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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, 2:02 PM EDT

New Jersey numbers 'not pretty,' governor warns

In New Jersey’s battle against the coronavirus, Gov. Phil Murphy is warning that "the overnight numbers are not pretty."

The state reported 1,182 new cases and 18 more deaths on Thursday, Murphy said.

New Jersey now has over 224,000 people diagnosed with the coronavirus and at least 14,474 confirmed fatalities.

Hospitals have 852 COVID-19 patients, including 74 on ventilators.

"We need to push these numbers back down," Murphy stressed.

“We are seeing trouble with gatherings in private homes,” Murphy added. "We urge you to follow @CDCgov guidance and not gather in a private home with anyone outside your immediate family. Keep gatherings outside. Practice social distancing. Wear a mask, even outside."

ABC News' Aaron Katersky contributed to this report.

Oct 22, 2020, 2:00 PM EDT

Walgreens testing now available to kids ages 3 and up

Walgreens said Thursday that it's expanding its COVID-19 testing sites to now be available for children ages 3 and up. Testing was previously available to people ages 18 and over.

Walgreens said it has about 620 COVID-19 testing sites in the U.S. and Puerto Rico, with another 80 sites expected to open this week.

In this April 19, 2020, file photo, a Walgreens pharmacy has a sign about social distancing, in Miami Beach, Fla.
Jeff Greenberg/Education Images/UIG via Getty Images, FILE

"Walgreens pharmacy team will provide instruction to the parent on how to administer the COVID-19 test to a child," Walgreens said in a statement. "Adolescents may self-administer the COVID-19 test if desired."

Test results will usually be available within 24 to 72 hours, Walgreens said.

ABC News' Eric Strauss contributed to this report.

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.

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