The surge of US coronavirus cases that began in June was preceded in May by a large jump in consumer interest in social activities like dining out and going to bars and gyms, website Yelp reported in an analysis of searches and reviews conducted on its platform, according to Reuters.

In New York and other northeastern states where the virus remained contained, consumer interest in those activities “remained more flat,” Yelp said in the latest tabulation of activity on its site, where users discuss and rate local businesses, particularly restaurants.

The analysis was not a rigorous study of the issue. But it suggested the raw correlation was potentially noteworthy — another bit of evidence to suggest that the effort to return to normal life in late May and early June, after two months of national lockdown, may have fueled infections.

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