Amid the spread of the Omicron variant at a blistering pace, the United States has recorded over 1 million daily Covid-19 cases as per data from Johns Hopkins University.

It has also reported 1,688 deaths for the same period according to a new tally. According to the US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Omicron variant was estimated to be 58.6 per cent&nbsp;of the coronavirus variants circulating in the United States.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/omicron-update-fda-amends-emergency-use-of-pfizer-booster-dose-for-more-teens-442035" hreflang="en">Omicron update: FDA amends emergency use of Pfizer booster dose for more teens</a>

Top US infectious disease expert Anthony Fauci had said the country is experiencing "almost a vertical increase" in Covid-19 cases but the peak may be only weeks away.

He had also highlighted that there was still a danger of a surge in hospitalization due to a large number of coronavirus cases even as early data suggests the Omicron COVID-19 variant is less severe.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/record-levels-of-coronavirus-revealed-in-wastewater-samples-across-united-states-442013">Record levels of coronavirus revealed in wastewater samples across US</a>

Across the US, new COVID-19 cases have tripled in the past two weeks to over 400,000 a day, the highest level on record, amid a rush by many Americans to get tested.

The high infection rates and resulting worker shortages are putting a heavy burden on employers large and small. Thousands of airline flights have been canceled in recent days, and many businesses have shelved return-to-work plans.

Meanwhile, the CDC had reduced the recommended isolation period for people with asymptomatic COVID to five days, down from 10.

“We want to make sure there is a mechanism by which we can safely continue to keep society functioning while following the science,” said CDC Director Rochelle Walensky.

(With inputs from agencies)

Amid the spread of the Omicron variant at a blistering pace, the United States has recorded over 1 million daily Covid-19 cases as per data from Johns Hopkins University.

Amid the spread of the Omicron variant at a blistering pace, the United States has recorded over 1 million daily Covid-19 cases as per data from Johns Hopkins University. It has also reported 1,688 deaths for the same period according to a new tally. According to the US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Omicron variant was estimated to be 58.6 per cent of the coronavirus variants circulating in the United States. Also read | Omicron update: FDA amends emergency use of Pfizer booster dose for more teens Top US infectious disease expert Anthony Fauci had said the country is experiencing "almost a vertical increase" in Covid-19 cases but the peak may be only weeks away. He had also highlighted that there was still a danger of a surge in hospitalization due to a large number of coronavirus cases even as early data suggests the Omicron COVID-19 variant is less severe. Also read | Record levels of coronavirus revealed in wastewater samples across US Across the US, new COVID-19 cases have tripled in the past two weeks to over 400,000 a day, the highest level on record, amid a rush by many Americans to get tested. The high infection rates and resulting worker shortages are putting a heavy burden on employers large and small. Thousands of airline flights have been canceled in recent days, and many businesses have shelved return-to-work plans. Meanwhile, the CDC had reduced the recommended isolation period for people with asymptomatic COVID to five days, down from 10. “We want to make sure there is a mechanism by which we can safely continue to keep society functioning while following the science,” said CDC Director Rochelle Walensky. (With inputs from agencies)

US sets global record of over 1 million daily Covid-19 cases after Fauci warns of 'vertical increase'

US&nbsp;President Joe Biden celebrated new guidance from the&nbsp;Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on Thursday that said fully vaccinated people do not need to wear masks outdoors and can avoid wearing them indoors in most places.

"I think it's a great milestone, a great day," Biden told reporters from the White House rose garden.

"If you're fully vaccinated and can take your mask off, you've earned the right to do something that Americans are known for all around the world: greeting others with a smile," he said, flashing a brief smile himself.

Biden described the new milestone as&nbsp;a major victory in the battle against the virus that has caused more than 580,000 Americans to die.

The CDC move sparked joyful reactions in some, but others experienced whiplash and said they would continue to wear their masks out of caution.

