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US marks 277,000 Covid cases in 24 hours, a new record
WASHINGTON, Jan 3, 2021 (BSS/AFP) – The United States on Saturday saw its
highest number yet of coronavirus cases recorded in one day, with more than
277,000 infections.
The hardest-hit country in the world by the pandemic, the United States has
marked 20.4 million cases overall and just under 350,000 deaths.
Infections have been surging in recent months, with top US government
scientist Anthony Fauci warning just days after Christmas that the worst of
the pandemic may be yet to come, driving the country to a “critical point” as
holiday travel spreads the virus.
The country has floundered in its efforts to quell Covid-19, with its
vaccination program beset by logistical problems and overstretched hospitals.
More than 4.2 million people in the US have already received their first
jabs, with 13 million doses distributed, but that falls well behind the 20
million inoculations that President Donald Trump’s administration promised by
the end of 2020.
BSS/AFP/MSY/0809 hrs