Virus surge sharpens choice for US voters

As the United States enters the last full week before its presidential election with COVID-19 being the dominant issue, much of the country is facing an unprecedented surge in coronavirus cases.

Positivity rates, hospitalizations and deaths are climbing, especially in the Midwest and West, and health officials are warning the situation will get worse.

The country had more than 8.5 million coronavirus cases as of Sunday, with more than 224,900 deaths, according to the Johns Hopkins University.