As of July 2, more than 128,000 people in the U.S. have died after contracting the new coronavirus, according to a New York Times database.

The Texas Medical Association is asking the Republican Party of Texas to reconsider holding its state convention — where it is a sponsor — as an in-person event in an indoor venue that can seat thousands, a letter obtained by Becker's Hospital Review shows.

Renton, Wash.-based Providence Health and Services has named Darin Goss CEO of its Southwest service area, effective Aug. 3.

Las Cruces, N.M.-based Mountain View Regional Medical Center was reaccredited by the American College of Cardiology, renewing its Chest Pain Center Accreditation with Primary PCI, The Las Cruces Bulletin reports.

Asymptomatic COVID-19 carriers may be just as infectious as those displaying symptoms, a study accepted for publication in Nature found.

Below are the five top supply chain stories published by Becker's Hospital Review in June, beginning with the most popular:

Two U.S. senators introduced a bill June 30 that would establish a study to analyze the country's dependence on foreign companies in the pharmaceutical supply chain.

A lack of supplies, including personal protective equipment, put nurses' psychological well-being at risk, according to a study published in the Archives of Psychiatric Nursing. 

Four of the top vendors hospitals use to participate in the Medicare EHR Incentive Program are Allscripts, Cerner, Epic and Meditech, according to 2018 ONC data.

Taiwan's digital health infrastructure and central EHR system has played a big part in the country's successful COVID-19 response, serving as a model for the U.S. to potentially replicate in the future, according to a June 30 STAT op-ed.

Guidance on vertical mergers got its first major overhaul from the Federal Trade Commission and the U.S. Department of Justice in more than 35 years under new joint guidelines published June 30.

Thirteen hospitals and health systems in the Philadelphia area said they have collectively committed to anti-racism and addressing healthcare disparities.

Cerner has had a busy month, announcing several new partnerships, deals and staffing changes.

The University of Southern California and Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania have filmed a 360-degree virtual reality video that demonstrates COVID-19 treatment practices to prepare medical staff in remote locations for surge responses, The Daily Pennsylvanian reports. 

Florida will begin publishing hospitalization numbers for all counties this week, according to the Miami Herald.

Salt Lake City-based Intermountain Healthcare has partnered with several health IT organizations to develop a nationwide patient identification strategy.

Cleveland-based University Hospitals partnered with NASA to create technologies and methods to decontaminate personal protective equipment for aerospace applications and COVID-19 front-line workers.

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott's proclamation June 30 suspending elective surgeries at hospitals in several counties is credit negative for for-profit hospital companies, according to Moody's Investors Service. 

CMS is making leadership changes, including the appointment of a new CMO, according to an email sent to staff June 30.

Kansas City, Mo.-based Saint Luke's Health System will close its hospital in Leavenworth, Kan., on Oct. 1.