USA coronavirus: news summary for 1 November

Teen uses Tik Tok to help find donor for toddler 

Chicago-area teen Abby Izaks needed something to do while in quarantine so she turned to Tik Tok. She is now employing her 51,000 followers to find a bone marrow donor for 3-year-old Sloane Caston from Florida.  She has used her “Abby’s Tik Tok to Fame Journey” to ask people to get nasal swabs in the hope of finding a suitable match to help the little girl fight a rare form of brain cancer. 

Prince William battled covid-19 in April

As Britain enters a second lockdown palace sources reveal to The Sun that Prince William had contracted the disease after his father and Primer Minister Boris Johnson.  Due to his experience Prince William realizes how important it is to take the new lockdown seriously and that anyone can catch the virus.

Trump supporters cause chaos on the roads

In the latest case of Trump backers showing their loyalty to President Trump as Election Day rapidly approaches a caravan of vehicles blocked the Mario M. Cuomo Bridge across the Hudson River and the Garden State Parkway bringing traffic to a standstill.  This just a day after hundreds of motorist waving Trump flags harassed a Biden campaign bus in Texas surrounding it and causing it to slow to a crawl on the highway. Neither Joe Biden nor Kamala Harris were on the bus, but the campaign staff were shaken. 

Trump rallies super-spreader events

Researchers at Stanford University analyzed data from covid-19 infection rates before and after 18 Trump rallies over the summer and compared them with similar counties. Based on that data they extrapolated that the counties where the rallies were held, all but two were outdoors, experienced an increase of more than 250 per 100,000 residents.  Based on this data the rallies could be responsible for around 30,000 confirmed cases of coronavirus and possibly 700 deaths although not necessarily people who attended the events. 

Runners participate in 'virtual' NY marathon

​​​​​​Paul Casino trains for his New York Marathon (New York City)

The marathon was officially cancelled on June 24 by the organizers, the New York Road Runners, because of the coronavirus pandemic. The Road Runners offered runners between October 17 and November 1, to run the marathon 'virtually' anywhere in the world. A smartphone application measures the distance run and makes the marathon official, with the famous medal usually handed out at the finish.

Biden nears finish line with lead in polls, but Trump still close in swing states

With two days to go, Democrat Joe Biden holds a commanding national lead over President Donald Trump amid deep voter concerns about the coronavirus pandemic, but Trump is keeping his hopes alive by staying competitive in the swing states that could decide the White House race.

Biden's national lead over the Republican president has stayed relatively steady in recent months as the public health crisis has persisted. He is ahead 51% to 43% in the latest Reuters/Ipsos poll taken Oct. 27-29.

But Trump is still close to Biden in enough state battlegrounds to give him the 270 state Electoral College votes needed to win a second term. Reuters/Ipsos polls show that the race remains a toss up in Florida, North Carolina and Arizona.

Trump also trails by five points in Pennsylvania and nine points in Michigan and Wisconsin, three other battleground states that helped give him an Electoral College win in 2016 over Democrat Hillary Clinton, who won the popular vote.

But even without Michigan and Wisconsin, Trump can win again if he holds all of the other states he won in 2016.

Israel starts human trials on covid-19 vaccine as schools slowly reopen

Israel began human trials on Sunday for its covid-19 vaccine candidate which, if successful, could be ready for the general public by the end of next summer.

Eighty volunteers will initially take part in the trial that will be expanded to 960 people in December. Should those trials succeed a third stage with 30,000 volunteers is scheduled for April/May.

"We are in the final stretch," said Shmuel Shapira, Director General of the Israel Institute for Biological Research.

The institute, which is overseen by the Defense Ministry, began animal trials for its "BriLife" vaccine in March and announced a week ago it had received regulatory approval to take it to the next stage.

US Box Office: 'Come Play' Limps to $3.1 Million Debut

Audiences did not heed the title of "Come Play," a terrifying thriller from Focus Features and Amblin that debuted in U.S. theaters this weekend.

The PG-13 horror film generated just $3.15 million from 2,183 screens, enough to lead sleepy box office charts in pandemic times.

