U.S. records more than 129,000 COVID-19 infections - the highest-ever recorded in a single day and the third day in a row new cases have surpassed 100,000
The U.S. has recorded more than 129,000 new coronvirus cases in a single day - the highest number of new infections reported in a single day since the pandemic began.
According to a Reuters tally, coronavirus infections surged by at least 129,606 on Friday. The figure eclipses yesterday's previous single-day record of 121,289 cases.
Twenty of the 50 states reported record increases on Friday, with Texas and Illinois reporting the highest surges.
For the third day in a row, more than 100,000 new coronavirus cases were recorded in a single day as daily records were once again broken across the country
It is now the third day in a row that new reported cases have soared past 100,000 in a single day.
Before that, the previous record was set on October 30, with just over 99,000 new cases.
There were also more than 1,000 COVID-19 deaths for the fourth straight day, a first since August. 1,211 deaths were recorded on Friday.
The number of people being admitted to hospital along with the overall number of cases has surged across much of the country, with the Midwest and Southwest now being hit hardest based on daily new cases per capita.
However, unlike previous surges of the virus in the US, the current increase is not concentrated in a single region.
Illinois, marked the highest total, reporting more than 10,000 daily cases for the first time, while record increases were reported in Indiana, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio and Wisconsin.
Also setting daily records were Arkansas, Colorado, Idaho, Maine, Nevada, New Mexico, North Carolina, Rhode Island, Utah, Washington and Wyoming.
Texas, which accounts for over 10% of U.S. cases, reported about 9,000 infections and is on the verge of becoming the first state to exceed a cumulative 1 million COVID-19 cases.
Just two states, Tennessee and Alabama, have seen a drop in cases, according to Johns Hopkins University.
Some cities and states have imposed curfews or curbed gatherings to combat the spread of the virus, but the United States has taken no action at the federal level. Seventeen states do not require masks.
Doctors and officials are warning people that hospitals risk being quickly overwhelmed with COVID-19 patients.
As infection rates rise, hospitalizations and deaths have also slowly begun to increase.
Around 54,500 people were hospitalized with COVID-19 on Friday.
The number of fatalities across the country was over 1,000 for the third day in a row, with 1,210 deaths on Thursday.
The numbers of people being admitted to hospital along with the overall number of cases have surged across much of the country, with the Midwest and Southwest now being hit hardest
The surge of new COVID-19 cases in the United States has escalated in the past week at a rate that's alarming some experts
U.S. COVID-19-related deaths have now exceeded 236,000
The number of cases appears to be rising exponentially as the weeks progress
Public health experts had said there was likely to be a surge in cases as the weather begins to cool.
The president has insisted the country is 'absolutely rounding the turn' with the virus, but the White House coronavirus taskforce states the opposite.
A leaked internal White House memo written by the government's task force warned: 'There is a continued increase in cases, hospitalizations and fatalities nationally, spreading southward from the coldest climates as the population moves indoors and cases increase exponentially.'
The report, which was seen by CNN, stressed that people need to 'act now' and are encouraging people to wear masks and also limit gatherings with other people outside of their home.
'There must be clear messaging ... to act now,' the task force warned state and local officials.
The recommendations come as the White House has continued to send mixed signals and has failed to model mask usage.
'Do not gather without a mask with individuals living outside of your household,' 'Always wear a mask in public places,' and, 'Stop gatherings beyond immediate household until cases and test positivity decrease significantly,' the task force said.
'We're in for a whole lot of hurt. It's not a good situation,' Dr Anthony Fauci, the country's top infectious disease expert, said in an interview with the Washington Post. 'All the stars are aligned in the wrong place as you go into fall and winter season, with people congregating at home indoors. You could not possibly be positioned more poorly.'
Dr. Fauci has said there would been to be 'abrupt changes' to curb the spread.
In Europe, fresh weeks-long lockdowns have begun but officials in the United States are reluctant to impose restrictions despite the current surge in cases.
Some polls have suggested that people are now getting 'pandemic fatigue' and are tiring of following strict Covid-19 guidelines, despite the virus worsening.
A Gallup poll compiled in October suggested fewer Americans are avoiding contact with people outside their homes and a greater proportion are no longer working from home.
Cases of COVID-19 this past week
Illinois saw 11,790 new cases on Friday. An increase of 13.9% in 7 days
Texas saw 7,545 new cases on Friday. An increase of 5.5% in 7 days
Nebraska saw 2,124new cases on Friday. An increase of 14.5% in 7 days
Indiana saw 4,647 new cases on Friday. An increase of 14.2% in 7 days
Iowa saw 2,778 new cases on Friday. An increase of 13.9% in 7 days
Michigan saw 4,246 new cases on Friday. An increase of 15.1% in 7 days
Minnesota saw 5,442 new cases on Friday. An increase of 17.1% in 7 days
Missouri saw 3,931 new cases on Friday. An increase of 11.3% in 7 days
North Dakota saw 1,765 new cases on Friday. An increase of 21.5% in 7 days
Ohio saw 5,008 new cases on Friday. An increase of 12.9% in 7 days
Wisconsin saw 6,411 new cases on Friday. An increase of 16.3% in 7 days
Arkansas saw 1,870 new cases on Friday. An increase of 7.5% in 7 days
Colorado saw 3,369 new cases on Friday. An increase of 18.6% in 7 days
Maine saw 184 new cases on Friday. An increase of 13.3% in 7 days
Kentucky saw 2,228 new cases on Friday. An increase of 11.7% in 7 days
Oregon saw 769 new cases on Friday. An increase of 9.5% in 7 days
New Hampshire saw 204 new cases on Friday. An increase of 10.4% in 7 days
Oklahoma saw 1,878 new cases on Friday. An increase of 8.4% in 7 days
Rhode Island saw 630 new cases on Friday. An increase of 10.7% in 7 days
Utah and saw 2,987 new cases on Friday. An increase of 12.7% in 7 days
West Virginia saw 540 new cases on Friday. An increase of 12.9% in 7 days
Source: COVID Tracking Project