WASHINGTON, Aug 28 (NNN-AGENCIES) — US deaths from the novel coronavirus topped 180,000 on Thursday (Aug 27) as Iowa and Minnesota reported record one-day increases in new infections.
Nationally, metrics on new cases, deaths, hospitalisations and test positivity rates are all declining but there are emerging hotspots in the Midwest.
Iowa reported 1,288 new cases on Thursday after seeing infections rise nearly 7 per cent last week. Minnesota reported 1,154 new cases and saw its new cases rise 4 per cent last week. Cases are also rising in nearby Illinois, North Dakota and South Dakota.
Minnesota’s health department said 265 of the new cases were due to delayed test results from one lab and the backlog would affect future reports as well.
Health experts have warned there could be another surge in cases across the United States as schools reopen and colder weather forces more gatherings indoors.
This week, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said people exposed to COVID-19 but not symptomatic may not need to be tested.
US confirmed cases are now over 5.8 million – the highest total in the world. The US death toll is also the world’s highest.
On a per capita basis, the United States ranks 12th in the world for the number of deaths, with 54 deaths per 100,000 people, and tenth in the world for cases, with 1,774 cases per 100,000 residents. — NNN-AGENCIES
