National coronavirus updates: Government leaders fear protests could rapidly spread virus - KOAT Albuquerque

With large groups of people out in hordes close together during the protests, Minnesota Governor Walz said he expects a sharp increase in cases of COVID-19 in his state.

"I am deeply concerned about a super-spreader type of incident," Walz said.

"I would still wish that everyone would realize that when people gather it's inherently dangerous in the context of this pandemic, and I'm going to keep urging people not to use that approach and if they do they focus on social distancing and wearing face coverings," New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio said Saturday.

New York Governor Andrew Cuomo said that while people have the right to protest, even during a pandemic, they also have a duty to protect the health of themselves and others.

"You have a right to demonstrate you have a right to protest, God Bless America," Cuomo said at a Saturday press conference.

So many New Yorkers have lost someone but that is particularly true in communities of color and particularly true in the African American community," Cuomo said.

Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms also said she's worried about the impact the virus is having on the community during the protests.

Maryland Governor Larry Hogan shared a similar sentiment saying the priority has been to keep people safe during the demonstrations, but the focus has to also include the months long fight against the spread of coronavirus.

Speaking to Jake Tapper on State of the Union, Hogan said he, too, is concerned about the coronavirus amidst the fallout from the death of Floyd.

"There's no questions that when you put hundreds or thousands of people together in close proximity when we've got this virus all over the streets is not healthy," Hogan said.

"Most states had rules about no crowds of ten or more and now we're seeing thousands of people jammed in together in close proximity," Hogan added.