The U.S. braces for an onslaught

After erupting on the East and West Coasts, the coronavirus outbreak has made its way inland, threatening to overwhelm parts of the United States where medical equipment is in short supply and official guidance is sometimes contradictory.

In Louisiana, which may have the fastest-growing outbreak in the world, New Orleans is the epicenter. The city’s case count topped 1,100 on Friday, as speculation mounted among medical experts that last month’s Mardi Gras festivities had helped fuel the rapid growth.

Across the country, many cities and states with zero cases last month now face looming explosions: Chicago and its suburbs have nearly 2,000 cases; Detroit has identified over 1,000; and Milwaukee County, Wis., has reported 468.

Counties and cities outside of major urban centers have also seen striking numbers, as in Albany, Ga., whose population of 73,000 has been hit with more than 160 confirmed cases and 16 deaths.