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Coronavirus updates: Trevor Lawrence, likely NFL top pick, tests positive

The quarterback will be isolated and not play this weekend.

ByWilliam Mansell and Emily Shapiro
Last Updated: October 29, 2020, 2:25 PM EDT

A pandemic of the novel coronavirus has now killed more than 1.1 million people worldwide.

Over 44.9 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 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. The criteria for diagnosis -- through clinical means or a lab test -- has also varied from country to country.

The United States is the worst-affected nation, with more than 8.9 million diagnosed cases and at least 228,636 deaths.

Nearly 200 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.

Latest headlines:

Here's how the news is developing today. All times Eastern.
Oct 29, 2020, 2:25 PM EDT

Ohio exceeds 3,000 daily cases, another record

Ohio hit another record high number of daily cases on Thursday, with 3,590 more people diagnosed, Gov. Mike DeWine said.

“It’s the first time we’ve surpassed 3,000 [daily] cases -- and 25% more than Saturday’s previous record high,” he tweeted.

Fans social distance themselves in the stands for the game between the Cincinnati Bengals and the Cleveland Browns at Paul Brown Stadium on Oct. 25, 2020, in Cincinnati, Ohio.
Justin Casterline/Getty Images

Ohio now has over 208,000 COVID-19 cases and at least 5,275 deaths.

"The virus is raging throughout Ohio. There is no place to hide,” DeWine tweeted.

“Today I'm calling on the leaders of each county, each community, in Ohio to come together to create a COVID Defense Team. This is what we need to fight back. It should include commissioners, mayors, hospital leaders, business leaders, religious leaders, health commissioner, etc.,” DeWine continued. “These teams should assess their county's situation, inventory assets, and focus on what steps are needed to turn this around.”

Oct 29, 2020, 1:36 PM EDT

1 boy likely responsible for more than 100 cases at retreat: CDC

A Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) case study released Thursday found that one ninth grade boy, who tested PCR negative before traveling, likely spread COVID-19 to over 100 people at a boys’ overnight summer school retreat in Wisconsin.

Among the 152 high school aged boys, counselors and staff members, there were 118 confirmed COVID-19 cases and 38 probable cases, the CDC said.

The tightly packed students, in session from July 2 to Aug. 11, didn't wear masks and shared dorms with beds close together.

The ninth grade boy who likely set off the spread had a negative PCR test less than a week before the retreat, but he developed symptoms the day after arriving, according to the CDC. A family member of the boy tested positive while he was at the retreat.

In order to lower the risk in this type of setting, the CDC said it is critical to implement pre-arrival quarantine and testing, symptom monitoring, early identification and isolation of cases, mask use, distancing and enhanced hygiene and disinfection practices.

ABC News’ Eric Strauss contributed to this report.

Oct 29, 2020, 12:36 PM EDT

Hospitals full in Belgian city with 41% infection rate

Liege, Belgium, is emerging as an epicenter of Europe's worsening coronavirus crisis.

In Liege, where there's a roughly 41% infection rate, the local hospital is at full capacity. ICU numbers have tripled in the last three weeks.

Health workers take care of patients suffering from COVID-19 in a recovery room of an operating theater transformed for COVID-19 patients, at Montlegia CHC clinic in Liege, Belgium, Oct. 29, 2020.
Yves Herman/Reuters

A doctor told ABC News that health workers who have tested positive for COVID-19 are still treating patients to keep the hospital system from crashing.

ABC News’ James Longman contributed to this report.

Oct 29, 2020, 11:48 AM EDT

New York City’s positivity rate ‘worrisome,’ mayor says

New York City's positivity rate on Thursday jumped to 2.7%, "a worrisome number," Mayor Bill de Blasio said.

"It is literally twice yesterday," he said. "We cannot allow that number to keep growing. We really have to double down."

People wearing protective face masks walk outside the New York Stock Exchange in New York, Oct. 26, 2020.
Mike Segar/Reuters

The mayor said there's no particular reason for the uptick. The city's seven-day positivity rate average is 1.92%.

De Blasio repeated his message that "people really should not travel for the holidays unless it’s absolutely necessary.”

“Unfortunately, pretty much everywhere is doing worse at fighting coronavirus,” he said. “And if you go someplace else, the chance of bringing it back with you is high."

The mayor also warned New Yorkers to avoid large gatherings for Halloween.

"People want to trick or treat outdoors, small groups with masks on, that’s great. Big gatherings, parties, that’s not great at all,” he said, warning, "we find out about them, we are going to break them up."

ABC News’ Aaron Katersky contributed to this report.