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

The increase comes less than two weeks after Halloween.

ByMorgan Winsor, Emily Shapiro, Ivan Pereira, and Meredith Deliso
Video byJessie DiMartino
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 11, 2020, 4:15 PM EST

Passenger on 1st Caribbean cruise tests positive

A passenger on board the first cruise to set sail in the Caribbean since the spring has tested positive for the coronavirus, according to The Points Guy (TPG) and another passenger.

The ship is now headed back to Bridgetown, Barbados, where it originated on Saturday.

All passengers were tested before arriving in Barbados and before boarding on Saturday. According to TPG, the passenger felt ill Wednesday and tested positive. All 53 passengers are now quarantined in their rooms. 

The cruise line did not immediately respond to ABC News' request for comment.

ABC News' Sam Sweeney contributed to this report

Nov 11, 2020, 3:50 PM EST

PolicyLab forecasts 'substantial growth' in Northeast, Mid-Atlantic

Hospitalizations, intensive care unit admissions and ventilator use are now increasing throughout all 50 states, according to the new weekly report from PolicyLab at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.

In four states -- Montana, New Mexico, North Dakota and South Dakota -- COVID-19 patients are occupying 50% or more of ICU beds.

PolicyLab said it's "forecasting substantial growth" in cases in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic in the next four weeks.

Medical works operate a testing tent at a COVID-19 mobile testing site, Wednesday, Nov. 11, 2020, in the Brooklyn borough of New York.
John Minchillo/AP

PolicyLab added, "We project that major cities in California will have significant case growth into mid-December, as will Portland and Seattle."

ABC News' Brian Hartman contributed to this report

Nov 11, 2020, 3:13 PM EST

White House political director, 2 other aides test positive

White House political director Brian Jack and at least two other White House aides have tested positive for COVID-19, sources familiar with the matter told ABC News. 

At least 12 people in President Donald Trump's orbit have tested positive since White House chief of staff Mark Meadows tested positive one week ago. 

ABC News' John Santucci and Katherine Faulders contributed to this report

Nov 11, 2020, 3:06 PM EST

Maryland vs. Ohio State football game canceled due to 'elevated' cases

This Saturday's football game between Maryland and Ohio State has been canceled "due to an elevated number of COVID-19 cases" on Maryland's team, the school announced.

In the last week, eight football players have tested positive, the school said.

In this file photo, Ohio State Buckeyes running back Master Teague III (33) carries the ball in the second half of the game between the Maryland Terrapins and the Ohio State Buckeyes at Ohio Stadium on Nov. 9, 2019 in Columbus, Ohio.
Scott Stuart/ZUMA wire via AP, FILE

"The responsible thing for us to do is pause football activities," Athletics Director Damon Evans said.

The game will not be rescheduled, Maryland said. Four other games featuring ranked teams, including No. 1 Alabama, have been postponed this weekend due to COVID-19 outbreaks.

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