New coronavirus deaths in the United States surpassed 2,000 on Friday, the highest daily tally to date.

The total confirmed dead from the virus in the U.S. is now 18,586, just behind Italy, which at 18,849 has experienced more deaths than any other country.

At least 2,056 people died of complications related to COVID-19 in the 50 states and District of Columbia, up from totals of 1,878, 1,936 and 1,879 the three days before.

Worldwide, the confirmed COVID-19 death toll reached 100,000.

Despite the positive signs, Dr. Deborah Birx, the White House coronavirus coordinator, said Friday the US had not yet reached its peak in cases.
“So every day we need to continue to do what we did yesterday, and the week before, and the week before that, because that’s what in the end is going to take us up across the peak and down the other side,” she said.