Coronavirus updates: Over 7,000 Americans died in past week

The increase comes less than two weeks after Halloween.

Last Updated: November 18, 2020, 4:38 AM EST

A pandemic of the novel coronavirus has now killed more than 1.3 million people worldwide.

Over 53.2 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.

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 nation, with more than 10.7 million diagnosed cases and at least 244,283 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:

Here's how the news is developing. All times Eastern.
Nov 10, 2020, 2:50 PM EST

New restrictions in New Jersey after 'devastating' numbers

New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy announced new restrictions on Tuesday following "devastating" COVID-19 numbers.

The state has 3,877 new COVID-19 cases, he said, bringing its total to over 260,000.

Newark, the state’s largest city, has a positivity rate at 19%.

"We’re taking action to beat back the second wave," Murphy said.

Beginning this Thursday, restaurants and bars can't operate indoors between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m. Sitting at the physical bar inside bars will be prohibited at all hours, Murphy said.

PHOTO: Diners are seen eating indoors at the Greek Taverna on Nov. 09, 2020, in Edgewater, N.J.
Diners are seen eating indoors at the Greek Taverna on Nov. 09, 2020, in Edgewater, N.J. New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy announced that restaurants and bars must conclude indoor dining by 10 p.m. starting Nov. 12 to combat rising COVID-19 rates.
Michael Loccisano/Getty Images

"Due to the impact this may have on restaurants with small seating areas, restaurants will be allowed to have groups at tables indoors that are closer than six feet together, if they are separated by barriers that comply with guidance from the Department of Health," Murphy's statement said. "Restaurants will be allowed to set up plastic domes outdoors, limited to one group each, as additional outdoor dining space."

PHOTO: A waiter in a protective face mask takes a customer's order during lunch at a restaurant in Hoboken, N.J., Sept. 4, 2020.
A waiter in a protective face mask takes a customer's order during lunch at a restaurant in Hoboken, N.J., Sept. 4, 2020. On Nov. 9, New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy said bars and restaurants must halt indoor dining from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. beginning Nov. 12 in an attempt to control a resurgence of the coronavirus.
Eduardo Munoz Alvarez/AP

Additionally, all indoor sports games for high schoolers and younger will be banned.

Nov 10, 2020, 2:47 PM EST

Oklahoma Democrats beg for statewide mask order

Oklahoma House Minority Leader Emily Virgin on Tuesday begged for a statewide mask order on behalf of the House Democratic Caucus.

"There have been more than 1,400 COVID deaths in Oklahoma and the governor has not come up with a single plan to keep that number from getting to 2,000. This is a total failure in leadership," Virgin said.

Oklahoma state Rep. Emily Virgin calls for a state face mask mandate during a news conference on Nov. 10, 2020, in Oklahoma City.
Sue Ogrocki/AP

"First, we are told that it [a mask mandate] was a matter of freedom. This is an issue of public safety and saving lives," Virgin said. "Thirty-five states have found a way to issue a mask mandate and enforce it"

"The governor is running out of excuses for his failed leadership and Oklahomans are dying," she said.

 "ICU beds in Tulsa are full. Oklahoma City beds are approaching that mark," she said. "Governor, we are asking you to do the right thing. If the governors of surrounding states and other red states like Utah can make this decision, you can, too."

In a statement Saturday Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt said, "Keep washing your hands frequently, watch your distance from others, and wear a mask when social distancing isn’t possible or visiting indoor public places."

The Oklahoma Sooners' sooner schooner before the game against the Kansas Jayhawks at Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium, Nov. 7, 2020.
Kevin Jairaj/USA TODAY Sports

"Taking these steps together as a state will allow us to continue to keep our lives operating as close to normal as possible," he said. "Oklahomans pulled together back in April so we could safely reopen our economy, and I am asking for that same unified effort once again to slow the spread of this virus and keep Oklahomans safe.”

ABC News' Michelle Mendez contributed to this report

Nov 10, 2020, 1:54 PM EST

Vaccine distribution could possibly start in late November

If Pfizer's vaccine is authorized by the FDA, U.S. distribution could start at increments of about 20 million doses per month, potentially as early as late November, Secretary of Health and Human Services Alex Azar told reporters Tuesday.

"Back in April, when I was forming Operation Warp Speed, if you told me that by November we would have exciting data from a Phase 3 vaccine trial and substantial supplies of a monoclonal antibody authorized and ready for distribution, I would have been absolutely stunned," Azar said.

Pfizer said Monday that the earliest it could have the requisite safety data needed to apply for FDA authorization is the third week of November. The company also said it expects to produce 50 million doses globally before the end of the year. Each person needs two doses. 

ABC News' Sony Salzman contributed to this report

Nov 10, 2020, 1:27 PM EST

Fauci says 'I will take the vaccine'

Now that Pfizer Inc. said Monday that its vaccine may be 90% effective, Dr. Anthony Fauci says it's possible that "by the time we get into December, we'll be able to have doses available for people ... at the highest priority to get it first."

"Hopefully, since this is such an effective vaccine, or efficacious at least in the trial, that after a reasonable period of time, we will get vaccine to everyone who wants and needs it and hopefully that will be the overwhelming majority of the country," Fauci told MSNBC Tuesday. "The vaccine is a very, very important tool in ending this pandemic both domestically and internationally.”

PHOTO: Dr. Anthony Fauci testifies during a Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee Hearing to examine COVID-19. Washington, D.C., Sept. 23, 2020.
Dr. Anthony Fauci, Director, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, testifies during a Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee Hearing to examine COVID-19. Washington, D.C., Sept. 23, 2020.
Graeme Jennings/Reuters, FILE

Fauci added that he will take the vaccine and he'll "recommend that my family take the vaccine.”

ABC News' Sophie Tatum contributed to this report

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