The COVID summer wave in the U.S. continued this week with nearly 178,000 new cases, along with more than 1,000 new deaths for the third week in a row, according to figures collected by BNO News. Cases however appear to be at or near a peak in most areas. At least 177,573 new cases were reported between August 26 and September 1, up from 174,455 the week before (+2%) and the highest since February. Those figures were collected from state health departments and, where necessary, estimated based on hospital admissions. Actual case numbers are higher because many hospitals and states are no longe…