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.”
Clemson's Trevor Lawrence, likely No. 1 NFL pick, tests positive
Clemson quarterback Trevor Lawrence, the likely No. 1 pick in next year's NFL Draft, has tested positive for COVID-19.
Lawrence's positive test was confirmed by his coach late Thursday.
"Trevor has authorized us this evening to announce that he has tested positive for COVID-19 and is now in isolation," Dabo Swinney said in a statement. "He is doing well with mild symptoms but will not be available for this week’s game against Boston College."
The Tigers are currently the No. 1 team in the nation and are 6-0 on the season. They are a huge favorite over Boston College this weekend.
Lawrence released a statement saying, in part, "I have tested positive for COVID-19, and my symptoms have been relatively mild while I'm following the protocol from Clemson and the ACC. The only thing that hurts is missing an opportunity to be with my teammates this weekend and play the game I love."
The Clemson star was one of the top lobbyists among college players to hold a college football season. He argued the athletes would be less protected if they did not compete and instead stayed at home for remote learning.
"People are at just as much, if not more risk, if we don’t play," he wrote in a tweet on Aug. 9.
Lawrence has been the projected No. 1 pick in the 2021 NFL Draft ever since he exploded on the scene as a freshman in leading the Tigers to a national championship in 2018. He was also the offensive MVP of that game.
Swinney has admitted it's unlikely the junior will return for a fourth season. NFL teams are already salivating over the prospect of the 6-foot-6 signal caller joining their rosters.