World News:

On Monday, September 21, here are the latest numbers of COVID-19, according to statistics aggregator Worldometer.

  • Global Cases: Over 31.2 million.
  • Global Deaths: 965,866.

Outside of the US, the nations with the most confirmed cases of COVID-19:

  • India: 5,501,869 confirmed cases; 88,008 deaths.
  • Brazil: 4,544,629 confirmed cases; 136,895 deaths.
  • Russia: 1,109,595 confirmed cases; 19,489 deaths.
  • Peru: 768,895 confirmed cases; 31,369 deaths.
  • Colombia: 765,076 confirmed cases; 24,208 deaths.

Cases in Europe Are Surging, WHO Says

The World Health Organization (WHO) is warning that COVID-19 cases are surging in Europe. “Weekly cases have now exceeded those reported when the pandemic first peaked in Europe in March,” said WHO regional director Hans Kluge said at a Thursday news conference. “Last week, the region’s weekly tally exceeded 300,000 patients.”

National News

Monday, September 21, 2020

  • US Cases: Over 7 million.
  • US Deaths: 204,206.

Updated CDC Guidance, Admits COVID-19 is Airborne

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has updated its guidance to say that COVID-19 is airborne. The CDC says the virus can commonly spread “through respiratory droplets or small particles, such as those in aerosols,” which are produced even when a person breathes.”Airborne viruses, including COVID-19, are among the most contagious and easily spread,” the CDC now says.  Previously, the CDC maintained that virus was spread  mainly between people in close contact — about 6 feet — and “through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs, sneezes or talks.”

Bill Gates Says Pandemic Won’t End Until 2022 – At the Earliest

Bill Gates said that although he expects a COVID-19 vaccine to receive approval by early next year, and for the US to begin returning to normalcy by summer 2021, that the pandemic likely won’t end until 2022. “The end of the epidemic, best case, is probably 2022. But during 2021, the numbers, we should be able to drive them down, if we take the global approach, ” Gates said on Fox News Sunday. “So, you know, thank goodness vaccine technology was there, that the funding came up, that the companies put their best people on it. That’s why I’m optimistic this won’t last indefinitely.”

An “Unmistakable” Rise in US Infections, Says FDA

The former commissioner of the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) says there is an “unmistakable” spike in COVID-19 infections in the US. “Well, I think we have at least one more cycle with this virus heading into the fall and winter,” Gottlieb said. “If you look what’s happening around the country right now, there’s an unmistakable spike in new infections.”

Friday, September 18, 2020

  • US Cases: Over 6.8 million.
  • US Deaths: 202,379.

US States with the most number of cases:

  • California: 775,537 confirmed cases; 14,812 deaths.
  • Texas: 713,830 confirmed cases; 14,958 deaths.
  • Florida: 674,456 confirmed cases; 13,086 deaths.
  • New York: 481,569 confirmed cases; 33,163 deaths.
  • Georgia: 300,903 confirmed cases; 6,474 deaths.

Cases are Going Up in the US

US cases are once again on the rise after seeing a decline following an early summer surge. New daily cases average about 39,700 over the past week – a 13% increase from the week before, according to data collated by Johns Hopkins. This is especially troubling considering flu season is fast approaching.What’s more, a CDC ensemble forecast now predicts 218,000 deaths in the US by October 10.

Thursday, September 17, 2020

Enough Patients Have to Take COVID-19 for it be Effective, Says Fauci

If too few Americans elect to take an eventual COVID-19 vaccine, it wouldn’t help mitigate the virus’ spread, says Dr. Anthony Fauci. “It’s a combination of how effective a vaccine is and how many people use it,” Fauci said. “If you have a vaccine that is highly effective and not enough people get vaccinated, you’re not going to realize the full, important effect of having a vaccine.”

Virtual Attendance is Low in Baltimore

Baltimore public schools are struggling with school attendance so far, according to Schools CEO Sonja Santelises said Wednesday in an interview with non-affiliate WYPR Baltimore Public Radio. “Official attendance is about 80%, but what we do know is that a lot of the attendance data is dependent on what teachers were actually able to submit,” Santelises told host WYPR Sheliah Kast. “We know that our first week daily average of logins — in terms of, you know,​ students logging in daily, meaning no interruption or anything like that — is at 65%”

NYC Delays in-Person Learning For Many Students

New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio delayed in-person school for K-5 and K-8 schools until September 29, per a CNN report. Pre-K and 3-K schools will open as planned on September 21.

Wednesday, September 16, 2020

US Death Toll Reaches 200,000

The United States, long the epicenter for the novel coronavirus, has hit another grim milestone. There are over 200,000 confirmed deaths from COVID-19 in the US, according to Worldometer. The US has over 6.7 million confirmed infections, which also leads the world.

The US states with the most confirmed cases are:

  • California: 768,601 confirmed cases; 14,615 deaths.
  • Texas: 704,813 confirmed cases; 14,730 deaths.
  • Florida: 668,846 confirmed cases; 12,788 deaths.
  • New York: 479,184 confirmed cases; 33,141 deaths.
  • Georgia: 296,833 confirmed cases; 6,398 deaths.

COVID-19 May Have Circulated in US as Early as December, UCLA Study Finds

The SARS-CoV-2 virus may have arrived and spread in the US as early as December, according to researchers from UCLA – about a month early than previously believed by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The study, which appeared last week in the Journal of Medical Internet Research, found a statistically significant spike in clinic and hospital visits from patients who reported respiratory illness as early as the week of December 22.

