The U.S. reported 83,718 new coronavirus cases on Saturday, marking the second day in a row that the country topped 80,000 daily infections, according to data from Johns Hopkins University.
Why it matters: The coronavirus is surging across the U.S. and threatening to overwhelm hospitals, especially in rural areas. The government's top infectious-disease expert Anthony Fauci told MSNBC earlier this month the U.S. is "facing a whole lot of trouble" as it heads into the winter, with cold weather likely to contribute to further spread of the virus.
By the numbers: Saturday's case count nearly topped the record of 83,757, set a day earlier. The daily high before that had been 77,362 on July 16.
- More than 40,000 Americans are currently hospitalized.
- The U.S. has recorded nearly 8.6 million cases since the pandemic began, and 225,000 people have died.
Yes, but: Nearly 130,000 fewer people will die of COVID-19 this winter if 95% of Americans wear face masks in public, according to research published Friday.
Go deeper: The pandemic is getting worse again
