Coronavirus

Reuters reports: Global coronavirus cases rose by more than 400,000 for the first time late on Friday, a record one-day increase as much of Europe enacts new restrictions to curb the outbreak. Europe, which successfully tamped down the first surge of infections, has emerged as the new coronavirus epicentre in recent weeks and is reporting on average 140,000 cases a …

The Associated Press reports: The Vatican says someone who lives in the same Vatican hotel as Pope Francis has tested positive for coronavirus, adding to the 11 cases of COVID-19 among the Swiss Guards who protect him. The Vatican said Saturday that the resident of the Domus Sanctae Marthae has moved out temporarily and is in isolation, as are all …

NBC News reports: Incumbent Prime Minister of New Zealand Jacinda Ardern won a second term in office Saturday in a historic election landslide, viewed by many as an endorsement of her handling of the coronavirus pandemic. In a victory speech in front of hundreds of cheering supporters in Auckland, Ardern, 40, said her party had gotten more support from New …

The Miami Herald reports: Florida’s Department of Health on Friday confirmed 3,449 additional cases of COVID-19, bringing the state’s known total to 748,437. Also, 94 resident deaths were announced, bringing the resident death toll to 15,830. Friday is the second day this week that Florida reported more than 3,000 cases. It is also the highest single-day count reported since Sept. …

The Kansas City Star reports: Some Kansas City area hospitals, facing their biggest influx of coronavirus patients since the pandemic began, are refusing ambulances because their beds are already filled, according to a leading doctor at St. Luke’s Health System. On Wednesday night, eight metro hospitals and emergency departments reported such high volumes of patients that they temporarily stopped accepting …

The Washington Post reports: The U.S. budget deficit eclipsed $3.1 trillion in the fiscal year that ended Sept. 30, according to government data released Friday, by far the biggest one-year gap in U.S. history. The deficit — which is the gap between government spending and tax revenue — shows the dramatic surge in spending the U.S. government approved in order …

Politico reports: Former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, newly recovered from the coronavirus, urged President Donald Trump on Friday to encourage the wearing of face masks among Americans. In his first TV interview since contracting Covid-19 earlier this month, Christie — a close ally of the White House who served as the president’s debate coach last month — said it …

Reuters reports: Pfizer expects to provide safety data and file for authorization of the COVID-19 vaccine it is developing with German partner BioNTech in late November, delaying any clarity on the vaccine until after the Nov. 3 U.S. presidential election. The regulatory filing for the vaccine could come as soon as safety data is available in the third week of …

The Washington Post reports: A long-feared autumnal rise of infections and serious illnesses has in recent weeks been strikingly pronounced in Republican-leaning counties, according to a new analysis of health data from Harvard University researchers. The research, which has not been peer-reviewed, shows that “red” counties with the most intense leanings toward Republicans have had the largest recent increases in …

The New York Times reports: Chris Christie, the former New Jersey governor who was recently battling a coronavirus infection, said on Thursday that he was “wrong” not to wear a mask at an event honoring Judge Amy Coney Barrett and in his debate preparation sessions with President Trump, and that people should take the threat of the virus seriously. In …

Reuters reports: Wisconsin and other states in the U.S. Midwest are battling a surge in COVID-19 cases, with new infections and hospitalizations rising to record levels in an ominous sign of a nationwide resurgence as temperatures get colder. More than 22,000 new cases were reported on Wednesday across the Midwest, eclipsing the previous record of more than 20,000 on Oct. …

The Independent reports: London is to go into Tier 2 coronavirus restrictions from midnight on Friday evening, barring the capital’s 9 million residents from meeting other households in their homes or other indoor spaces. The escalation in controls over social and economic life was formally announced by health secretary Matt Hancock in a statement to the House of Commons, when …

The Associated Press reports: Joe Biden’s presidential campaign said Thursday that vice presidential nominee Kamala Harris will suspend in-person events until Monday after two people associated with the campaign tested positive for coronavirus. The campaign said Biden had no exposure, though he and Harris spent several hours campaigning together in Arizona on Oct. 8. Harris was scheduled to travel Thursday …

CNBC reports: American workers continued to hit the unemployment line in large numbers last week, with 898,000 new claims filed for jobless benefits. Economists surveyed by Dow Jones had been looking for 830,000. The total for the week ended Oct. 10 was the highest number since Aug. 22 and another sign that the labor market continues to struggle to get …

CBS News reports: Dr. Anthony Fauci, the nation’s leading infectious disease expert, told “CBS Evening News” anchor and managing editor Norah O’Donnell that the United States needs to redouble its efforts to contain the coronavirus as we enter the fall and winter months. The surge could be made worse as families across the country travel and gather for the holiday …

The New York Times reports: Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said on Wednesday that he did not expect an economic relief package to be enacted before the Nov. 3 election as he and Speaker Nancy Pelosi of California have continued to struggle to reach an agreement on a broad package to support the economy. Negotiators on Wednesday resumed discussions over a …

From a statement issued by Melania Trump: It was two weeks ago when I received the diagnosis that so many Americans across our country and the world had already received—I tested positive for COVID-19. To make matters worse, my husband, and our nation’s Commander-in-Chief, received the same news. Naturally my mind went immediately to our son. To our great relief …

Des Moines’ ABC News affiliate reports: If you’re heading to President Trump’s rally at the Des Moines International Airport Wednesday, you may see a digital billboard along Fleur Drive. The billboard reads, “Trump Covid Superspreader Event,” with an arrow pointing toward the airport. Rural America 2020 posted the picture on Twitter commenting that it’s doing its part to warn Iowans …

Reuters reports: The French government on Wednesday declared a public health state of emergency, giving officials greater powers to impose new measures to contain the spread of COVID-19. Announcing the decision in a statement, the government said the epidemic was a public health disaster which endangered the health of the population and justified the adoption of strict measures. The government’s …

The Washington Post reports: Trump on Wednesday is seeking to shore up support in Iowa, a state he won comfortably four years ago but that polls show to be in play this year. The president plans to stage a rally at the Des Moines International Airport amid a flurry of travel this week to battleground states that he carried in …