COVID-19 updates: Austria orders nationwide lockdown for unvaccinated residents

The lockdown for unvaccinated residents began at midnight on Monday.

ByMorgan Winsor, Emily Shapiro, Ivan Pereira, Meredith Deliso, and Ayushi Agarwal
Last Updated: November 15, 2021, 6:59 AM EST

As the COVID-19 pandemic has swept the globe, more than 5 million people have died from the disease worldwide, including over 763,000 Americans, according to real-time data compiled by Johns Hopkins University's Center for Systems Science and Engineering.

Just 68.8% of Americans ages 12 and up are fully vaccinated against COVID-19, according to data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Latest headlines:

Here's how the news developed. All times Eastern.
Nov 13, 2021, 4:52 PM EST

Aaron Rodgers cleared to play after quarantine

Aaron Rodgers has been taken off the NFL's COVID-19 list and cleared to play, the Green Bay Packers announced Saturday afternoon. The quarterback was also added to the injury report (toe) and not given a game-status designation, but will lead the Packers into Sunday's game against Seattle, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter.

Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers is shown during the first half of an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Oct. 28, 2021, in Glendale, Ariz.
Rick Scuteri/AP

"It's been going great," Green Bay Packers coach Matt LaFleur said this week about Rodgers, according to ESPN. "Communication's been there. He's been in every meeting. He's been engaged. So, it's just he's not with his guys out on the field."

Rodgers tested positive for COVID-19 on Nov. 3 and was required to undergo a 10-day quarantine. The Packers, Rodgers and receiver Allen Lazard were all fined for violations of the protocols that were jointly agreed upon by the NFL and the NFL Players Association, ESPN reported.

Nov 12, 2021, 8:33 PM EST

4 states move toward recommending COVID-19 booster for all adults

As COVID-19 cases increase across the country, at least four states are moving to recommend booster shots for all adults ahead of federal authorization.

Colorado Gov. Jared Polis signed an executive order on Thursday declaring the entire state at high risk from COVID-19, thereby making all fully vaccinated adults eligible to receive a booster shot.

"We want to ensure that Coloradans have every tool they need to protect themselves from this deadly virus and to help reduce the stress on our hospitals and health care workers," Polis said in a statement.

FILE PHOTO: A patient waits to be called for a COVID-19 vaccination booster shot outside a pharmacy at a grocery store in downtown Denver, Colorado, on Nov. 3, 2021, in downtown Denver.
A patient waits to be called for a COVID-19 vaccination booster shot outside a pharmacy at a grocery store in downtown Denver, Colorado, on Nov. 3, 2021, in downtown Denver. Infection rates have soared in Colorado over the past month, creating a crisis in hospital capacity levels across the state.
David Zalubowski/AP, File

Every Coloradan ages 18 and up who is at least six months past the second dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna vaccine, or two months past the single-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine, can now receive a booster shot.

"I was relieved to get the booster two weeks ago," Polis said, "and strongly encourage you to get it too."

On Friday, the governor of New Mexico issued a similar order, and officials in California and West Virginia have previously encouraged residents to receive a booster shot.

Meanwhile, Pfizer asked the Federal Drug Administration for booster authorization for all adults on Tuesday.

Nov 12, 2021, 6:18 PM EST

US cases up nearly 20% since mid-October

The U.S. is currently averaging around 76,000 new COVID-19 cases a day, up by nearly 20% since mid-October, according to an ABC News analysis of federal data.

North Dakota now has the country's highest infection rate, followed by Minnesota, Alaska and Vermont.

COVID-19 hospitalizations nationwide also increased for the fourth consecutive day Friday. More than 47,000 patients with COVID-19 are currently receiving care.

-ABC News' Arielle Mitropoulos

Nov 11, 2021, 2:26 PM EST

US COVID hospitalizations increase for 3rd consecutive day

Thursday marked the third consecutive day where COVID hospitalizations rose nationwide.

Fourteen states reported a 10% increase in hospital admissions over the last week. The states are Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont and Wisconsin.

Total hospitalizations are down nearly 55% since mid-August.

-ABC News' Arielle Mitropoulos

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