Previous coronavirus briefing updates July 14-21

This coronavirus daily briefing is no longer being updated. For the latest live updates on the COVID-19 pandemic, click here.

The coronavirus pandemic altered life as humans knew it in 2020, and as much of the world starts to examine how and when to resume daily activities, it's clear that there are many challenges to overcome before normal daily life can resume in full.

The outbreak, which originated in late 2019 in Wuhan, China, officially became a pandemic in March. SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes the disease COVID-19, has infected millions worldwide and killed hundreds of thousands, but more than 8 million have recovered from the ferocious disease. Health experts are conducting a frantic race to develop a vaccine while also performing vital research into the behavior of the virus, what factors may inhibit its spread and other possible symptoms it may cause.

The contagion triggered much of the world to shelter indoors and practice social distancing. Severe damage has been done to the global economy, which has caused experts to issue bleak economic predictions that harken back to the days of the Great Depression. With much of life on pause over the past several months, government officials around the world are facing the difficult choice of reopening economies while the threat of a second wave lingers for later in 2020.

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Here are the latest updates, listed in eastern time, and the most important; things you need to know about the coronavirus pandemic.

With the NBA season nearing its long-awaited resumption in Disney World, good news emerged from the league's bubble following the latest round of COVID-19 testing. The league announced Monday that zero positive tests were reported, and only two positive tests of 322 players tested have been reported since July 7, Yahoo Sports said. On Tuesday, some media members who are in Orlando covering the NBA got a first glimpse at the court where the league will tip-off on July 30. Check out a video below.

United Airlines taking steps to improve ventilation throughout totality of flights. With concern growing that SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, is airborne, attention has turned to air conditioning and improper ventilation as a threat for spread of the virus. United Airlines announced Monday that it's taking steps to improve ventilation on its fleet of planes. The major change is that the air carrier will now maximize air filtration while passengers are boarding and leaving the plane at the terminal. While in flight, the airline said, its planes' high-efficiency particulate air filtration system is able to remove 99% of particles, including pathogens, from the air. "The quality of the air, combined with a strict mask policy and regularly disinfected surfaces, are the building blocks towards preventing the spread of COVID-19 on an airplane," United CEO Scott Kirby said in a statement. "We expect that air travel is not likely to get back to normal until we're closer to a widely administered vaccine - so we're in this for the long haul." The airline released a short animated video that explains how the air filtration system works. Watch below.

"It's a little eerie not having people around." That was the assessment made by Nicole Hughs, a first responder from Georgia, who was among the few people who were able to visit Liberty Island in New York Harbor after it reopened to tourists on Monday. The island has been closed for months due to the pandemic and the statue itself remains closed, but tourists can now enjoy a close-up view of it. Hughes, 42, added, "It's very cool that I'm basically experiencing this by myself. And it's neat. I like it." Earlier this month, AccuWeather's Adriana Navarro profiled the changing face of Lady Liberty, exploring how weather changed her look over the years and the passage of time changed her intended symbolism.

The heat wave that is currently baking the Northeast is also making COVID-19 testing and other pandemic-related safety efforts more difficult. Washington D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser closed outdoor public testing sites in the city after she enacted a heat emergency over the past weekend. "The temperatures would be too dangerous for our staff and volunteers at the public testing sites," Bowser said, according to ABC News. Cooling centers that were opened around the city required masks to be worn and were enforcing social distancing, ABC News reported. Temperatures just fell short of reaching the century mark on Monday in D.C., topping out at 99 degrees Fahrenheit. On Tuesday, the temperatures will again climb into the upper 90s, but AccuWeather RealFeel® Temperatures will soar to around 107 F. The heat wave can be particularly dangerous for people already suffering from respiratory problems, which are common symptoms of COVID-19. The World Health Organization says the stifling heat can trigger high levels of pollen, which can worsen conditions such as asthma, ABC News reported.

Leanora Rodriguez receives a COVID-19 test from Nurse Meiko Rollins at the Whittier Street Health Center's mobile test site, Wednesday, July 15, 2020, in Boston's Dorchester section. The health center has administered free COVID-19 tests to over 5,000 people. The tests, administered since April 13, have been a popular service in Boston's low-income communities that have experienced high rates of infection. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)

Lack of contact tracing in Barcelona could be responsible for the spike in COVID-19 cases. Sonia Ramírez, who tested positive for the coronavirus, was shocked after she was not asked by health officials about anyone who she had come in close contact with recently. "They didn't ask me who I had been with," Ramírez, a 21-year-old cleaner in the greater Barcelona area, told The Associated Press. "They didn't even ask if I had been to work recently, which of course I had." Like her, an unknown number of Spaniards in the Catalonia region are also left alone to warn their family and close friends that they could have been exposed to the virus. As the virus continues to spread in Catalonia, with 9,600 new cases reported since May 10, health officials question the region's efficiency in fighting the virus. "We are seeing a rise in cases and community contagion that worries us," said Dr. Jacobo Mendioroz, the epidemiologist in charge of Catalonia's virus response. "The system of contract tracers can still be improved. Now we have 300 tracers and we are going to add another 600 shortly."

