NEW YORK: United States, surpassed the 12,700 COVID-19 deaths after a record single-day jump of more than 1,800 nationwide and toll of confirmed infections surged to 400,000 on Tuesday
New York overtook Italy on Tuesday, reporting 138,836 cases of the novel coronavirus while more deaths are being expected due to increasing the number infections.
New York state accounted for more than a third of US confirmed coronavirus cases to date, and nearly half the cumulative death toll — 5,489 as of Tuesday.
The latest research model from the University of Washington — one of several cited by leading health authorities — has forecast US coronavirus deaths totaling fewer than 82,000 by August 4.
Even as medical teams struggled to save an onslaught of gravely ill coronavirus patients and deaths hit new highs, the number of COVID-19 hospitalizations seemed to be leveling off in New York state, the US epicentre of the pandemic, Governor Andrew Cuomo said on Tuesday.
New York was one of several states, along with the nation as a whole, to post their highest daily loss of life from COVID-19, the highly contagious respiratory disease caused by the virus. A staggering 731 fatalities were reported in Cuomo’s state alone.
But Cuomo said the rising number of deaths was a “lagging indicator” coming days or weeks after the onset of infections.
He pointed instead to slowing rates of coronavirus hospitalizations, intensive care admissions and ventilator intubations as signs social distancing measures imposed last month were working.
But early statistical signs the crisis might be peaking provided little comfort to weary doctors and nurses on the front lines of the outbreak, as hospital emergency rooms and intensive care units overflowing with COVID-19 patients.
In Wisconsin, voters on Tuesday braved the coronavirus outbreak to wait 6 feet (1.8 m) apart in lines for hours and cast ballots in the state’s presidential primary and local elections.
The steps to curb the pandemic have hammered the economy of the United States, closing many businesses while unemployment soars.
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