"I'm still going to wear a mask inside," said Mubarak Dahir, a 57-year-old tourist in the capital Washington who was visiting from Florida. "I think it's premature, it's a little dangerous to believe that we are that far already."

But Desmond, a 67-year-old in Lafayette Square, said: "It's great news... we have come a long way in 14 months!"

Accumulating data shows the extremely high efficacy of authorised vaccines, not just to prevent symptomatic Covid but also asymptomatic infection and onward transmission.

Almost 60 per cent of US adults now have one or more doses, while cases are falling fast, down to a seven-day-average of 38,000 or 11 per 100,000.

And on Thursday, the campaign to vaccinate adolescents aged 12 to 15 began in earnest following the authorisation of the Pfizer vaccine in this age group.

According to the CDC's website, masks may still be required on planes, buses, trains, and other forms of public transportation traveling into, within, or out of the United States, and in US transportation hubs such as airports and stations.&nbsp;

Fully vaccinated international travelers arriving in the United States still need to get tested within three days of their flight, or show documentation of recovery from Covid-19 in the past three months.&nbsp;

CDC Director Rochelle Walensky said the new guidance just two weeks after its most recent update, was based on a sharp reduction in cases, expansion of vaccines to younger people and vaccine efficacy against coronavirus variants.

The CDC had faced criticism, even from public health officials, that it has been too cautious in its guidance. Critics have said people need to see more benefit of getting vaccinated in terms of returning to normal activities.

(With inputs from agencies)

US President Joe Biden celebrated new guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on Thursday that said fully vaccinated people do not need to wear masks outdoors and can avoid wearing them indoors in most places.

US President Joe Biden celebrated new guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on Thursday that said fully vaccinated people do not need to wear masks outdoors and can avoid wearing them indoors in most places. "I think it's a great milestone, a great day," Biden told reporters from the White House rose garden. "If you're fully vaccinated and can take your mask off, you've earned the right to do something that Americans are known for all around the world: greeting others with a smile," he said, flashing a brief smile himself. Biden described the new milestone as a major victory in the battle against the virus that has caused more than 580,000 Americans to die. The CDC move sparked joyful reactions in some, but others experienced whiplash and said they would continue to wear their masks out of caution. "I'm still going to wear a mask inside," said Mubarak Dahir, a 57-year-old tourist in the capital Washington who was visiting from Florida. "I think it's premature, it's a little dangerous to believe that we are that far already." But Desmond, a 67-year-old in Lafayette Square, said: "It's great news... we have come a long way in 14 months!" Accumulating data shows the extremely high efficacy of authorised vaccines, not just to prevent symptomatic Covid but also asymptomatic infection and onward transmission. Almost 60 per cent of US adults now have one or more doses, while cases are falling fast, down to a seven-day-average of 38,000 or 11 per 100,000. And on Thursday, the campaign to vaccinate adolescents aged 12 to 15 began in earnest following the authorisation of the Pfizer vaccine in this age group. According to the CDC's website, masks may still be required on planes, buses, trains, and other forms of public transportation traveling into, within, or out of the United States, and in US transportation hubs such as airports and stations. Fully vaccinated international travelers arriving in the United States still need to get tested within three days of their flight, or show documentation of recovery from Covid-19 in the past three months. CDC Director Rochelle Walensky said the new guidance just two weeks after its most recent update, was based on a sharp reduction in cases, expansion of vaccines to younger people and vaccine efficacy against coronavirus variants. The CDC had faced criticism, even from public health officials, that it has been too cautious in its guidance. Critics have said people need to see more benefit of getting vaccinated in terms of returning to normal activities. (With inputs from agencies)

US: Fully vaccinated people can take part in indoor, outdoor activities without mask, social distancing

More than 47,000 new cases have been reported in US in the last 24-hours, which is the highest single-day spike since the start of the pandemic.

US Coronavirus cases could reach new record: More than 47,000 cases in last 24-hours