People walk along the Ramblas of Barcelona, Spain, Thursday, July 16, 2020. (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti)

Fauci to throw out first pitch for Washington Nationals on Opening Day. When the Washington Nationals take on the New York Yankees on Thursday to kick off the Major League Baseball season, NIAID director Anthony Fauci will take the mound to throw out the ceremonial first pitch. Fauci, the longtime infectious disease expert, is known for being a Nationals "super fan" and was seen testifying on Capitol Hill last month and showing a little "Natitude" by wearing a Nationals face mask for the occasion. The team, which won the World Series last year, made the announcement on Twitter Monday and said the organization was thrilled to have Fauci handling the task. "Dr. Fauci has been a true champion for our country during the COVID-19 pandemic and throughout his distinguished career, so it is only fitting that we honor him as we kick off the 2020 season and defend our World Series Championship title," the Nationals said in a statement. Game time is 7 p.m. and the weather will be hot at Nationals Park on Thursday -- as it has been in D.C. lately -- with a chance of a heavy thunderstorm in the afternoon.

The AccuWeather forecast for Nationals Park in Washington, D.C., on July 23, 2020. (AccuWeather)

Hidalgo County, Texas residents who test positive for COVID-19 must stay home or face prosecution. In a statement released on Sunday via Twitter, the county specified that those who test positive for the virus should not leave their homes for 14 days. Additionally, those who live with someone who tested positive for the virus should also stay home. On Sunday, Hidalgo County reported 1,320 new COVID-19 cases and 17 deaths, which raised concern for the exponential growth of the pandemic and incited officials to issue the new mandate. "Who would ever think back in March 21 when we had the first incident of someone testing positive, that Hidalgo County would be caught in this pandemic with such tragic numbers," Hidalgo County Judge Richard Cortez said, according to the Houston Chronicle.

Here are the latest COVID-19 numbers, provided by researchers at Johns Hopkins University:

• Confirmed cases: 14,727,753

• Fatalities: 610,560

• Recoveries: 8,322,171

Some cities in China allowed people back into movie theaters on Monday following months of closure. The cities that lifted restrictions were areas where the risk of virus infection is considered low, such as Shanghai, Hanzhou and Guilin, The Associated Press reported. The moviegoers left open seats between each other, wore masks and obeyed other safety precautions. Beijing may be the next place to lift cinema restrictions after workers were disinfecting theaters after the city downgraded its emergency response level after seeing no new cases of local infection in 14 days.

After coronavirus delayed the start of the Major League Baseball season to July 23, players are now adjusting to the hot summer weather as the season starts. Some players are happy to start the season later since northern teams travel south to Florida for spring training. "It's definitely a big change for me personally, coming from California being a little more dry to coming over here to the east coast being more humid," New York Mets third baseman J.D. Davis told AccuWeather Field Reporter Dexter Henry in an interview. The Mets training staff is extremely focused on making sure the athletes are adjusting well to the hotter conditions. "Trainers have made an effort to tell us to make sure we hydrate, especially these longs days of getting ready getting prepped. They constantly give us snacks bananas making sure we hydrated and eating good foods," Davis said. Watch all of Henry's interview with Davis here.

Biggest teachers' union in Florida sues governor over plan to reopen schools. The conflict over whether to reopen schools during the pandemic escalated on Monday as the top teachers' union in Florida filed a lawsuit against Gov. Ron DeSantis in a bid to halt plans to require students and teachers to physically be in classrooms when school resumes. The suit was brought by the Florida Education Association (FEA) and alleges DeSantis is violating the state's constitution by insisting that schools' must reopen for the fall semester even as COVID-19 cases have been surging throughout the Sunshine State. Florida health officials have reported at least 10,000 new coronavirus cases on each of the last five consecutive days, and the case number was headed in a similar direction on Monday. "The governor needs to accept the reality of the situation here in Florida, where the virus is surging out of control," FEA President Fedrick Ingram said in a statement, according to NBC News.

