© Provided by Washington Examiner More governors are imposing coronavirus restrictions as infections spread at rates not seen since May.
The number of reported COVID-19 cases exceeded 144,000 Wednesday, according to the COVID Tracking Project, a new record. The number of people hospitalized with the virus rose to an all-time high of more than 65,000, and 1,421 deaths were recorded.
The average proportion of COVID-19 tests coming back positive across the United States has reached 8.5%, the highest such rate since early May, indicating growing outbreaks.
New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced a series of new restrictions targeting restaurants, bars, and gyms on Wednesday in response to the increasing coronavirus test positivity rate. Starting Friday night, any establishment with a New York state liquor license, including bars and restaurants, must close at 10 p.m. Restaurants can do food-only curbside pickup after. Gyms must also close at 10 p.m. Cuomo added that private residential gatherings will be capped at 10, citing house parties as superspreader events.
"We're seeing a global COVID surge, and New York is a ship on the COVID tide," Cuomo said. "Today, we've seen the country set a new record in terms of COVID cases. It is really getting much, much worse by the day."
"This is our LAST chance to stop a second wave," tweeted Mayor Bill de Blasio. "We can do it, but we have to act NOW."
The positivity rate for coronavirus tests in New York City has risen to 2.52% in the last week in the Big Apple. That is the highest it has been since June, when it reached 2.61%.
Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb announced new restrictions on specific counties reporting the steepest case increases, Indy Star reported. Stage 5, the reopening stage the state has been in since September, is no longer in effect. Most of the counties are designated orange, meaning all social gatherings will be limited to 50 people. Red counties will be limited to gatherings of 25 people or fewer.
In Maryland, Gov. Larry Hogan tightened restrictions on restaurants, which must now scale back from 75% capacity to 50% for indoor dining, and indoor gatherings of more than 25 people are "strongly" discouraged, the Baltimore Sun reported. Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds, meanwhile, issued limits on large gatherings and implemented a partial mask mandate for social settings and some businesses on Tuesday. North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper reduced the limit on gathering sizes Tuesday from 25 to 10.
Washington, D.C., reported 206 new COVID-19 cases on Tuesday, double the number of previously recorded cases in the nation's capital in recent days. With the seven-day rolling average of new cases in the 80s and 90s for the past two weeks, this marks the largest increase in a 24-hour period in the district since May, according to NBC Washington. It remains unclear what caused the increase in cases, but there have been significant spikes in places across the country in recent weeks.
To date, the U.S. has confirmed more than 10.3 million cases and nearly 241,000 deaths due to COVID-19.
Russia's coronavirus vaccine is 92% effective, according to the Russian Direct Investment Fund, the nation's sovereign wealth fund.
The vaccine, dubbed "Sputnik V," has generated controversy because the Russian Ministry of Health approved its use in August despite no phase three trials being completed. Phase 3 trials are conducted to determine the safety and effectiveness of a vaccine.
The RDIF claimed that 40,000 people are participating in a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled Phase 3 trial. Sputnik requires two doses of the vaccine, given 21 days apart. The 92% effectiveness is based on 16,000 who have received both doses of the vaccine. There were no reported adverse side effects.
The European Commission has reached an agreement with Pfizer and BioNTech for up to 300 million doses of their coronavirus vaccine.
Under the deal, the 27 countries in the European Union could purchase 200 million doses, with an option to buy 100 million more. The vaccine will not be available until the European Medicines Agency deems it to be safe and effective.
"I'm very happy to announce today's agreement with the European company BioNTech and Pfizer to purchase 300 million doses of the vaccine," President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen said.
Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla sold more than 60% of his stock in the company on the same day the drugmaker announced the promising results of its COVID-19 vaccine trial. Bourla sold 132,508 shares totaling $5.6 million on Monday, the same day the company reported that early clinical trial data puts the vaccine candidate's effectiveness at 90%.
The SeaDream Yacht Club's SeaDream 1, the first cruise vessel to resume sailing in the Caribbean, is facing a COVID-19 outbreak.
According to Captain Torbjorn Lund, a passenger on the vessel has tested positive for the virus. All 53 passengers will be confined to their cabins. Of the 66 crew members, all nonessential ones will be required to isolate. Lund announced that SeaDream 1 would return to Barbados, bringing an end to the current voyage.
Swedish Prime Minister Stefan Lofven announced restrictions on alcohol sales in bars and restaurants Wednesday, a move meant to slow the spread of the coronavirus. Bars, restaurants, and nightclubs will be forced to stop selling alcohol after 10 p.m., which authorities hope will minimize gatherings and encourage social distancing, Reuters reported Wednesday.
Sweden, which has drawn worldwide interest for its relatively hands-off approach to the pandemic, has confirmed nearly 167,000 cases and more than 6,000 deaths due to COVID-19, far more than its Scandinavian neighbors. Faced with the threat of a winter surge, the government has recommended that several regions, including Sweden's biggest cities, Stockholm and Gothenburg, be placed under temporary lockdown. Government officials have not, however, mandated that cities shut down.
Tags: Healthcare, News, Coronavirus, Andrew Cuomo, Larry Hogan, Russia, Europe, Vaccination, Pfizer
Original Author: Cassidy Morrison
Original Location: States across the country impose restrictions as hospitalizations hit new record of 65,000