US sets grim new COVID death record with nearly 4,500 fatalities in a day as toll hits 380K

The United States has set a grim new record for daily COVID deaths as the pandemic continues to worsen across the country.  

A staggering 4,470 deaths Americans succumbed to the virus in the 24 hours to Tuesday evening, according to new data obtained by Johns Hopkins University. 

The total number of US citizens who have died from COVID-19 has now surpassed 380,000 – more than the past 10 flu seasons combined and a fifth of the world’s almost two million dead, despite accounting for just four percent of the global population.

Meanwhile, the number of COVID deaths recorded in the first 12 days of January alone has already eclipsed the number of virus fatalities recorded in each month from June to October last year. 

Already this month, 34,502 Americans have lost their lives to the virus. In contrast, 19,447 died from the virus during the entire 30 days of last June. 

Prior to Tuesday’s staggering number of deaths, the US was averaging  3,223 COVID-19 deaths a day over the past week. 

Meanwhile, hospitalizations and case numbers also remain precariously high. 

On Tuesday, 230,000 Americans tested positive for the coronavirus, while 131,326 people across the country were in hospital being treated for the disease.    

The situation is most dire in Los Angeles, which is experiencing the LA County health officials have urged residents to now wear masks inside their own homes to stop the virus spreading between family members.  

Officials say the surging rates of COVID-19 in the city is likely tied to family gatherings that have taken place over Thanksgiving and Christmas. 

They also say children are apologizing to their elderly residents who have become sickened with the disease.  

‘One of the more heartbreaking conversations that our healthcare workers share is about these last words when children apologize to their parents and grandparents for bringing COVID into their homes for getting them sick,’  County Supervisor Hilda Solis told The Los Angeles Times.  

‘Please, for your loved ones, stay home. Stay safe. Keep your loved ones alive.’

Doctors in the city fear that reports of overcrowding have been keeping some sickly people from seeking medical care.

Medics are urging those who are elderly and are experiencing a shortness of breath to contact their healthcare pvidier. 

‘Even if hospitals are full, you have to go seek care or call your doctor,’ one doctor urged. 

‘The longer you wait for this disease. The less chance we have to give you some of the therapies that can help you get through this.’

As of Monday. Los Angeles County alone had clocked 932,908 cases, with 10 residents testing positive to the virus every minute. 

One person is dying from the virus every eight minutes in the county.  

Health officials there are scrambling to speed up the rollout of the COVID-19 vaccines, with plans to open large centers in order to have 500,00 healthcare workers receive their first jab by the end of the month.   

Meanwhile, more than 9 million people across the country have now had their first dose of the vaccine.  However, there has been more than 27 million doses distributed.  

The United States on Tuesday announced all air travelers entering the country will need a negative Covid-19 test before departure.

The policy takes effect on January 26 and expands an existing measure targeting Britain, where the strain known as B117 has been tied to a drastic spike in cases.

‘Testing does not eliminate all risk, but when combined with a period of staying at home and everyday precautions like wearing masks and social distancing, it can make travel safer,’ said Robert Redfield, director of the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.