US reports over 3,900 COVID-19 deaths in 24 hours: Johns Hopkins

The United States on Tuesday reported 3,936 deaths from coronavirus in 24 hours, breaking its own record for the number of daily deaths, according to a tally kept by Johns Hopkins university.

According to AFP, the country also recorded 250,173 new cases until 8.30 pm Tuesday (0130 GMT Wednesday), the Baltimore-based university’s records showed.

The US now has more than 21 million cases and 357,067 deaths.

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The number of people hospitalised is also at its highest since the beginning of the pandemic, with more than 131,000 patients occupying beds due to COVID-19, according to data from the Covid Tracking Project.

The south and west part of the country are worst-hit and Los Angeles ambulance workers have been asked to not transport some patients with extremely low survival chances to hospital, and to limit oxygen use.

The previous record for deaths in one day was set six days ago, with more than 3,920 deaths.

The United States has been facing a spectacular surge in cases in recent months. Since the end of November, the number of daily deaths has increased dramatically, regularly exceeding 2,000 and often 3,000 deaths per day.

An expected surge driven by holiday gatherings is expected to aggravate the situation further.

The world’s wealthiest country is ultimately counting on the vaccination campaign, which began in mid-December, to overcome the epidemic.