A pandemic of the novel coronavirus has now infected more than 90 million people worldwide and killed over 1.9 million of them, according to real-time data compiled by the Center for Systems Science and Engineering at Johns Hopkins University.
Here's how the news developed this week. All times Eastern.
Jan 04, 2021, 4:53 PM EST
University installs COVID-19 test kit vending machines
The University of California, San Diego has installed vending machines on campus where students and staff can pick up self-administered COVID-19 test kits.
UC San Diego is now offering self-administered COVID-19 test kits in vending machines around campus.
Erik Jepsen/UC San Diego
To use the kits, which are free, test takers use the swab outdoors and return the vile within 72 hours, for results in less than two days.
UC San Diego is now offering self-administered COVID-19 test kits in vending machines around campus.
Erik Jepsen/UC San Diego
Starting Jan. 2, on-campus students are required to get weekly tests, according to the university.
Jan 04, 2021, 4:50 PM EST
UK variant detected in New York
A new variant of the novel coronavirus that was first identified in the United Kingdom has been detected in New York state, Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced Monday.
The patient is a man in Saratoga Country in his 60s, who had not traveled recently, suggesting community spread of variant. The patient was affiliated with a jewelry store, N. Fox Jewelers, where three other people have also tested positive for COVID-19, although it is not yet known if they have the same virus variant. Anyone who visited the store between Dec. 18 and 24 is being asked to contact the state and get a test immediately.
"From a public health point of view, it’s about contact tracing," Cuomo said. “We have to make sure we are doing everything we can do to effective contact tracing of this case."
Cases of the new variant have also been detected in Colorado, California and Florida.
-ABC News' Aaron Katersky contributed to this report.
Jan 04, 2021, 3:35 PM EST
England moves to full national lockdown
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced Monday a strict nationwide lockdown for England, as a new variant of the novel coronavirus that was first identified in the United Kingdom continues to spread rapidly and rising COVID-19 infections strain the country's health care system.
Under the new restrictions, nonessential workers are only allowed to leave home for essential food and medicine or to exercise. Meanwhile, all schools and universities must shift to remote learning.
"We must go into a national lockdown that is tough enough to contain this variant," Johnson said Monday.
While nonessential shops and hair salons are ordered to close, supermarkets, garden centers and churches can stay open. Restaurants can continue offering takeout and delivery services, but customers aren't allowed to add alcohol to their orders.
In this image taken from video, Britain's Prime Minister Boris Johnson makes a televised address to the nation from 10 Downing Street, London, Jan. 4, 2021, setting out new emergency measures to control the spread of coronavirus in England.
Pool via AP
The lockdown, which goes into effect immediately and is to be in place until mid-February, will be enforced by police.
The announcement comes as the U.K. saw a record 58,784 newly confirmed cases of COVID-19 on Sunday, along with an additional 407 deaths from the disease.
Prior to the nationwide lockdown being announced, England was under a set of tiered COVID-19 restrictions, with London in the highest level 4.
Although Johnson is the U.K. prime minister, his government is only responsible for lockdown restrictions in England because public health legislation is devolved to national governments within the U.K., meaning that Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland are responsible for their own coronavirus-related policies.
ABC News' Ian Pannell and Sohel Uddin contributed to this report.
Jan 04, 2021, 3:24 PM EST
Member of UK Parliament arrested for breaking COVID-19 rules
Scottish authorities arrested and charged Parliament Member Margaret Ferrier following an investigation that found she broke COVID-19 rules in September, according to the Police Service of Scotland.
Ferrier traveled between Glasgow and London twice while she had COVID-19 symptoms, and in the second instance was aware she had tested positive for the virus.
"We can confirm that officers today arrested and charged a 60-year-old woman in connection with alleged culpable and reckless conduct," a Police Scotland spokesperson said in a statement Monday. "This follows a thorough investigation by Police Scotland into an alleged breach of coronavirus regulations between 26 and 29 September 2020."
Ferrier, a member of the Scottish National Party, posted an apology on Twitter in October:
"On Monday evening I received a positive test results for COVID-19," she tweeted. "I travelled home by train on Tuesday morning without seeking advice. This was also wrong and I am sorry. I have been self-isolating at home ever since."
Ferrier was suspended by the Scottish National Party after information about her infraction came to light, but has so far resisted calls for her resignation.
-ABC News' Sohel Uddin contributed to this report.
