USA coronavirus live: Trump, stimulus checks, cases, deaths, updates today

Swimming-Multiple world champion Pellegrini tests positive for covid-19

Multiple world swimming champion Federica Pellegrini has contracted covid-19, the Italian said in a social media post on Thursday.

The 32-year-old, who intends to take part in her fifth and final Olympic Games in Tokyo next year, was due to leave for the International Swimming League event in Budapest but felt unwell after training on Wednesday.

"Unfortunately I have some bad news: yesterday I stopped training because I felt pain and on the way home I also got a sore throat. So this afternoon I took a swab and I tested positive for Covid,' she said in a tearful Instagram post.

"I was supposed to leave on Monday for Budapest to take part in the ISL," added the 200 metre freestyle world record holder.

"I was looking forward to getting back into the water and finally starting a normal season, even more so because I was fine and had trained well.

"Instead I have to stop again and in the meantime I will undergo ten days of quarantine."

Pellegrini won gold in the 200 metres freestyle at the Beijing Olympics in 2008 and the world championship in the same event in 2009, 2011, 2017 and 2019, plus the world title in the 400 metres freestyle in 2009 and 2011. (Reuters)

Sky's the limit for Zoom

Video conference app Zoom has been one of the major winners to have emerged during the coronavirus pandemic, with use of the company's platform having skyrocketed during the pandemic as people keep in touch with friends, family and co-workers during lockdown restrictions across the world. 

“There’s a huge opportunity ahead for Zoom," said CFO Kelly Steckelberg, who discussed the company’s growth and new product announcements, in this CNBS segment...

Covid restrictions prompt ban on sale of alcohol in UK parliament

The bars in the House of Commons estate will be banned from selling alcohol from Saturday to reflect the tightening restrictions being placed across the UK to tackle Covid.

Speaker Lindsay Hoyle said it would no longer be possible to buy an alcoholic drink on the estate by the River Thames after the government shut pubs around the city of Liverpool in northern England as part of a tiered approach to curbing a surge in the novel coronavirus.

"As Members of Parliament represent different constituencies in different tiers – with the very highest level ordering the closure of pubs – I have decided to stop the sale of alcohol across the House of Commons-end of the estate from this Saturday," Hoyle said in a statement.

Most lawmakers have returned to parliament after the first lockdown but social distancing rules limit the number that can enter the chamber at any one time. Many have criticised the government for applying different rules to try to contain a second wave of infections. (Reuters)

US Politics

Will I lose my health insurance if Obamacare is repealed?

Who would a repeal of Obamacare really affect?

And what do covid-19 and the Supreme Court have to do with it...

Hollywood Star Morgan Freeman weighs in on #NBCBlackout

The movement is boycotting the Trump town hall tonight in favour of Joe Biden's, which is running on ABC network simultaneously.

#NBCBlackout is trending 4th on Twitter. 

Just saying.

Dr Fauci: expect more than one covid-19 vaccine by end of year

One of the leading infectious diseases experts in the US has said that the US is in a "precarious situation" but that he expects “more than one” coronavirus vaccine to be ready by the end of 2020

Long lines all over the country as early voting begins

HuffPost has been to Ohio, Texas and Georgia. Democrats have been better represented in mail-in ballots than Republicans.

Coronavirus stimulus checks

Second stimulus check: can a new payment happen in October?

Can a new stimulus payment happen in October?

Negotiations with Nancy Pelosi are still ongoing but Donald Trump faces a race against time to get a financial support package agreed before the 3 November election.

IMF urges US and China to keep up covid-19 stimulus

...to aid global economic recovery. Reuters report that International Monetary Fund Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva said on Thursday that speeding up the recovery from the coronavirus recession can add $9 trillion in global income by 2025, adding that this depended on strong international cooperation, including on vaccines.

Georgieva also called on the United States and China to keep up strong economic stimulus that can help boost global recovery.

Trump town hall tonight: #NBCBlackout boy cot led by actors

More than 100 actors including Aaron Sorkin and Barbra Streisand have demanded that NBC move Trump's town hall tonight so that it doesn't clash with Joe Biden's. Spoiler: they didn't move it.

Stimulus bill total: Trump's pride won't let him cave 

According to HuffPost, during an interview on Fox Business, Trump said he wanted to spend more than the $1.8 trillion his administration had offered, but that he couldn’t accept House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s proposal because she wants “goodies.”

“She wants to bail out badly run Democrat states and cities,” Trump said. “She wants money for things that you would never ― just, your pride couldn’t let it happen.”

