Washington, December 17 (RHC)-- The United States has once again shattered records for daily coronavirus cases and deaths -- with nearly a quarter-million infections reported on Wednesday alone.  More than 3,600 Americans died of COVID-19 Wednesday -- by far the worst one-day death toll for any nation since the start of the pandemic.

California broke records for hospitalizations for an 18th consecutive day and reported 52,000 new cases and nearly 400 deaths.  The surge has forced hospitals to turn to desperate measures — canceling surgeries, forcing ICU patients out of intensive care early, and training nurses from other departments to work in intensive care. 

California Governor Gavin Newsom has granted waivers allowing hospitals to force ICU nurses to treat three patients at a time, versus the two patients allowed under state law.