New York COVID-19 Infection Rate Back Under 1%

The COVID-19 infection rate in New York is back down after briefly climbing above 1%. According to New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, there 652 positive cases of COVID-19 across the state on Wednesday, which translates to a .87% infection rate.

Tuesday, September 15, 2020

Bill Gates Slams FDA

Philanthropist and former head of Microsoft Bill Gates said in an interview with Bloomberg Television that the US Food and Drug Administration has lost credibility since the COVID-19 pandemic. “We saw with the completely bungled plasma statements that when you start pressuring people to say optimistic things, they go completely off the rails. The FDA lost a lot of credibility there,” Gates told Bloomberg’s Erik Schatzker, as reported by CNN. “Historically, just like the CDC was viewed as the best in the world, the FDA had that same reputation as a top-notch regulator,” Gates said. “But there’s been some cracks with some of the things they’ve said at the commissioner level.”

National Mask Mandate Won’t Work, Says Fauci

Dr. Anthony Fauci believes that a national mask mandate  “probably would not work.” “There is such a degree of variability of accepting mandates throughout the country, Fauci said, via a CNN report.

Monday, September 14, 2020

  • US Cases: Over 6.7 million.
  • US Deaths: 198,642.

Influential Model Predicts Deadly Winter

An influential model is now predicting a devastating winter with a significant rise in US deaths. One possible scenario sees 415,000 COVID-19 deaths by January, according to the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME) at the University of Washington. The very worst case scenario projects 600,000 deaths by January 1. “When we look ahead into the winter with seasonality kicking in, people becoming clearly less vigilant, you know mask use is down, mobility is up in the nation, you put all those together and we look like we’re going to have a very deadly December ahead of us in terms of toll of coronavirus,” IHME director Dr. Christopher Murray told CNN.

NFL Executive Warns Teams to Follow Safety Protocols

The NFL season started on Sunday, and already safety protocols have been ignored. Several coaches were seen not abiding by the rules by neglecting to wear face coverings during Week 1 games. As a result, Troy Vincent, vice president of football operations sent a memo to all teams on Monday admonishing all coaching personnel to wear masks at all times. Per CNN, Vincent wrote, Vincent wrote, “…we must remain vigilant and disciplined in following the processes and protocols put in place by not only the league, union and clubs, but also by state and local governments. The NFL-NFLPA Game Day Protocol, which reflects the advice of infectious disease experts, club medical staffs and local and state governmental regulations requires all individuals with bench area access (including coaches and members of the club medical staff) to wear face coverings at all times. Failure to adhere to this requirement will result in accountability measures being imposed against offending individuals and/or clubs.”

Friday, September 11, 2020

  • US Cases: Over 6.5 million.
  • US Deaths: 196,454.

CDC Projects 217,000 US Deaths by October

An ensemble forecast by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention now predicts 217,000 fatalities in the US from COVID-19 by October 3. Of course, these projections might turn out much lower with nation-wide mask wearing and adherence to other safety protocols.

Fauci Warns Americans to ‘Hunker Down’ During Winter

“We need to hunker down and get through this fall and winter because it’s not going to be easy,” says Dr. Anthony Fauci on COVID-19. “I keep looking at that curve and I get more depressed and more depressed about the fact that we never really get down to the baseline that I’d like,” he said.

Thursday, September 10, 2020

Trump Knew How Deadly COVID-19 is in February

President Donald Trump admitted he knew how virulent and deadly COVID-19 is weeks before the first confirmed US death, as confirmed by audio recorded by legendary journalist Bob Woodward in his new book, “Rage.”

In the recording, President Trump confirmed that he knew the virus was dangerous, airborne, and highly contagious, and  “more deadly than even your strenuous flus.” Trump, however, claims that he concealed this knowledge from the public to prevent a panic. “I wanted to always play it down,” Trump told Woodward on March 19, even as he had declared a national emergency over the virus days earlier. “I still like playing it down, because I don’t want to create a panic.”

This is significant, considering new research shows that at least 36,000 lives could have been prevented if the United States had started social distancing weeks earlier.

Young Elementary School Teacher Dies Just Three Days COVID-19 Diagnosis

An elementary school teacher in South Carolina is dead from COVID-19 just a week into the school year. The woman, Demetria Bannister, was diagnosed with the SARS-CoV-2 virus on Friday and succumbed to the disease on Monday. She was only 28.

Wednesday, September 9, 2020

  • US Cases: 6.5 million cases.
  • US Deaths: 194,405.

Study Shows Over 20% of Young Adults in US Hospitalized with COVID-19 Require Intensive Care

A new study published JAMA Internal Medicine shows that one in five young adults hospitalized for COVID-19 requires intensive care, and 2.7% of them die. The study comprised over 3,200 COVID-19 patients between the ages of 18 and 34 who were treated at 419 US hospitals. The researchers observed that about 21% of these patients ended up in intensive care, and 10% needed a ventilator for breathing. Moreover, the study showed that 57% of these hospitalized patients were Black and Hispanic, which underscores the fact that COVID-19 disproportionately affects communities of color.

Tuesday, September 8, 2020

Many US Students Return to School Today

Many schools across the US are going back today – some in-person, but most virtually. In total, 16 of the nation’s largest 1001 districts began the school year today. Of the 16, 14 are starting the year with 100% virtual learning.

