U.S. coronavirus: Daily coronavirus deaths approach 2,600 – their highest since April – and set to get worse

Two companies are preparing to ship vaccines against the virus, but doses will be limited and the general population will not have access to them until 2021.

The month of November was marked by these frightening records, with hospitalizations at their highest level at least 20 days a month. With the fallout from the holidays coming, health experts warn things are likely to get worse in the coming weeks.

Maryland hospitals, which have already seen a 51% increase in coronavirus hospitalizations, are preparing for the impact and have until December 8 to submit their detailed strategies to increase bed and staff capacity, including encouraging universities to allow qualified health care students to graduate early to join the workforce, Governor Larry Hogan said on Tuesday.

States push back climbing records

Tuesday was a record-breaking day for coronavirus devastation in many states, and local leaders are pushing back increases with new measures to tackle the virus.

Oregon reported its highest number of deaths in a single day, Texas set its record for one-day increase in cases with more than 15,000 cases, and Mississippi had the highest level of hospitalizations at that day, state officials said.

Today, 65% of Mississippi counties are subject to additional restrictions, including mask warrants to combat the increase.

“This is a time when the virus is extremely present,” Gov. Tate Reeves told reporters. “The risk of catching it is higher because of the number of cases we report, there are more viruses in the communities.”

Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear on Tuesday called the state’s “worst day in history” for the coronavirus by “virtually all measures.”

“It’s the deadliest day we’ve had,” Beshear said. “If we’re not all doing our part, if we’re trying to be the exception, then slowing this thing down isn’t going to work, and we’re going to lose a lot more Kentuckians that we love and care about.”

Los Angeles County in California also had its “worst day” in cases and hospitalizations, according to a statement from the county’s public health director, Dr. Barbara Ferrer.

“However, this will probably not remain the worst day of the pandemic in Los Angeles County. It will be tomorrow, and the next day and the next as cases, hospitalizations and deaths increase,” she said. declared.

The county issued an amended stay-at-home order that went into effect on Monday, banning alfresco dining and gatherings with people outside of a single household.

Nursing home cases peak since spring

Nursing homes, which were hit hard at the start of the pandemic, reported their highest week of new coronavirus cases since spring, said the American Health Care Association and the National Center for Assisted Living (AHCA / NCAL) in a report released Tuesday.

“Our worst fears have come true as COVID rages through the general population and long-term care facilities are powerless to completely prevent it from entering due to its asymptomatic and pre-symptomatic spread,” said Mark Parkinson, president and CEO of AHCA / NCAL, in a statement.

Between mid-September and the week of November 15, there was a 177% increase in weekly new cases in nursing homes nationwide. Along with the increase in cases has been an increase in coronavirus deaths in nursing homes.

Nursing homes in the Midwest have been particularly hard hit, with a more than 400% increase in weekly cases since mid-September.

The increase is correlated with the national spike in cases, and health experts say the increased spread in the community is a good indicator of the increase in nursing home cases.

“Since our senior population is the most vulnerable and the increasing level of COVID across the United States shows no signs of stopping, it is paramount that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) grant the highest priority to the distribution of vaccines, residents and long-term care staff, ”Parkinson said.

Health workers and long-term care patients will be vaccinated first

Widespread vaccine distribution may still be months away, but the United States is preparing to ship the first wave of vaccines – and healthcare workers and long-term care patients are at the top of the list to receive them.

Federal officials expect 40 million doses of the coronavirus vaccine to be available by the end of December, but not all of those doses will be available at the same time, CDC vaccine advisers said on Tuesday.

CDC’s Dr Sara Oliver told the Immunization Practices Advisory Committee that the agency expects between 5 million and 10 million doses to be available each week for the first few months as manufacturers of vaccines speed up manufacturing.