U.S. COVID-19 death toll nears 200,000 as CDC forecasts up to 218,000 COVID-19 deaths in U.S. by Oct. 10

The COVID-19 death toll in the United States is approaching 200,000 and the number now stands at 199,255, according to Johns Hopkins University (JHU) data. 

Earlier this week, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) projected up to 218,000 COVID-19 deaths in the country by October 10 in a new ensemble forecast published on its website.

The new national forecast predicted that 3,000 to 7,100 new COVID-19 deaths will likely be reported during the week ending October 10, and a nationwide total of 207,000 to 218,000 COVID-19 deaths will be reported by that date.