The staggering number comes as the Omicron variant continues to spread across the nation.
Summary
- The U.S. reported nearly half a million new COVID infections in a single day, marking the largest daily total of any country during the pandemic.
- More than 486,000 new cases were reported in a 24-hour period, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Thursday.
- Puerto Rico and Washington, D.C., are also averaging more daily cases than ever.
- In New York, cases are up 11% since Wednesday.
- Hospitalizations are at their highest level since September, with more than 81,000 COVID patients hospitalized nationwide, according to the CDC.