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Coronavirus updates: Trevor Lawrence, likely NFL top pick, tests positive

The quarterback will be isolated and not play this weekend.

ByWilliam Mansell and Emily Shapiro
Last Updated: October 30, 2020, 12:34 PM EDT

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

Over 44.9 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 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. The criteria for diagnosis -- through clinical means or a lab test -- has also varied from country to country.

The United States is the worst-affected nation, with more than 8.9 million diagnosed cases and at least 228,636 deaths.

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 is developing today. All times Eastern.
Oct 29, 2020, 4:38 PM EDT

US sets new record number of weekly cases

The U.S. has set a new record for the number of weekly cases, according to the COVID Tracking Project.

Thirty-nine states had a rise in hospitalizations this week, the largest increases being in Texas and the upper Midwest, the COVID Tracking Project found.

The U.S. is reporting a record 8.2 million tests, but case growth is outpacing test increases. Forty-seven states as well as Washington, D.C., have seen cases rise faster than tests since Oct. 1, according to the COVID Tracking Project.

ABC News’ Brian Hartman contributed to this report.

Oct 29, 2020, 4:26 PM EDT

Wisconsin hospitals strained, patients up 16%

In Wisconsin, 1 in 5 hospitals reported critical staffing shortages, said DHS Deputy Secretary Julie Willems Van Dijk.

Hospitalizations are up 16% and the number of patients in ICUs continues to grow, she said.

A healthcare worker disposes of medical waste after conducting a COVID-19 test at a drive-thru testing site outside the Southside Health Center in Milwaukee, Wis., Oct. 21, 2020.
Bing Guan/Reuters

Seventy out of Wisconsin's 72 counties are reporting very high COVID-19 activity. Over 214,000 people in Wisconsin have been diagnosed and at least 1,948 people have died.

A certified nursing assistant wears NFL Green Bay Packers apparel at a drive-thru testing site outside the Southside Health Center in Milwaukee, Wis., Oct. 21, 2020.
Bing Guan/Reuters

ABC News’ Rachel Katz contributed to this report.

Oct 29, 2020, 3:53 PM EDT

US death toll could reach 256,000 by Thanksgiving: CDC

The U.S. could lose another 15,000 to 28,000 lives to COVID-19 by Nov. 21, according to the weekly ensemble forecast released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

That would mean a total of 243,000 to 256,000 American lives lost to the coronavirus by the weekend before Thanksgiving.

ABC News’ Brian Hartman contributed to this report.

Oct 29, 2020, 2:58 PM EDT

Utah seeing 'very serious spike'

Utah is “in the middle of a very, very serious spike,” Greg Bell, president and CEO of the Utah Hospital Association, said Thursday.

The state’s seven-day positivity rate has climbed to 18.1%, up from 15% last week, state epidemiologist Angela Dunn said at a news conference.

People walk through concourse B at Salt Lake City International Airport, Oct. 27, 2020, in Salt Lake City, Utah.
Rick Bowmer/AP

Utah’s ICUs are 72% full, Dunn said.

“Our hospitals are getting too full to function,” Gov. Gary Herbert warned.

Herbert said gatherings will be limited to 10 people.

“I know you have holidays coming up, Halloween and Thanksgiving … it can be done,” Hebert said. “That will help us get past this surge.”

ABC News’ Bonnie McLean contributed to this report.