Coronavirus updates: CDC now 'strongly recommends' masks on airplanes, buses

The goal is to "help safely reopen America’s economy," the CDC said.

ByMorgan Winsor, Ivan Pereira, and Marc Nathanson
Video byJessie DiMartino
Last Updated: October 21, 2020, 4:58 AM EDT

A pandemic of the novel coronavirus has now killed more than 1.1 million people worldwide.

Over 40 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 8.1 million diagnosed cases and at least 219,674 deaths.

California has the most cases of any U.S. state, with more than 875,000 people diagnosed, according to Johns Hopkins data. California is followed by Texas and Florida, with over 854,000 cases and over 755,000 cases, respectively.

More than 190 vaccine candidates for COVID-19 are being tracked by the World Health Organization, at least 10 of which are in crucial phase three studies. Of those 10 potential vaccines in late-stage trials, there are currently five that will be available in the United States if approved.

Latest headlines:

Here's how the news developed today. All times Eastern.
Oct 19, 2020, 7:30 PM EDT

Meadows indicates vaccine distribution discussions are 'premature'

White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows signaled to reporters that it is premature at this point to answer specific questions from state governors about vaccine distribution since there is no vaccine in the final stages.

Over the weekend, the National Governors Association sent a letter to President Donald Trump with several questions about a future vaccine rollout, including questions about funding, supply chain and communication.

"At the appropriate time we’ll be working with them," Meadows said of the governors. "But until we have a vaccine that’s actually in final stages of approval, that distribution and discussions of that would be premature."

Oct 19, 2020, 6:12 PM EDT

Ireland issues strict new lockdown measures

In an effort to stem rising coronavirus cases, Ireland will enter a six-week national lockdown starting Wednesday, according to the Irish government.

Empty city centre shopping streets are seen as the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak continues, in Galway, Ireland, Oct. 19, 2020.
Clodagh Kilcoyne/Reuters

Ireland's lockdown, which mandates that nonessential employees work from home, residents stay within a 5-kilometer radius of their homes, and nonessential businesses close, is among the strictest in Europe.

Unlike Ireland's strict lockdown in the spring, however, schools will remain open for now.

Oct 19, 2020, 5:19 PM EDT

California board to independently review vaccine before distribution

California will only distribute COVID-19 vaccines after they've been independently approved by a state board, Gov. Gavin Newsom said during a Monday news conference.

The board will be made up of 11 experts from California universities and is meant to dispel vaccine hesitancy following the intense politicization already surrounding the potential vaccine.

Newsom also urged patience. "Don't expect that you'll go down to a local pharmacy anytime in this calendar year and get a vaccination," he said.

Instead, most Californians can expect to be vaccinated in 2021, according to the governor.

Oct 19, 2020, 4:04 PM EDT

NYC schools test thousands of students and staff, find few infections

Despite opening in person for classes amid rising COVID-19 cases, few infections have been tied to New York City public schools, according to early data from the city's department of education.

Mayor Bill de Blasio wearing a face mask, greets a student at Mosaic Pre-K Center in Queens, Sept. 21, 2020, as some students return to classrooms in the wake of the coronavirus.
Todd Heisler/The New York Times via Redux Pictures

Of the 16,298 tests the department has received results for, only 28, or 0.17%, are positive. Of those infections, 20 are among staff members and eight among students, a department spokesperson told ABC News on Monday.

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