High school sports in California will be delayed until December or January, a decision that impacts more than 800,000 athletes.As most California public and private schools plan to begin the academic year with online classes, the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) announced the sports season will also face adjustment amid COVID-19. The CIF will allow athletes to participate on club teams at the same time as their high school seasons in a temporary suspension of CIF rules. "This is the best possible plan we have with what's going on to give students an opportunity to participate," said Vicky Lagos, the Los Angeles City Section commissioner. "There are going to be issues in terms of facilities and multiple-sport athletes, but this is the best scenario for the most people. I have confidence the schools and coaches will work it out among themselves. My take from coaches is they want the opportunity to participate and be with the kids." Local school officials are expected to meet with their coaches this week to devise a plan for each of their schools, KTLA reported.

A new study suggests mouth lesions and rashes could be a potential new symptom of coronavirus. Symptoms listed by the CDC include fever, cough, aches and difficulty breathing, among others, however, they have not added mouth lesions or skin rashes. Enanthems, skin rash-like lesions inside a person's mouth, were observed in 6 out of 21 patients who tested positive for coronavirus by the research published in JAMA Dermatology notes. "This work describes preliminary observations and is limited by the small number of cases and the absence of a control group," researchers from Ramon y Cajal University Hospital in Madrid wrote in the study. "Despite the increasing reports of skin rashes in patients with COVID-19, establishing an etiological diagnosis is challenging. However, the presence of enanthem is a strong clue that suggests a viral etiology rather than a drug reaction, especially when a petechial pattern is observed." The researchers noted that "many patients with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 do not have their oral cavity examined," due to safety concerns. Given the fact that patients are wearing masks and the mouth is not examined, it's possible additional coronavirus patients may have these symptoms, Fox News reports.

Disney World visitors are being told to avoid eating and drinking while walking. According to Variety, several Disney fan blogs noticed a change in the theme park's mask-wearing guidance over the weekend. "Face coverings are required for all Guests (ages 2 and up) and Cast Members," Disney World's website states. "Please bring your own face coverings and wear them at all times, except when dining or swimming. You may remove your face covering while actively eating or drinking, but you should be stationary and maintain appropriate physical distancing." Initially people were allowed to eat and drink while walking around the theme park, but it soon became a way for people to avoid wearing masks, Variety said.

Park guests enter the Magic Kingdom during the reopening of Walt Disney World Saturday, July 11, 2020, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)

Any Delta Air Lines passengers that wish to fly without a mask must now receive a health screening before being allowed on a plane. According to CBS News, the viral screening can take up to an hour to complete and was designed to add extra security amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Passengers that cannot wear a mask due to medical exemptions "are strongly encouraged to reconsider travel," Delta says. In addition, any passenger faking a disability or exemption to avoid wearing a mask will be banned from Delta flights for the remainder of the time masks are required onboard.

As Caribbean coronavirus cases begin to surge, the Bahamas announced a ban on most international flights. "Our current situation demands decisive action if we are to avoid being overrun and defeated by this virus," Prime Minister Hubert Minnis said. "We cannot allow our hospitals to be overrun." New cases have tripled since the Bahamas began reopening on July 1, NBC News reported. Many of the cases were from residents returning to the Bahamas. The new travel restrictions will go into effect on Wednesday.

Masks are now required for people in public areas in 23 of 82 counties across Mississippi. This mandate is focused on the counties where the transmission of COVID-19 has been the highest, The Associated Press said. "I, for one, am very grateful that there seems to be an emerging consensus around masks," Gov. Tate Reeves said on Twitter. "We believe the benefit of wearing masks is pretty high. Nothing's perfect, but it's good. And the societal cost-compared to shuttering schools and businesses-is infinitely lighter." The 23 counties also have stricter guidelines on social gatherings than the other 59 counties across Mississippi. "The only solution is for all of us to make some effort. Wash your hands. Avoid that large gathering. Wear a mask as often as you can. You won't be perfect-none of us are. Please just try, because the impact of mass apathy or overconfidence is widespread death," Reeves said.

President Trump said he will resume daily coronavirus press briefings this week after stopping them back in April. "We had very successful briefings. I was doing them and we had a lot of people watching, record numbers watching. In the history of cable television, there's never been anything like it," Trump told reporters at the White House Monday, according to Axios. Trump said the decision to bring the briefings back is in part due to the surge in cases going on across the country. "But we have had this big flareup within Florida, Texas, couple of other places, and so I think what we are going to do is I'll get involved and we'll start doing briefings." The president also addressed progress being made on vaccines. Watch a video clip embedded in the Tweet below.

