Coronavirus updates: Clemson's Trevor Lawrence, likely NFL top pick, tests positive
The quarterback will be isolated and not play this weekend.
A pandemic of the novel coronavirus has now killed more than 1.1 million people worldwide.
Over 44.9 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 8.9 million diagnosed cases and at least 228,636 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:
Wisconsin hospitals strained, patients up 16%
In Wisconsin, 1 in 5 hospitals reported critical staffing shortages, said DHS Deputy Secretary Julie Willems Van Dijk.
Hospitalizations are up 16% and the number of patients in ICUs continues to grow, she said.
Seventy out of Wisconsin's 72 counties are reporting very high COVID-19 activity. Over 214,000 people in Wisconsin have been diagnosed and at least 1,948 people have died.
ABC News’ Rachel Katz contributed to this report.
US death toll could reach 256,000 by Thanksgiving: CDC
The U.S. could lose another 15,000 to 28,000 lives to COVID-19 by Nov. 21, according to the weekly ensemble forecast released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
That would mean a total of 243,000 to 256,000 American lives lost to the coronavirus by the weekend before Thanksgiving.
ABC News’ Brian Hartman contributed to this report.
Utah seeing 'very serious spike'
Utah is “in the middle of a very, very serious spike,” Greg Bell, president and CEO of the Utah Hospital Association, said Thursday.
The state’s seven-day positivity rate has climbed to 18.1%, up from 15% last week, state epidemiologist Angela Dunn said at a news conference.
Utah’s ICUs are 72% full, Dunn said.
“Our hospitals are getting too full to function,” Gov. Gary Herbert warned.
Herbert said gatherings will be limited to 10 people.
“I know you have holidays coming up, Halloween and Thanksgiving … it can be done,” Hebert said. “That will help us get past this surge.”
ABC News’ Bonnie McLean contributed to this report.
Ohio exceeds 3,000 daily cases, another record
Ohio hit another record high number of daily cases on Thursday, with 3,590 more people diagnosed, Gov. Mike DeWine said.
“It’s the first time we’ve surpassed 3,000 [daily] cases -- and 25% more than Saturday’s previous record high,” he tweeted.
Ohio now has over 208,000 COVID-19 cases and at least 5,275 deaths.
"The virus is raging throughout Ohio. There is no place to hide,” DeWine tweeted.
“Today I'm calling on the leaders of each county, each community, in Ohio to come together to create a COVID Defense Team. This is what we need to fight back. It should include commissioners, mayors, hospital leaders, business leaders, religious leaders, health commissioner, etc.,” DeWine continued. “These teams should assess their county's situation, inventory assets, and focus on what steps are needed to turn this around.”
2-week shutdown ordered in El Paso as state attorney general pushes back
Just days after issuing a countywide curfew, a judge in El Paso County, Texas, ordered a two-week shutdown of nonessential businesses -- a move that was met with pushback from the state attorney general.
Judge Ricardo Samaniego announced Thursday that beginning at midnight, El Paso County will enter a two-week shutdown of nonessential businesses and services, including tattoo parlors, hair salons, gyms and in-person dining. Essential businesses, including polling sites and schools that provide meals, will remain open, he said.
"Since the inception of this pandemic, El Paso County has never seen this level of infections through our community," Samaniego told reporters at a press briefing Thursday evening. "Our hospitals are at capacity, our medical professionals are overwhelmed and if we don't respond, we will see unprecedented levels of deaths."
The judge said that El Paso had seen a 365.2% increase in COVID-19 hospitalizations since the beginning of the month.
Following the announcement, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton tweeted that Samaniego "has no authority to shut down businesses" and was violating Gov. Greg Abbott's executive order.
"My office is quickly exploring all legal actions," Paxton said.
El Paso Mayor Dee Margo also questioned the new county order.
"The Judge did not consult me and refuses to return my call, so I am seeking clarification from the Attorney General on the new County order, which does not supersede the Governor's orders," Margo said in a statement.
"We must strike a balance of keeping our neighbors safe while not destroying people's abilities to feed their families," he added.
Several community leaders joined Samaniego in supporting the order.
"In recent days it's apparent that stricter measures are necessary to flatten the curve and, bottom line, save lives," Texas state Rep. Cesar Blanco, a Democrat, said at Thursday's briefing. "The status quo, it's no longer working."
There were 937 hospitalizations due to COVID-19 in El Paso on Thursday, a new record, University Medical Center CEO Jacob Cintron said.
On Sunday, Samaniego ordered a two-week curfew to limit mobility in the community amid rising COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations, and after intensive care units at all area hospitals reached 100% capacity as of Saturday. The curfew has been imposed for 10 p.m. to 5 a.m., and trick-or-treat activities on Halloween are not allowed, Samaniego said.
ABC News' Cherise Rudy, Will Gretsky and Timmy Truong contributed to this report.