Coronavirus updates: FDA OKs remdesivir as 1st approved treatment in US
Remdesivir had already received emergency use authorization.
A pandemic of the novel coronavirus has now killed more than 1.1 million people worldwide.
Over 41.5 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 8.4 million diagnosed cases and at least 223,000 deaths.
California has the most cases of any U.S. state, with more than 893,000 people diagnosed, according to Johns Hopkins data. California is followed by Texas and Florida, with over 871,000 cases and over 768,000 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.
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FDA OKs remdesivir as 1st approved treatment in US
The Food and Drug Administration has approved remdesivir for use on hospitalized patients, making the drug the first and only approved treatment for COVID-19 in the U.S.
Remdesivir had already received emergency use authorization. The drug has been shown to speed the recovery time of hospitalized patients.
Remdesivir was among the drugs President Donald Trump was taking after his COVID-19 diagnosis.
ABC News' Eric Strauss and Sony Salzman contributed to this report.
Ohio sets another record for highest daily case count
Ohio reported 2,425 new cases in the last 24 hours -- setting yet another record for highest daily case count.
“Of the 10 highest days of new cases reported, eight have occurred in just the past nine days. Nine have occurred in the month of October alone," Gov. Mike DeWine said Thursday.
Ohio now has over 190,000 confirmed COVID-19 cases and at least 5,161 deaths.
"Sadly, our situation in Ohio continues to worsen,” DeWine tweeted.
"It's time to pay attention and get serious. The spread of COVID-19 is getting worse by the minute," the governor continued. "The government is not going to come knocking on your door to make sure you aren't having a party -- we all have a personal responsibility to take precautions and stay safe."
Chicago mayor announces overnight curfew for businesses
As cases rise in Chicago, Mayor Lori Lightfoot announced a string of new rules Thursday, including that nonessential businesses must follow a curfew and close from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m.
"Essential businesses like grocery stores, pharmacies and gas stations will be able to stay open," Lightfoot tweeted.
Also among the new rules are: the last call for serving liquor will be 9 p.m. and bars without food licenses cannot have any indoor service.
The new regulations go into effect on Friday
New Jersey numbers 'not pretty,' governor warns
In New Jersey’s battle against the coronavirus, Gov. Phil Murphy is warning that "the overnight numbers are not pretty."
The state reported 1,182 new cases and 18 more deaths on Thursday, Murphy said.
New Jersey now has over 224,000 people diagnosed with the coronavirus and at least 14,474 confirmed fatalities.
Hospitals have 852 COVID-19 patients, including 74 on ventilators.
"We need to push these numbers back down," Murphy stressed.
“We are seeing trouble with gatherings in private homes,” Murphy added. "We urge you to follow @CDCgov guidance and not gather in a private home with anyone outside your immediate family. Keep gatherings outside. Practice social distancing. Wear a mask, even outside."
ABC News' Aaron Katersky contributed to this report.
Belgium's foreign minister admitted to ICU for COVID-19
Belgian Foreign Minister Sophie Wilmes was hospitalized for COVID-19 and admitted to an intensive care unit on Wednesday evening, a spokesperson told ABC News.
The 45-year-old's condition remains stable, the spokesperson said.
Wilmes, who was the caretaker prime minister of Belgium during the first wave of the coronavirus pandemic, announced via Twitter on Saturday that she had tested positive for COVID-19, saying that the "contamination probably happened within my family circle given all precautions taken outside of my home."
She is the country's first woman foreign minister, as well as the first and only woman prime minister in Belgian history.
ABC News' Aicha El Hammar Castano contributed to this report.