WASHINGTON – Average daily cases and deaths from COVID-19 are spiking nationwide, as hospitals struggle under the weight of it all.

Federal government officials announced a contract with Regeneron Tuesday for 1.4 million additional doses of the company’s monoclonal antibody treatment.

The treatment is in such high demand, last month another company that also makes a monoclonal antibody treatment reported a global shortage of their drug.

So the push for prevention through vaccines persists, and boosters could be next.

But the FDA has to take into account dueling data on the issue when it meets Friday.

All set against the backdrop of political friction on the matter.