Coronavirus updates: 23-year-old college student dies from COVID-19

Jamesha Waddell, a senior at Livingstone College, died Thursday.

Last Updated: November 23, 2020, 2:19 PM EST

A pandemic of the novel coronavirus has now killed more than 1.3 million people worldwide.

Over 58.7 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 12.2 million diagnosed cases and at least 256,783 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.

Nov 16, 2020, 8:27 PM EST

Iowa issues mask mandate, restrictions as cases rise

Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds announced her state will issue a mask mandate for all indoor activity starting midnight Tuesday.

Reynolds said in a news conference that the state recorded more than 52,000 new cases in the past two weeks, and that one in every four current hospital patients has COVID-19.

"In late October hospitalizations were approaching the 100-a-day mark," the Republican governor said. "Now they have topped 200 a day."

The governor's order "limits indoor social, community, business and leisure gatherings or events to 15 people," and limits outdoor gatherings to 30 people, according to a news release.

"This includes wedding and funeral receptions, family gatherings and conventions," the governor's office said in a statement.

The order will remain in effect until Dec. 11 at the earliest, according to the governor's office.

As of Monday, 188,392 Iowans have tested positive for the virus and 1,991 residents have died from the disease, according to the state's Health Department.

Nov 16, 2020, 5:17 PM EST

California 'pulling the emergency brake' on reopening

Forty counties in California, representing 94% of the state's population, will move backward into the most restrictive reopening tier, Gov. Gavin Newsom announced Monday.

"This is the fastest increase California has seen since the beginning of this pandemic," Newsom said. "California is pulling the emergency brake."

California Gov. Gavin Newsom speaks at a COVID-19 testing facility in Valencia, Calif., Oct. 30, 2020.
Marcio Jose Sanchez/AP, FILE

The new restrictions end most indoor activities. Outdoor dining, gyms, religious services, movies and museums are still permitted. In addition to tightening rules on businesses, Newsom said he was discouraging non-essential out-of-state travel and considering implementing a curfew.

ABC News' Matthew Fuhrman contributed to this report.

Nov 16, 2020, 4:44 PM EST

1 million US kids have had COVID-19

More than 1 million U.S. children have tested positive for COVID-19 since the start of the pandemic, according to a report published Monday by the American Academy of Pediatrics and the Children’s Hospital Association.

Last week, nearly 112,000 children were diagnosed, marking the largest weekly increase since the U.S. outbreak began.

Because states differ in how they report on age groups, this report includes infants through teens. In total, infections among children represent 11.5% of overall U.S. cases. Since COVID-19 symptoms in children tend to be milder than those in adults, experts believe many cases go undiagnosed and that current figures are most likely an undercount.

Nov 16, 2020, 3:59 PM EST

Philadelphia tightens COVID restrictions until Jan. 1

Philadelphia officials announced sweeping COVID-19 restrictions Monday that will last through the end of the year.

Colleges, universities and high schools are required to switch to online learning, and churches have been asked to hold online services. All employees able to work remotely should do so.

Additionally, outdoor gatherings will be limited to 10% occupancy, and food and beverages are not allowed to be served.

Dr. Thomas Farley, Health Commissioner for the City of Philadelphia provides an update, March 6, 2020, in Philadelphia.
Bastiaan Slabbers/NurPhoto via Getty Images, FILE

"I know these restrictions are tough," Dr. Thomas Farley, Philadelphia's health commissioner, said Monday. "People are going to be put out of work, and some businesses may go under," Farley added. "We also know that the consequences to health of not doing it are really bad."

"If we do this right, our businesses will recover faster because the epidemic wave will subside sooner."

The new rules go into effect on Friday.

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