US: Arizona reports record in new virus cases, deaths

WASHINGTON

The US state of Arizona, one of a few new hotspots for COVID-19, reported a record spike in new coronavirus cases and deaths Wednesday.

A total of 4,878 new cases and a new high of 88 new deaths were registered, according to the Arizona Department of Health.

The virus has infected 84,092 people and killed 1,720 others in Arizona.

Infections have been booming since the state's stay-at-home order expired May 15.

Governor Doug Ducey shut down bars, movie theaters, gyms and water parks Monday to stop the spread of the disease.

The order will last for one month and the governor also delayed the start of public school at least until mid-August.

Texas, Florida and California have also reimposed restrictions on beaches and bars in the face of a grim spike in cases in those states.

The US has more than 2.6 million infections and nearly 128,000 deaths, according to a tally by Johns Hopkins University.

The virus broke out in the Chinese city of Wuhan in December.