U.S. coronavirus death toll edges toward 125,000 and cases rise by 40,000 in largest daily increase

The US coronavirus death toll has edged toward the 125,000 mark and cases have risen by nearly 40,000 in the largest single-day increase seen since the pandemic began. 

A staggering 124,410 Americans have been killed by the virus as of midnight Thursday, up from a death toll of 121,979 recorded just 24 hours earlier.  

Infections rose across the US by at least 39,818 on Thursday, marking the worst day since the virus first hit the U.S. 

The new daily record inched past the previous record of 36,426 cases back on April 24 – which was then believed to be the peak of the pandemic – and topped the tally of 36,000 recorded Wednesday by almost 4,000.  

Infections in several states that rushed to ease lockdowns early on have surged with Texas, Florida and Arizona among the states to set single-day case records in the last week. 

With fears mounting that the nation is headed for a second wave of the deadly outbreak, governors of several states announced they were putting the brakes on their reopening plans.  

Texas, New Mexico, Arizona and Florida all pledged to pause their reopenings as the pandemic has shifted to the West and South of America, while the former virus epicenter New York continues to see cases and deaths decline. 

Infections rose across the US by at least 39,818 on Thursday, marking the worst day since the virus first touched down on US soil in terms of new cases

Infections rose across the US by at least 39,818 on Thursday, marking the worst day since the virus first touched down on US soil in terms of new cases

Texas recorded yet another bleak milestone Thursday, as it beat its own record for new daily infections for the third day running, reaching almost 6,000 cases. 

The state reported 5,996 new cases in a single day, up from 5,551 and 5,489 in the previous two days.

More than 17,000 people have tested positive for the virus in the last three days alone and its rolling average has skyrocketed by a staggering 340 percent since Memorial Day.

Another 47 people were killed by the virus in a single day, marking the highest daily death toll since May 20 and inching closer to the state’s previous deadliest day when 58 people died on May 14.    

The number of hospitalizations climbed to 4,739 patients Thursday, surpassing the 4,389 patients the previous day and setting a new record for a 14th consecutive day.

Statewide, the number of patients has more than doubled in two weeks. 

Texas recorded yet another bleak milestone Thursday, as it beat its own record for new daily infections for the third day running and reached almost 6,000

Texas recorded yet another bleak milestone Thursday, as it beat its own record for new daily infections for the third day running and reached almost 6,000

Fears are growing that the state’s hospitals will buckle under the strain, leading the largest pediatric hospital in the country to start treating adult patients in Houston to help free up beds.  

Meanwhile, the Texas Medical Center in Houston announced it had filled all of its 1,330 ICU beds on Thursday, with 374 taken up by coronavirus patients.

Texas Governor Greg Abbott announced Thursday he is pausing the state’s aggressive reopening as it battles the rise in cases.  

This includes halting elective surgeries in order to protect hospital space in the Dallas, Houston, Austin and San Antonio areas.

‘We are focused on strategies that slow the spread of this virus while also allowing Texans to continue earning a paycheck to support their families,’ Abbott said in a statement.  

Arizona Governor Doug Ducey also announced that further efforts to reopen the state are being put on hold as cases and hospitalizations surge

Arizona Governor Doug Ducey also announced that further efforts to reopen the state are being put on hold as cases and hospitalizations surge

A record 2,453 patients were hospitalized in Arizona including 611 in intensive care beds and a record 415 on ventilators

A record 2,453 patients were hospitalized in Arizona including 611 in intensive care beds and a record 415 on ventilators

‘The last thing we want to do as a state is go backwards and close down businesses,’ Abbott said. 

Arizona Governor Doug Ducey also announced that further efforts to reopen the state are being put on hold as cases surge. 

On Thursday, the state health department recorded another 3,056 daily infections Wednesday, the fourth day in a week where cases have topped 3,000.

A record 2,453 patients were hospitalized including 611 in intensive care beds and a record 415 on ventilators. 

‘Not going to sugarcoat this… we expect our numbers to be worse next week and the week after… this is Arizona’s time of challenge,’ Ducey said Thursday. 

He urged residents to stay home to slow the spread of the virus and to wear face masks if they must leave the house. 

New Mexico, sandwiched between Texas and Arizona, is also putting its reopening on pause, as Democrat Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham said: ‘We’re on hold.’ 

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis backpedaled on his previous assertions that he would not let up on reopening plans when he said Thursday there are no plans to move into the third and final reopening phase as Florida reported 5,004 new infections in a single day

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis backpedaled on his previous assertions that he would not let up on reopening plans when he said Thursday there are no plans to move into the third and final reopening phase as Florida reported 5,004 new infections in a single day

Meanwhile, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis backpedaled on his previous assertions that he would not let up on reopening plans when he said there are no plans to move into the third and final reopening phase. 

‘We are where we are,’ DeSantis said during a press conference in Tampa Thursday. 

‘I didn’t say we’re going to go on to the next phase, you know, we’ve done a step-by-step approach and it was an approach that’s been reflective of the unique situation of each area.’ 

His comments came as Florida reported 5,004 new infections in a single day Thursday – a day after its one-day record of 5,508 reported on Wednesday.

Cases and hospitalizations also continue to surge in California, with the state reporting 5,349 new cases on Thursday. 

Cases and hospitalizations continue to surge in California, with the state reporting 5,349 new cases on Thursday

Cases and hospitalizations continue to surge in California, with the state reporting 5,349 new cases on Thursday

Hospitalizations have also reached record highs across the state with 4,240 patients, of which 1,306 require intensive care. 

While Governor Gavin Newsom said part of the rise was due to testing, much is the result of people failing to engage in safe practices when gathering with friends and family, or visiting newly reopened businesses. 

Mississippi also saw its daily count of confirmed cases reach record highs twice this week.

‘It’s not a joke. Really bad things are going to happen,’ said Dr. Thomas Dobbs, Mississippi’s health officer.

With the South and West witnessing surges in cases as a sign the pandemic is far from over for America, the White House coronavirus task force is planning to hold its first news briefing in almost two months on Friday. 

Read more at DailyMail.co.uk