Masks are now required for people in public areas in 23 of 82 counties across Mississippi. This mandate is focused on the counties where the transmission of COVID-19 has been the highest, The Associated Press said. "I, for one, am very grateful that there seems to be an emerging consensus around masks," Gov. Tate Reeves said on Twitter. "We believe the benefit of wearing masks is pretty high. Nothing's perfect, but it's good. And the societal cost-compared to shuttering schools and businesses-is infinitely lighter." The 23 counties also have stricter guidelines on social gatherings than the other 59 counties across Mississippi. "The only solution is for all of us to make some effort. Wash your hands. Avoid that large gathering. Wear a mask as often as you can. You won't be perfect-none of us are. Please just try, because the impact of mass apathy or overconfidence is widespread death," Reeves said.

Patients are being moved into hallways as hospitals in some parts of the U.S. are experiencing a surge of new coronavirus cases. Dr. Alison Haddock of the Baylor College of Medicine told The Associated Press the situation in Texas is worse than it was after Hurricane Harvey in 2017. Haddock said she's "never seen anything like this COVID surge." Seattle, the first hotspot for the virus in the U.S., is also seeing a surge in new cases that has taken a toll on hospital workers. "What's really frustrating from my side of it is when a patient comes into the emergency department, and is not really having symptoms of COVID, but they feel like they need that testing," Mike Hastings, who works at an area hospital and is president of the Emergency Nurses Association, said. "Sometimes we're not able to test them because we don't have enough test supplies, so we're only testing a certain set of patients."

As COVID-19 cases surpass 1 million in India, doctors are struggling as hot temperatures make working difficult. Almost 100 Indian doctors have died since the start of the pandemic as they have to work long hours in temperatures that can top 105 F, with no air conditioning. "Wearing this PPE kit at the temperature of 40 degrees (C), it's very difficult, I can say because you are drenched in sweat. Still, (we try) to do our best to save the lives of patients," Wani, a resident doctor at the private Sharda Hospital in Greater Noida outside New Delhi, told AFP. "It feels very hot and suffocating. But we have to wear it for our won safety." Sharda Hospital, which has been providing free treatment for COVID-19 patients, has very basic facilities and nurses and doctors are quickly drenched in sweat after stepping in. Since they have to wear protective gear, that consists of heat-to-foot plastic, the sweat can't evaporate for them to cool down, so they often feel nausea and dizziness, which can result in long-term organ damage. Despite poor working conditions, doctors are trying to stay positive, as a lot of people need them right now. "We are trying to do our best, we don't have any other option," Abhishek Deshwal, who leads the hospital's ICU, said.

The nightlife in Tokyo is about to change to help bars and clubs remain open while keeping patrons safe and healthy. Recent testing in Tokyo shows that younger people in their 20s and 30s make up a majority of the new cases, Reuters reported. In response, new measures are being taken at bars across the city to specifically target the nightlife, including no kissing. "As much as possible, kiss only with your partner, and avoid deep kissing," said Shinya Iwamuro, a public health advocate in Tokyo's Shinjuku district. By following proper ‘kissing etiquette,' as well as other guidelines such as not sharing plates of food, it can help reduce the number of new COVID-19 among the city's younger population.

The spread of COVID-19 in Hong Kong is "out of control" as a record 100 new cases were confirmed on Sunday. The territory's Chief Executive Carrie Lam announced new social distancing measures to help slow the spread of the virus. Although the financial hub had been successful at tackling the virus, infections have spiked in the last two weeks.Hong Kong has now reported 1,886 cases of the virus, and more than 500 of these infections were reported in the past two weeks. "I think the situation is really critical and there is no sign the situation is being brought under control," Lam said, according to AFP. In addition to enforcing stricter social distancing guidelines, Lam also issued the closure of bars, gyms nightclubs and ordered everyone at indoor, public places and public transport to wear masks.

Golf legend Jack Nicklaus revealed that he and his wife tested positive for the coronavirus. He shared the news on Sunday, during the CBS telecast of the PGA'S Memorial Tournament. Nicklaus and his wife Barbara were first diagnosed on March 13 and by April 20 they had both fully recovered. While Nicklaus' wife didn't suffer from any symptoms, the golfer said he had a sore throat and a cough. "It didn't last very long, we were very, very fortunate, very lucky," Nicklaus said, according to The Associated Press. "Barbara and I are both of the age, both of us 80 years old, that is an at-risk age. Our hearts go out to the people who did lose their lives and their families. We were just a couple of lucky ones." Tiger Woods, a five-time winner of the Memorial, said he had known for a while that Nicklaus had tested positive for the virus. "The fact that they got through it and they're safe and here and healthy, it's all good news for all of us who are a part of gold and who looked up to Jack and (have) been around Barbara all these years," Woods said.