Friday, September 4, 2020

  • US Cases: Over 6.3 Million.
  • US Deaths: 191,192.

Key Model Projects Over 400,000 US Deaths by January

More than 410,000 people in the US may die from COVID-19 by January 1, according to University of Washington’s Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation, which is often cited by top health officials. However, the model projects that near universal mask use would cut that number by more than half.

Thursday, September 3, 2020

  • US Cases: Over 6.3 million.
  • US Deaths: 190,338.

CDC Tells States to Prepare to Distribute COVID-19 Vaccines by as Soon as October

Wednesday, September 2, 2020

US Death Toll Nears 190,000; Iowa Has Highest Infection Rate

As of Wednesday, September 2, there are now over 6.2 million confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the United States, and the death toll nears 190,000 (currently at 189,251). Although US cases and deaths have been steadily declining, the country is far from out of the woods. For example, A White House coronavirus task force says that Iowa is now defined as a “red zone” and warns that the state has the highest COVID-19 infection rate in the country – Iowa reported a case increase of over 77% from the previous week.

Overall, the US states with the most confirmed cases of COVID-19 are:

  • California: 716,986 confirmed cases; 13,171 deaths.
  • Texas: 647,688 confirmed cases; 13,061 deaths.
  • Florida: 633,442 confirmed cases; 11,503 deaths.
  • New York: 467,448 confirmed cases; 33,039 deaths.
  • Georgia: 272,697 confirmed cases; 5,733 deaths.

US Won’t Join WHO Led Vaccine Effort

The US won’t participate in an global effort to develop and distribute a COVID-19 vaccine because the initiated is tied to the World Health Organization (WHO), the White House Said, per a CNN report.”The United States will continue to engage our international partners to ensure we defeat this virus, but we will not be constrained by multilateral organizations influenced by the corrupt World Health Organization and China,” White House spokesperson Judd Deere said in a statement. “This President will spare no expense to ensure that any new vaccine maintains our own FDA’s gold standard for safety and efficacy, is thoroughly tested, and saves lives.”

Common Steroids Reduce Deaths Among Critically ill Coronavirus Patients

A study which appeared in JAMA shows that common, affordable steroids attenuate deaths among critically ill COVID-19 patients. “The bottom line is that these are the sickest patients who are being treated with corticosteroids in these trials and mortality is very high, it’s about 40% in the absence of treatment with corticosteroids,” said Jonathan A. C. Sterne of the University of Bristol, an author of one of the papers published Wednesday. “The treatment with corticosteroids reduces mortality of 40% to 32%, that’s a 20% relative reduction, or if you like to a better way to think about it, an easier way to think about, it is that out of every hundred patients treated with corticosteroids, eight additional patients do not die.”

Tuesday, September 1, 2020

On September 1, there are now 6.2 million confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the US, and over 187,000 deaths – both figures lead the world by a wide margin.

The US states with the most confirmed infections are:

  • California: 712,351 confirmed cases; 13,020 deaths.
  • Texas: 642,721 confirmed cases; 12,908 deaths.
  • Florida: 623,471 confirmed cases; 11,189 deaths.
  • New York: 466,118 confirmed cases; 33,030 deaths.
  • Georgia: 270,471 confirmed cases; 5,632 deaths.

AstraZeneca’s COVID-19 Vaccine Begins Phase Three Trials

Drug manufacturer AstraZeneca said Monday it started Phase 3 trials of its experimental COVID-19 vaccine, becoming the third company to start late-stage testing. AstraZeneca said it is “recruiting up to 30,000 adults aged 18 years or over from diverse racial, ethnic and geographic groups who are healthy or have stable underlying medical conditions, including those living with HIV, and who are at increased risk of infection from the SARS-CoV-2 virus.”

FDA Commissioner on COVID-19 Vaccine

US Food and Drug Administration Dr. Stephen Hahn said last week that a vaccine could be made available through an emergency use authorization before the November election. However, Dr. Hahn said that “all options are on the table” in response to being asked would he resign if pressured to release a vaccine before he feels one is ready.

Monday, August 30, 2020

In the United States, there are over 6.1 million confirmed infections of COVID-19 and over 187,000 deaths to close out the month of August, Worldometer reports.

The US states with the most confirmed cases of COVID-19 are:

  • California: 705,866 confirmed cases; 12,938 deaths.
  • Texas: 638,947 confirmed cases; 12,855 deaths.
  • Florida: 623,471 confirmed cases; 11,189 deaths.
  • New York: 465,375 confirmed cases; 33,021 deaths.
  • Georgia: 268,973 confirmed cases; 5,604 deaths.

FDA May Approve Vaccine Before Phase Three Testing Completes

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is willing to provide “emergency use authorization” for a COVID-19 vaccine before clinical trials are completed, said FDA Commissioner Stephen Hahn. Former FDA chief Scott Gottlieb said Sunday on CBS’ “Face the Nation” that the authorization could allow use of the vaccine for high-risk populations. “Full approval for the general population, where people can go to CVS and get a shot, that’s really a 2021 event,” Gottlieb said. “Maybe the first quarter of 2021, probably more likely the first half.”

