The U.S. reported 103,087 new daily coronavirus infections on Wednesday, setting a single-day record for cases, according to data from the COVID Tracking Project.
Why it matters: This is the first time the U.S. has reported over 100,000 new cases in a single day — a reminder of the high stakes of the election as votes continue to be tabulated.
- Wednesday's record comes a day after Minnesota, Pennsylvania and Ohio set their own state records as voters went to the polls.
The state of play: The U.S. set its previous daily record for cases — 97,000 — on Oct. 30.
- The COVID Tracking Project recorded 1,116 new deaths and 2,802 new hospitalizations over the past 24-hour stretch.
What to watch: Public experts have warned of heightened risk for increased cases and deaths as the U.S. heads into the winter months, and the pandemic intersects with the season flu.
- Former FDA commissioner Scott Gottlieb said last Sunday that his "view is the inflection point will be Thanksgiving," when states could start seeing exponential growth.
Go deeper: The pandemic is getting worse again