U.S. records more than 66,000 new coronavirus cases in record spike

The United States recorded its highest one-day spike in new coronavirus cases since the pandemic began as hospitals in some hotspots approach capacity.

The U.S. single-day record of more than 66,000 new coronavirus cases on Friday broke the previous record, set Thursday, by about 3,000 cases, according to a Johns Hopkins University tracker. The latest confirmed infections add to the nearly 3.2 million cases recorded nationwide since January.

California, Texas and Florida all saw record daily coronavirus spikes in the last week and have emerged as the country’s largest coronavirus hotspots. Those states, along with Arizona, also saw record numbers of coronavirus deaths this week.

Nearly 135,000 people have died in the U.S. since the pandemic began, according to Johns Hopkins data.

The surge in coronavirus cases is straining hospitals in Florida, Texas and Arizona, where ICU beds in some areas are reaching capacity. In Houston, the Texas Tribune reported some hospitals are turning away emergency responders as beds fill up with coronavirus patients.

California, Texas and Florida have reimposed some restrictions on bars and indoor dining as cases surged in recent weeks, though governors have stopped short of ordering new stay-at-home orders introduced earlier in the pandemic.

Florida’s Walt Disney World reopened its parks this week despite concerns from staff and health experts. The Sunshine State is also pressing on with its plan to host the GOP convention in Jacksonville, though Gov. Ron DeSantis, a close Trump ally, on Tuesday refused to say whether he would lift restrictions on indoor gatherings. The Washington Post reported Thursday that Republicans are considering holding the event outdoors. Vice President Mike Pence is scheduled to meet with RNC officials in Jacksonville on Saturday.

The nationwide coronavirus spike has sparked a battle over plans to reopen schools this fall. President Donald Trump is pushing for full reopenings, threatening to withhold federal government funding from schools that don’t completely reopen.