A COVID-19 symptom-tracking app reveals that there are six distinct types of infections, each distinguished by different symptoms. A team of British scientists at King's College in London found that the six types of infection also correlate to the severity of an infection and the likelihood of the patient needing hospitalization and breathing aid. This new finding could help doctors predict which patients are at risk and likely to need more hospital care. "If you can predict who these people are at Day Five, you have time to give them support and early interventions such as monitoring blood and oxygen and sugar levels, and ensuring they are properly hydrated," Claire Steves, a doctor who co-led the study, told Reuters. The six types of infections are described as:

1. ‘Flu-like' with no fever: Headache, loss of smell, muscle pains, cough, sore throat, chest pain, no fever.

2. ‘Flu-like' with fever: Headache, loss of smell, cough, sore throat, hoarseness, fever, loss of appetite.

3. Gastrointestinal: Headache, loss of smell, loss of appetite, diarrhea, sore throat, chest pain, no cough.

4. Severe level one, fatigue: Headache, loss of smell, cough, fever, hoarseness, chest pain, fatigue.

5. Severe level two, confusion: Headache, loss of smell, loss of appetite, cough, fever, hoarseness, sore throat, chest pain, fatigue, confusion, muscle pain.

6. Severe level three, abdominal and respiratory: Headache, loss of smell, loss of appetite, cough, fever, hoarseness, sore throat, chest pain, fatigue, confusion, muscle pain, shortness of breath, diarrhea, abdominal pain.

Patients with symptoms that match those of levels 4, 5 and 6 are more likely to need hospital care.

Izzy Galvan, 20, wears a mask while visiting the Griffith Observatory overlooking downtown Los Angeles Wednesday, July 15, 2020, in Los Angeles. Coronavirus cases have surged to record levels in the Los Angeles area, putting the nation's largest county in "an alarming and dangerous phase" that if not reversed could overwhelm intensive care units and usher in more sweeping closures, health officials said. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti is "on the brink" of issuing a new stay-at-home order. Garcetti made the announcement on Sunday as he criticized the rapid reopening of California and the impact it had on the spread of the virus in the state and in the L.A. area. "I think a lot of people don't understand mayors often have no control what opens up and doesn't - that's either at a state or country level," Garcetti said, according to The Los Angeles Times. "And I do agree that those things happened too quickly." Although local leaders like Garcetti are not allowed to decide what opens up and what doesn't, they are allowed to issue closures and stay-at-home restrictions. Garcetti has previously said that he is in charge of deciding when L.A. should reopen. "Our timing on opening may vary from other parts of the state," Garcetti said in early May. "I will reopen our city with careful consideration, guided by public health professionals." Despite the increase in cases in the L.A. area, Garcetti added that the city is in good shape and hospitals are yet to reach capacity. "Cases have gone up, but we also have the most aggressive testing," he said. "We're the first city to offer testing to people without symptoms. And 30% of what we're catching thankfully is those folks." Below, watch Garcetti's remarks on CNN.

25 million Iranians may be infected with the coronavirus, according to Iran President Hassan Rouhani. The official count of confirmed cases in Iran as of Monday sits at a little more than 270,000 and global cases have just hit 14 million, about 11 million lower than the number Rouhani suggested for Iran alone. More than 200,000 have been hospitalized with COVID-19 in Iran. Medical officials said the unreported cases likely come from those who experienced mild cases and did not seek out medical attention, Reuters reported. "Our estimate is that so far 25 million Iranians have been infected with this virus and about 14,000 have lost their lives," Rouhani said. "There is the possibility that between 30 and 35 million more people will be at risk."

Here are the latest COVID-19 numbers, provided by researchers at Johns Hopkins University:

• Confirmed cases: 14,508,892

• Fatalities: 606,206

• Recoveries: 8,134,747

Florida reported 12,523 new coronavirus cases on Saturday, making it the fifth consecutive day the Sunshine State reported more than 10,000 new cases. The average numbers are up 28.85% from a week ago, according to CNBC. According to The Florida Department of Health, more than 350,000 people in the state have been infected with COVID-19 and nearly 5,000 have died from it. "The residents here are terrified and I'm terrified, for the first time in my career because there's a lack of leadership," Florida Rep. Donna Shalala said about the growing numbers. "It's terrible. We have community spread, which means the virus is out of control."