New Jersey Reopens Indoor Dining and Movie Theaters

New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy announced restaurants in New Jersey can resume indoor dining beginning this Friday. Indoor dinning will only be permitted at 25% capacity and patrons must comply with safety protocols such as mask wearing and social distancing.

Dozens of Students Suspending for Sparking Outbreak at NY College

A large party has been is suspected of spreading a COVID-19 outbreak at New York’s SUNY Oneonta, which resulted in the closing of in-person classes for at least two weeks. “Socializing is great, but we have to do this differently. We have to control this virus. And I’m going to keep reinforcing that but also enforcing discipline because we can’t have this get out of control across the state,” said chancellor Jim Malatras, in a CNN interview.

Friday, August 28, 2020

US Death Toll Reaches 185,000; CDC Projects 200,000 Deaths by Sept 19.

The coronavirus death toll in the United States now sits over 185,000. Overall, there are over 6 million confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the US, although national numbers are down following a devastating surge earlier this summer. However, US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) ensemble forecast now projects 200,000 COVID-19 deaths by September 19.

The US states with the most confirmed cases of COVID-19 remains:

  • California: 692,805 confirmed cases; 12,695 deaths.
  • Texas: 626,131 confirmed cases; 12,499 deaths.
  • Florida: 615,806 confirmed cases; 10,962 deaths.
  • New York: 463,195 confirmed cases; 10,962 deaths.

Thursday, August 27, 2020

US Has Over 6 Million Confirmed Infections; Deaths Dropping in Florida

The United States now has over 6 million confirmed cases of COVID-19 with the virus having killed over 183,000 people across the nation. The good news is that cases appearing to be declining in many states that got hit hard during the summer – and one of those states is Florida. The Sunshine State reported 3,269 new cases of COVID-19 on Thursday, according to the Florida Department of Health (FL DOH) – marking the third consecutive day the state reported a decline in fatalities.

Overall, the US states with the most number of COVID-19 cases remains:

  • California: 687,500 confirmed cases; 12,551 deaths.
  • Texas: 621,673 confirmed cases; 12,278 deaths.
  • Florida: 611,991 confirmed cases; 10,870 deaths.
  • New York: 462,294 confirmed cases; 32,987 deaths.
  • Georgia: 260,590 confirmed cases; 5,311 deaths.

Top Official Says Trump Administration Pressured CDC to Change Testing Guidance

A federal health official said the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) was pressured by the upper ranks of the Trump administration to change federal guidelines on COVID-19 testing, per a CNN report. Moreover, Dr. Anthony Fauci said he was in surgery and had no parts of discussing the new directive, which raises the bar on who should get tested, advising that testing isn’t necessary for some asymptomatic individuals. “I was under general anesthesia in the operating room and was not part of any discussion or deliberation regarding the new testing recommendations,” Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, told CNN Chief Medical Correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta.

“I am concerned about the interpretation of these recommendations and worried it will give people the incorrect assumption that asymptomatic spread is not of great concern. In fact it is,” Dr. Fauci added.

Wednesday, August 26, 2020

US Cases Down, but ‘Rolling Hotspots’ the May Be New Reality

The good news is that COVID-19 cases in the United States appear to be dropping. The bad news? We might be facing a new reality of “rolling hotspots,” in other words, one state may have the virus under control, while the other experiences a spike. “You just basically are going to see these rolling hotspots, I predict, throughout the country as people have more or less controls in place because the virus has established itself in population,” says Adalja. “I think this will be the new normal.”

Overall, the US states with the most number of COVID-19 cases are:

  • California: 682,365 confirmed cases; 12,419 deaths.
  • Texas: 615,620 confirmed cases; 12,077 deaths.
  • Florida: 608,722 confirmed cases; 10,735 deaths.
  • New York: 461,618 confirmed cases; 32,980 deaths.
  • Georgia: 258,354 confirmed cases; 5,262 deaths.

CDC Changes Guidelines on Asymptomatic Testing

Today the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) changed its COVID-19 testing guidelines to say some people without symptoms may not need to undergo testing, even if they’ve been exposed to somebody with the novel coronavirus. Previously, the CDC had recommended testing for people with recent or suspected exposure to the virus.

Tuesday, August 25, 2020

US Cases Declining, but Troubling Signs Across US Heartland

Although COVID-19 cases appearing to be down in the United States, some officials across the nation’s heartland reported worrisome trends last week, CNN reported. In Kansas, according to Governor Laura Kelly, the infection rate “continues an alarming trend in the wrong direction.” While in Kentucky, Gov. Andy Beshear warned cases could spike again, after the state reported more deaths last than “in any other week battling the virus.”

Overall, the US states with the most confirmed cases of COVID-19 are:

  • California: 676,300 confirmed cases; 12,261 deaths.
  • Texas: 608,817 confirmed cases; 11,871 deaths.
  • Florida: 605,502 confirmed cases; 10,580 deaths.
  • New York: 460,991 confirmed cases; 32,972 deaths.
  • Georgia: 256,253 confirmed cases; 5,156 deaths.

American Airlines to Cut 19,000 Jobs in October

American Airlines will layoff 19,000 employees in October once federal aid that protected those jobs expires, the company said on Tuesday. The company is currently prohibited from cutting jobs through September 30 under the terms of a $25 billion federal aid package set aside for carriers to endure the pandemic. “We have come to you many times throughout the pandemic, often with sobering updates on a world none of us could have imagined,” wrote American Airlines CEO Doug Parker and its president, Robert Isom, in a staff note announcing the cuts. “Today is the hardest message we have had to share so far – the announcement of involuntary staffing reductions effective Oct. 1.”