Moviegoing has been incredibly slow in North America because theaters New York City and Los Angeles, two vital markets, remain closed. With those venues shuttered, studios are wary of releasing big-budget potential blockbusters.

US coronavirus cases keep rising in grim march to Election Day

Coronavirus cases continued their grim climb in the United States on Sunday with Midwestern states experiencing record hospitalizations, as increasingly bitter rhetoric kept the virus front and center of campaigning two days before the presidential election.

Nearly 87,000 cases were reported on Saturday, with 909 deaths and record hospitalizations for the sixth straight day in the Midwest, according to a Reuters tally. In October, 31 states set records for increases in new cases, 21 for hospitalized

Covid-19 patients and 14 for record increases in deaths. President Donald Trump, the Republican seeking re-election against Democratic challenger Joe Biden on Tuesday, downplays the virus and has accused Democrats of overblowing the pandemic that has killed more 230,000 Americans, more than any other country.

US CDC reports 229,932 deaths from coronavirus

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on Sunday reported 9,105,230 cases of the novel coronavirus, an increase of 80,932 cases from its previous count, and said that the number of deaths had risen by 823 to 229,932.

The CDC reported its tally of cases of the respiratory illness known as COVID-19 as of 4 p.m. ET on Oct. 31, compared with its previous report released a day earlier. 

The CDC figures do not necessarily reflect cases reported by individual states.​​​

Guidelines for covid-19 tests for airline passengers could set global bar for reliability, sources say

A global aviation manual now under review by a UN body suggests global guidelines calling for the use of highly reliable tests when screening passengers to detect the novel coronavirus ahead of flights, three sources familiar with the matter said.

Carriers and airports are pushing for uniform global testing guidelines to waive strict quarantine requirements that are decimating travel, with airline trade group IATA forecasting a 66% decline in 2020 air traffic because of the pandemic.

Travel restrictions and the use of testing now vary globally. Certain airlines require passengers to obtain a negative test, even as some countries allow visitors in without quarantine, while others bar all non-essential foreigners.

The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Manual on Testing and Cross Border Risk Management Measures,  expected in November, would offer voluntary technical guidance but not oblige countries to remove quarantines.

Are Trump's rallies spreading coronavirus? Why it's hard to know the full impact

Stanford University economists estimate that President Donald Trump's campaign rallies have resulted in 30,000 additional confirmed cases of covid-19, and likely led to more than 700 deaths overall, according to a paper posted online this weekend.

The research, led by B. Douglas Bernheim, chair of economics at Stanford University, analyzed data following 18 Trump rallies held between June 20 and Sept. 22, three of which were indoors.

Bernheim said in an email the work relies on statistical methods to infer causation after an event has occurred.

Infectious disease experts have long suspected that the president's rallies ahead of the Nov. 3 election might be so-called superspreader events. But so far, scientists have not been able to get a good read on their impact, in part because of a lack of robust contact tracing in many states.

Britain starts accelerated review for AstraZeneca's potential vaccine

AstraZeneca Plc said on Sunday Britain's health regulator had started an accelerated review of its potential coronavirus vaccine.

"We confirm the MHRA's (Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency) rolling review of our potential covid-19 vaccine," an AstraZeneca spokesman said.

In rolling reviews, regulators are able to see clinical data in real time and have dialogue with drug makers on manufacturing processes and trials to accelerate the approval process.

The approach is designed to speed up evaluations of promising drugs or vaccines during a public health emergency.

AstraZeneca's covid-19 vaccine is being developed along with the University of Oxford. Bloomberg reported on Friday that  MHRA had also begun an accelerated review for the vaccine candidate from Pfizer Inc.

The US Capitol stands on October 31, 2020 in Washington, DC. The United States reported close to 100,000 new cases of Covid-19 on Friday as the virus continues to surge worldwide. Stefani Reynolds/Getty Images/AFP 

Italy has two days to approve further restrictions to curb covid spread

(Reuters) - Italy's health minister said on Sunday that new data on the coronavirus was "terrifying" and the country had two days to approve further restrictions to curb its spread.

