Coronavirus USA: news summary for Tuesday 8 September
Coronavirus live US updates: Tuesday 8 September
US coronavirus latest: 12:30 PT / 15:30 ET on Tuesday 8 September (21:30 CEST)
Latest figures published by Johns Hopkins University.
Worldwide
Cases: 27,414,048
Deaths: 894,012
Recoveries: 18,381,115
US
Cases: 6,314,282
Deaths: 189,400
Recoveries: 2,333,583
Coronavirus-related stories you might be interested in:
Qiagen readies launch of rapid Covid-19 antigen test
(Reuters) German diagnostic test maker Qiagen on Tuesday said it planned to launch a Covid-19 antigen test that can provide results in 15 minutes and test about 30 samples in an hour.
The company said it will launch two versions of the antigen test, one for labs and one for use at point-of-care use, such as at airports or stadiums, depending on regulatory clearance.
The test has not yet received authorization from US regulators and the company plans to launch it in November.
Antigen tests are faster than molecular diagnostic tests but generally more likely to fail in identifying positive cases of the virus than the gold-standard molecular diagnostic tests, which are conducted in laboratories.
Second stimulus package: Republicans unveil new "targeted" coronavirus bill
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has unveiled a new proposed coronavirus bill which includes an extra $300-per-week in unemployment benefits through 27 December.
Second stimulus check: what money could Trump use for second payment?
While Congress struggles to reach an agreement over a new stimulus package, Donald Trump has revealed a proposal to use Covid relief funds for a second stimulus check.
A supporter of Donald Trump wearing a Trump 2020 protective face mask because of the coronavirus outbreak listens as the president speaks about the state of Florida during a campaign stop at Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse and Museum in Jupiter, Florida, September 8, 2020. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst
Covid-19 cases rise in US Midwest and Northeast, deaths fall for third week
(Reuters) Several states in the US Midwest and Northeast have seen new Covid-19 cases increase for two weeks in a row, though nationally both new infections and deaths last week remained on a downward trend, a Reuters analysis showed.
The United States reported more than 287,000 new cases in the week ended 6 September, down 1.4% from the previous week and marking the seventh straight week of declines. More than 5,800 people died from Covid-19 last week, the third week in a row that the death rate has fallen.
Nevertheless, 17 states have seen cases rise for at least two weeks, according to the Reuters tally of state and county reports. They include Missouri, North Dakota and Wisconsin, where between 10% and 18% of people tested had the new coronavirus.
In the Northeast, Delaware, New Hampshire, New Jersey and New York also reported increases in new cases for at least two weeks, though the positive test rate ranged from a low of 0.9% in New York to a high of 4.3% in Delaware -- below the 5% level the World Health Organization considers concerning.
Republicans unveil slimmed down coronavirus bill
Following weeks of stalled negotiaitons on a coronavirus relief package, Senate Republicans have presented a slimmed down bill, aiming for an opening vote on the floor this Thursday, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell announced.
The slimmed-down package is expected to spend about $500 billion in federal aid, according to Fox new, and includes an extra $300-per-weel federal unemployment benefits boost through 27 December.
Coronavirus: What have Trump & Biden said about a vaccine?
Donald Trump is pushing for a Covid-19 vaccine to be ready as early as October, while Joe Biden has accused the president of "playing politics" with the vaccine. Read more...
Only one positive test among NFL players last week
One NFL player tested positive for COVID-19 during the week of Aug. 30-Sept .5, the league and union announced Tuesday. There were also seven new confirmed positives among team personnel.
A total of 44,510 tests were administered to 8,349 players and personnel. Broken down, that included 17,519 tests for 2,641 players and 26,991 tests for 5,708 personnel. The 2020 regular season gets underway Thursday night when the defending Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs host the Houston Texans. (Field Level Media).
Interest rates to stay low for "extended period of time", says Fed chairman
Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell has said that interest rates will stay low for a long time, in a bid to support economic recovery amid the coronavirus pandemic.
"We think that the economy's going to need low interest rates, which support economic activity, for an extended period of time," he told NPR.
