Soaring U.S. coronavirus cases, hospitalizations overshadow July 4 celebrations

FILE PHOTO: A police officer walks away from local residents protesting closed beaches on the 4th of July amid the global outbreak of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in Galveston, Texas, U.S., July 4, 2020. REUTERS/Adrees Latif

(Reuters) - Rising coronavirus cases in 39 U.S. states cast a shadow over the nation's Fourth of July celebrations as health experts worried that holiday parties will cause a further spike in infections that could overwhelm hospitals.

After towns and cities across the country canceled annual fireworks displays to avoid large crowds gathering, many Americans launched bottle rockets and roman candles from streets and suburban backyards to commemorate Independence Day.