Iowa State University Reports 130 COVID-19 Cases

Iowa State University announced it has 130 reported cases of the novel coronavirus on campus following the first week of class. The university tested 957 students, faculty, and staff between Aug. 17 and Aug. 23, meaning the school has a positivity rate of 13.6%. “We are monitoring the data closely to quickly identify and address trends,” Kristen Obbink, the school’s Covid-19 public health coordinator, said in the statement.

Monday, August 24, 2020

US Death Toll Hits 180,000, but Cases are Declining in Many States

On Monday, August 24, there are over 5.8 million confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the United States, and the country has hit yet another grim milestone by exceeding 180,000 deaths. However, encouragingly new cases appear to be declining in much of the country, with 25 states reporting fewer cases in the past week compared to the previous week. Also, while 11 states are reporting an increase in new cases, no state has reported more than a 50% jump.

The US states with the most confirmed cases of COVID-19 are:

  • California: 670,055 confirmed cases; 12,152 deaths.
  • Texas: 604,303 confirmed cases; 11,812 deaths.
  • Florida: 602,829 confirmed cases; 10,399 deaths.
  • New York: 460,460 confirmed cases; 32,967 deaths.
  • Georgia: 253,949 confirmed cases; 5,132 deaths.

FDA Announces Emergency Authorization for Convalescent Plasma to Treat COVID-19

On Sunday, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued an emergency use authorization for convalescent plasma to treat the novel coronavirus, CNN reported. “Today I am pleased to make a truly historic announcement in our battle against the China virus that will save countless lives,” President Donald Trump said at a White House briefing, referring to the coronavirus that causes Covid-19. “Today’s action will dramatically increase access to this treatment.”

Biden Willing to Shut Down US Again if Scientists Recommend It

Presidential Hopeful Joe Biden said that if elected he will not hesitate to shut down the country again to stop the spread of COVID-19 if scientists recommended it. “I would shut it down; I would listen to the scientists,” Mr Biden told ABC, when asked how he would respond if experts recommended it.

NY to Set Up COVID-19 Testing at Airports

New York Governor Andrew Cuomo announced today that the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey and NY Health and Hospitals Will Set Up COVID-19 testing sites at JFK and LaGuardia airports in NYC for all income passengers. Also, Gov. Cuomo reported that NY’s infection rate is 0.66%, the lowest the state has been at since the pandemic began. Cuomo said, “It is a great day.”

Friday, August 21, 2020

CDC Now Predicts 195,000 Deaths by September

An ensemble group from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) now projects 195,000 people in the US will die from COVID-19 by September 12. Of course, these projects can be reduced with increased safety protocols in the way of mask wearing and social distancing.

The US states with the most confirmed cases of COVID-19 are:

  • California: 653,469 confirmed cases; 11,834 deaths.
  • Florida: 593,286 confirmed cases; 10,172 deaths.
  • Texas: 590,638 confirmed cases; 10,721 deaths.
  • New York: 458,881 confirmed cases; 16,049 deaths.
  • Georgia: 246,741 confirmed cases; 4,904 deaths.

White House Declares Teachers as “Essential Workers”

On Friday the White House formally declared US teachers as essential workers in an effort to encourage schools to reopen for in-person learning.

Thursday, August 20, 2020

US Death Toll Hits 176,000; Cases Declining, Says Top Official

The United States now sits at over 5.7 million confirmed cases and 176,000 confirmed cases of COVID-19, as of August 20. However, there’s positive news – US trends are “going in the right direction” according to a top US official. Adm. Brett Giroir, the Trump administration physician overseeing US coronavirus testing, said Wednesday during a telebriefing that US cases are in declining. He attributed the decline, in part, to mask wearing and social distancing.

The states with the most confirmed cases of COVID-19 remain:

  • California: 647,391 confirmed cases; 11,692 deaths.
  • Florida: 588,602 confirmed cases; 10,052 deaths.
  • Texas: 585,454 confirmed cases; 10,517 deaths.
  • New York: 457,600 confirmed cases; 32,937 deaths.
  • Georgia: 243,982 confirmed cases; 4,849 deaths.

These Colleges and Universities are Reporting Cases

Per a CNN report, at least 15 states are reporting positive cases of COVID-19. They include.

  • Colorado: Colorado College
  • Connecticut: University of Connecticut
  • Georgia: University of Georgia
  • Indiana: University of Notre Dame
  • Iowa: Iowa State University
  • Kansas: 5 clusters at unnamed colleges
  • Kentucky: University of Kentucky and Western Kentucky University
  • Massachusetts: Boston University and Emerson College
  • Mississippi Northeast Mississippi Community College and University of Mississippi
  • North Carolina: East Carolina University, North Carolina State University and University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
  • Oklahoma: Oklahoma State University and University of Oklahoma
  • Pennsylvania: Temple University
  • Tennessee: University of Tennessee
  • Virginia: Virginia Tech
  • West Virginia: West Virginia State University

Wednesday, August 19, 2020

US Death Toll Hits 175,000

The United States also hit a grim milestone on Wednesday with other 175,000 deaths. In total, the US has over 5.6 confirmed cases of COVID-19, although the of infection nationwide has declined following a summertime surge.

