the u.s. smashing the record for arch daily covid cases. now topping 277,000 new infections per day. that s higher than at any other point during the pandemic. americans across the country spending hours in long lines waiting for testing, adding to the frustration, dozens of covid testing sites in new york and new jersey forced to close because of staffing shortages. the white house task force reports a 126% increase in cases over the last two weeks, but hospitalizations remain lower than previous surges. and cdc director dr. rochelle walensky defending new guidelines about isolation and quarantine, insisting we are standing on the shoulders of two years of science. here s abc s trevor ault. reporter: tonight, a tidal wave of infections as covid cases shatter record highs set at the peak of last winter s surge. the u.s. now averaging 277,000 cases a day. about three americans testing positive every second. what i expect is the next