By the Associated Press:
The United States topped 4,000 daily deaths from the coronavirus for the first time. That breaks a record set just the day before.
The surge is being seen in a number of Sun Belt states, where spikes of the virus were seen over the summer. Johns Hopkins University shows the U.S. had 4,085 deaths Thursday.
The U.S. had nearly 275,000 new coronavirus cases as well. The numbers are another reminder of the worsening situation following travel for holidays and family gatherings, along with more time indoors during the winter months. More than 365,000 Americans have died from the coronavirus.
President-elect Joe Biden will be taking a new direction to speed release of coronavirus vaccines when he assumes office Jan. 20. His office said Friday Biden would curtail the current practice of holding back vaccine doses to guarantee that people who get their first shot can also get a required second inoculation three weeks later.
Under the Trump administration’s approach, the government has been holding back a supply of vaccines to guarantee that people can get a second shot, which provides maximum protection against COVID-19.
After an initial glow of hope when vaccines were approved last month, the nation’s vaccination campaign has gotten off to a slow start.
