US COVID-19 New Cases Near 70,000 in a Day... Highest Since July

Johns Hopkins University "Over 69,000 Cases on the 16th"... Experts Warn of Possible Third Wave
Germany Hits Daily Record Cases... President Quarantined After Security Guard Tests Positive

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy International Desk Reporter] The daily new confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the United States have risen to the 69,000 range, marking the highest level since the 'second peak' at the end of July. In Europe, following the UK and France, Germany is also recording daily new cases at record highs, with the president entering quarantine.

CNN reported on the 17th (local time), citing COVID-19 infection data from Johns Hopkins University, that the daily new confirmed cases exceeded 69,000 as of the 16th. This is the highest number since July 29, when 63,610 new cases were reported. Earlier, The New York Times (NYT) expressed concern over the recent increase in cases, stating that "we are heading toward a third peak."

The recent outbreak is centered in the central United States. In Wisconsin, 3,861 people were confirmed positive in one day, and new cases in Indiana, Minnesota, and North Carolina also exceeded 2,000.

After peaking in July, the US saw a gradual decline, dropping to the 34,000 range in early September.

However, since mid-September, daily new cases have risen to the 55,000 range, and on the 15th of this month, they again surpassed 60,000.

Experts have begun diagnosing that the third wave of COVID-19 has started in the US. William Schaffner, a professor at Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, said, "This winter, the situation will become more complicated due to the spread of COVID-19 infections and seasonal flu," adding, "We will experience a substantial third wave."

In Germany, daily new COVID-19 cases are breaking records day after day. According to German health authorities on the 17th, 7,830 new cases were reported the previous day, approaching 8,000. On the 14th, 6,638 cases were confirmed, surpassing the peak from early April, followed by 7,334 new infections on the 15th.

Frank-Walter Steinmeier, the President of Germany, entered quarantine after a security guard tested positive. Although Steinmeier's COVID-19 test results have not yet been released, he canceled events including the Frankfurt Book Fair awards ceremony.

Chancellor Angela Merkel appealed in her weekly video address on the same day, saying, "We must do everything to prevent the virus from spreading uncontrollably," and urged, "Please meet fewer people both at home and outside."