Coronavirus updates: Hard-hit Wisconsin reports record high daily death toll
Hospitalizations have nearly tripled over the last month, the governor said.
A pandemic of the novel coronavirus has now killed more than 1 million people worldwide.
Over 37.9 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 criteria for diagnosis -- through clinical means or a lab test -- has varied from country-to-country. Still, 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.
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 country, with more than 7.8 million diagnosed cases and at least 215,549 deaths.
California has the most cases of any U.S. state, with more than 858,000 people diagnosed, according to Johns Hopkins data. California is followed by Texas and Florida, with over 821,000 cases and over 738,000 cases, respectively.
More than 190 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.
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University of Florida pauses football activities
The University of Florida’s football team has paused team activities after an increase in the number of players testing positive for COVID-19 this week, Athletics Director Scott Stricklin said in a statement Tuesday.
Dan Mullen, Florida's head coach, "has been in communication with football players and their parents, and I have had conversations with the Southeastern Conference office, last week's opponent Texas A&M, and this week's opponent LSU," Stricklin said. "These circumstances will be re-evaluated by UF Health and the athletic department's sports medicine staff Wednesday."
ABC News' Ben Stein contributed to this report.
Wisconsin reports record high deaths
Hard-hit Wisconsin reported a record high daily death toll of 34 on Tuesday, bringing the state's total fatalities to 1,508, officials said.
Hospitalizations have nearly tripled over the last month, Gov. Tony Evers said at a news conference.
An alternate care facility at Wisconsin’s State Fair Park will open Wednesday with a 530-patient capacity to help alleviate some of the strain on the health care systems, Evers said.
Wisconsin's confirmed coronavirus cases rose by 3,279 in one day, now at a total of 155,471.
"We let down our guard," Evers said. “The disillusion of Safer at Home. The state has disengaged from thoughtful mitigation practices.”
"Limit your errands to the essentials as much as you can," added Secretary-Designee Andrea Palm.
ABC News’ Rachel Katz contributed to this report.
Philadelphia Eagles to welcome fans back this weekend
A few thousand Philadelphia Eagles fans will be allowed to return to the stadium for this Sunday’s game.
A new city rule going into effect Friday allows up to 7,500 people at very large outdoor venues, Philadelphia Health Commissioner Thomas Farley announced Tuesday.
Face coverings are required for everyone ages 2 and up, and all fans must social distance from each other, ABC Philadelphia station WPVI reported. Concession purchases will all be cashless, WPVI added.
The Eagles are “very precise when it comes to following a plan,” Mayor Jim Kenney said at a Tuesday conference. “Very strict rules when it comes to masks. And no tailgating.”
ABC News' Ben Stein contributed to this report.
No. 1 ranked golfer tests positive
No. 1 ranked golfer Dustin Johnson tested positive for COVID-19 and has withdrawn from THE CJ CUP tournament, which begins on Thursday in Nevada, the PGA TOUR said.
Johnson was tested after experiencing symptoms, the PGA said.
"Obviously, I am very disappointed," Johnson said in a statement released by the PGA. "I was really looking forward to competing this week, but will do everything I can to return as quickly as possible. I have already had a few calls with the TOUR’s medical team and appreciate all the support and guidance they have given me."
ABC News’ Josh Hoyos contributed to this report.
Italy introduces strict new nationwide measures
The Italian government imposed strict new measures nationwide on Tuesday in a bid to prevent further spread of the novel coronavirus.
Under the new rules, parties in public spaces and discos, both indoors and outdoors, are banned. Parties can be held in restaurants but with no more than 30 attendees. Bars, ice cream parlors, pastry shops and restaurants with table service must close by midnight, while those without must shutter by 9 p.m. Drinks can only be consumed while sitting at tables -- not while standing at the bar or outside -- after 9 p.m.
Also banned are school trips, guided tours and any contact sports not organized by an association that can maintain social distancing rules. Gyms, however, remain open.
The government's new measures are limited to "strong recommendations" against private gatherings and parties in homes with more than six people who don't share a household. There's also no obligation to wear a face mask inside a home but it's "strongly recommended" when guests are over.
Last week's nationwide mandate to wear masks outdoors remains in place.
The move comes as Italy, once the epicenter of the coronavirus pandemic, sees a sharp uptick in infections after gradually loosening restrictions during the spring and summer, following a nearly three-month lockdown that helped get its COVID-19 outbreak under control.
Earlier this month, the European country confirmed more than 5,000 new cases of COVID-19 in a single day for the first time since the peak of its outbreak in late March. On Monday, Italy's civil protection agency registered 4,619 new cases and 39 deaths, bringing the cumulative totals to 359,569 cases and 36,205 deaths.
ABC News' Clark Bentson and Phoebe Natanson contributed to this report.
