The US has set a new record for average daily confirmed Covid-19 cases, with surging infections and hospitalizations as the country remains on edge waiting for a winner to be declared in the presidential race.

Daily new coronavirus cases in America have increased 45% over the past two weeks to a record seven-day average of 86,352, according to data compiled by Johns Hopkins University. Deaths are also on the rise, up 15% to an average of 846 deaths every day.

There were more than 91,000 new cases recorded on Wednesday, according to Johns Hopkins. The university counted nearly 99,000 US cases on 30 October.

The grim statistics underscore the high stakes of the election, which remained too close to call a full day after the polls closed. Joe