79k is on the high edge of the preliminary numbers for that flu season. It’s more likely closer to about 60k (which is still extraordinarily high for a flu season). We should have finalized numbers within the next few months.
The internal White House estimates are for around 135k deaths from COVID-19, so if that holds, we’ll have to see this slowing trend continue to stop at that number.
I think one day does not make a trend. we need to wait for another week to see the trend.
135K is a lot