Washington, June 11 (RHC)-- In the United States, COVID-19 infections hit record highs in 14 states and Puerto Rico since the start of June, as the nationwide caseload nears 2 million and over 111,000 deaths. 

Some states that started easing restrictions before meeting the recommended metrics for reopening have seen major surges, including Texas and Arizona.  But the true toll of the pandemic in the U.S. remains hard to estimate. 

Fewer than half of U.S. states are reporting probable coronavirus cases and deaths to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, per federal recommendations.  These include some of the largest and most populous states, including California, Florida and New York.

Meanwhile, The New York Times reports that dozens of major hospitals that received billions in government bailouts through the CARES Act continued to furlough, fire or cut the pay of tens of thousands of workers — even as their CEOs receive pay packages of tens of millions of dollars.