For the tens of millions of people who are unemployed, as well as the more than 200 million Americans who would receive a stimulus check, “pride” and Pelosi’s desire for “goodies", such as more money for covid-19 testing and contact tracing, may seem like insufficient reasons to reject the offer. But it perfectly explains Trump.

Fall coronavirus cases continue to rise across the US

Since Sunday, 21 states; Alaska, Colorado, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, West Virginia, Wisconsin and Wyoming have hit their peak 7-day average according to CNN.

Thirty-five states are showing increases in new covid-19 cases greater than 10% over the last week compared to the week prior. Only three states; Louisiana, Kentucky and Vermont, are showing decreases in new cases greater than 10% this week compared to the week before. 

That kind of spread is "quite concerning," Dr. Anthony Fauci said on ABC's "Good Morning America" on Thursday.

US Election 2020

Election 2020 USA: is it safe to vote early?

Early voting: what are you waiting for?

This year, it's likely a safer option than waiting until 3 November. All you need to know.

Trump pumped to be back on the campaign trail

Suspicions remain regarding whether his alleged immunity to covid-19 is actually caused by the antibody cocktail he received.

Trump on stimulus bill "I would say more. I would go higher. Go big or go home"

Hopes are mounting once again for an accord on a new bipartisan stimulus bill.

Talking to Fox News President Trump said that he would raise his offer for a stimulus package above his current level of $1.8 trillion.

House Democrats have passed a $2.2 trillion bill.

Get a stimulus deal done

Covid-19 disproportionately kills kids of colour in US

USA Today report that as students across the country return to classrooms, a new report from the CDC found the majority of children, teens and young adults who die from covid-19 are Hispanic, Black or Native American.

Researchers found there was a staggering racial disparity in the more than 390,000 coronavirus cases and 121 deaths among people under the age of 21 reported to the CDC between Feb. 12 and July 31.

Hispanic, Black and Native American children accounted for 78% of those deaths even though those groups represent just 41% of the United States population, a disproportionate effect that reflects a similar disparity among adults. Previous research has shown that the death toll from covid-19 is twice as high for people of color under the age of 65 as it is for white Americans. 

Mixed messages from Mnuchin today...

Reuters have now reported that Steven Mnuchin will keep trying to reach a deal on coronavirus relief with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi before the 3 November election, he said on Thursday, adding that disagreements over for a national strategy to test people for the deadly covid-19 will not tank negotiations.

"When I speak to Pelosi today I'm going to tell her that we're not going to let the testing issue stand in the way, that we'll fundamentally agree with their testing language subject to some minor issues. This issue is being overblown," Mnuchin said in an interview with CNBC. 

This confusing message comes one day after Mnuchin said that he and Pelosi were "far apart" on several issues.

Find out more about the details of new proposals.

Fallout from debating the VP Mike Pence, perhaps?

Joe Biden's Democratic running mate Kamala Harris is halting her campaign travel plans this weekend following news that two people in her orbit: a flight crew member and Harris' communications director, Liz Allen have tested positive for covid-19.

US jobless support claims unexpectedly spike

The number of Americans filing new claims for jobless benefits unexpectedly rose last week, which could heighten fears the covid-19 pandemic was inflicting lasting damage to the labor market.

Initial claims for state unemployment benefits totalled a seasonally adjusted 898,000 for the week ended 10 October, compared to 845,000 in the prior week, the Labor Department said on Thursday. Economists polled by Reuters had forecast 825,000 applications in the latest week.

The weak labor market and resulting economic hardship are major hurdles to President Donald Trump’s chances of getting a second term in the White House when Americans go to the polls on 3 November. Joe Biden, the Democratic Party’s candidate, has blamed the Trump administration’s handling of the coronavirus crisis for the worst economy in at least 73 years.

This news comes as Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin dampened hopes of a stimulus check to provide economic relief for millions of struggling Americans before Election Day.

Courtesy of Reuters

Gun sales skyrocket in US

With a triple whammy of pandemic, social unrest and election fears, gun sales across the states have soared, according to Reuters.

Surges in US firearm sales have in recent decades been predictably driven by events sparking fears of impending gun-control legislation, such as the election of a Democratic president or a spate of mass shootings, federal gun background check data show. Industry experts and academics who study gun ownership say such surges came largely among the gun-industry’s core base of white, male and politically conservative customers who often already owned one or multiple guns.

That market is widening this year to include a new rush of first-time buyers, including many women, minorities and politically liberal buyers who once would not have considered gun ownership, according to Reuters interviews with more than a dozen industry experts, academics and gun store owners.

