US coronavirus cases surpass 8 million as infections spike nationwide

US cases of the novel coronavirus crossed 8 million, rising by 1 million in less than a month, as another surge in cases hits the nation at the onset of cooler weather.

The United States reported 60,000 new infections on Wednesday, the highest since Aug. 14, with rising cases in every region, especially the Midwest.

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According to a Reuters analysis, since the pandemic started, over 217,000 people have died in the United States.

President Donald Trump and Democratic challenger Joe Biden will return to the campaign trail on Friday with visits to three battleground states, a day after the two contenders clashed from afar during dueling televised town halls.

Trump's coronavirus diagnosis, also highlighted the sharp contrast between the two candidates' approach to the campaign.

The split-screen events, which replaced a presidential debate that was canceled in the wake of Trump's coronavirus diagnosis, also highlighted the sharp contrast between the two candidates' approach to the campaign less than three weeks before the Nov. 3 election.

A combative Trump, sparring with moderator Samantha Guthrie on NBC, refused to condemn the bizarre conspiracy theory QAnon, claimed the 2020 election is rife with fraud and questioned whether masks can help combat the spread of COVID-19. Biden delivered policy-heavy answers and focused his attacks on Trump's handling of the pandemic, which has killed 216,000 Americans and hammered the economy.

Biden has led the contest for months, according to polls, and it was not clear whether Trump's aggressive posture would succeed in altering what has been a stable race despite a whirlwind of news.

Agencies