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 05, 2021, 11:14 PM EST
White House Task Force pushes for vaccinations for people over 65
The White House Coronavirus Task Force is calling on states to push ahead with vaccinations, particularly among senior citizens, according to a new report obtained by ABC News.
States should not "delay the rapid immunization of those over 65 and vulnerable to severe disease," the report said. It also recommended creating vaccination sites with EMTs on hand to deal with any allergic reactions and using nursing students to help with the rollout.
"No vaccines should be in freezers but should instead be put in arms now; active and aggressive immunization in the face of this surge would save lives," the memo said.
Operation Warp Speed officials announced on Tuesday that 19,141,175 vaccine doses have been delivered so far. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's data shows 17,020,575 doses have been distributed and 4,836,469 Americans have received a dose.
-ABC News' Josh Margolin
Jan 05, 2021, 10:47 PM EST
Texas congressman reveals positive test
U.S. Rep. Kevin Brady (R-Texas) announced Tuesday night he tested positive for the coronavirus.
Brady, 65 and the ranking GOP member of the House Ways and Means Committee, tweeted he is quarantining and will begin treatment Wednesday.
"As recommended, I received a first dose of the Pfizer vaccine Dec 18 & also recently tested negative for Covid on New Year's Day," he tweeted.
Jan 05, 2021, 7:01 PM EST
Los Angeles County reaches 11,000 COVID-19 deaths, hospitalizations hit critical levels
COVID-19 deaths in Los Angeles County have reached 11,000 as hospitalizations have increased to critical levels, according to Los Angeles County health officials.
As of Tuesday, officials identified 840,611 positive cases of COVID-19 across all areas of L.A. County and a total of 11,071 deaths.
Dr. Barbara Ferrer, L.A. County Director of Public Health, said the county must continue to wear masks and social distance and not just wait for the coronavirus vaccine.
"As a community, we must commit to stopping the spread of COVID-19 in its tracks so that we can save as many lives as possible. Roll out for COVID-19 vaccine continues in the phases recommended by the State and CDC as supply allows," Ferrer said in a statement Tuesday. "And while vaccines are a powerful tool, we do not need to wait for vaccine to stop new COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations and death. We can do that now.
Patients brought in by ambulance wait outside the Emergency Room at the LAC USC Hospital ER amid the coronavirus pandemic in Los Angeles, Jan. 5, 2021. Due to hospitals being overwhelmed, the Los Angeles Emergency Medical Services were told not to transport patients who likely will not survive to hospitals.
Etienne Laurent/EPA via Shutterstock
"It takes every business and every resident to purposefully follow public health directives and safety measures. Please stay home and leave only for essential work or essential services," Ferrer said.
The county reported 224 new COVID-related deaths Tuesday along with 13,512 new cases. L.A. County has had more than 1,000 new COVID-19 deaths in less than a week, according to health officials. There are a record 7,898 people hospitalized with COVID-19 in L.A. County and 21% of those are in intensive care units.
"Health care workers and hospitals continue to be taxed and overwhelmed with COVID-19 patients," the L.A. County Health Department said in a statement Tuesday. "The devastating impact of the pandemic is disrupting emergency medical care due to the sheer volume of COVID-19 patients and staffing limitations. These challenges will get worse if we don’t slow COVID-19 spread."
Jan 05, 2021, 5:43 PM EST
Florida partners with Publix supermarkets on COVID-19 vaccine sites
Florida will join forces with Publix supermarkets to launch additional COVID-19 vaccinations sites, Gov. Ron DeSantis announced Tuesday.
Publix, the state health department and Florida's division of emergency management will work together on a pilot program at 22 Publix locations in Citrus, Hernando and Marion counties. According to the governor's office, Publix will receive 15,000 doses of the Moderna vaccine through the partnership.
By-appointment vaccinations are slated to start Jan. 8. They will start accepting appointments on Jan. 7.
-ABC News' Rachel Katz contributed to this report.