“People who don’t normally think about firearms are being forced to contemplate something outside their universe,” said Dan Eldridge, owner of Maxon Shooter’s Supplies and Indoor Range in the Chicago suburb of Des Plaines, Illinois.

"Republicans should be strongly focused on completing a wonderful stimulus package for the American People!"

O! Some good news on covid-19 (maybe)

Global hand-washing day

What do you mean you weren't aware of the cleansing significance of 15 October?!

Nevermind. Listen to the message from Disney's Doctor McStuffins, in conjunction with the WHO, one that is just as important for the grown ups as it is for kids. 

Dr Fauci issues warning ahead of Thanksgiving

Dr Anthony Fauci, the US’ top infectious disease expert, has told an interview with CBS News that Americans may have to "bite the bullet" and avoid Thanksgiving gatherings, amid fears that celebrations could lead to an increase in coronavirus cases in the country.

"I think people should be very careful and prudent about social gatherings, particularly when members of the family might be at a risk because of their age or their underlying condition," Fauci said on Wednesday.

"Namely, you may have to bite the bullet and sacrifice that social gathering unless you're pretty certain that the people that you're dealing with are not infected."  

Dr Fauci continued: "When you're talking about relatives that are getting on a plane, being exposed in an airport, being exposed in a plane, then walk in the door and say 'Happy Thanksgiving' - that you have to be careful about.

"My Thanksgiving is going to look very different this year. I would love to have it with my children, but my children are in three separate states throughout the country, and in order for them to get here, they would all have to go to an airport, get on a plane, travel with public transportation."

Young people may not get vaccine until 2022 - WHO chief scientist

Young, healthy people may face a long wait to get a coronavirus vaccine, says the World Health Organization’s (WHO) chief scientist.

Speaking on Wednesday, Soumya Swaminathan said at-risk groups such as frontline staff and older members of the population would be prioritised.

"Most people agree, it's starting with health care workers, and frontline workers, but even there, you need to define which of them are at highest risk, and then the elderly, and so on," Swaminathan said, per Reuters.

"A healthy young person might have to wait until 2022."

(Photo: Fabrice Coffrini/Pool via REUTERS/File Photo)

Barron Trump tested positive, first lady reveals

Melania Trump has revealed that Barron Trump, the 14-year-old son she has with Donald Trump, also tested positive for the coronavirus, but is now negative.

In a statement on her experience of contracting covid-19, the first lady said: "Naturally my mind went immediately to our son. To our great relief he tested negative, but again, as so many parents have thought over the past several months, I couldn’t help but think 'what about tomorrow or the next day?'.

"My fear came true when he was tested again and it came up positive. Luckily he is a strong teenager and exhibited no symptoms. In one way I was glad the three of us went through this at the same time so we could take care of one another and spend time together. He has since tested negative." 

US NEWS

Second stimulus check: Mnuchin says deal unlikely on coronavirus relief bill before US elections

Mnuchin says deal unlikely on relief bill before elections

US Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin has indicated that a deal on a second coronavirus relief bill is unlikely to happen before the 3 November ballot.

Full story:

Flu vaccine drive seeks to ward off 'twindemic'

A nurse prepares to administer a flu vaccination to a woman at a free clinic held at a local library in Lakewood, California, on Wednesday.

Medical experts are hoping the flu shot this year will help prevent a 'twindemic' - an epidemic of influenza paired with a second wave of covid-19, which could lead to overwhelmed hospitals amid the coronavirus pandemic.

(Photo: Mario Tama/Getty Images/AFP)

Blood type O may indeed confer some protection

Two more studies have been published that appear to suggest that people with bloody type O maybe be less vulnerable to the coronavirus and be less likely to become severely ill if they do become infected. This adds to research that emerged over the summer suggesting the same thing. 

The main four blood types are: A, B, AB and O. The reason for the findings may be that people with type O are better able to recognize certain proteins as foreign and that may extend to proteins on virus surfaces.

The effect may not be that pronounced however: a Danish study found that of 7,422 people who tested positive for Covid-19, 38.4% were blood type O, compared to a rate of 41.7% being blood type O in the broader population. 

The other study, in Canada, found a 84% of critically ill patients with blood type A or AB required mechanical ventilation, while among people with O or B that figure was 61%. 

Howevever, as Dr. Mypinder Sekhon, an intensive care physician at Vancouver General Hospital and author of the Canadian study told CNN: "If one is blood group A, you don't need to start panicking. And if you're blood group O, you're not free to go to the pubs and bars."

Coronavirus

Second stimulus check: could any new payment be more than $1,200?

Second stimulus check

The proposals on the table for the second stimulus check could see some people getting more - but the possible increases are mostly related to the rules on dependents.

