Daily COVID-19 toll hits all-time high in the United States
Record Single-Day COVID-19 Death Toll in the U.S.: Understanding the Causes
On December 9, 2020, the United States recorded a grim milestone, with 3,054 COVID-19 deaths in a single day—the highest figure since the pandemic began. Let's delve into the factors that contributed to this tragic event.
First and foremost, the period around late 2020 witnessed a significant surge in COVID-19 cases across the U.S. Despite government recommendations not to travel, over 2 million people chose to fly on airlines during the Thanksgiving holiday, contributing to widespread virus transmission[1].
By early December, the U.S. had surpassed 15 million total cases. This means that approximately one in every 22 Americans had tested positive since the start of the pandemic, indicating widespread community transmission[1]. This high prevalence led to increased hospitalizations and, consequently, higher deaths.
The December peak coincided with colder weather in many regions, encouraging indoor gatherings where the virus spreads more easily. Additionally, at this time, the population immunity was minimal, and treatments were still evolving, as the widespread rollout of COVID-19 vaccines had not yet begun[1].
The virus was already undergoing mutations that increased transmissibility, worsening the pandemic burden[1]. Although the Alpha variant was first detected a bit later in December, these mutations were already taking place.
COVID-19 disproportionately affected older adults and people with comorbidities, contributing to high mortality during surges.
As of the latest data, over 15.3 million people in the U.S. have been infected with the new coronavirus, and over 289,283 deaths have been reported due to COVID-19. Currently, over 106,000 COVID-19 patients are hospitalized in the U.S., with the daily average of new COVID-19 cases exceeding 200,000.
Meanwhile, globally, the case count of COVID-19 has surpassed 67 million, with over 5,889,896 recoveries reported in the U.S. since the start of the pandemic. It's important to note that the previous record for COVID-19 deaths in the U.S. was set on May 7, with 2,769 coronavirus deaths reported.
These facts are based on data from the Covid Tracking Project website, as reported by Almaty.tv citing "MIR 24". The data presented here serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing struggle against the pandemic and the importance of adhering to public health guidelines.
[1] Data sourced from Johns Hopkins University.
Science plays a crucial role in understanding the factors contributing to the high number of COVID-19 deaths, as medical-conditions such as age and comorbidities greatly impact mortality rates. In the context of general news, this tragic event underscores the importance of health-and-wellness practices, including following government recommendations and social distancing measures to minimize virus transmission during holidays and reduce the strain on health facilities.
