Record-high Covid infections and hospitalisations have been reported in the US, with fears they will not slow in the run-up to Christmas.
The number of people in hospital passed 100,000 for the first time, a figure that has doubled since early November.
New cases rose by a record 195,695 on Wednesday, and the daily death toll of 2,733 was close to a new high.
The city of Los Angeles has reacted to an unprecedented surge there by ordering residents to stay at home.