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Coronavirus updates: FDA OKs remdesivir as 1st approved treatment in US

Remdesivir had already received emergency use authorization.

ByMorgan Winsor, Emily Shapiro, and Ivan Pereira
Video byJessie DiMartino
Last Updated: October 23, 2020, 3:30 PM EDT

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

Over 41.5 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 8.4 million diagnosed cases and at least 223,000 deaths.

California has the most cases of any U.S. state, with more than 893,000 people diagnosed, according to Johns Hopkins data. California is followed by Texas and Florida, with over 871,000 cases and over 768,000 cases, respectively.

Nearly 200 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 22, 2020, 1:11 PM EDT

Utah hospitals 'overwhelmed,' governor says

In Utah, hospitals are "overwhelmed" and Gov. Gary Herbert is warning that "the stress they are experiencing is unsustainable."

Caregivers are “tired” and “emotionally spent,” a state official said at a Thursday news conference.

"This is why we have required masks in high and moderate transmission areas and also asked residents in these areas to limit gatherings to 10 or fewer," Herbert tweeted Thursday.

"Many Utahns have been taking this virus seriously and are abiding by precautionary measures. But some who haven’t seen the full range of ill effects coronavirus can have are unaware of the issues it causes within our medical and business communities,” he said.

Utah has over 99,500 cases and at least 563 deaths.

Oct 22, 2020, 12:18 PM EDT

Fauci suggests kids trick-or-treat by saying hello to neighbors

Dr. Anthony Fauci is suggesting a new twist on trick-or-treating during the pandemic.

Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, recommends kids in costume go to a neighbors home, knock on the door and stay six or more feet away.

"Wear a mask, say hello," Fauci said in a livestream interview last week with Chrisi Grimm, the principal deputy inspector general for Health and Human Services.

In this Sept. 23, 2020, file photo, Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, looks on before testifying in the U.S. Senate on the federal response at the U.S. Capitol, in Washington, D.C.
Graeme Jennings/Pool via Reuters, FILE

But when it comes to the question of accepting candy, Fauci may disappoint the kids of America.

"The question of taking things like candy and stuff. You know, to me, it would be just. ‘Hello, I'm giving you a virtual trick-or-treat,' as opposed to getting involved in people that you don't know,” he said.

ABC News' Anne Flaherty and Sarah Kolinovsky contributed to this report.

Oct 22, 2020, 11:17 AM EDT

Biden tests negative for 13th time since last debate

Former Vice President Joe Biden, the Democratic nominee for the upcoming presidential election, has tested negative for COVID-19 ahead of Thursday's final debate in Nashville, according to his campaign.

"Vice President Biden underwent PCR testing for COVID-19 today and COVID-19 was not detected," the campaign said.

U.S. Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden delivers remarks during a voter mobilization event at Miramar Regional Park in Miramar, Florida, on Oct. 13, 2020.
Tom Brenner/Reuters

Biden has tested negative for the disease 13 times since his campaign began releasing the results of every test, following the last presidential debate in Cleveland on Sept. 29.

President Donald Trump tested positive for COVID-19 earlier this month, two days after debating Biden in Cleveland.

ABC News' Molly Nagle contributed to this report.

Oct 22, 2020, 10:52 AM EDT

US weekly unemployment filings dip to 787,000

The U.S. Department of Labor said Thursday that weekly unemployment filings have dipped below the 800,000 mark for the first time in months, falling to 787,000 last week.

It's the lowest number of weekly jobless claims since March, when the coronavirus pandemic clobbered the U.S. labor market and the tally of initial unemployment filings peaked at some 6.9 million in a single week.

A shopper wears a face mask as she walks into a Lord & Taylor department store in Northbrook, Ill., Oct. 9, 2020.
Nam Y. Huh/AP, FILE

While the drop is a welcome sign for an economy still entrenched in a pandemic-induced financial crisis, the figure still remains well above pre-pandemic levels. It also dwarfs the previous record for initial claims set in 1982.

ABC News' Catherine Thorbecke contributed to this report.

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