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Coronavirus updates: Trump calls diagnosis 'blessing in disguise'

Oregon is facing "explosive growth in case counts."

ByMorgan Winsor and Emily Shapiro
Video byJessie DiMartino
Last Updated: October 8, 2020, 5:48 AM EDT

A pandemic of the novel coronavirus has now killed more than 1 million people worldwide.

Over 36 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 7.5 million diagnosed cases and at least 211,725 deaths.

California has the most cases of any U.S. state, with more than 841,000 people diagnosed, according to Johns Hopkins data. California is followed by Texas and Florida, with over 803,000 cases and over 722,000 cases, respectively.

More than 190 vaccine candidates for COVID-19 are being tracked by the World Health Organization, at least seven of which are in crucial phase three trials.

Latest headlines:

Here's how the news is developing today. All times Eastern.
Oct 07, 2020, 2:43 PM EDT

Italy will mandate masks

Wearing a mask will become mandatory in Italy beginning on Thursday, Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte said.

The rule applies to indoor and outdoor spaces, and violators could be fined.

Italy has experienced a sharp rise in COVID-19 cases recently, according to the Italian news agency ANSA. On Wednesday health authorities reported 3,678 new cases, the highest one-day rise since mid-April, according to the Health Ministry.

Italy now has more than 333,900 cases and at least 36,061 fatalities, according to Johns Hopkins University.

Oct 07, 2020, 12:50 PM EDT

Scotland bans indoor alcohol sales in pubs, cafes and restaurants

Pubs, restaurants and cafes in most of Scotland will be prohibited from selling alcohol indoors to try to curb the spread of COVID-19, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said, according to the Press Association.

The ban begins on Friday and will end Oct. 25.

Without taking action, the country risks "returning to the peak level of infection by the end of the month," Sturgeon warned.

Charles Douglas Barr enjoys a pint outside The Las Drop pub in the Grassmarket on Oct. 7, 2020, in Edinburgh, Scotland.
Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images

According to the BBC, after months of maintaining a positivity rate below 5%, it climbed to more than 10% by the end of September.

Scotland, which has recorded 1,054 new coronavirus cases over the last 24 hours, has seen at least 2,533 total fatalities.

Select areas also will be closing bowling alleys, pool halls and casinos, and suspending outdoor live events, contact sports and adult indoor exercise classes. Those closures will be in effect for two weeks beginning Oct. 10.

ABC News' Dimitrije Stejic and Christine Theodorou contributed to this report.

Oct 07, 2020, 12:03 PM EDT

Committee for Tokyo Olympics cutting costs

The Tokyo 2020 Organizing Committee, looking to simplify the postponed 2021 Games, on Wednesday announced new initiatives that will help save an estimated $280 million.

The new initiatives include spending less on venues in the Olympic and Paralympic Village and optimizing the Olympic torch relay.

Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games president Yoshiro Mori during a press conference regarding the Tokyo Olympics, which have been postponed due to the COVID-19 novel coronavirus, in Tokyo, Oct. 7, 2020.
Rodrigo Reyes Marin/Pool/AFP via Getty Images

ABC News' Christine Theodorou contributed to this report.

Oct 07, 2020, 11:31 AM EDT

Boston pauses school reopening plans as cases rise

Boston is pausing its school reopening plan as coronavirus cases rise in the city and across Massachusetts, Boston Mayor Marty Walsh announced Wednesday.

Students are welcomed back into Ellis Elementary School in Boston on Oct. 1, 2020.
David L. Ryan/Boston Globe via Getty Images, FILE

Fourth through eighth grade classes were set to transition to a hybrid learning model the week of Nov. 5, and ninth through 12th grade classes the week of Nov. 16 -- but now in-person start dates will be determined at a later date.

Preschoolers and kindergartners set to return to the classroom on Monday now will have to wait until at least Oct. 22.

Boston Public Schools began its first full week of hybrid learning last week for students with special needs, English language learners and for students who are homeless. These 1,300 high-need students will continue with in-person learning should their parents so choose.

The decision comes after Boston’s rate of positivity climbed over 4%. Coronavirus cases have been steadily rising in Massachusetts since early September, with the state's seven-day average rising 109% over the last month.

The city will re-evaluate reopening schools later this month based on the data in the coming weeks.

ABC News' Arielle Mitropoulos contributed to this report.

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