COVID-19 Update: US Cases Declining; Colleges and Universities Reporting Cases; and More

World News:

As of Thursday, August 20, there are now 22.6 million confirmed cases of COVID-19 around the world, and over 793,000 fatalities, according to statistics website Worldometer.

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

• Brazil: 3,460,413 confirmed cases; 111,189 deaths.
• India: 2,900,413 confirmed cases; 54,948 deaths.
• Russia: 942,106 confirmed cases; 16,099 deaths.
• South Africa: 596,060 confirmed cases; 12,423 deaths.
• Peru: 558,420 confirmed cases; 26,834 deaths.

Australia Reaches Deal for Potential Coronavirus Vaccine with AstraZeneca

Australia reached a deal with drug manufacturer AstraZeneca, which is currently developing the vaccine with Oxyford University, to supply its citizens a potential COVID-19 vaccine. “The Oxford vaccine is one of the most advanced and promising in the world, and under this deal we have secured early access for every Australian,” said Prime Minister Scott Morrison in a statement released late Tuesday local time. “If this vaccine proves successful we will manufacture and supply vaccines straight away under our own steam and make it free for 25 million Australians.”

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National News

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.

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.”

As schools reopen NYS is requiring all school districts to:

1) Post their remote learning plans & their testing/tracing plans online

2) Set dates for 3-5 discussion sessions with parents & community (prior to Aug 21)

3) Have at least one separate discussion with teachers alone

— Archive: Governor Andrew Cuomo (@NYGovCuomo) August 7, 2020

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.

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