The coronavirus pandemic is reaching a plateau in some of the hardest-hit U.S. states after public officials imposed unpopular public health measures, like closing bars and requiring masks.
Now, those officials wonder whether they can force infection rates down again, as they did in the spring — and this time, make them stick until a vaccine arrives.
Florida on Monday reported 8,892 new coronavirus cases, the fewest since July 7. Texas recorded 5,810 on Sunday, its lowest tally in two weeks. And case counts are falling in Arizona after an alarming spike in June.