The states with the most confirmed cases of COVID-19 are:

  • California: 640,722 confirmed cases; 11,537 deaths.
  • Florida: 584,047 confirmed cases; 9,933 deaths.
  • Texas: 579,489 confirmed cases; 10,298 deaths.
  • New York: 456,836 confirmed cases; 32,932 deaths.
  • Georgia: 241,677 confirmed cases; 4,794 deaths.

Fauci Doesn’t Think Government Will Mandate Coronavirus Vaccines

Dr. Anthony Fauci said this week that he doesn’t see the US mandating a COVID-19 vaccine. “I don’t think you’ll ever see a mandating of vaccine particularly for the general public,” Fauci said during a livestreamed interview with Healthline, per The Hill.

Tuesday, August 18, 2020

US Death Toll At 174,000

On Tuesday, August 18, the US death toll has surpassed 174,000 deaths. In total, there are over 5.6 million confirmed cases of COVID-19.

The states with the most confirmed infections are:

  • California: 635,070 confirmed cases; 11,343 deaths.
  • Florida: 579,932 confirmed cases; 9,759 deaths.
  • Texas: 571,617 confirmed cases; 10,120 deaths.
  • New York: 456,118 confirmed cases; 32,920 deaths.
  • Georgia: 238,861 confirmed cases; 4,727 deaths.

University of North Carolina Shifts to Remote Learning Following Coronavirus Outbreak

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill announced that it will shift to remote learning for all undergraduate students starting Wednesday after 177 students had been isolated following COVID-19 testing, and another 349 students were in quarantine because of possible virus exposure, the New York Times reported.

Monday, August 17, 2020

US Death Now Exceeds 173,000

The US Death toll from COVID-19 now stands at over 173,000, according to statistics aggregator Worldometer. There are over 5.5 million confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus on US soil.

The US states with the most confirmed COVID-19 cases are:

  • California: 628,145 confirmed cases; 11,246 deaths.
  • Florida: 573,416 confirmed cases; 9,458 deaths.
  • Texas: 559,810 confirmed cases; 10,003 deaths.
  • New York: 455,598 confirmed cases; 32,910 deaths.
  • Georgia: 237,030 confirmed cases; 4,702 deaths.

Yale Develops Rapid Detection Saliva-Based Test

Following months of testing shortages – a solution may have arrived. Researchers from the Yale School of Public Health have designed the SalivaDirect test, which received emergency use authorization from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on Saturday. “The SalivaDirect test for rapid detection of SARS-CoV-2 [the novel coronavirus] is yet another testing innovation game changer that will reduce the demand for scarce testing resources,” said Adm. Brett Giroir, the US official in charge of Covid-19 testing efforts.

US Hits Another Grim Milestone; Death Toll Could Reach Almost 190,000 by September

The US death toll is now at over 170,000, according to Worldometer. In total, there are over 5.4 million confirmed infections of COVID-19 across the country. What’s more, an ensemble forecast by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention now predicts almost 190,000 deaths in the US by September 5. “State- and territory-level ensemble forecasts predict that the number of reported new deaths per week may increase over the next four weeks in Colorado and may decrease in Arizona, the Northern Mariana Islands, Vermont, and Wyoming,” the CDC said on its forecasting website.

Fauci Says Attempting Herd Immunity Would Lead to Massive Death Toll

Dr. Anthony Fauci says if the US allows COVID-19 to run rampant to achieve herd immunity, the death toll would massively spike.”If everyone contracted it, even with the relatively high percentage of people without symptoms … a lot of people are going to die,” Fauci said. “You look at the United States of America with our epidemic of obesity as it were. With the number of people with hypertension. With the number of people with diabetes. If everyone got infected, the death toll would be enormous and totally unacceptable,” he said.

Thursday, August 13, 2020

US Death Toll Verges on 170,000

Here are the coronavirus numbers in the United States as of Thursday, August 13. There are now over 5.3 million confirmed infections of COVID-19 and close to 170,000 deaths (169,284 as this article goes to publish).

Overall, the states with the most confirmed infections:

  • California: 594,808 confirmed cases; 10,813 deaths.
  • Florida: 550,901 confirmed cases; 8,770 deaths.
  • Texas: 532,985 confirmed cases; 9,229 deaths.
  • New York: 452,509 confirmed cases; 32,874 deaths.
  • Georgia: 226,153 confirmed cases; 4,456 deaths.

CDC Director Issues Dire Warning for Fall if Safety Protocols Not Followed

Dr. Robert Redfield, director of the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, is imploring Americans. “For your country right now and for the war that we’re in against Covid, I’m asking you to do four simple things: wear a mask, social distance, wash your hands and be smart about crowds.” Without following the recommendations, this could be “the worst fall, from a public health perspective, we’ve ever had,” he said. In addition to taking measures to combat the pandemic, people should also get a flu vaccine. “By getting vaccinated, you can protect your children,” he said. “When we look at the mortality that we see with flu, one thing is for certain. The kids that get vaccinated, they basically get protected against death.”

Trump Says Government Sending 125 Million COVID-19 Masks to Schools

President Donald Trump said that the US Government is sending 125 million reusable face masks to school districts across the US, in an effort to promote in-person learning. “We have to open up our schools and open up our businesses,” Trump said during a White House press conference on the coronavirus, adding that all school districts should be making plans for how to resume in-person education for students “as soon as possible.”

