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Coronavirus news: State reaches 1 month with infection rate below 1%

Cuomo said New York has now seen 31 days with an infection rate under 1%.

ByMorgan Winsor and Emily Shapiro
Last Updated: September 8, 2020, 3:47 AM EDT

A pandemic of the novel coronavirus has now killed more than 890,000 people worldwide.

Over 27.2 million people across the globe have been diagnosed with COVID-19, the disease caused by the new respiratory virus, according to data compiled by the Center for Systems Science and Engineering at Johns Hopkins University. The criteria for diagnosis -- through clinical means or a lab test -- has varied from country-to-country. Still, the actual numbers are believed to be much higher due to testing shortages, many unreported cases and suspicions that some national governments are hiding or downplaying the scope of their outbreaks.

Since the first cases were detected in China in December, the virus has rapidly spread to every continent except Antarctica.

The United States is the worst-affected country, with more than 6.2 million diagnosed cases and at least 189,122 deaths.

California has the most cases of any U.S. state, with more than 740,000 people diagnosed, according to Johns Hopkins data. California is followed by Texas and Florida, with over 658,000 cases and over 648,000 cases respectively.

Nearly 170 vaccine candidates for COVID-19 are being tracked by the World Health Organization, six of which are in crucial phase three trials.

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Here's how the news is developing today. All times Eastern. Please refresh this page for updates.
Sep 07, 2020, 1:22 PM EDT

West Virginia University suspends 29 students, cancels in-person classes for 3 weeks

West Virginia University has canceled in-person classes from Sept. 8 through Sept. 25 due to climbing COVID-19 cases and "increasing evidence that crowded indoor gatherings, such as those that occurred over the weekend, can serve as super-spreader events," the university said.

The university said there are "several reports of parties held this holiday weekend where groups should have been in quarantine."

WVU said it put 29 students on interim suspension on Sunday "amid ongoing COVID-19 investigations."

"The University continues to work aggressively to identify others attending these large off-campus gatherings and will respond swiftly to bring charges against those found violating the Student Code of Conduct," the school said. "WVU is also working with local officials to see what other measures can be implemented for those not following the rules."

WVU intends to resume in-person classes on Sept. 28 "if conditions allow," the school said.

ABC News' Dee Carden contributed to this report.

Sep 07, 2020, 12:47 PM EDT

French Open to allow for spectators at reduced capacity

When the French Open begins on Sept. 21, the Stade Roland Garros in Paris, which can accommodate 20,000 people, will only allow up to 11,500 spectators.

"The French Tennis Federation, with advice from a committee of expert scientists, is acting responsibly and in close collaboration with the French government authorities to draw up a strict protocol that will ensure the health and safety of everyone," said a statement from Roland-Garros 2020.

Last week the World Health Organization warned against holding "amplifying events" and advised that sporting events take place without spectators. The U.S. Open in Flushing, New York, is currently being played without spectators.

ABC News' Christine Theodorou contributed to this report.

Sep 07, 2020, 9:55 AM EDT

New York reaches 1 month with infection rate below 1%

New York state -- once the U.S. epicenter of the pandemic -- has now seen 31 days with an infection rate under 1%, Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced Monday.

People wearing masks walks past The Metropolitan Museum of Art as the city continues Phase 4 of re-opening following restrictions imposed to slow the spread of coronavirus, Sept. 5, 2020.
Erik Pendzich/REX via Shutterstock

On Sunday, .88% of the tests reported to New York state were positive, Cuomo said.

"As we close out this Labor Day Weekend, I urge everyone to remain smart so we can continue to celebrate our progress in the weeks and months ahead," Cuomo said in a statement.

New York state has over 440,000 coronavirus cases. New York ranks No. 4 for the highest number of cases in the U.S., behind California, Texas and Florida.

Sep 07, 2020, 7:55 AM EDT

UK health secretary says rise in cases among 'more affluent, younger people'

The recent rise in COVID-19 cases across the United Kingdom is primarily among "more affluent, younger people" who are not following social distancing rules, Secretary of State for Health and Social Care Matt Hancock said Monday.

"The rise in the number of cases we've seen is concerning because we've seen a rise in cases in France, in Spain and in other countries across Europe," Hancock said during an interview on LBC, a London-based national phone-in and talk radio station. "Nobody wants to see a second wave here."

Commuters walk across London Bridge toward the City of London in the United Kingdom on Sept. 7, 2020.
Adrian Dennis/AFP via Getty Images

Over the weekend, the United Kingdom recorded 2,988 new cases in a 24-hour period – its highest daily caseload since May 22.

"We are seeing problems of social distancing in some cases," Hancock told LBC. "The rise in the number of cases we’ve seen over the last few days is largely amongst younger people … under-25s, especially between 17 and 21 (years old)."

"The problem is that spreading the disease amongst young people then leads to older people getting it," he added.

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