U.S. hits record average number of cases

(KYMA, KECY/ CNN) - The U.S. has reached another grim milestone as the Coronavirus pandemic drags on.

The country hit a record seven-day average of new cases Tuesday with 254,496 cases recorded, which is the highest ever over the course of the pandemic, according to Johns Hopkins University.

The U.S. has seen a rapid increase in new cases since late November.

Hospitalizations and deaths have not seen a similar increase in pace, but experts say these are lagging indicators that may drag weeks behind case increases.

Johns Hopkins says the seven-day average of new deaths is currently over 1,400.