Wednesday, August 12, 2020

US Death Toll Over 168,000; Numbers Declining

Although COVID-19 considers to hit the US South, Midwest, and West hard, numbers have started to decline following a summer surge. Nationally, over the last week new cases of coronavirus are down 11% from the prior week.

The US states with the most confirmed cases of COVID-19 are:

  • California: 586,705 confirmed cases; 10,656 deaths.
  • Florida: 550,901 confirmed cases; 8,765 deaths.
  • Texas: 526,680 confirmed cases; 9,004 deaths.
  • New York: 451,736 confirmed cases; 32,857 deaths.
  • Georgia: 222,588 confirmed cases; 4,351 deaths.

US Government Reaches Vaccine Deal with Moderna

Moderna Inc. inked a $1.5 billion deal with the US Government this week to produce 100 million doses of its experimental COVID-19 vaccine. As part of the deal, the vaccine would be owned by the US government and distributed as part of the COVID-19 vaccine campaign. Overall, there are 28 COVID-19 vaccines in human trials, according to the World Health Organization. “In creating a vaccine portfolio for Operation Warp Speed, the Trump Administration is increasing the likelihood that the United States will have at least one safe, effective vaccine by 2021,” HHS Secretary Alex Azar said in Tuesday’s news release. “Today’s investment represents the next step in supporting this vaccine candidate all the way from early development by Moderna and the National Institutes of Health, through clinical trials, and now large-scale manufacturing, with the potential to bring hundreds of millions of safe and effective doses to the American people.”

Tuesday, August 11, 2020

US Death Toll Exceeds 166,000

As of Tuesday, August 11, there over 5.2 million confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the United States and the death toll increased to 166,000.

The US states with the most confirmed cases are:

  • California: 574,240 confirmed cases; 10,476 deaths.
  • Florida: 542,792 confirmed cases; 8,553 deaths.
  • Texas: 518,704 confirmed cases; 8,731 deaths.
  • New York: 451,025 confirmed cases; 32,847 deaths.
  • Georgia: 219,025 confirmed cases; 4,229 deaths.

90% Uptick in Children Infections

There has been a 90% spike in the number of COVID-19 cases among children in the US, according to a new analysis by the American Academy of Pediatrics and Children’s Hospital Association.Dr. Sean O’Leary, vice-chair of the American Academy of Pediatrics Committee on Infectious Diseases, told CNN’s Anderson Cooper on Monday that coronavirus cases in children should be taken seriously.”It’s not fair to say that this virus is completely benign in children,” said O’Leary. “We’ve had 90 deaths in children in the US already, in just a few months. Every year we worry about influenza in children, and there are roughly around 100 deaths in children from influenza every year.”

Monday, August 10, 2020

US Death Toll Over 165,000

On Monday, August 10, the United States death toll from COVID-19 currently sits at over 165,000 – last week an influential model predicted the US could see almost 300,000 deaths by December. In total, there are currently 5.2 million cases of COVID-19 on American soil.

The US states with the most confirmed infections are:

  • California: 563,021 confirmed cases; 10,380 deaths.
  • Florida: 536,961 confirmed cases; 8,277 deaths.
  • Texas: 510,101 confirmed cases; 8,613 deaths.
  • New York: 450,432 confirmed cases; 32,840 deaths.
  • Georgia: 216,596 confirmed cases; 4,199 deaths.

President Trump Signs Series of Executive Actions Following Stimulus Talks Break Down

Following a break down in stimulus bill negotiations, President Donald Trump signed four actions for COVID-19 relief this weekend, one which will provide up to $400 extra in unemployment benefits. “I’m taking action to provide an additional or extra $400 a week and expanded benefits, $400. That’s generous but we want to take care of our people,” Trump said about his memorandum on unemployment, per a CNN report.

More Than 97,000 Children Test Positive for Coronavirus in Last Two Weeks of July

A report, published by the American Academy of Pediatrics and the Children’s Hospital Association shows that more than 97,000 children in the US tested positive for COVID-19 in the last two weeks of July. Overall, there was a 40% increase in child cases across the cities and states they studied.

Good News in Florida

Florida reported 4,155 new cases of COVID-19 on Minday – the lowest daily increase since June. The state also reported an additional 91 deaths on Monday.

Friday, August 7, 2020

Over 5 Million US Cases; Influential Model Projects 300,000 Deaths by December

As of Friday, August 7, there are now over 5 million confirmed infections of the novel coronavirus in the United States, with the virus having now killed over 163,000 Americans. That number is high enough, and now, it’s expected to grow appreciably by end of year. An influential model now predicts that the US death toll could hit 300,000 by December 1. However, 70,000 lives could be saved if Americans simply don masks. “This virus Is not just going to disappear or vanish,” said Dr. William Schaffner of Vanderbilt University told CNN. “The virus is with us, and we’re going to have to combat it, and the simple thing that we can all do is wear a mask. Please, everyone, wear your mask every day.”

The US states with the most number of confirmed cases are:

  • California: 541,494 confirmed cases; 10,028 deaths.
  • Florida: 510,389 confirmed cases; 7,747 deaths.
  • Texas: 489,731 confirmed cases; 8,116 deaths.
  • New York: 448,168 confirmed cases; 32,817 deaths.
  • Georgia: 204,895 confirmed cases; 4,026 deaths.

