The United States reached a new record-high of daily coronavirus cases consecutively on Oct. 23 and Oct. 24, amounting to more than 83,000 reported cases per day. The previous record high was set in July during the second wave of COVID-19 with just over 75,700 cases.
There was significant speculation of a third wave due to the upcoming cold weather. Speculation turned into verification when the nation suffered a case increase in mid-September.
Health officials say that the spread of COVID-19 is more prevalent in colder, drier air. Because of the colder forecasts, more people are congregating inside and are more likely susceptible to infection. Whether inside or outside, the U.S. is at a more critical risk of infection.
“Now we’re at the highest baseline we’ve ever been, which is really precarious,” said the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Anthony S. Fauci. “No matter how you look at it, it’s not good news.”
The pandemic, which has surpassed 43 million cases, has hit the U.S. harder than any other country. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has recorded that the U.S. makes up more than 8 million of the worldwide cases.
The U.S. is now frequently testing more people for the coronavirus and, according to a Johns Hopkins study, the collection of positive cases has increased by 1%.
Presently in the U.S., the states of Texas, California, Florida, Wisconsin and Illinois have become major hotspots for COVID-19.
Kentucky has also recently experienced a record high in coronavirus cases. The state reached up to 4,742 cases and 66 deaths during the week of Oct. 23, surpassing its previous case jump of 4,503 set in the week prior.
Kentucky’s Gov. Andy Beshear strongly advises citizens of Kentucky to follow the basic coronavirus precautions and to limit gatherings to strictly immediate family members.
In wake of the substantial increase, Kentucky’s public health commissioner, Dr. Steven Stack, said to Kentuckians, “Cases are on the rise, and we have to do better … The choices Kentuckians make will determine how many Kentuckians get hurt or die in the months ahead.”
Beshear warned that, in the upcoming weeks, “Things look like they are going to get worse before they get better.”
