us U.S. sets single-day record for COVID-19 cases during new surge 16 states also set single-day records for new infections of the coronavirus More than 84,000 people were diagnosed with COVID-19 across the United States on Friday, according to a Reuters tally, a record one-day increase in infections during the pandemic as the virus surges again nationwide. The spike of 84,218 cases — breaking the record of 77,299 set on July 16 — comes as University of Washington researchers forecast that the U.S. death toll from COVID-19 could reach a total of 500,000 by February. Sixteen U.S. states also hit one-day records for new infections of the virus that causes COVID-19 on Friday, including five considered key in the Nov. 3 presidential election: Ohio, Michigan, North Carolina, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin.

ont Ontario reports record 978 new COVID-19 cases Province also saw spike in hospitalizations, which now sit at just under 300 Ontario reported 978 new COVID-19 cases on Saturday, the most on a single day since the outbreak began in late January. Saturday's count surpasses the previous high of 939, which was reported on Oct. 9. Health Minister Christine Elliott said the majority of the new cases are concentrated in Toronto, which once again led the way with 348. Another 170 cases were reported in Peel Region, followed by 141 in York Region and 89 in Ottawa. A handful of other areas saw double-digit increases as well: Durham Region: 51. Eastern Ontario: 43. Simcoe Muskoka: 23. Halton Region: 21. Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph: 15. Waterloo Region: 14. Hamilton: 10. Niagara Region: 10. The number of patients hospitalized in Ontario due to COVID-19 now sits at 294, an increase of 18 since Friday. There are 82 people in intensive care units, an increase of four, and 53 people are on ventilators, an increase of six.