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COVID-19 live updates: 'Extremely unlikely' virus came from Chinese lab, WHO says
WHO experts said it's more likely the virus jumped to humans from an animal.
A pandemic of the novel coronavirus has now infected more than 106 million people worldwide and killed over 2.3 million, according to real-time data compiled by the Center for Systems Science and Engineering at Johns Hopkins University.
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Grocery, meatpacking workers call for hazard pay, vaccine priority
Grocery store and meatpacking workers said they still feel just as vulnerable to contracting COVID-19 now as they did at any point during the pandemic. In an organized call, the United Food Commercial Workers union called for hazard pay and that food service workers be prioritized for the vaccine.
At least 137 grocery workers and 132 meatpacking workers have died from COVID-19, according to the call.
Guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention say that front-line essential workers, like grocery store employees, should be prioritized for the vaccine. But not every state has done so and union officials said their workers still can't get the vaccine even when it's being offered at the pharmacy in the store where they work every day.
"What is inexplicable, given the threats and the risks that these essential workers face and the fact that a new report, it shows only 13 states currently prioritize access for food workers, which puts our food supply at risk,” said UFCW President Marc Perrone.
ABC News’ Stephanie Ebbs contributed to this report.
Biden administration to send vaccines directly to community health centers
The Biden administration will start sending vaccines directly to community health centers across the country as early as next week, White House COVID-19 Response Coordinator Jeff Zients said at a press briefing with Health Equity Task Force Chair Dr. Marcella Nunez-Smith.
The administration's goal is to reach 250 community health centers and at least one in every state, Nunez-Smith said.
The administration plans to issue 1 million doses during this initial phase: 500,000 first shots and 500,000 second vaccine shots.
FEMA mobile units will also be going directly to these hardest-hit communities, Zients said. Earlier this week, FEMA announced that it had finalized a contract for 30 mobile vaccination units expected to begin next week.
ABC News’ Matthew Vann contributed to this report.
New variants discovered in UK
A variant found last week in Bristol, England, has now been discovered in Manchester.
The Manchester City Council announced Monday night that four cases were found in two unconnected households. Testing is underway in the Manchester area to track the variant.
Separately, a new mutation was found in Liverpool.
Public Health England said it has a high degree of confidence that the vaccines will work against variants.
ABC News’ Zoe Magee contributed to this report.
Teacher union: 'CDC standards still aren't being met'
As some students from Nashville to North Carolina return to the classroom, National Education Association President Becky Pringle says the in-person learning standards set by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention "still aren’t being met."
"Most schools, especially those attended by Black, brown, indigenous, and poor white students have severely outdated ventilation systems and no testing or tracing programs to speak of," Pringle said in a statement. "It’s time to fund proven mitigation strategies -- and it’s far past time for every governor to prioritize educator vaccinations."
In Chicago, 25,000 public school teachers will begin voting Tuesday night on a proposal for returning to classrooms, ABC Chicago station WLS reported.
ABC News’ Sophie Tatum contributed to this report.
Pete Buttigieg in quarantine after security agent tests positive
U.S. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg is self-quarantining after a member of his staff contracted COVID-19, his office announced Monday.
An agent who is part of Buttigieg's security detail and has close contact with the newly confirmed cabinet member, as recently as Monday morning, tested positive for COVID-19, according to a statement from U.S. Department of Transportation chief of staff Laura Schiller.
Buttigieg, who has received his first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, tested negative for the disease on Monday. He will receive his second vaccine dose after the quarantine period, according to Schiller.
"Secretary Buttigieg will take all necessary steps to ensure there is no spread, including quarantining for a period of 14 days and will continue to follow all other CDC guidelines," Schiller said in the statement.
Another member of Buttigieg's security team who was in close contact with the infected agent is also quarantining, according to Schiller.