Gov. Cuomo Allows Nation’s Largest School District to Reopen

New York Governor Andrew Cuomo approved the reopening of New York’s 750 school districts for in-person learning this fall – but Gov. Cuomo says ultimately, the decision is up to the parents. “Parents have to be included and believe the plan makes sense. Teachers have to be included and believe the plan makes sense. They are the ultimate determination,” Cuomo said this week. “If a teacher doesn’t show up, you can’t open the class. If a parent doesn’t send their child there’s no child to educate.”

Thursday, August 6, 2020

US Infections Verge on 5 Million

As of Thursday, August 6, the United States is about to surpass 5 million confirmed cases (4,991,802 currently), according to Worldometer. The US death toll now stands at over 161,000.

The US states with the most cases of COVID-19 are:

  • California: 532,745 confirmed cases; 9,872 deaths.
  • Florida: 510,389 confirmed cases; 7,747 deaths.
  • Texas: 482,101 confirmed cases; 7,880 deaths.
  • New York: 447,379 confirmed cases; 32,811 deaths.
  • Georgia: 201,713 confirmed cases; 3,984 deaths.

Fauci Hopes to Mitigate the Threat of COVID-19

Dr. Anthony Fauci is hoping to control COVID-19 to the point where it’s no longer a pandemic-level threat. “We hope as a pandemic threat, that we are really on the cusp of seeing the end of it – as we do public health measures and a vaccine,” said Dr. Fauci at an Alliance for Health Policy webinar on Thursday.

Wednesday, August 5, 2020

US Hits Another Grim Death Milestone

The United States death toll hit 160,000 today, as the nation faces the wrath of the novel virus, especially in states like California, Florida, and Texas, which now lead the nation in confirmed cases with 527,186 (CA), 502,739 (FL), and 472,691 (FL), respectively.

Outside of the top three, the nation’s with the most confirmed infections are:

  • New York: 446,691 confirmed cases; 32,801 deaths.
  • Georgia: 197,948 confirmed cases; 3,921 deaths.
  • New Jersey: 188,645 confirmed cases; 15,924 deaths.
  • Illinois: 185,993 confirmed cases; 7,742 deaths.
  • Arizona: 182,203 confirmed cases; 3,932 deaths.

Moderna Charge $32 to $37 a Dose for its Vaccine

Moderna will charge between $32 and $37 a dose for its experimental COVID-19 vaccine for “low volume” customers according to its CEO, per The Hill. The company will use a tiered pricing system, and will charge less for higher volume orders.

Stimulus Update

Negotiations for a second stimulus bill are still ongoing, but finally progress is being made, according to a CNN report. Top Democratic and White House negotiators are now reportedly working through disagreements, putting up offers, and making concessions. Both sides now agree that the deal will be completed by end of week.

Tuesday, August 4, 2020

US Death Toll Nears 160,000

As of Tuesday, the United States verges on hitting yet another grim milestone in terms of fatalities – Worldometer reports 159,369 deaths from the novel coronavirus. The US has a world-leading 4.8 million confirmed infections. Cases of COVID-19 are now so widespread that White House coronavirus coordinator Dr. Deborah Birx to state that the country has now entered a “new phase” of the pandemic.

The US states with the most confirmed cases of COVID-19 are:

  • California: 522,030 confirmed cases; 9,507 deaths.
  • Florida: 497,330 confirmed cases; 7,402 deaths.
  • Texas: 461,266 confirmed cases; 7,455 deaths.
  • New York: 445,841 confirmed cases; 32,791 deaths.
  • Georgia: 195,435 confirmed cases; 3,842 deaths.

Florida ICUs Reaching Capacity

At least 45 hospitals in Florida have reached ICU capacity, according to data released by the Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA).

NYC Reports Third Straight Day of No Deaths

On a positive note, New York City saw no COVID-19 deaths for the third consecutive day. New York Governor Andrew Cuomo reported that three people died across the state of New York on Monday.

Monday, August 3, 2020

US Death Toll Nears 160,000; Two More States Surpass NY in Confirmed Cases

On Monday, August 3, there are now 4.8 million confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the United States, and the death toll verges on 160,000 (currently 158,495). Over the weekend both Florida and Texas surpassed New York in confirmed infections with 491,884 and 454,364 cases, respectively. California remains the state with the most confirmed cases at 515,686. Outside of the top 4, the US states with the most number of confirmed coronavirus infections are:

  • Georgia: 193,177 confirmed cases; 3,840 deaths.
  • New Jersey: 188,048 confirmed cases; 15,913 deaths.
  • Illinois: 183,224 confirmed cases; 7,714 deaths.
  • Arizona: 179,497 confirmed cases; 3,779 deaths.
  • North Carolina: 126,532 confirmed cases; 1,999 deaths.

Update on Stimulus Negotiations

Bipartisan agreement on a second coronavirus stimulus package remains far apart. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said they expect to resume discussions on Monday. “We obviously need bipartisan support to get any deal done, the last two deals we got done 96-0 and 100-0. I think it’s pretty fair to say that we’re not going to do that again,” Mnuchin told reporters Sunday, per a CNN report.

The COVID-19 Pandemic: June/July Round-up

The COVID-19 Pandemic: May Round-up

The COVID-19 Pandemic: April Round-up

Credit: Original article published here.