Coronavirus updates: 'Close contact' definition updated by CDC

The CDC offered new, more strict guidance on Wednesday.

ByMorgan Winsor and Catherine Thorbecke
Video byJessie DiMartino
Last Updated: October 21, 2020, 3:47 PM EDT

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

Over 41.1 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 8.3 million diagnosed cases and at least 221,987 deaths.

California has the most cases of any U.S. state, with more than 886,000 people diagnosed, according to Johns Hopkins data. California is followed by Texas and Florida, with over 868,000 cases and over 760,000 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 21, 2020, 3:47 PM EDT

New CDC study finds multiple, brief exposures within 6 feet can heighten risk of transmission 

A new study out Wednesday from the CDC found that multiple brief exposures within 6 feet of someone infected can heighten the risk of COVID-19 transmission. 

Previously, the CDC had advised that a good rule of thumb is that you can contract the virus if you spend at least 15 minutes within 6 feet of a person with COVID-19. 

In the new study, however, researchers found that a corrections officer working in a Vermont prison appears to have contracted the virus during "multiple brief encounters" with six incarcerated people who had COVID-19 but didn't know it yet. The six people were still awaiting the results of their tests.

The encounters were very brief (one minute or less), but the corrections officer overall had 22 encounters adding up to about 17 nonconsecutive minutes of possible exposure. 

This scenario shows that in addition to 15 consecutive minutes within 6 feet, it might also be possible to contract the virus if you have multiple, shorter exposures that collectively add up to more than 15 minutes.

ABC News’ Sony Salzman contributed to this report.

Oct 21, 2020, 5:11 PM EDT

Chief adviser for Operation Warp Speed says all Americans could be immunized with vaccine by June

Dr. Moncef Slaoui, chief adviser for the Trump administration's Operation Warp Speed effort to accelerate a vaccine rollout, told ABC News Wednesday that every American could be immunized June 2021. 

President Donald Trump, left, listens as Moncef Slaoui, a former GlaxoSmithKline executive, speaks about the coronavirus in the Rose Garden of the White House, May 15, 2020, in Washington.
Alex Brandon/AP, FILE

"It's a plan, it's not a certainty," Slaoui told ABC News' Bob Woodruff. "But the plan should make it such that by June everybody could have been immunized in the United States. We will have enough vaccine doses. I really hope most people will take the vaccines." 

Laboratory technicians handles capped vials as part of filling and packaging tests for the large-scale production and supply of the University of Oxfords COVID-19 vaccine candidate, AZD1222, Sept. 11, 2020.
Vincenzo Pinto/AFP via Getty Images, FILE

He added there are two vaccines in Phase 3 trials that are on hold, "and they are imminently going to have the hold lifted," referring to the fact that AstraZeneca and Johnson & Johnson have paused their trials. While this "does have an impact" on speed, Slaoui added, "that's fine, because the number one priority is safety of course." 

"If that means the trial has to stop for a month ... that's what we'll do," he said.

Oct 21, 2020, 2:13 PM EDT

Spain tops 1 million cases

Spain has become the first nation in the European Union to hit the 1 million mark for coronavirus cases.

The country has reported a total of 1,005,295 cases and 34,366 fatalities, according to data from Johns Hopkins University.

Oct 21, 2020, 5:22 PM EDT

New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy self-isolating after close contact with someone who tested positive 

In this Aug. 25, 2020, file photo, New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy speaks during his 2021 budget address at SHI Stadium at Rutgers University in Piscataway, N.J.
Noah K. Murray/AP, FILE

New Jersey’s governor said Wednesday he will self-isolate after he was in close proximity to someone who just tested positive for coronavirus.

Murphy walked away from a news conference at Camden County Community College in Blackwood, New Jersey, on Wednesday shortly after learning he was close to someone Saturday who has since tested positive

Murphy tested negative Monday. His spokesperson later confirmed to The Associated Press that he also tested negative Wednesday.

ABC News’ Aaron Katersky contributed to this report.

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