Health officials worry the 'lost summer of 2020' will spark a surge in COVID-19 cases as crowds across the country flout social distancing rules over Labor Day weekend

US health officials said they are worried that the 'lost summer of 2020' will spark a surge in COVID-19 cases as thousands descended on bars and beaches over the Labor Day weekend. 

Authorities pleaded with people to keep their distance from others to avoid another coronavirus surge like the one that followed Memorial Day. 

'Please, please do not make the same mistakes we all made on Memorial Day weekend. Wear your masks, watch your distance and wash your hands,' said Dr Raul Pino, state health director in Orange County, Florida.

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US health officials said they are worried that the 'lost summer of 2020' will spark a surge in COVID-19 cases as thousands descended on bars and beaches (pictured in Huntington Beach, California, on Saturday) over the Labor Day weekend

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Many big Labor Day gatherings were canceled across the US and health authorities pleaded with people to keep their distance from others so as not to cause another coronavirus surge like the one that followed Memorial Day. People are seen in San Francisco on Sunday 

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People walk along Ocean Boulevard on Saturday in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina

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Beachgoers spend a sunny and hot day at Sunny Isles Beach as the coronavirus pandemic continues on Sunday in Florida

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Rapper Future attends The Biggest Labor Day Takeover at Compound on Saturday in Atlanta 

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Meanwhile in Las Vegas (pictured), there have been reports of people not social distancing while out and enjoying the holiday weekend

The US had about 1.6 million confirmed COVID-19 cases around Memorial Day, before backyard parties and other gatherings contributed to a summertime surge. 

The US now has more than 6.2 million cases, according to the count kept by Johns Hopkins University. Deaths from the virus more than doubled over the summer to nearly 190,000.

In New Orleans, which had one of the largest outbreaks outside of New York City this spring, city officials reminded residents that COVID-19 doesn't take a holiday after they received 36 calls about large gatherings and 46 calls about businesses not following safety rules on Friday and Saturday.

'This is not who we are, and this is not how we - as a community - get back to where we want to be,' the city said.

In South Carolina, which was a hot spot of contagion over the summer before cases started to decline in early August, 8,000 fans, including Gov Henry McMaster, were allowed to attend the NASCAR race at the Darlington Raceway on Sunday. 

State officials approved a socially distant attendance plan at the track, which can hold 47,000 people. 

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People gather on the beach on the second day of the Labor Day weekend amid a heatwave in Santa Monica, California on Sunday

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Security personnel talk with a crowd that gathered on the porch of a house across from Churchill Downs before the 146th running of the Kentucky Derby, on Saturday in Louisville, Kentucky 

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People walk along the Asbury Park boardwalk on Saturday in Asbury Park, New Jersey

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People wearing masks avoid social distancing while waiting in line at the Steel Pier as the state of New Jersey continues Stage 2 of re-opening following restrictions imposed to slow the spread of coronavirus on Saturday in Atlantic City, New Jersey 

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Girls pose for a photo in a sunflower field at Grinter Farms on Monday near Lawrence, Kansas

It was the biggest gathering in the state since the outbreak started six months ago. Many rows and seats were kept empty to keep groups of fans apart, and people were asked to wear masks.

In New York City, police raided an illegal bar in Brooklyn and found nearly 300 people inside, according to Fox 5.

Sheriff's deputies broke up the gathering at the bar on 61 Street in Borough Park at 2am on Sunday.

Authorities said around 281 people were found inside, including one child. Police said the bar had its liquor license revoked in 2019. 

In Arkansas, bars were reportedly busier than usual, but most of the people coming in for the Labor Day weekend were not college students as officials initially feared. 

Dickson Street Pub manager, Kendall Byrd, told 4029TV: 'They're not breaking any of the guidelines that we're asking them to follow. Everyone has been wearing masks, they are super polite.'

Meanwhile in Las Vegas, there have been reports of people not social distancing while out and enjoying the holiday weekend. 

'The tourists that are coming into town and are staying not six feet away from each other, but social distancing six inches away from each other,' Brian Slipock, the owner of Jackson's Bar and Grill, told KTNV.

Rick Pollock, the owner of Edge of Town Bar and Grille, told the station that he's worried that the large holiday crowds will hurt small businesses in the long run. 

'The common-sense side of it doesn't seem right that there's thousands of people on Fremont Street or a hotel pool, and that's okay,' Pollock said. 

'We're handcuffed and it's devastating, another shutdown and I don't think most of us are going to make it, honestly.'

However, some took sensible steps to keep socially distanced, such as in Downtown Atlanta which was quiet as the 85,000 or so people who come dressed as their favorite superheroes or sci-fi characters for the annual Dragon Con convention met online instead. 

Huge football stadiums at places like Ohio State and the University of Texas sat empty. Many Labor Day parades marking the unofficial end of summer were called off, and masks were usually required at the few that went on.