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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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Sep 07, 2020, 4:46 PM EDT

GOP county chair calls on Trump to wear mask at NC rally: 'There is no excuse'

Ahead of President Donald Trump's airport rally in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, on Tuesday, county GOP chair Dave Plyler is calling on the president to wear a mask.

"There is no excuse," Plyler told The Winston-Salem Journal. "He just needs to do it."

"It's been ordered by the governor," Plyler said of state's face-covering edict. "When in Rome, do as the Romans do. When in North Carolina, do as the governor says."

"He [Trump] is a citizen of the United States, but he is also a guest in our county," Plyler said. "Without a mask, he could get sick, and he could blame the governor."

Under North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper's restrictions, people are required to wear face coverings in most public venues.

Trump did not wear a mask during his trip to the state two weeks ago when he delivered remarks at the start of the Republican National Convention in Charlotte, nor did many of the attendees, despite the RNC claiming it would be mandatory.

ABC News' Will Steakin contributed to this report.

Sep 07, 2020, 3:02 PM EDT

Florida reports 26th straight day below 10% positivity of new cases

Hard-hit Florida says state data shows a "steady decline" in coronavirus fatalities. The fourth week of July compared to the fourth week of August shows a 75% decline in the average number of reported deaths, the Florida Department of Health said Monday.

People attend a free concert at the Daytona Beach Bandshell on Labor Day weekend on Sept. 5, 2020, in Daytona Beach, Fla. Face masks and temperature checks were required for entrance and social distancing was recommended.
Paul Hennessy/ZUMA Wire via Newscom

Monday marked the 26th straight day below 10% positivity of new cases, the Department of Health said.

Florida has over 648,000 cases of the coronavirus -- the third highest in the country, behind California and Texas. Over 11,000 people in Florida have died.

ABC News' Ben Stein contributed to this report.

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.

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