On Saturday, Italy recorded almost 32,000 new coronavirus cases, its highest daily record since the start of the crisis, and just under 300 deaths. The total number of people who have died due to covid-19 in Italy stands at 38,618.

"We have 48 hours to try to approve a further tightening (of the rules), there are too many people around," Health Minister Roberto Speranza was quoted as saying by daily Corriere della Sera.

Last week the coalition government led by Prime Minister Conte imposed restrictions on business activity, ordering bars and restaurants to close at 6 p.m. and shutting gyms, cinemas and theatres to try to halt a rapid resurgence in the coronavirus.

On Sunday, the government was meeting representatives from the regional government and the opposition parties. A decree which could limit travel between regions, impose local lockdowns in areas with a high contagion rate and increase the use of home-schooling is expected to be announced as early as Monday.

Trump rallies linked to over 700 Covid-19 deaths

A study by Stanford University has linked 30,000 coronavirus infections and more than 700 deaths to areas where U.S. president Donald Trump staged rallies between June and September. The report examined the spread of coronavirus following 18 rallies which many people attended without wearing face masks. Fifteen of those 18 events were held outdoors.

"Our analysis strongly supports the warnings and recommendations of public health officials concerning the risk of Covid-19 transmission at large group gatherings, particularly when the degree of compliance with guidelines concerning the use of masks and social distancing is low. The communities in which Trump rallies took place paid a high price in terms of disease and death," the report noted.

Melania Trump praises Donald Trump's handling of Covid-19 pandemic

Melania Trump insists her husband has done a great job of handling of the coronavirus pandemic, despite the United States having the worst Covid-19 figures in the world. Speaking at Saturday's Make America Great Again rally in Wisconsin, the First Lady said, "We have made great progress in our fight against Covid19. I watched Donald continue to work hard to keep people informed and calm, to protect our economy and make hard and unpopular decisions to do all he could to keep us all safe. This President is focused on not just destroying the virus, but creating ways for people to safely start gathering with friends again".

Travellers coming into or leaving New York must have Covid-19 test

Andrew Cuomo announced on Saturday that most travellers must now get Covid-19 tests before and after arrival in the state. The policy, which will come into effect from Wednesday, does not apply to travel between New York and the neighboring states of Connecticut, New Jersey, or Pennsylvania.

Air filtration systems on planes can reduce Covid-19 transmission

A recent study by Harvard University used computer models to review airflow in airliner cabins, and it says the  onboard High-Efficiency Particle Filters HEPA ventilation system filter out 99% of airborne viruses. It was funded by airlines, airplane manufacturers and airports, but the Harvard researchers insist this did not impact their findings.

International travel to and from England, except for work, will be banned from Thursday

British cabinet minister Michael Gove announced that all international travel to and from England will be banned from Thursday under the country's strict new lockdown measures. Only work-related travel will be allowed, Gove told the BBC's Andrew Marr. "Sadly, we are saying when it comes to international travel - if international travel is required for work or for other critical reasons, there are legitimate exemptions. But from Wednesday night, Thursday morning, our message is that people should stay at home.  

Obamacare sign-ups start on Sunday

Americans who lost health insurance as a consequence of the coronavirus pandemic will be able to sign up for taxpayer-subsidized coverage under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), better known as “Obamacare” as from today. Open enrollment lasts until 15 December.

Find out more here:

Teenager becomes youngest Covid-19 victim in North Dakota

North Dakota resident Elvia Ramirez succumbed to Covid-19 on 6 October, becoming the youngest person to die of the virus in the state. According to her mother, Susan, Elvia started to experience headaches in mid-September and within days had developed a fever, started having difficulty breathing. Her condition deteriorated and she passed away in Sanford Children’s Hospital, Fargo after battling with the virus for three weeks.

Coronavirus live US updates: welcome

Hello and welcome to our live, US-focused coverage of the coronavirus pandemic, As we begin our coverage at 04:00 ET on Sunday 1 November, more than 46 million cases and close to 1.2 million deaths have been registered worldwide, according to Johns Hopkins University.

In the United States, the world's worst-affected country, positive Covid-19 cases continue to climb past the 9 million mark, while more than 230,500 people have died of the virus.