America's daily Covid cases have surged 59 percent in two weeks, data show — as New York records the most infections in 24 hours since January amid warnings other states should brace for spikes.
Figures from states, counties and local health officials revealed the U.S. is now recording about 67,900 infections a day on average, up from 46,300 some 14 days earlier.
Almost every state is now seeing its cases tick upwards — with 11 now recording cases doubling every two weeks — while Rhode Island, Maine and Vermont are all facing the biggest outbreaks.
But in New York — at the center of the outbreak of the even more transmissible Omicron sub-variant BA.2.12.1 — officials yesterday recorded 10,251 cases marking their highest daily tally since January.
New York City's health commissioner is already threatening to bring back face masks in restaurants and requirements to show proof of vaccination should the city's outbreak continue to spiral in the state. But business groups yesterday warned against the move, saying it could force many businesses to close.
Former White House Covid advisor Dr Deborah Birx warned earlier this week that southern states should brace for a surge in Covid cases this summer, with the north set to follow in their footsteps this winter.
America's Covid deaths rose 47 percent in two weeks yesterday, with 694 registered over the previous 24 hours.
The number of Covid patients in hospital also ticked up to 18,181, rising 11 percent in a week. But experts warn many of these patients are likely ill with another condition, but only incidentally tested positive for the virus after being admitted to wards.
Figures from states, counties and local health officials revealed the U.S. is now recording about 67,900 infections a day on average, up from 46,300 some 14 days earlier
Almost every state is now recording a rise in cases, with the hotspots in Rhode Island, Maine and Vermont. New York - which is at the center of the outbreak of a new sub-variant - is threatening to re-impose requirements to show proof of vaccination
The above graph shows the number of positive cases detected every day across New York. It reveals they have now reached their highest level since January
The above shows the number of Covid deaths registered every day in the US. These are also ticking upwards
America's Covid surge is being driven by the Covid variant BA.2.12.1 which is now thought to be behind about two in five cases across the country, up from less than one in ten a month ago.
Studies suggest it is about 25 percent more transmissible than the sub-variant BA.2 — which has triggered upticks in cases across many European countries.
The rise in the U.S. comes as South Africa — at the center of the first Omicron wave — sees its cases nearly quadruple in a month, amid waning immunity and the spread of other versions of Omicron.