French COVID-19 cases and deaths mount up
The number of new confirmed cases of Covid-19 in France rose by 6,544 over the last 24 hours to give a total of 335,524 cases, the health ministry said on Tuesday, as the country battles to avert a second wave of the virus. The number of deaths also climbed by 39 over the last 24 hours to reach a total of 30,764.
France has the world's seventh-highest Covid-19 death toll, and authorities are scrutinising the data to see what measures might be needed to help it cope with an expected second wave of the virus this winter. The government has said that while it will do all it can to avoid another nationwide lockdown, such as that imposed across the country from March to May, it will nevertheless keep all its options open. (Reuters)
Harris says she would trust vaccine under Trump if approved by health officials
Democratic Vice presidential candidate Kamala Harris has re-clarified earlier comments in which she said she would not trust a vaccine approved under the Trump administration.
Harris told WISN on Tuesday that she would in fact trust a vaccine appproved under Trump if “the public health professionals and the scientists told us that we can trust it,”
'Start Me Up' - Rolling Stones open store in London despite pandemic
The Rolling Stones will open their first dedicated store on Wednesday in London's Carnaby Street, despite the coronavirus pandemic having drastically reduced footfall and the number of tourists visiting the city.
RS No. 9 Carnaby will sell clothes, merchandise and music and feature a video wall with a film of the band, a soundwave installation to represent part of the 1960s track 'Paint It Black' and a super-sized version of the band's lips and tongue logo.
"Why would you open a shop during a pandemic? Well, you know, it's eternal optimism," said singer Mick Jagger.
"You could have put it off, I guess, till next year... but there will be a little bit of pick up, I think. And people will be curious and people are out and about a bit more than they were," the 77-year-old added.
The shop will also sell Rolling Stones face masks. When asked why they chose to open on Carnaby Street, a road synonymous with the swinging sixties in London, Jagger said it is close to where the band used to work and rehearse. (Reuters).
Photo: Workers pose holding good branded with the British Band 'The Rolling Stones' during a media-call for the 'RS No. 9 Carnaby' store in London (EFE)
Surge in demand for air purifier that can kill coronavirus
Hong Kong-based company has developed an air purifier that can kill over 99.9% of Covid-19.
Demand for Aurabeat's air purifier has surged worldwide following the launch of the FDA-certified air filtration device.
Aurabeat CEO, Phil Yuen, told CNBC that he believes the device can complement coronavirus precautions like mask-wearing and social distancing, providing additional protection in residential spaces where masks are less likely to be used.
"We’ve seen a significant increase in orders and distribution requests coming from universities, hospitals, government agencies all looking to provide the same level of protection we’re able to do here in Hong Kong,” Yuen told CNBC’s Street Signs Asia.
UK reports 30 new COVID-19 deaths on Tuesday, compared to 3 on Monday
Britain reported 30 new Covid-19 deaths on Tuesday, up from 3 on Monday, data published on the government's website showed. The data reflects those who had a positive test result for Covid-19 and died within 28 days of the first positive test. (Reuters)
New York: Gov Andre Cuomo posts latest figures
New York Governor Andrew Cuomo has posted the latest figures registered in the state, which had initially been the epi-center for the coronavirus in the United States.
"Of the 57,826 tests reported yesterday, 557 were positive (0.96% of total)," tweeted Cuomo. "Total hospitalizations are at 445. Sadly, there were 5 COVID fatalities yesterday."
California sees huge decrease in key coronavirus metrics
California has witnessed a huge decrease in three key metrics over the past few weeks, namely the positivity rate, hospitalizations and seven-day average of cases.
According to data analyzed by The Daily Democrat, "there were fewer people hospitalized from COVID-19 than any point since mid-June, while the seven-day positivity rate fell to 4% — half its peak — for the first time since late-May.
"The current seven-day average of new cases took a dive, down to almost 4,000 per day, with the number reported on Labor Day less than one-third what it was the prior Monday."
12,000 attend prayer rally, breaking coronavirus health measures
A pastor associated with Bethel Church in Redding, California, hosted a prayer service and rally in defiance of coronavirus prevention measures on the California State Capitol grounds on Sunday. The service was attended by 12,000 worshipers, according to CBS Sacramento.
