COVID-19 updates: Michigan, Minnesota, New Mexico leading nation in cases

Michigan has the highest infection rate, followed by Minnesota and New Mexico.

ByMorgan Winsor, Emily Shapiro, and Meredith Deliso
Last Updated: November 22, 2021, 1:33 AM EST

As the COVID-19 pandemic has swept the globe, more than 5.1 million people have died from the disease worldwide, including over 771,000 Americans, according to real-time data compiled by Johns Hopkins University's Center for Systems Science and Engineering.

Just 69% 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.
Nov 19, 2021, 5:59 PM EST

CDC director gives final greenlight on boosters

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Director Rochelle Walensky has endorsed the CDC advisory committee's recommendation for Modern and Pfizer vaccine boosters for all recipients ages 18 and older who were vaccinated at least six months ago.

"After critical scientific evaluation, today’s unanimous decision carefully considered the current state of the pandemic, the latest vaccine effectiveness data over time, and review of safety data from people who have already received a COVID-19 primary vaccine series and booster," Walensky said in a statement Friday evening, hours after the committee's recommendation. "Booster shots have demonstrated the ability to safely increase people’s protection against infection and severe outcomes and are an important public health tool to strengthen our defenses against the virus as we enter the winter holidays. Based on the compelling evidence, all adults over 18 should now have equitable access to a COVID-19 booster dose."

-ABC News' Cheyenne Haslett

Nov 19, 2021, 3:29 PM EST

CDC panel votes unanimously for boosters for all adults

The CDC's independent advisory committee on Fridayvoted unanimously to recommend that everyone 18 and older who was vaccinated with Pfizer or Moderna at least six months ago can get a booster.

The FDA authorized Pfizer and Moderna boosters for all adults earlier on Friday.

The last step in the regulatory process will be CDC director Rochelle Walensky issuing her recommendation.

-ABC News' Cheyenne Haslett

Nov 19, 2021, 11:34 AM EST

US cases up nearly 40% since October

The U.S. is currently averaging more than 88,000 new cases per day -- a nearly 40% increase since late-October, according to federal data. This increase marks the first surge in daily national cases after nearly 10 weeks of declines.

Michigan, which is now reporting more cases than at any other point in the pandemic, has the nation's highest infection rate, followed by Minnesota, New Mexico, New Hampshire, North Dakota, Wisconsin and Vermont. Puerto Rico, Florida and Hawaii have the nation's lowest infection rate, according to federal data.

One in every 427 Americans has died from COVID-19, according to data from Johns Hopkins University.

PHOTO: A person walks past a white flag memorial installation outside Griffith Observatory honoring the nearly 27,000 Los Angeles County residents who have died from COVID-19 since the start of the pandemic, Nov. 18, 2021, in Los Angeles, Calif.
A person walks past a white flag memorial installation outside Griffith Observatory honoring the nearly 27,000 Los Angeles County residents who have died from COVID-19 since the start of the pandemic, Nov. 18, 2021, in Los Angeles, Calif. Los Angeles is holding a three-day citywide "Strength and Love" memorial honoring those who died and those who have held the city together, including first responders and essential workers.
Mario Tama/Getty Images

PHOTO: A white flag memorial installation honoring the nearly 27,000 Los Angeles County residents who have died from COVID-19 stands outside Griffith Observatory on Nov. 18, 2021, in Los Angeles, Calif.
A white flag memorial installation honoring the nearly 27,000 Los Angeles County residents who have died from COVID-19 stands outside Griffith Observatory on Nov. 18, 2021, in Los Angeles, Calif. Los Angeles is holding a three-day citywide "Strength and Love" memorial honoring those who died and those who have held the city together, including first responders and essential workers.
Mario Tama/Getty Images

Over the last month, the U.S. has reported nearly 37,000 COVID-19 deaths, according to federal data.

Wyoming currently has the country's highest death rate, followed by Montana, West Virginia, Kentucky and Idaho, according to federal data.

-ABC News' Arielle Mitropoulos

Nov 19, 2021, 11:00 AM EST

Fauci hopeful vaccine could be available for kids under 5 next year

Dr. Anthony Fauci says he's hopeful a COVID-19 vaccine could be available for children under 5 next year, but studies can't be rushed, making an exact timeline uncertain.

Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, testifies on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C. on July 20, 2021.
Stefani Reynolds/POOL/AFP via Getty Images, FILE

"Hopefully within a reasonably short period of time, likely the beginning of next year in 2022, in the first quarter of 2022, it will be available to them," Fauci told Insider, adding, "Can't guarantee it, you've got to do the clinical trial."

Pfizer's pediatric vaccine trials are already underway. The company estimates it could have early results for young children ages 2-4 by the end of the year, meaning authorization is possible sometime next year. Moderna is further behind, but also has ongoing trials in children as young as six months.

Clinical trials don't always unfold on a predictable timeline, and experts emphasize studies in young children won't be rushed.

-ABC News' Cheyenne Haslett, Sony Salzman

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