Coronavirus updates: 23 COVID-19 cases linked to Trump rallies

The outbreaks occurred at Trump campaign rallies in Minnesota last month.

ByMorgan Winsor, Erin Schumaker, and Ivan Pereira
Video byJessie DiMartino
Last Updated: October 26, 2020, 2:00 PM EDT

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

Over 43 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 8.6 million diagnosed cases and at least 225,230 deaths.

California has the most cases of any U.S. state, with more than 906,000 people diagnosed, according to Johns Hopkins data. California is followed by Texas and Florida, with over 892,000 cases and over 778,000 cases, respectively.

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 developed today. All times Eastern.
Oct 26, 2020, 2:00 PM EDT

'Blatant disrespect' for scientists led to COVID-19 confusion, deaths: WHO

Countries in the northern hemisphere, particularly in Europe and North America, are seeing a concerning rise in infections and hospitalizations, as well as dwindling ICU beds, Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, director general of the World Health Organization, said during a news conference in Geneva.

"Last week saw the highest number of COVID-19 cases reported so far," Tedros said.

World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus attends a news conference in Geneva, Switzerland, July 3, 2020.
Fabrice Coffrini/Reuters, FILE

When leaders act quickly, the virus can be suppressed, he noted. On the other hand, Tedros added, "Where there has been political division at the national level, where there has been blatant disrespect for science and health professionals, confusion has spread and cases and deaths have mounted."

ABC News' Christine Theodorou contributed to this report.

Oct 26, 2020, 1:14 PM EDT

Dow down 720 points as COVID cases rise and stimulus hopes evaporate

The Dow was down 720 points today, or 2.5%, as COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations rose nationwide. At the same time, Americans' hope for a second round of stimulus checks evaporated.

"It looks like the clock’s run out" on a stimulus deal before the election, according to market research firm Fundstrat, and investors have turned pessimistic again.

Among the only stock market winners today is Zoom, up 2.5%, as the company continues to benefits from Americans working from home, while most other industries, including airlines and restaurant chains, struggle. Even tech giants Apple, Microsoft and Alphabet (Google), which have been relatively insulated from the pandemic, are slightly down today.

ABC News' Rebecca Jarvis contributed to this report.

Oct 26, 2020, 12:37 PM EDT

New York’s micro-cluster strategy is working: Cuomo

COVID-19 testing positivity has fallen to 3.25% in New York's red zones, Gov. Andrew Cuomo said during a Monday news conference. The state's overall testing positivity rate is 1.18%, among the lowest in the nation during a time when daily cases, hospitalizations and testing positivity rates are rising around the country.

Governor of New York Andrew Cuomo speaks in the Manhattan borough of New York City, New York, Oct. 12, 2020.
Carlo Allegri/Reuters, FILE

"The easiest way to control with the maximum benefit is to wear the mask," Cuomo said. Despite the fact that New York's micro-cluster approach to stemming the virus' spread appears to be working, the governor said he's concerned about the upcoming holiday season.

"We have one of the lowest rates in the country," Cuomo said. "I’m concerned about everybody else.”

Oct 26, 2020, 10:08 AM EDT

Pence tests negative after close aides infected

U.S. Vice President Mike Pence and his wife both tested negative for COVID-19 again Monday morning, according to a spokesperson.

The negative results come after at least five people within Pence's orbit were found to be infected as of Saturday night.

U.S. Vice President Mike Pence makes a fist at the end of a rally in Kinston, North Carolina, on Oct. 25, 2020.
Jonathan Drake/Reuters

Multiple sources familiar with the matter told ABC News that four of Pence's staff members tested positive for COVID-19, including his chief of staff, Marc Short, as well as the vice president's "body man," a position that often represents an individual who is the closest aide to the office holder.

Pence's "body man" and two additional staffers who tested positive have been quarantining since last week, the sources said.

ABC News' Katherine Faulders and John Santucci contributed to this report

Related Topics