A pandemic of the novel coronavirus has now killed more than 1.2 million people worldwide.
Over 50.4 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.
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 nation, with more than 10 million diagnosed cases and at least 237,742 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.
Here's how the news is developing today. All times Eastern.
Nov 09, 2020, 10:53 AM EST
Ukraine's president tests positive
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced Monday that he has tested positive for COVID-19.
"There are no lucky people for whom #COVID19 does not pose a threat. Despite all the quarantine measures, I received a positive test," Zelensky wrote on his official Twitter account.
The former comedian-turned-president noted that he feels "good" and takes "a lot of vitamins."
"Promise to isolate myself, but keep working," he added. "I will overcome COVID19 as most people do. It's gonna be fine!"
Nov 09, 2020, 10:44 AM EST
Wales emerges from 'firebreak' lockdown as new restrictions begin
Wales emerged from its 17-day "firebreak" lockdown on Monday, with pubs, gyms, hair salons, restaurants and schools allowed to reopen.
But as the lockdown restrictions ended, new ones went into effect. People cannot travel in or out of the country, including to neighboring England, without a "reasonable excuse." Two households can again join together to form a bubble and meet up inside their homes. People can meet in groups of four inside cafes, bars, pubs and restaurants, which can serve alcohol until 10 p.m.
Businesses that were forced to shutter during lockdown can now reopen, while supermarkets can again sell non-essential goods. People are still required to work from home whenever possible.
Police patrol in central Cardiff, Wales, on Nov. 9, 2020, after the end of a two-week "firebreak" lockdown imposed by the Welsh government.
Ben Birchall/PA via AP
Wales' First Minister Mark Drakeford called on people to be "careful and cautious."
"The fact that you can travel is not an invitation to travel and it's certainly not an instruction to travel," Drakeford said at a press conference Monday.
Drakeford said it's still too early to know whether the "firebreak" was a success but there were "tentative positive signs," including a plateauing case rate.
"We cannot go back to the way we were living our lives and throw away all that hard work," he added.
Wales' lockdown ended just a few days after England entered a month-long lockdown on Nov. 5.
Nov 09, 2020, 9:10 AM EST
Portugal returns to state of emergency amid rising infections
Portugal began a 15-day state of emergency on Monday, with curfews imposed in the areas hit hardest by coronavirus pandemic.
From Monday until at least Nov. 23, some 7 million people across Portugal must stay at home on weekdays between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m., and on weekends after 1 p.m. Meanwhile, restaurants have to close by 10.30 p.m. on weekdays and are only allowed to provide takeaway services on weekends after 1 p.m.
A waiter wearing a face mask to protect against the novel coronavirus waits for customers at a restaurant in downtown Lisbon, Portugal, on Nov. 6, 2020.
Rafael Marchante/Reuters
Portuguese President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa announced on Friday that the country would return to a state of emergency, which grants authorities special powers such as the restriction of movement. The decree can be extended indefinitely in 15-day periods. A state of emergency was in effect in Portugal earlier this year at the beginning of the pandemic.
The move comes as the southern European country of over 10 million people grapples with a rising number of COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations. Although Portugal has reported relatively low numbers compared with other countries in Europe -- over 179,324 total cases with 2,896 deaths -- daily infections hit an all-time high of 6,640 over the weekend.
Nov 09, 2020, 7:23 AM EST
Early data shows Pfizer's vaccine is more than 90% effective
In a promising development, an initial glimpse at the data from Pfizer's ongoing late-stage clinical trial shows that the American pharmaceutical giant's COVID-19 vaccine is more effective at preventing the disease than placebo.
A press release from Pfizer early Monday morning said the vaccine, being co-developed with Germany's BioNTech, was "found to be more than 90% effective in preventing COVID-19" according to an early analysis that included 94 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in trial participants.
"With today’s news, we are a significant step closer to providing people around the world with a much-needed breakthrough to help bring an end to this global health crisis," Dr. Albert Bourla, Pfizer chairman and CEO, said in a statement.
Vaccine experts told ABC News these results are "encouraging."
More safety data is still necessary before the company will apply for a limited authorization for high-risk individuals (i.e. elderly, health care providers and/or first responders) or the more complete Biologics License Application that grants approval for almost everyone.
A medical syringe alongside vials with a sticker reading "COVID-19 / Coronavirus vaccine / Injection only" are seen in front of a displayed Pfizer logo in this illustration taken on Oct. 31, 2020.
Dado Ruvic/Reuters
Pfizer's vaccine won't be rolled out in any mass immunization campaign just yet. First, the company must demonstrate that the vaccine is not just effective but also safe. According to guidelines from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, that means at least two months of safety data after the last injection in half the volunteers.
The company plans to submit for FDA authorization in the third week of November. From there, it could take the FDA two to four weeks to make an authorization decision after a public hearing and a recommendation from an independent vaccine advisory committee.
According to FDA guidance, companies are permitted to ask for an emergency authorization based on efficacy data from an interim analysis, plus at least two months of safety data.
This could make Pfizer the first company to have a vaccine available in the United States if given the green light by the FDA. Other companies, like Moderna, are not far behind.
Operation Warp Speed chief advisor Dr. Moncef Slaoui told ABC News that if everything continues to go according to plan and there are no major scientific or manufacturing delays, most Americans could have access to a vaccine by spring 2021 and possibly be immunized by June.
ABC News' Sony Salzman and Eric Strauss contributed to this report.