During the pandemic, Worship Pastor Sean Feucht has been holding Christian concerts throughout the the United States, defying rules on large gatherings.
"Powerful politicians and social media giants have engaged in unchartered abuses of religious liberty, silencing the faithful, banning our voices, and outright attacking our God-given right to declare His goodness," Feucht writes on his website LetUsWorship.
Trump says willing to spend his own money on presidential campaign
President Donald Trump said on Tuesday he would spend his own money to finance his 2020 presidential campaign against Democrat Joe Biden if he had to.
The Republican leader told reporters before taking off for a trip to Florida that the campaign had double or triple what it had in 2017 but he would put in whatever it takes. 'If I have to, I would,' Trump said. (Text: Reuters/Photo: AFP)
Covid robocop: the droid that reminds you to wear your mask
Engineers have developed a robot that can detect whether people are wearing a mask to guard against Covid-19 and, if not, politely remind them to put one on.
The feature is an upgrade of Pepper, a 120 cm (47 inch) high robot with human-like features that is already in operation in some countries welcoming visitors to shops, exhibitions and other public spaces.
Pepper's camera scans the faces of people approaching it, and if it detects the lower half of their face is uncovered, it pronounces the phrase: "You have to always wear a mask properly."
If it sees that the visitor then puts on a mask, the robot follows up with the phrase: "Thank you for having put on your mask." The idea is not to have a robot police whether people are wearing masks, but to provide a friendly reminder, said Jonathan Boiria, head of sales in Europe for SoftBank Robotics, the company behind Pepper.
"Shops have to assign people at the entrance, a lot of people, to ensure respect for the wearing of masks, and sometimes that is a stretch," Boiria told Reuters in Paris.
"A robot allows you to free up some people so they can focus on their normal tasks. We're all human. Sometimes I take off my mask when I get off the bus and I forget to put it back on when I arrive at the office. The robot provides a reminder. We can all get it wrong or forget.'
Second stimulus check: 8 and 14 September key relief-bill dates
Second stimulus check: 8 and 14 September key relief-bill dates
The Senate returns from its recess on Tuesday as Congress bids to push through a coronavirus relief package potentially featuring a second stimulus check.
Full story:
Pharma CEOs make vaccine pledge in joint statement
The CEOs of nine drug companies in the US and Europe have vowed to maintain scientific standards as the pharmaceutical industry races to roll out a vaccine for the coronavirus.
The heads of firms such as Pfizer and AstraZeneca on Tuesday released a joint statement in which they spoke of a "historic pledge to the world, outlining a united commitment to uphold the integrity of the scientific process as they work towards potential global regulatory filings and approvals of the first Covid-19 vaccines".
On Monday, 65% of respondents to a CBS News poll said they felt a vaccine would have been "rushed through" if one became available before the end of 2020, with only 21% of voters telling the survey they would get vaccinated as soon as possible in such a scenario.
Covid-19 leaves more and more low earners facing brunt of Bay Area earthquake
With the economic crisis sparked by the coronavirus exacerbating financial inequalities in the US, the Guardian reports that more and more low earners are being forced to live in "older, riskier" but more affordable buildings in the San Francisco Bay Area, leaving them more vulnerable than ever to the effects of an earthquake.
"Experts say the region more likely than not will experience a 7.0-magnitude quake within the next three decades," writes Zoe Loftus-Farren in the report.
Burger King plan "touchless" restaurants
Motivated by the safety precautions that have become necessary amid the coronavirus pandemic, fast-food chain Burger King are planning to open restaurants that involve a "touchless" experience for customers.
Having taken into account "how consumer behaviors are changing and [how] our guests will want to interact with our restaurants", the company said in a statement last week, they are to build the innovative new restaurants in 2021 in Latin America, the Caribbean and Miami.
Among the planned design features, drive-through customers will be able to pick up their orders from conveyor belts or collection lockers. They will also be able to have their meal delivered to their car after scanning a barcode at a parking spot.
A sign at Manhattan Beach, California, reminds people that the fine for not wearing a mask can be as much as $350 as people hit the beach during a heat wave on Monday, amid the coronavirus pandemic.
According to state rules aimed at curbing the spread of Covid-19, Californians must wear a mask while in public.
