16 states head into holiday weekend with record high coronavirus numbers

At least 16 states are heading into the holiday weekend with record high coronavirus statistics and fears that mass gatherings in the coming days could spark further outbreaks.

Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, South Carolina, Texas, West Virginia and Wisconsin are all seeing record highs in the average of new cases over seven days, according to figures compiled by The Washington Post.

The U.S. as a whole also saw its largest number of new cases in one day Friday, coming in at 56,566 confirmed cases.

The U.S. is currently experiencing a sharp spike in coronavirus cases, with the bulk of the surge taking place in Arizona, California, Florida and Texas.

Several states have reclosed businesses and scaled back July 4 celebrations, but President Trump has taken a different tact, attending an event Friday evening at Mount Rushmore in South Dakota that will not enforce social distancing, and saying the virus will “disappear.”