Anecdotal reports from various countries show evidence that premature births have drastically decreased amid the COVID-19 pandemic. The reasons for the drop in premature births is unknown, although doctors can speculate that it may be linked to lockdown factors, but the new finding has the potential to further research on the causes of premature births and how to prevent them, The New York Times reported. "For years, nothing has advanced in this very important area," Michael Christiansen of the Statens Serum Institut in Copenhagen said, "and it seems it took a virus attack to help us get on track."

New York responded to the coronavirus pandemic "correctly," according to Director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Anthony Fauci. "We know that, when you do it properly, you bring down those cases. We have done it. We have done it in New York," Fauci said. New York was at one point the epicenter of the outbreak in the U.S., reaching 10,000 new cases a day during its peak. According to CNBC, the state has dramatically decreased its daily case count to 776 on Thursday. "I'm so proud of what New Yorkers have done. But we must continue to be on alert," New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo said.

Older children spread the coronavirus as much as adults do, a new study finds. The study, which was conducted in South Korea, shows that children under the age of 10 spread the virus much less frequently than adults. Children between the ages of 10 and 19 spread the virus just as frequently as adults. "I fear that there has been this sense that kids just won't get infected or don't get infected in the same way as adults and that, therefore, they're almost like a bubbled population," Michael Osterholm, infectious diseases expert at the University of Minnesota, told The New York Times. The findings of the study suggest that as schools begin to reopen, clusters of outbreaks will occur in the communities. Dr. Ashish Jha, director of the Harvard Global Health Institute, called the study "one of the best studies we've had to date on this issue."

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott announced that five U.S. Navy teams will be deployed Sunday "to help combat the spread of Covid-19." The teams will go to areas in South and Southwest Texas and will assist at various hospitals in the cities of Eagle Pass, Harlingen, Del Rio and Rio Grande City, according to a governor's office press release. "These teams consist of medical and support professionals which are being deployed to help meet medical needs in hospitals throughout the state," the press release says. "The support from our federal partners is crucial in our work to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 in our communities throughout Texas," said Governor Abbott. "I am grateful for this ongoing partnership with the Department of Defense and the U.S. Navy, and the State of Texas will continue to utilize every resource available to protect public health and keep Texans in every community safe."

US Navy personnel wearing surgical masks to protect against the coronavirus. (AP Photo/John Minchillo)

President Donald Trump doesn't think U.S. needs a national mask mandate in an interview with Fox. When asked if he would consider instituting a mandate, Trump responded, "No, I want people to have a certain freedom, and I don't believe in that, no." Trump also said he disagrees with the assessment by Dr. Robert Redfield, the director of the CDC, that "if all of us would put on a face-covering now for the next four weeks, six weeks, we could drive this epidemic to the ground" CNN reported. "I don't agree with the statement that if everybody wears a mask everything disappears," Trump said. "Dr. Fauci said don't wear a mask, our Surgeon General, terrific guy, said don't wear a mask. Everybody was saying don't wear a mask. All of a sudden everybody's got to wear a mask, and as you know, masks cause problems too, with that being said, I'm a believer in masks. I think masks are good." During the start of the pandemic, public health officials asked people to not wear masks to save supplies for frontline workers, but now both Dr. Anthony Fauci, the nation's top infectious disease expert, and US Surgeon General Dr. Jerome Adams, have repeatedly called upon Americans to wear masks in public.

A COVID-19 outbreak has spread through a federal law enforcement training facility in South Carolina, prompting the national employees union to call for a halt to training. At least 23 students and staff have tested positive at the Charleston facility, where Customs and Border Protection personnel were training, according to the National Treasury Employees Union. The union officially requested on Friday that the agency immediately send home any employees in training, as well as test employees for coronavirus prior to the departure. "The FLETC Charleston facility is no longer safe for trainees under the current circumstances," said union National President Tony Reardon in a statement to CNN, adding that the union learned of the "alarming outbreak" earlier this week.

England's coronavirus death toll data is under "urgent review" after it was revealed that officials may have included those who tested positive long before their death. The U.K. government's daily coronavirus death toll update was "paused" by the Department of Health after Health Secretary Matt Hancock called for an "urgent review" into how coronavirus deaths are counted in England, CNN reported. "Currently the daily deaths measure counts all people who have tested positive for coronavirus and since died, with no cut-off between time of testing and date of death," an update on the Department's website said. "There have been claims that the lack of cut-off may distort the current daily deaths number," the update announced. Ian Diamond, the UK's National Statistician at the Office for National Statistics told Sky News' Sophy Ridge on Sunday: "It's really, really important to recognize that different statistics are used for different things." The BBC's Health Editor Hugh Pym said it had emerged that "Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, have been recording deaths in one way -- everybody who tested positive and died within 28 days of the test was said to be part of the daily reported deaths figures from Covid." But England through Public Health England was saying anyone who tested positive, maybe going back a couple of months, and subsequently died -- even if it was from another cause -- was included in these daily reported figures." According to CNN, when asked by Sky News' whether the government's gradual easing of lockdown restrictions had led to an uptick of people testing positive, Diamond said: "No we haven't -- we're basically flat over the last few weeks."