(Photo by Chris DELMAS / AFP)
Trump asks reporter to remove mask during press briefing
During his White House press conference on Monday, US President Donald Trump asked Reuters’ Jeff Mason to take his mask off, telling the reporter he was "very muffled".
"You're going to have to take that off, please…. how many feet are you away?" Trump told Mason as the journalist began his question. Mason refused, but agreed to "speak a lot louder".
Trump then went on to praise another reporter who did remove his face mask to ask a question, saying, per Vox's Aaron Rupar: "You sound so clear as opposed to everyone else where they refuse."
Republican President Donald Trump, accused by Joe Biden of putting lives at risk in his handling of the coronavirus, on Monday called his Democratic rival “stupid” and demanded an apology for what Trump called anti-vaccine rhetoric.
Brazil recorded 10,273 additional confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus in the past 24 hours, as well as 310 deaths from the disease, the Health Ministry said on Monday.
Three large wildfires continued to burn in California as a record-breaking heat wave lingered across large swaths of the western United States on Monday.
World Health Organization chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said on Monday the world must be better prepared for the next pandemic, as he called on countries to invest in public health.
Mexico has raised a non-binding limit for gross debt to 70% of gross domestic product (GDP), almost 20 percentage points above last year’s level, for the remaining four years of the term of its fiscally conservative president.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on Monday said the number of deaths due to the new coronavirus had risen by 462 to 188,513, and it reported 6,261,216 total cases, an increase of 34,337 from its previous count.
Mexico records 3,486 new coronavirus cases, 223 more deaths
Mexico reported 3,486 new confirmed cases of coronavirus infection and 223 additional fatalities on Monday, bringing its totals to 637,509 infections and 67,781 deaths, according to updated health ministry data.
The government has said the real number of infected people is likely to be significantly higher than the confirmed cases.
David and Victoria Beckham coronavirus diagnosis revealed
According to a source of British tabloid The Sun,David and Victoria Beckham battled coronavirus earlier this year.
After attending events in the LA back in March, hosting a birthday for son Brooklyn in England and then heading back to Miami, the couple ultimately returned to the UK and began to feel ill.
"At the same time, several of their team including drivers, bodyguards and assistants fell ill — a couple of them very badly so," the source added.
"Victoria really panicked and made the whole family quarantine rigidly for more than two weeks. She was utterly petrified they might be super-spreaders, and did all she could to minimize all future risk. Not only was she poorly in bed, she was also completely panicked. It was a rough few weeks.”
China reports 10 new Covid-19 cases
China reported 10 new Covid-19 cases for 7 September, down from 12 a day earlier, the national health authority said on Tuesday. The National Health Commission said in a statement that all new cases were imported infections involving travellers from overseas, marking the 23nd consecutive day of no local infections.
The commission also reported 13 new asymptomatic infections, down from 17 a day earlier. China does not count symptomless patients as confirmed cases. The total number of confirmed Covid-19 cases for China now stands at 85,144. The death toll remains unchanged at 4,634. (Reuters)
Miami Beach mayor fears post-Labour Day weekend increases
Miami Beach Mayor Dan Gelber has spoken to CNN about the situation in Florida, which is the third-worst affected state in the US after California and Texas. Watch the interview below...
In Pictures: Kay Mayson, Queen of the virtual 2020 West Indian American Day Parade
Kay Mayson, Queen of the virtual 2020 West Indian American Day Parade, poses wearing a protective face mask amid the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, before the live-streamed event in the Brooklyn borough of New York, U.S., September 7, 2020. (REUTERS/Shannon Stapleton)
Second stimulus check in US: further financial aid "imperative"
Second stimulus check in US: further financial aid "imperative
It is "imperative" that American families hit hard by the financial effects of the coronavirus receive "substantial" additional income support such as a second stimulus check, says the Washington Center for Equitable Growth (WCEG). Read more...
Argentina coronavirus death toll surpasses 10,000
Argentina's coronavirus death toll surpassed 10,000 on Monday, the government said, as the South American nation struggles to bring its infection rate under control. There have been 10,129 deaths, with 488,007 confirmed coronavirus cases, according to government data.
