Technologies
Daily US COVID cases hit record high, as omicron, delta present ‘twin threats’
In the states and elsewhere, the variants are leading to what the World Health Organization’s director-general called «a tsunami of cases.»
The number of daily coronavirus cases in the US hit a record high Tuesday, with a 7-day moving average from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention showing more than 277,000 infections. The previous peak came nearly a year ago, in January.
The current surge represents a 60% increase from the week prior, CDC Director Rochelle Walensky said at a White House briefing Wednesday. But despite that jump, hospitalizations rose only 14%, to about 9,000 per day, and deaths actually dipped about 7%, to 1,100 per day, Walensky said.
«This could be due to the fact that hospitalizations tend to lag behind cases by about two weeks,» Walensky said, «but may also be due to early indications that we’ve seen from other countries like South Africa and the United Kingdom of milder disease from omicron, especially among the vaccinated and the boosted.»
Some data suggests that the highly transmissible omicron strain may lead to less severe disease and a lower chance of hospitalization than with other variants. Still, the fact that omicron is so contagious is a concern. Specialists worry that If large amounts of people become ill, many of them will inevitably need hospital care, which will inundate health care systems required to treat not only COVID-19 patients but also people seeking care for other conditions that can turn fatal without intervention.
Omicron is the dominant variant in the US, estimated to account for 58.6% of all U.S. infections as of Dec. 25, according to CDC data, down from slightly less than 75% the week prior.
Several European nations, including France, the UK, Italy, Spain, Portugal and Greece, also registered record numbers of new cases this week, the BBC reported.
At a separate press conference Wednesday, World Health Organization Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus called the omicron and delta mutations «twin threats» that are «leading to a tsunami of cases.»
CNET’s Jessica Rendall contributed to this report.
Technologies
Black Friday Is Wrapped but Deals on the PlayStation, Xbox and Switch Are Still Dropping
Technologies
The Best PS5 Controller Is Back to $160 for Black Friday Weekend, and It’ll Likely Be Gone by Cyber Monday
This unbeatable deal brings the PlayStation DualSense Edge wireless controller back down to its lowest price on record.
Black Friday weekend is here and Cyber Monday is up next. These major shopping events promise to bring some of the lowest ever prices on thousands of products, including gaming gear. If you’re shopping for a special gamer for the holidays, look no further than this PlayStation DualSense wireless controller for $40 off at Amazon.
This discount brings one of our favorite wireless controllers and down to just $160 for select colors. With this discount, Amazon matches the controller’s lowest ever price on record. Amazon’s deal also includes a pouch with extra accessories, including stick caps and USB-C cable. If you want the controller on its own, it’ll cost you $59, which saves you $40.
The DualSense wireless controller can be used with PS5 consoles, Mac or Windows devices. It features mappable back buttons and replaceable stick modules so you can customize your controller. DualSense features include haptics, a built-in microphone, adaptive triggers and more. Keep in mind that only some games work with DualSense.
Your lengthy gaming sessions will be more comfortable thanks to the controller’s ergonomic design and anti-slip inner grips. The included pouch makes it easy for you to store and organize the Edge wireless controller and its components. Along with its accoutrements, the DualSense Edge allows you to quickly switch profiles so your friends and loved ones can join you on the fun.
Keep in mind that the $160 price tag only applies to certain colors. Other controller colors, such as Edge midnight black, are down to $170.
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Why this deal matters
Sony’s PlayStation is one of the most popular gaming consoles on the planet. It’s famous for its responsive features, game quality and elegant design. However, PlayStation accessories can be costly. This $40 discount brings the DualSense Edge wireless controller down to just $160, matching its previous record low.
We’re keeping up with all lingering Black Friday and upcoming Cyber Monday deals, so check back often to maximize your savings.
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