Here are the latest global COVID-19 numbers, provided by researchers at Johns Hopkins University:

• Confirmed cases: 14,311,886

• Fatalities: 602,757

• Recoveries: 8,044,178

Shania Dod, right, collects a sample at a United Memorial Medical Center COVID-19 testing site Wednesday, July 8, 2020, in Houston. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

Nueces County in South Texas announced that 85 infants have tested positive for COVID-19. "These babies have not even had their first birthday yet," Nueces County Director of Public Health Annette Rodriguez said. The infant infections are part of an outbreak across the county that has infected 7,861 people, according to CBS News. "Residents must act now. We desperately need you to help lower the transmission of this virus. Stay home. Especially if you are sick, older and/or have medical conditions," Rodriguez said. "If you are sick and do not need medical attention, do everything in your power to get well."

New coronavirus cases are rising in Canada, and they are being linked to young people gathering in bars and other social settings. "When we examine recent trends in case reporting, there is some cause for concern. After a period of steady decline, daily case counts have started to rise," Howard Njoo, the deputy chief public health officer, said. On Thursday, over 400 new cases were reported. The daily case count rose to an average of 350, which is up from 300 a day earlier, according to Reuters. "Singing, mingling and dancing in close contact with others in closed spaces and crowded places is not the way to party this summer. These are ideal conditions for the spread of COVID-19," Njoo said.

Israel has announced it will be shut down on weekends after a new surge of coronavirus cases have struck the country. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has been exploring "interim steps" to avoid another general lockdown, according to the Associated Press. Many businesses, beaches, gyms and exercise studios will be closed on weekends as well as limiting of restaurants to takeout and delivery. The government said restaurants have until early Tuesday to switch to takeout and delivery only. Stores, malls, barber shops, beauty salons, and tourist sites will also be closed on weekends. Public gatherings will lower to 10 people indoors and 20 outdoors. The Israeli weekend is Friday to Saturday.

In the first investiture since the coronavirus lockdown, Queen Elizabeth knighted Captain Tom Moore on Friday after the 100-year-old raised millions of pounds for health workers. The World War II veteran raise 22 million pounds, equivalent to $41 million, by walking 100 laps around his garden with a walker in April as a count down to his birthday. "I could never have imagined this would happen to me," Moore said in a Twitter post before the ceremony. The veteran became a symbol of endurance in the face of adversity against the coronavirus, according to Reuters, and spread hope with his promise that "the sun will shine again."

More than half of a prison's inmates have tested positive for COVID-19. Approximately 1,072 inmates out of 1,798 have tested positive for coronavirus in Seagoville Federal Correctional Institution in Texas, The Federal Bureau of Prisons reported. Nearly 3,600 federal inmates and more than 300 prison staff have tested positive for COVID-19, according to the bureau's data. As of Friday, 5,434 inmates and 631 staff have recovered from the virus, according to NBC News. The Federal Bureau of Prisons stated on its website that it began additional testing of asymptomatic inmates to assist in "slowing transmissions within a correctional setting."

After battling coronavirus for 106 days Long Island man, Hafeez Yehman, emerged from the hospital with loved ones and hospital staff cheering by his side. The 43-year-old was intubated three times during his hospitalization and will now enter rehab. Yehman's four-month ordeal at Long Island Jewish Medical Center in New Hyde Park was the longest stay of anyone to date at that hospital, according to Fox 5 New York. No hospital in New York has treated more COVID-19 patients than LIJ during the pandemic. More than 25,000 people have died in the state since the coronavirus outbreak began, Fox 5 New York reports.

Amid the global coronavirus vaccine race, 30 employees of the state-owned Chinese company SinoPharm received experimental shots before the government could approve testing in people. The group included company leaders who were helping to "pre-test" the vaccine. "Getting a COVID-19 vaccine is the new Holy Grail," Lawrence Gostin, a global public health law expert at Georgetown University told The Associated Press. "The political competition to be the first its no less consequential than the race for the moon between the United States and Russia." Sino-Pharm has invested in a coronavirus vaccine similar to the polio vaccine - made by growing the virus in a lab and then killing it. Many Western competitors are using less proven and newer technology to target the "spike" protein that coats the virus, according to the AP.

