $1.17 billion in federal funding for coronavirus-related costs in the bank. State agencies have spent $80.8 million of the $1.25 billion the state received from the federal Coronavirus Relief Fund to cover its costs during the COVID-19 pandemic, as of Aug. 17, according to Bob Christianson, the state government audit manager in the Department of Legislative Audit. Christianson told legislators on the Government Operations and Audit Committee on Wednesday that there was “nothing shocking” in the state’s expenses since legislators last heard an update in July. The federal government is also continuing to refine its guidance on the expenses for which the state can use the funding. That amount doesn’t include additional federal dollars that have come into the state specifically for education, health and social services during the pandemic.

Tennessee

Nashville: The city is relaxing some of its virus restrictions after seeing a slowdown in the spread of COVID-19. Mayor John Cooper announced Thursday that beginning Sept. 1, venues may hold weddings, funerals and similar events at one-third capacity or 125 people, whichever is fewer. The venues are required to follow social distancing guidelines, and guests must wear masks while standing, Cooper said. Those planning larger events will be allowed to submit plans to the director of public health for review. Meanwhile, the so-called transportainment industry will be allowed to resume operating its tourist-filled party buses, trucks and tractors at 50% maximum capacity with a limit of 10 people who must all belong to the same party, Cooper said. And bars are allowed to expand capacity to accommodate up to 25 people outside as well as 25 people inside. Seating can resume at the bar with social distancing, the mayor said.

Texas

Austin: State officials said Wednesday that there were 229 newly reported deaths from COVID-19 and 5,045 newly reported cases of the coronavirus that causes it. As people evacuated the upper Texas coast ahead of Hurricane Laura’s landfall early Thursday, emergency officials were urging them to take safeguards against the virus as well. The number of COVID-19 patients in Texas hospitals has continued to drop and stood at 4,806 patients Wednesday. On Tuesday, the number dipped below 5,000 for the first time since June. The Texas Department of State Health Services said Texas so far has reported more than 592,000 cases since pandemic tracking began in March, and 11,805 deaths have been reported. The true number of cases is likely higher because many people haven’t been tested, and studies suggest people can be infected and not feel sick.

Utah

Provo: The mayor has rejected a proposed city ordinance mandating that people wear facial coverings indoors and outdoors in public areas and at large gatherings during the pandemic. Mayor Michelle Kaufusi vetoed the citywide mandate Wednesday after the Municipal Council voted unanimously in favor of it, The Daily Herald reports. She argued she didn’t think it was necessary to have a law to force people to wear masks. The council was expected to have the supermajority vote needed to override the veto Thursday, which would mean the ordinance would be implemented ahead of the new school year at Brigham Young University that starts Monday. The ordinance includes wearing face masks in public indoor spaces if social distancing isn’t possible, indoor public gatherings of 50 or more regardless of social distancing, and outdoors gatherings of 25 or more even with social distancing options.

Vermont

Castleton: This college town has passed an order requiring residents to limit gatherings to 25 people. The measure passed by the Castleton Select Board on Monday excludes religious services, bars and restaurants. Those are still subject to current state capacity limits and guidelines. The Rutland Herald reports Select Board Chairman Jim Leamy indicated the measure was drafted with college students in mind. The order carries a $150 fine for the first offense, $300 for the second and $500 for the third. Residents wishing to hold gatherings in excess of 25 people may apply for a permit with the town. James Lambert, associate dean of advancement at Castleton University, said the university “fully supports” it. “It gives Castleton police a little more oversight into what’s going on in the town,” he said.

Virginia

Richmond: An effort is underway to help Virginians who have lost their jobs due to the COVID-19 pandemic get training for in-demand work. The Richmond Times-Dispatch reports a coalition of 20 businesses across the state is providing financial backing for a nonprofit called Virginia Ready. It aims to get tens of thousands of Virginia residents into job training programs by providing cash payments to out-of-work people who complete courses for various jobs through the Virginia Community College System. The nonprofit is planning to provide $1,000 incentive payments for as many as 15,000 people over the next three years who earn credentials for high-demand fields such as health care, manufacturing and skilled trades. Recipients of the incentives will get $1,000 payments after completing courses and passing credential exams in the Virginia Community College System’s Fast Forward program.

Washington

Seattle: Seattle Public Schools and its teachers union, the Seattle Education Association, have reached a tentative agreement on work expectations for this school year, which starts Sept. 4. Details about the agreement reached after two months of negotiations weren’t immediately available, The Seattle Times reports. If a representative assembly of union members OKs the deal this weekend, it will permit the district to release additional information about what families and students can expect from online learning this fall, including student schedules and vital services such as special education. Specifics have been scant, with the district citing ongoing bargaining with the union, which has prompted an outcry from families. At the bargaining table, negotiators discussed teacher training, safety standards when the district reopens buildings, and whether to offer in-person special education services.

West Virginia

Charleston: The toll on the state’s older population during the coronavirus pandemic kept mounting with the reported deaths Thursday of nine senior citizens from six different counties. One of the deadliest days yet during the virus outbreak pushed the number of deaths statewide to 199, an increase of 71% this month alone. The deaths were reported a day after Gov. Jim Justice made yet another plea for residents to wear masks, keep their distance, and self-quarantine upon returning from Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, a favorite vacation destination. “We have got to be more careful for our elderly,” Justice said Wednesday. West Virginia has the nation’s third-oldest population, with nearly 20% of its 1.8 million residents over age 65.

Wisconsin

Madison: A group of parents and private religious schools wants the Wisconsin Supreme Court to nullify a Dane County order barring in-person classes for most students. The conservative Wisconsin Institute for Law and Liberty filed a petition Wednesday on behalf of 14 parents and five religious schools as well as interest groups for the state’s school-voucher program and religious schools. The petition challenges the authority of Janel Heinrich, director of Public Health Madison and Dane County, the Wisconsin State Journal reports. Heinrich issued an order allowing schools to offer in-person instruction to grades three through 12 only under certain conditions. The order, which took effect Monday, applies almost entirely to private schools, as public schools in Dane County already decided to start the year online for almost all students in almost all grades.

Wyoming

Casper: The University of Wyoming has announced seven confirmed cases of COVID-19 among its school community after it started the new school year online this week. None of the cases were on campus. Those affected were three employees and two students living off campus in Laramie, one student living off campus in Casper and one student living in Colorado, the Casper Star-Tribune reports. The university began its fall semester online Monday with plans to return to some in-person classes by Sept. 7 before welcoming back all students by Sept. 28, officials said. Students will then finish off the semester remotely after the Thanksgiving holiday. University officials have identified 68 confirmed COVID-19 cases since the pandemic began. More than 12,000 students and employees were tested as part of its reopening plan. There are currently 30 active cases related to the university.

From USA TODAY Network and wire reports

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Quarantine security, fireworks secret: News from around our 50 states