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

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

ByMorgan Winsor, Emily Shapiro, Erin Schumaker, Ivan Pereira, Jon Haworth, and Meredith Deliso
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.

Latest headlines:

Here's how the news developed. All times Eastern.
Nov 17, 2020, 12:33 PM EST

New Orleans cancels Mardi Gras parades

New Orleans is canceling parades for next year's Mardi Gras "because large gatherings have proven to be super-spreader events," said the office of Mayor LaToya Cantrell.

The 2017 Krewe of Bacchus parade takes place along the traditional Uptown parade route on Feb. 26, 2017, in New Orleans.
Erika Goldring/Getty Images, FILE

Mardi Gras, on Feb. 16, won't be canceled will not be canceled because it is a religious holiday.

"Bourbon Street and Frenchman Street entertainment Districts are open, but subject to Local and State COVID Guidelines at all times," the mayor's office added.

ABC News' Josh Hoyos contributed to this report.

Nov 17, 2020, 12:31 PM EST

Fauci: If vast majority get vaccinated life could be close to normal by fall 2021

Dr. Anthony Fauci told The New York Times’ DealBook’s Andrew Ross Sorkin that life could return to some degree of normality by fall 2021 if at least 75% of U.S. citizens get vaccinated.

Dr. Anthony Fauci, the U.S. government's top infectious disease expert, testifies during a House Subcommittee hearing on the coronavirus crisis on Capitol Hill in Washington, July 31, 2020.
Kevin Dietsch/Pool via AP, FILE

"This is going to be a difficult task. We’ve got to do outreach. We’ve got to be transparent," he said.

Fauci also said the U.S. still needs to make available rapid at-home tests kits that can be used daily.

ABC News' Anne Flaherty contributed to this report.

Nov 17, 2020, 12:17 PM EST

College students leaving Boston for Thanksgiving must stay home, mayor says

As COVID-19 cases increase in Massachusetts, Boston Mayor Marty Walsh tweeted Tuesday: "Normally, many college students travel to their hometown for Thanksgiving and then return to campus for the rest of the term. We have asked colleges and students not to do that this year. If you go home for Thanksgiving, you should not be returning to Boston this semester."

People walk down Commonwealth Ave. at Boston University in Boston on Oct. 22, 2020.
Boston Globe via Getty Images, FILE

Massachusetts reported 11 more deaths Monday, bringing the state's death toll to 10,110.

"Every metric tells us that we're in the midst of a significant and concerning increase of COVID activity," Walsh said. "The daily cases we're seeing are starting to look like the numbers we saw near our peak in April and May."

Contact tracing has shown the virus is spreading at workplaces and at gatherings in homes, Walsh added.

"We’re asking you to spend Thanksgiving in person with only your current household," Walsh tweeted.

ABC News' Rachel Katz contributed to this report.

Nov 17, 2020, 11:58 AM EST

100,000 volunteer for Royal Caribbean test cruises

Royal Caribbean International president and CEO Michael Bayley announced that 100,000 people have volunteered to test out COVID-19 protocols before the cruise line restarts its operations.

"We can’t wait to start this next phase with you all!" Bayley wrote in a post on his official Facebook page. "It has been so gratifying to receive literally thousands of emails and calls offering to volunteer."

Cruise lines operating in American waters are required by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to run simulated voyages with volunteer guests before recommencing sailing amid the coronavirus pandemic. Volunteers must acknowledge in writing that they risk contracting COVID-19.

Last week, Royal Caribbean told ABC News it was encouraged by the huge interest in its trial cruises but that dates had not yet been set.

ABC News' Gio Benito, Mina Kaji and Nathan Luna contributed to this report.

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