CORONAVIRUS deaths in the US hit 2,760 in a single DAY on Wednesday as daily cases topped 200,000 and more than 100,000 are currently hospitalized.
The record-breaking day reveals the grim toll as the US struggles under the weight of the Covid-19 pandemic, with ICU beds across the nation reaching capacity.
At least 2,760 more deaths were reported on Wednesday – passing the previous single-day high of 2,752 on April 15, according to The New York Times.
The daily death toll broke records not seen since the pandemic hit the US.
More than 273,000 Americans have now died from the virus.
Over 200,000 new positive coronavirus test results were reported on Wednesday – another single-day record, according to The Washington Post.
As US coronavirus cases continue to soar, the total count nears 14million.
In another harrowing tally, 100,226 Americans are currently hospitalized with the virus, according to The Covid Tracking Project.
As Covid-19 cases have already been increasing over recent months, health officials warned of a deadly surge following the Thanksgiving holiday as millions of Americans traveled to celebrate with families.
CDC Director Dr. Robert Redfield warned that the coming months may be “the most difficult time” for the United States in the pandemic.
“The reality is December and January and February are going to be rough times,” Redfield said when speaking to the Chamber of Commerce Foundation.
“I actually believe they’re going to be the most difficult time in the public health history of this nation,” the top health official said.
Redfield projected that daily death tolls will continue to range around 1,500 to 2,500 – with the total possibly reaching 450,000 by February.
With hospitalizations increasing rapidly, millions are hoping vaccines from Pfizer and Moderna are approved by the FDA under emergency use authorization later this month.
Both companies have applied for the emergency use approval.
Pfizer is set to have a hearing with the FDA on December 10, with Moderna to follow suit a week later.
If given the green light, the respective companies may start vaccine rollout within just days of the public hearing.
As the US continues to be crippled by the weight of climbing Covid-19 cases, the CDC again urged Americans to stay home for the holidays and not travel.
“As cases continue to increase rapidly across the United States, the safest way to celebrate holidays is to celebrate at home with the people you live with,” the CDC said in updated guidance.
“Gatherings with family and friends who do not live with you can increase the chances of getting or spreading COVID-19 or the flu.”
