COVID-19 updates: White House press secretary Jen Psaki tests positive

Psaki said she has mild symptoms and is working from home.

ByMorgan Winsor, Emily Shapiro, Ivan Pereira, and Meredith Deliso
Last Updated: November 1, 2021, 1:22 AM EDT

As the COVID-19 pandemic has swept the globe, more than 4.9 million people have died from the disease worldwide, including over 744,000 Americans, according to real-time data compiled by Johns Hopkins University's Center for Systems Science and Engineering.

Just 67.7% of Americans ages 12 and up are fully vaccinated against COVID-19, according to data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Latest headlines:

Here's how the news developed. All times Eastern.
Oct 31, 2021, 5:48 PM EDT

FDNY vaccination rates increase as commissioner warns members against 'bogus sick leave'

The FDNY released updated data on the vaccination status of its members Sunday evening, two days after the city imposed a mandate on all public employees.

About 80% of all of the fire department's members are vaccinated -- 90% of civilian employees, 87% of EMTs and paramedics and 75% of firefighters -- the department said.

Last week, a group of firefighters, police officers and other public employees staged protests against Mayor Bill de Blasio's vaccine mandate.

More than 2,000 of the 11,000 total firefighter personnel have been on medical leave at some point over the past week, according to the FDNY.

New York City Fire Commissioner Daniel Nigro said no firehouses were closed as a result of the medical leaves, however, he issued a strong warning against any member who was deliberately skipping work.

"Irresponsible bogus sick leave by some of our members is creating a danger for New Yorkers and their fellow firefighters. They need to return to work or risk the consequences of their actions,” Nigro said in a statement.

-ABC News' Joshua Hoyos and Matt Foster and WABC's Morena Basterio

Oct 31, 2021, 12:19 PM EDT

91% of New York City municipal workers vaccinated

The vaccination rate among New York City municipal workers is now 91%, according to Mayor Bill de Blasio.

At least 2,300 workers received a shot on Saturday, the mayor said on Twitter. 

Most city agencies are at least 90% vaccinated, with the uniformed departments lagging slightly behind.

As of Saturday, NYPD was 84% vaccinated (up from 79% the day before), FDNY fire was 72% (up from 67% on Friday) and FDNY EMS increased to 84% (from 77% the day before.)

The New York Department of Sanitation workers had the biggest increase Saturday, with the department going from 67% vaccinated to 77%.

-ABC News' Aaron Katersky

Oct 31, 2021, 10:50 AM EDT

Moderna says FDA requiring more time to review its vaccine for 12- to 17-year-olds

Moderna announced Sunday that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration is requiring additional time to review its adolescent COVID-19 vaccine for 12- to 17-year-olds.

The FDA expects to have the review done by January 2022.

Moderna is authorized in the U.S. for people 18 and older. The company has asked for authorization for 12- to 17-year-olds at the same dose as adults, which is 100 micrograms.

The Pfizer vaccine is currently available to anyone 12 years and old and could be available soon for 5- to 11-year-olds after it gets official Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommendations.

-ABC News Eric Strauss

Oct 29, 2021, 6:44 PM EDT

SCOTUS rejects bid to block Maine vaccine mandate for health care workers

The U.S. Supreme Court has denied a request for an emergency injunction against Maine's COVID-19 vaccine mandate for health care staff. 

A Maine physician and several others had sued the state over the mandate, which required that all health care workers be fully vaccinated by Oct. 1, because it disallows religious exemptions.

With three justices dissenting, the high court rejected the application Friday, though it could still grant the case on the merits and take it up for further consideration.

-ABC News' Devin Dwyer

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