US coronavirus cases top 80,000 for 2nd day

The daily tally of coronavirus cases in the United States has topped 80,000 for the second straight day. The number of people in hospital has surpassed 40,000.

Johns Hopkins University says about 83,000 new cases were confirmed on Saturday.

A survey by a private organization shows about 42,000 people are in hospital in the US -- about the same level as in early April and early July, when infections increased sharply and rapidly.

Experts say COVID-19 cases in the US are climbing toward a third peak.

The number of new infections per population is particularly high in the Midwest and in western states.

Health officials in Wisconsin say only 18 percent of hospital beds are available in the state. They say there are growing concerns that patients will not be able to get appropriate medical treatment in some areas.

The US government's top infectious disease expert, Anthony Fauci, has stressed the importance of anti-virus measures across the country, suggesting that it might be time to call for mask mandates.

President Donald Trump has indicated that there are no problems with his administration's virus response ahead of next week's election.

He tweeted on Saturday, "Media is doing everything possible to create fear prior to November 3rd. The Cases are up because TESTING is way up, by far the most, and best, in the world."

NHK