U.S. Reports Record 1 Million Coronavirus Cases in a Single Day
The record comes after a holiday weekend, so a backlog of cases likely contributed to the number. The U.S. reported a record more than 1 million new coronavirus cases on Monday, according to data from Johns Hopkins University.
It is the highest single-day total reported from any country during the pandemic and comes as the highly transmissible omicron variant sweeps the U.S.
The record comes after a holiday weekend, so a backlog of cases likely contributed to the number. Still, the U.S. is averaging about 480,000 new infections each day – the highest average ever reported. And many people are relying on at-home rapid tests, the results of which do not get automatically reported to health departments like PCR tests do.
Officials report more than 56 million coronavirus cases across the U.S. since the start of the pandemic and nearly 830,000 deaths.
More than 1,600 coronavirus deaths were reported in the U.S. on Monday, according to Johns Hopkins University data.
Hospitalizations and deaths, while elevated, are rising more slowly than daily coronavirus cases.
Preliminary data indicates that the highly transmissible omicron variant, which is now dominant in the U.S., could be more mild than previous coronavirus strains, but experts are concerned that the sheer number of infections will lead to more deaths and hospitalizations.
The extremely high caseload comes as U.S. health officials consider changing coronavirus isolation guidelines again.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention last week said that Americans who are infected with the coronavirus and show no symptoms or whose symptoms are improving can leave isolation after five days. They should wear a mask for the next five days, and if they have a fever, they should stay home until the fever resolves, the agency said.
But the agency faced pushback for not including a testing component in the guidance. Leading infectious disease expert Anthony Fauci said the agency is considering asking people to get tested at the end of the five-day isolation.
However, the U.S. is struggling with a testing shortage that is preventing many from accessing convenient at-home rapid coronavirus tests.
January 5, 2022