Almost half of coronavirus tests are yielding a positive result. Argentina has been under lockdown since March 20, though cases have spiked in recent weeks. Some areas of the country, including capital Buenos Aires, remain under varying levels of quarantine, though some activities, like exercise and outdoor restaurant dining, recently resumed.
Bernie Sanders says "let's not politicize" the coronavirus vaccine
Democratic senator Bernie Sanders has urged avoiding turning the coronavirus vaccine into a political issue amid concerns Donald Trump is pushing to get a vaccine developed ahead of the November elections.
"Let's not politicize this thing. We have developed vaccines for decade after decade after decade. We have to give the resources to the doctors and the scientists to do their work," Sanders told CNN on Monday.
"We don't want to be politicizing this thing, but we do want to move it as quickly as possible," he added.
In pictures: Democratic Presidential Nominee Joe Biden Campaigns In Harrisburg, PA
Supporters gather outside the state AFL-CIO headquarters to catch a glimpse of Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden after he met with local labor leaders and hosted an online event on Labor Day, September 07, 2020 in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.
Due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, Biden's campaign has organized more virtual events, engaging with supporters using video teleconferencing. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images/AFP)
Doctors "underestimated" the coronavirus
While doctors have long anticipated the advent of a pandemic, they did not predict its ability to to infect and spread, as this WSJ article highlights...
Three top fields in the job market
The coronavirus has caused mass unemployment and led many to reconsider their career choices. Here are the three top fields in the job market right now, according to ZipRecruiter CEO Ian Siegel (via CNBC)...
Trump calls Biden 'stupid,' demands apology for challenging him on vaccines
Republican President Donald Trump, accused by Joe Biden of putting lives at risk in his handling of the coronavirus, on Monday called his Democratic rival 'stupid' and demanded an apology for what Trump called anti-vaccine rhetoric.
Trailing in national opinion polls as the U.S. death toll from the virus approaches 190,000, Trump unleashed a broad attack against both the former vice president, his opponent in the 3 November election, and Biden's running mate, US Senator Kamala Harris.
Trump has said that a vaccine against the virus would be ready in record time, perhaps before the election, raising questions about whether political pressure might result in the deployment of a vaccine before it is safe.
Harris had said she would not trust Trump with a vaccine before the election and Biden, critical of Trump's response to the virus, has urged Americans to heed the scientists. Critics accuse Trump of undermining scientists during the pandemic.
Speaking in front of the White House at a US Labor Day news conference, Trump said: "Biden and his very liberal running mate, the most liberal person in Congress by the way - is not a competent person in my opinion, would destroy this country and would destroy this economy - should immediately apologize for the reckless anti-vaccine rhetoric that they are talking right now," adding: 'It undermines science." (Reuters)
Brazil reports 10,273 coronavirus cases, 310 deaths
Brazil recorded 10,273 additional confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus in the past 24 hours, as well as 310 deaths from the disease, the Health Ministry said on Monday.
In all, Brazil has registered 4.15 million cases of the virus since the pandemic began, while the official death toll has risen to 126,960, according to ministry data. Brazil has the third highest number of coronavirus cases. India, which has now registered 4.2 million cases, overtook Brazil in number of infections on Monday and is just behind the United States.
Second stimulus check: What has Donald Trump said about a second payment?
Second stimulus check: What has Donald Trump said about a second payment?
At the White House last Friday, President Donald Trump suggested an idea that could see a second round of $1,200 stimulus checks sent out immediately...
NHL: No positive tests for sixth straight week
The NHL had no positive Covid-19 tests for the sixth straight week, the league announced Monday. A total of 2,534 tests were administered from Aug. 30-Sept. 5, with all 52 members of each club's traveling parties, including players, tested daily.
The number of tests administered dropped from 4,644 two weeks ago as teams were eliminated from the Stanley Cup Playoffs and left the bubbles in Edmonton and Toronto. Just four teams -- the Vegas Golden Knights, Dallas Stars, Tampa Bay Lightning and New York Islanders -- remain in the Stanley Cup playoffs, all of them now housed in Edmonton as the season nears its end. (Reuters/Field Level Media)