The U.S. recorded a single-day record-breaking high of COVID-19 cases on Tuesday, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
The United States passed a grim milestone on Tuesday, nearly two years into the coronavirus pandemic.
According to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the U.S. recorded a single-day record-breaking high of over 441,000 new cases of COVID-19 on Dec. 27 amid the rapid spread of the omicron variant that's currently sweeping the nation.
The reported totals surpassed the Jan. 8 record of over 298,000 new cases reported in a single day.
The seven-day average of COVID-19 cases in the U.S. totals just over 240,000, per data from the CDC. The staggering number of cases brings the total amount recorded in the U.S. since January 2020 to nearly 53 million, with the total death toll rising to 816,239.
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Millions of Americans were affected by the alarming rise of cases over the holidays — and not only because themselves or loved ones were testing positive for the virus. United Airlines, Delta, and Alaskan Airlines all scrapped hundreds of flights ahead of Christmas Eve, citing the spread of the omicron variant as the reason for the sudden cancellations. 
On Monday, the CDC announced in a media statement that they were "shortening the recommended time for isolation from 10 days for people with COVID-19 to 5 days, if asymptomatic, followed by 5 days of wearing a mask when around others." 
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The recommendation comes amid "science demonstrating that the majority of SARS-CoV-2 transmission occurs early in the course of illness, generally in the 1-2 days prior to onset of symptoms and the 2-3 days after." 
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People who test positive for the virus should isolate and quarantine for five days and wear a mask around others if asymptomatic for the following five days. 
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"The Omicron variant is spreading quickly and has the potential to impact all facets of our society. CDC's updated recommendations for isolation and quarantine balance what we know about the spread of the virus and the protection provided by vaccination and booster doses," CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky said in Monday's media statement.
Added Walensky: "Prevention is our best option: get vaccinated, get boosted, wear a mask in public indoor settings in areas of substantial and high community transmission, and take a test before you gather."
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