The latest figures from Johns Hopkins University indicate 1.2 million Americans have been diagnosed with the novel coronavirus COVID-19.<br />More than 30% of the people diagnosed so far live in the New York City metropolitan area, which includes parts of New Jersey and Connecticut.<br />However, health experts say rural areas are next in the line of fire.<br />According to UPI, they're concerned about the southeastern United States -- Georgia and Tennessee, in particular.<br />Death rates are likely to be high due to lack of access to hospitals, combined with the relaxation of lockdown requirements.<br />Also, these regions have a high rate of poverty and chronic conditions such as obesity and diabetes among the residents.<br />Some of the states where we're seeing dramatic increase in rural cases are the same places we're seeing loosening social distancing restrictions. Dr. Carrie Henning-Smith University of Minnesota School of Public Health
