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.
Barely halfway through November, the U.S. has surpassed 2 million monthly cases for the first time, according to the COVID Tracking Project.
Paramedics and firefighters with Anne Arundel County Fire Department prepare to transport a patient to the hospital as first responders respond to a 911 emergency call on Nov. 10, 2020, in Glen Burnie, Md.
Alex Edelman/Getty Images
The U.S. is now averaging more than 150,000 new cases every day, nearly three times the average from just a month ago, the COVID Tracking Project found. Every state in the country is reporting an increasing number of new COVID-19 cases.
The previous record number of cases in a single month was 1,897,631 in July.
ABC News' Arielle Mitropoulos, Brian Hartman, Ben Bell and Soorin Kim contributed to this report.
Nov 17, 2020, 1:32 PM EST
All but 3 states in 'red zone,' per White House Coronavirus Task Force report
All states except Vermont, Maine and Hawaii are in the "red zone" as the pandemic intensifies across the U.S., according to the most recent weekly White House Coronavirus Task Force briefing for governors, dated Nov. 15.
Wisconsin is experiencing "an unrelenting rise in cases and test positivity over the last two months," the report said.
Maggie Fuhrman, a physician assistant, watches as a man takes a rapid-result COVID-19 test at the UW-Milwaukee Student Union on Nov. 16, 2020. University of Wisconsin campuses are offering free "surge testing sites" that provide rapid-result COVID-19 tests to off-campus community members, with the aim of alleviating the high demand for testing across the state. MJS-dailycovid17p1
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel via USA Today Network
“Illinois has seen an explosive rise in cases and test positivity over the last six weeks," the report said. Illinois' hospitalizations are at an all-time high and deaths are increasing rapidly.
A man walks past a coffee shop as the store displays information signs in Chicago, Nov. 12, 2020. With the coronavirus coming back with a vengeance across the country and the U.S. facing a long, dark winter, governors and other elected officials are showing little appetite for reimposing the kind of lockdowns and large-scale business closings seen last spring.
Nam Y. Huh/AP
In Oklahoma, hospitalizations are increasing week over week, the report said. An increase in cases in the last "two weeks correlate with Halloween and related activities," and "with Thanksgiving and upcoming holidays, Oklahomans must understand the COVID-19 situation statewide."
Meanwhile, in the West and the South, “Colorado has seen a relentless increase in cases and hospitalization over the past two months," while “Florida is in the midst of a viral resurgence," the report said.
A state qualifies for "red zone" for cases if it has 101 or more new cases per 100,000 population.
ABC News' Josh Margolin contributed to this report.
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.
