Mortuary owners in hard-hit Southern California say mortuaries are being inundated as the United States surpasses a grim tally of 3,50,000 deaths due to COVID-19. Experts anticipate another surge in coronavirus cases and deaths stemming from holiday gatherings over Christmas and New Year's.

2,77,000 cases on Saturday

The US on Saturday saw its highest number yet of coronavirus cases recorded in one day, with more than 2,77,000 infections. Data compiled by Johns Hopkins University shows the US passed the threshold early on Sunday morning. More than 20 million people in the country have been infected. The US has begun using two coronavirus vaccines to protect health care workers and those over 80 but the rollout of the inoculation program has been criticised as being slow and chaotic.