(WAND) - A long expected upturn in U.S COVID-19 deaths has begun. According to pandemic data, it's coming mostly from southern and western states.
The number of COVID-19 deaths per day had been falling for months and even remained down as states like Florida and Texas saw explosions in cases and hospitalizations.
Scientists warned that things would change. Coronavirus deaths usually come several weeks after a person is infected. Experts predicted that as states saw increases in cases and hospitalizations, the deaths would rise too at some point.
According to Johns Hopkins University data, COVID-19 deaths appear to be on the rise in states like Florida, Texas, Arizona and California. Each state has seen their daily death totals rise to record highs over the past three days.
"What’s happening in Florida, Texas or Arizona could happen right here in Illinois. Wearing a face covering could not be more important," Gov. Pritzker posted on Facebook. "Please, do what’s right and help us save lives."
