For the third day in a row, the United States yesterday notched a record number of coronavirus cases in 24 hours, reaching nearly 230,000 new infections, according to a tally by Johns Hopkins University.
In that same stretch the US recorded 2,527 Covid-related deaths, according to real-time data provided by the Baltimore-based university.
The United States - the country with the most coronavirus cases and deaths in the world - has seen a dramatic resurgence in its epidemic in recent weeks.
US health officials warned of a surge after millions of Americans traveled to celebrate last week's Thanksgiving holiday despite pleas from authorities to stay home.
For two weeks, the US has regularly topped 2,000 deaths per day, as it had in the spring at the height of the first wave of the country's outbreak.
The number of people hospitalised with Covid-19 is also steadily increasing, especially in the most populous states of California, Florida, New York and Texas, according to the Covid Tracking Project.
The mayor of San Francisco ordered new lockdowns and business restrictions in the face of the Covid-19 surge.
The United States has recorded more than 14.6 million Covid cases and more than 281,000 related deaths since the start of the pandemic.
Australian state eases restrictions for 'Covid safe' summer
Australia's Victoria state eased Covid-19 restrictions after the country's pandemic hotspot recorded 37 days without any new coronavirus infections, moving toward a "Covid-safe" holiday season.
From midnight local time, up to 100 people will be able to attend public gatherings such as weddings, with density rules of one person per two square metres remaining in place, while 50% of office workers will be able to return to workplaces by 11 January, up from 25% now, the state's premier said.
Premier Daniel Andrews told a news conference: "Today we can take some big steps, not to normal, but to a Covid-safe summer (but) we all need to remain vigilant and we all need to play our part."
Masks will remain mandatory at indoor venues and on public and ride-share transport, he said.
Public health concerns eased after two travellers, who returned from Germany, bypassing quarantine in Sydney to travel straight to Melbourne, returned negative Covid-19 tests.
All passengers on the yesterday afternoon domestic flight between the two cities and some airport staff must remain in self-quarantine until the results from a second test arrive tomorrow, a health official said.
Australia recorded seven new cases overnight, all returned travellers.
The country has all but stamped out the coronavirus through strict quarantine measures, particularly in Victoria, the second-most populous state, which in early August logged as many as 700 daily infections.