Fauci says Trump no longer coronavirus contagious - CBS interview

US President Donald Trump is no longer capable of spreading the novel coronavirus and can attend a town hall on Thursday without putting others at risk, top US public health official Anthony Fauci said in an interview with CBS Evening News.

Fauci said that he and his colleague Clifford Lane at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) concluded this after reviewing all the covid-19 tests taken by the president as well as an additional test conducted at an NIH laboratory.

Trump revealed early on 2 October that he had tested positive for the novel coronavirus. He said he had ecovered and was no longer contagious the following week after receiving treatment at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Maryland.

Fauci said last week that it was not known whether Trump was well, because patients can unexpectedly go downhill more than a week after symptoms begin. The town hall with NBC News is less than three weeks before the election in which Republican Trump is trailing Democratic candidate Joe Biden in opinion polls.

Dancers from 'LA Dance Project' perform, wearing a mask, during the drive-in show 'Solo at Dusk' in Los Angeles, California, on October 13, 2020, amid the Coronavirus pandemic. (Photo by VALERIE MACON / AFP)

Damning report on US death rate

"It's shocking. It's horrible," says Dr. Ezekiel J. Emanuel, a professor of health policy and medical ethics at the University of Pennsylvania and one of the authors of the study.

"The United States really has done remarkably badly compared to other countries," he says and then adds, "I mean, remarkably badly."

WHO fears spike in global covid-19 cases will be followed by increased deaths

The World Health Organization's (WHO) chief scientist on Wednesday raised concern that the recent global increase in new covid-19 infections will be followed by rising deaths that currently number around 5,000 every day.

Cases are surging, with nearly 20,000 infections reported in Britain and Italy, Switzerland and Russia among nations reporting record new cases. More than 38 million people have been reported to be infected by the novel coronavirus globally and nearly 1.1 million have died, according to a Reuters tally.

"Mortality increases always lag behind increasing cases by a couple of weeks," Dr. Soumya Swaminathan said during a WHO social media event. "We are still losing approximately 5,000 people a day...so we shouldn't be complacent that death rates are coming down."

Mnuchin says coronavirus relief deal unlikely before US election

US Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin on Wednesday said he and House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi were "far apart" on some details of another coronavirus relief package, and that an agreement would be hard to reach before the 3 Novemebr election. 

The White House as well as Democrats and Republicans in Congress are under mounting pressure to hammer out a bipartisan fiscal stimulus deal to help Americans weather a pandemic that has killed nearly 216,000 people and damaged the economy. But the two sides are divided over several priorities. 

Meanwhile Senate Republicans are resisting as too expensive a $1.8 trillion offer that Mnuchin proposed last week. Pelosi says it's insufficient and is calling for a $2.2 trillion aid package. Mnuchin, who spoke with the California Democrat on Wednesday, acknowledged the two were still "far apart" on some issues and said politics were "part of the reality." 

"I'd say at this point, getting something done before the election and executing on that would be difficult just given where we are and the level of detail, but we're going to try to continue to work through these issues," Mnuchin said at the Milken Institute Global Conference in Washington.

Coronavirus stimulus checks

Second stimulus check: update on US coronavirus relief bill

Donald Trump and Nancy Pelosi again go to head-to-head on covid-19 financial support, while Mitch McConnell aims to get a new bill to the Senate next week.

Trump speaks at the White House

Donald Trump has spoken at the White House, pledging his administration would continue to fight the coronavirus pandemic should he remain in power after the 3 November election.

“We will continue our V-shaped recovery and launch a record-smashing economic boom," he said. "We will end the pandemic with a safe and effective vaccine and create 10 million jobs in the first 10 months in 2021."

Trump's pledge comes as polls show him trailing heavily behind Democratic candidate Joe Biden. Many of those surveyed have cited Trump's poor handling of the pandemic. 

Clark County Election Department worker Kelley George puts mail-in ballots collected from vehicles in a ballot box at the Clark County Election Department, which serves as a drive-up and walk-up election ballot drop-off point on October 13, 2020 in North Las Vegas, Nevada. In-person early voting in the battleground state begins on October 17, but voters can drop off mail-in ballots at designated drop boxes or use the mail through election day. Ethan Miller/Getty Images/AFP

US Election 2020

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Coronavirus live US updates: welcome

Hello and welcome to our live, US-focused coverage of the coronavirus pandemic, which has registered nearly 38 million cases and over 1.08 million deaths worldwide.

In the US, the world's worst-affected country, there have been nearly 7.9 million confirmed cases, leading to over 216,000 fatalities.