Coronavirus updates: 'Close contact' definition updated by CDC
The CDC offered new, more strict guidance on Wednesday.
A pandemic of the novel coronavirus has now killed more than 1.1 million people worldwide.
Over 41.1 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 8.3 million diagnosed cases and at least 221,987 deaths.
California has the most cases of any U.S. state, with more than 886,000 people diagnosed, according to Johns Hopkins data. California is followed by Texas and Florida, with over 868,000 cases and over 760,000 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.
Latest headlines:
- New CDC study finds multiple, brief exposures within 6 feet can heighten risk of transmission
- New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy self-isolating after close contact with someone who tested positive
- US surgeon general says herd immunity could 'lead to many complications/deaths'
- Analysis shows rise in COVID-19 hospitalizations in 42 US states
- US reports over 60,000 new cases, nearly 1,000 deaths
Chief adviser for Operation Warp Speed says all Americans could be immunized with vaccine by June
Dr. Moncef Slaoui, chief adviser for the Trump administration's Operation Warp Speed effort to accelerate a vaccine rollout, told ABC News Wednesday that every American could be immunized June 2021.
"It's a plan, it's not a certainty," Slaoui told ABC News' Bob Woodruff. "But the plan should make it such that by June everybody could have been immunized in the United States. We will have enough vaccine doses. I really hope most people will take the vaccines."
He added there are two vaccines in Phase 3 trials that are on hold, "and they are imminently going to have the hold lifted," referring to the fact that AstraZeneca and Johnson & Johnson have paused their trials. While this "does have an impact" on speed, Slaoui added, "that's fine, because the number one priority is safety of course."
"If that means the trial has to stop for a month ... that's what we'll do," he said.
Spain tops 1 million cases
Spain has become the first nation in the European Union to hit the 1 million mark for coronavirus cases.
The country has reported a total of 1,005,295 cases and 34,366 fatalities, according to data from Johns Hopkins University.
New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy self-isolating after close contact with someone who tested positive
New Jersey’s governor said Wednesday he will self-isolate after he was in close proximity to someone who just tested positive for coronavirus.
Murphy walked away from a news conference at Camden County Community College in Blackwood, New Jersey, on Wednesday shortly after learning he was close to someone Saturday who has since tested positive
Murphy tested negative Monday. His spokesperson later confirmed to The Associated Press that he also tested negative Wednesday.
ABC News’ Aaron Katersky contributed to this report.
Germany’s health minister tests positive
German Health Minister Jens Spahn has tested positive for the coronavirus and is currently self-isolating, the DPA News Agency reported Wednesday, citing a Health Ministry announcement.
Spahn has developed cold symptoms so far, the ministry said.
The Robert Koch Institute reported that Germany recorded 7,595 new cases on Wednesday, bringing the total to 380,762. The death toll increased by 39, now totaling 9,875.
ABC News’ Christine Theodorou contributed to this report.
Boston Public Schools to suspend in-person learning amid rising positivity rates
Boston will suspend all in-person learning for its public school system, effective this Thursday, Superintendent Brenda Cassellius announced on Wednesday in a letter to employees obtained by ABC News' local affiliate WCVB.
The move came after local health officials said that the citywide seven-day COVID-19 positivity rate had increased to 5.7% -- a jump from 4.5% last week, and 4.1% two weeks before.
“We remain committed to providing in-person learning opportunities to our students as soon as it is safe to do so, and will continue to prioritize out students with the highest needs for in-person learning,” Cassellius wrote.
Boston will resume in-person learning for high-need students in public schools once the seven-day positivity rate is below 5% for two consecutive weeks. A phased-in approach will also begin for the districts youngest students when the positivity rate is below 4% for two consecutive weeks.
The seven-day average of new cases in Massachusetts has been on the rise for nearly seven weeks, increasing by 86% just in the last month.
ABC News' Arielle Mitropoulos contributed to this report.