If I asked you which state had reported the highest single daily total of new coronaviruses cases, what would you say? Was it New York back in the spring? Was it Florida which had a well-publicized surge this summer? The correct answer is Illinois. Less than two weeks ago, on Friday November 13, the state reported a record-setting 15,415 new cases in a single day:

Illinois reported more new coronavirus cases on Friday — 15,415 — than any other state in the nation has ever logged in a single day throughout eight months of the pandemic.

The jaw-dropping count marked the fourth straight daily record-breaking rise in an exponential explosion of infections with COVID-19 “running rampant through our communities,” according to Illinois Public Health Director Dr. Ngozi Ezike…

Even during the worst days of the New York crisis in April, that state never topped 13,000 cases. Nor did California during its initial peak in July, according to data compiled by The New York Times. During their summertime surges, only Florida (15,300) and Texas (15,038) previously hit the staggering mark that has now been surpassed by Illinois.