Coronavirus updates: CDC issues stricter guidance for Thanksgiving

"Celebrate with people in your household," the agency says in updated guidance.

ByMorgan Winsor, Erin Schumaker, and Ivan Pereira
Video byJessie DiMartino
Last Updated: November 11, 2020, 4:02 PM EST

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.

Latest headlines:

Here's how the news is developing today. All times Eastern.
Nov 09, 2020, 7:08 PM EST

Fauci says he has no intention of leaving after Jan. 20

Dr. Anthony Fauci says he has no intention of leaving his post after President-elect Joe Biden assumes office.

The director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases declined to talk about the election during an interview with CNN Monday evening, but said he plans on staying in his position next year.

"I have no intention of leaving," he said. "This is an important job. I've been doing it now for a very long time. I've been doing it under six presidents. It's an important job and my goal is to serve the American public no matter what the administration is."

PHOTO: Dr. Anthony Fauci testifies during a Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee Hearing to examine COVID-19. Washington, D.C., Sept. 23, 2020.
Dr. Anthony Fauci, Director, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, testifies during a Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee Hearing to examine COVID-19. Washington, D.C., Sept. 23, 2020.
Graeme Jennings/Reuters, FILE

Fauci complimented the members of the new Biden/Harris COVID-19 task force, saying they're established colleagues that he admires and has worked with for years.

In the meantime, Fauci warned that Americans need to heed the health warnings and guidance in place as cases continue to rise across the country. Although Fauci called Pfizer's announcement of its vaccine progress "extraordinary," he said people need to remain cautious.

"This is something that we should really feel good about," he said of the vaccine news. "But I want to make sure people understand that it's good because we know there is light at the end of the tunnel, but that doesn't mean that we are going to give up the important public health measures that we continually still have to do every single day."

-ABC News' Stephanie Ebbs

Nov 09, 2020, 4:54 PM EST

Stricter COVID rules take effect in NJ Thursday, governor says

Gov. Phil Murphy announced stricter coronavirus rules in New Jersey Monday, including restrictions on bars, restaurants and casinos. Starting Nov. 12, indoor dining and drinks will be not be allowed between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m. Takeout and delivery services, as well as outdoor dining, are still permitted. In addition to dining restrictions, all interstate games and tournaments for indoor youth sports are prohibited, starting Thursday.

"It is simply not safe for teams to be crossing state lines at this time to participate in indoor competitions," Murphy wrote on Twitter.

New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy speaks during a coronavirus briefing in Trenton, N.J., June 9, 2020.
Anne-Marie Caruso/The Record via AP, FILE

The rules come on the heels of rising COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations in New Jersey, as well as a testing positivity rate that exceeds the threshold health experts recommend. "We’re taking steps today to mitigate the current increasing rate of spread," Murphy added.

"The last thing I want to do is shut our economy back down. Thankfully, we’re not at that point."

Nov 09, 2020, 2:17 PM EST

New record: US surpasses 10 million COVID-19 cases

The United States hit another grim milestone Monday afternoon, when it surpassed 10 million COVID-19 infections, according to Johns Hopkins University.

With 10,018,278 COVID-19 cases, the U.S. has reported more infections than any other nation. India, which has the second highest number of infections, reported 8,553,657 COVID-19 cases as of Monday.

So far, 237,742 Americans have died of COVID-19.

Nov 09, 2020, 1:48 PM EST

2nd COVID wave looms in NYC, mayor says

New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio urged New Yorkers to wear masks and keep six feet apart as he warned of a looming second wave of COVID-19 during a Monday press conference. The city's positivity rate has moved in the wrong direction over the past few days, according to de Blasio.

"We have to act immediately to turn this around," he added.

Mayor Bill de Blasio speaks at the opening of the Bank of America 'Winter Village' at Bryant Park, Nov. 5, 2020, in New York City.
Alexi Rosenfeld/Getty Images, FILE

While cases, testing positivity rates and deaths are all rising, they remain far below what New York City experienced in the spring, which de Blasio described as "horrendous." For now, hospitalizations are decreasing. "We did it before," de Blasio said of using masks and social distancing to drive down transmission rates. "We need to do it again right now."

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