The number of novel coronavirus cases in the United States topped 7 million — more than 20 per cent of the world's total — as Midwest states reported spikes in Covid-19 infections in September, according to a Reuters tally.

The latest milestone comes just days after the nation surpassed over 200,000 Covid-19 deaths, the world's highest death toll from the virus. Each day, over 700 people die in the United States from Covid-19.

California leads the country with over 800,000 total cases, followed by Texas, Florida and New York.