US reports more than 100,000 COVID-19 cases in 24 hours

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:

• With over 100,000 new infections confirmed on Friday, the United States has just set a new world record for coronavirus cases.
• Besides surpassing the 91,000 cases reported in the country 24 hours earlier, the nation also exceeded infection cases in India which at 97,894, held the record for the most number of infections in a single day.
• The number of daily cases observed in the past two days also suggests that more than one new case occurs in the country for every second.

The United States continues to lead the world in COVID-19 cases after posting over 100,000 new infections on Friday for the first time, topping the 91,000 cases it reported one day earlier.

The daily spike of 100,233 cases according to a Reuters tally has also exceeded India, the current record holder of the highest number of daily coronavirus cases — 97,894 — which was reported on Sept. 17.

The latest figures also indicate that the US has surpassed its single-day record in July of 77,299 cases, which is five times over the past 10 days. Based on the number of daily cases reported over the past two days, the country is now seeing more than one new case every second.

The world record comes just four days before the presidential election on Tuesday and as President Donald Trump and Democratic rival, Joe Biden continue to hold rallies unveiling their different approaches to the pandemic.

Furthermore, the Reuters tally also recorded 9 million consolidated cases confirmed from various states on Friday, constituting almost 3% of the population. Sixteen US states have confirmed their single-day highest coronavirus infections on Friday while 13 others reached record highs of COVID-19 hospitalizations.

As of October, 31 states have posted new spikes in cases including Ohio, Michigan, North Carolina, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin, the 5 states considered key in the upcoming elections. With the past week’s nationwide escalation in cases, the US is nearing a dismal daily mark of 100,000.

According to an analysis by Reuters, there have been over 272 infection cases and about seven deaths for every 10,000 Americans. Whereas in Europe, per 10,000 residents, 127 cases and four deaths have been reported.

Meanwhile, over 1,000 people have died of the disease on Thursday topping that milestone in a single day for the third time in October. Similarly, COVID-19 hospitalizations have also posted 46,000 in October, the most number of patients since mid-August. 

Source: Reuters