COVID-19 live updates: New York sees fourfold increase in pediatric hospitalizations
The shift reflects the spread of the omicron variant.
As the COVID-19 pandemic has swept the globe, more than 5.3 million people have died from the disease worldwide, including over 816,000 Americans, according to real-time data compiled by Johns Hopkins University's Center for Systems Science and Engineering.
About 61.7% of the population in the United States is fully vaccinated against COVID-19, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Latest headlines:
- New record case high on Christmas Eve in New York
- 'Everybody' in Australia will get omicron, health minister says
- American, Delta, JetBlue, United report impacts from omicron
- Cases soar in Florida
- CDC issues contingency plan for to prevent shortage of health care workers in event of major omicron surge
- New York sees record-smashing 44,431 cases in 1 day
- White House to lift travel restrictions on southern African countries
Atlanta reinstates indoor mask mandate
Atlanta is reinstating an indoor mask mandate due to a recent case surge in the area, Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms said.
"We are watching the data daily and will continue to engage experts for guidance on how best to provide for the safety and wellbeing of our communities," the mayor said in a statement.
New Orleans moving ahead with Mardi Gras
New Orleans is moving ahead with Mardi Gras 2022, which falls on March 1, Mayor Latoya Cantrell announced.
Montreal declares a state of emergency
Montreal Mayor Valérie Plante has declared a state of emergency due to omicron.
"This allows us to guarantee services to essential workers and vulnerable people, among others," she tweeted.
Quebec, the province home to Montreal, saw a record high of 5,043 new cases on Tuesday, according to CTV.
-ABC News' Christine Theodorou
Minnesota governor and his family test positive
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz tweeted that he's tested positive for COVID-19, as have his wife and his son.
The governor said he and his wife are asymptomatic and his son, who is in the ninth grade, has mild symptoms.
Walz said his son is vaccinated and that he and his wife are vaccinated and boosted.
Walz tweeted, "I am confident that these vaccines are protecting my family and me from serious illness. … I encourage every Minnesotan to get tested, and get vaccinated and a booster."
Ohio hospitals take out an ad in local paper pleading for people to get vaccinated
Six hospitals in Ohio have taken out a full-page ad in the Cleveland Plain-Dealer in a desperate plea for people to get vaccinated as the state faces a renewed surge.
The ad, which appeared in Sunday's paper, says in big letters: "Help."
"We need your help. We now have more COVID-19 patients in our hospitals than ever before," the ad says. "And the overwhelming majority are unvaccinated. This is preventable."
Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine announced last week that he would deploy the state's National Guard to help with hospital strain. Ohio is now averaging more than 9,100 new cases every day -- up 67.5% in the last month. Statewide, more than 5,200 patients are hospitalized with COVID-19.
"The best way to avoid serious illness is the vaccine," the ad said. "So, get vaccinated and get your booster ... we need you to care as much as we do."
-ABC News' Arielle Mitropoulos