The COVID-19 pandemic has officially hit its lowest point yet. Yesterday, The COVID Tracking Project reported a record-high 100,226 hospitalizations Of the more than 100,000 hospitalizations, 19,396 patients were put into the intensive care unit. There are also nearly 6,855 people assisted by ventilators. Adding on, health officials recorded 195,695 new COVID-19 cases on December 2. Wednesday's figure surpassed the seven day average by 35,000 new cases. Making matters worse, the U.S. endured more than 2,800 COVID-19 related deaths. This also stood out as a record breaking day as well. Unfortunately, experts believe that days like this will soon become the norm.
"By this time next week, we are going to be talking about 3,000 deaths a day -- that's 9/11 every single day," Dr. Jonathan Reiner of George Washington University said.
Dr. Robert Redfield believes that the winter season is "going to be the most difficult time in the public health history of this nation." At the moment, the midwest and west coast is getting hit the hardest at the moment. South Dakota, Nevada, Indiana, Montana and Nebraska have recorded the highest number of patients per capita in hospital beds this week. As a result, 9-1-1 services have been strained. In fact, the American Ambulance Association has said that the 9-1-1 call service is nearing a "breaking point."
"Without additional relief, it seems likely to break, even as we enter the third surge of the virus in the Midwest and West," the American Ambulance Association stated.
As we close out the year, the U.S. leads the world in coronavirus cases and deaths. Unfortunately, things are continuing to get worse.
Photo Credit: Getty Images