Biden will speak to America about surging in COVID-19 ahead of Thanksgiving Day

His remarks come as COVID-19 cases are surging nationwide, with the nation averaging 165,000 new virus cases per day as of Tuesday, up more than 70% in two weeks, according to figures compiled by Johns Hopkins University.

Hospitalizations, deaths and the testing positivity rate are also up sharply as the nation approaches Thanksgiving, and public health experts have warned that the large family gatherings expected for the holiday are likely to extend and exacerbate the surge.

On Tuesday, the country recorded nearly 2,100 deaths, which is the highest daily death toll since May 6, according to data analyzed by The Washington Post.

Biden has put emphasis on prioritizing curbing the viruses impact once he takes office in January. Over the last several months, he has made several public remarks urging Americans to embrace mask-wearing and social distancing guidelines to combat the spread. The Democratic president-elect formed a coronavirus advisory board of scientists, doctors and public health experts, and he plans to establish a COVID-19 coordinator in the White House to lead his administration’s response.

As Thanksgiving weekend approaches, the federal government’s top scientists and doctors are urging the American people to limit their celebrations in an effort to stem the spread of the virus.

“A sacrifice now could save lives and illness and make the future much brighter as we get through this,” Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, said in an interview with ABC’s “Good Morning America” on Wednesday.