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WASHINGTON: The United States surpassed the 18 million Covid-19 cases reported on Monday, figures from Johns Hopkins University showed, as the virus rises across the country.
The United States has the highest absolute number of cases in the world and the highest number of virus-related deaths, according to the figures.
It had a total of 18,006,061 cases reported Monday night and more than 319,000 deaths.
The country began administering vaccines a week ago and has given its approval to the immunizations developed by Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna.
States and cities have imposed varying levels of restrictions in a bid to slow the spread of the virus, but outgoing President Donald Trump has repeatedly downplayed its seriousness and urged a reopen.
Trump’s behavior has occurred despite having himself been hospitalized with the virus.
President-elect Joe Biden, who defeated Trump in the Nov. 3 election, has been much more cautious, urging masks and social distancing rules.
Earlier Monday, Biden received a Covid-19 vaccine live on television in a campaign to increase Americans’ confidence in the blows.
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