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, 4:49 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, 4:49 PM EDT

Stocks have worst day in a month as US virus cases soar to new heights

The stock market had its worst day since Sept. 3, as COVID-19 cases spiked across the country and industries that needed a return to normalcy, like cruise lines and airlines, saw big losses.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average closed 650 points lower, down 2.3%, to 27,685, while the S&P 500 fell 1.6% to 3,400 and the NASDAQ declined 1.6% to 11,358.

"It’s kind of a perfect storm," Ross Mayfield, an investment strategy analyst at Baird, told The Associated Press. "The record case numbers and the kind of rolling lockdowns across Europe are getting the headlines. Oil is down on some supply and demand issues. Stimulus seems more and more unlikely by the day, at least pre-election."

ABC News' Rebecca Jarvis contributed to this report.

Oct 26, 2020, 4:16 PM EDT

'We have never been as vulnerable as we are right now': Salt Lake City mayor

Following record-breaking COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations this week, Utah's hospitals are reaching capacity, according to Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall.

Gov. Gary Herbert plans to open a field hospital for overflow patients if hospitals become overrun, but Mendenhall stressed that extra beds "don't do anything to save lives" without additional health care workers to treat them.

According to the Utah Hospital Association, 20% to 30% of hospital staff aren't able to go to work because either they or a family member has contracted the virus.

"Nurses and doctors are working extended hours, around the clock," Mendenhall told ABC News Live's "The Breakdown." "They are exhausted."

ABC News' Terry Moran contributed to this report.

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.

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