California Deaths Hit Record as U.S. Cases Soar: Virus Update Bloomberg 9/01/2021 Bloomberg News (Bloomberg) -- California, where the latest surge in the virus has filled hospitals and morgues, reported its worst day for fatalities so far. Arizona surpassed 10,000 deaths. North Carolina and Virginia reported a record number of new infections. The U.S. recorded its second-highest number of new cases on Friday. The U.K. became the first country in western Europe to report more than 3 million coronavirus cases, as it grapples with a new strain that’s putting pressure on its health service. Germany’s death toll exceeded 1,000 for a fourth straight day, as Chancellor Angela Merkel pledged to speed up the pace of vaccinations. Queen Elizabeth II was vaccinated, and Pope Francis said he will get one.