For the second day in a row, U.S. COVID-19 cases have increased by more than 70,000. Coronavirus cases increased by at least 70,674 on Friday after climbing by a record 77,499 on Thursday, which is the largest increase posted by any country since the pandemic started, according to a Reuters tally. U.S. deaths rose by at least 912 on Friday, the fourth day in a row that fatalities have risen by more than 900 a day, Reuters reports. On Friday, Texas reported a record daily increase in deaths for the third day in a row with 174 lives lost, bringing the state's death toll to a total of 3,735.

Here are the latest COVID-19 numbers, provided by researchers at Johns Hopkins University:

• Confirmed cases: 14,127,864

• Fatalities: 603,269

• Recoveries: 7,912,449

One hundred fifty-five Miami police officers are in quarantine after about half of them tested positive for COVID-19. According to Miami Police Chief Jorge Colina, who tested positive for the virus in April, 79 officers tested positive, resulting in 155 total quarantining at home. Around one dozen employees of the department who are not officers are also in quarantine, ABC News reported. "Internally, we have our own surge. In the first few months, we had about 30 officers that were COVID positive throughout that entire time," Colina said. "In the last few weeks -- a month or so -- we have 68 officers that are COVID positive and about 11 civilian employees."

The United Nations will be launching a postage stamp initiative that will help raise funds for the World Health Organization's efforts to assist countries in their fight against the coronavirus, according to Fox News.The "We Are All in This Together - Help Stop the Spread of COVID-19" stamps will carry six different messages around hygiene and precautions, a spokesperson for the United National Secretary-General António Guterres told Fox News. "The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted global interconnectedness," Guterres said Thursday. "No society has been spared. No economy has gone unscathed." The stamps can be used similar to USPS postage stamps, but any revenue generated from them that doesn't go toward the mailing and operation cost will go to the members states of the United Nations, according to chief of the UNPA Thanawat Amnajanan. Although the stamps won't be available until Aug. 11, people can preorder the stamps starting Friday, July 17.

Physical distancing could prove to slow the spread of the coronavirus, new findings suggest. "The most pragmatic recommendation has been to advise physical distancing (referred to by some as social distancing) to minimize person-to-person transmission with a view to flattening the epidemic curve," said the authors of the study, which was lead by Oxford University physician-epidemiologist and medical statistician Nazrul Islam. The researchers gathered information on new cases in 149 countries both before and after social distancing measures were put in place, such as school and workplace closures and restrictions on mass gatherings, CNN reported. The findings revealed that on average, COVID-19 cases were reduced by 13% after restrictions were put in place, with school and workplace closures and mass gathering restrictions being the most effective measure. Closing public transportation was not associated with any decrease in new cases. Thomas May, a research professor at the Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine at Washington State University, pointed out that testing disparities in different locations could affect the findings, "as a result, caution is warranted when interpreting the findings," he said.

New studies released provide more information on which treatments help COVID-19 patients. British researchers on Friday published their research on dexamethasone, which has shown to improve survival.Two other studies found that hydroxychloroquine does not help people with only mild symptoms.The study on dexamethasone, a steroid used to address inflammation, was lead by the University of Oxford. About 2,104 patients were given the drug while 4,321 patients received typical care. The drug reduced deaths by 36% for patients needing breathing machines - 29% of patients on the drug died compared to 41% of the patients who received the typical care, according to CBS News. For patients needing supplemental oxygen, it reduced the risk of death by 18% - 23% on the drug died versus 26% of the patients not on the drug.

"If we had known this four or five months ago, we would have saved tens of thousands of lives probably," University of Oxford Emerging Infectious Diseases & Global Health Professor Peter Horby told NBC News."But we're at this stage. We managed to get the results during the epidemic and certainly before a second wave." However, it appeared to be harmful at earlier stages of the disease or in milder cases as 18% of those on the drug died versus 14% of those who weren't. According to CBS, this study wasn't peer reviewed.

Brazil becomes second nation to eclipse two million COVID-19 cases. The coronavirus outbreak continues unabated in Brazil, where cases topped two million on Thursday and the death toll soared past 75,000, according to figures from Johns Hopkins University. Only the U.S. has confirmed more cases and fatalities. President Jair Bolsonaro, who has repeatedly struck a dismissive tone about the risks of coronavirus, tested positive this week for the second time. Critics have blamed his cavalier attitude for the country's inability to rein in the virus. Luiz Henrique, Brazil's former health minister has voiced concern about the ongoing impact to the nation's psyche the pandemic is having. "People have become callous," Mandetta told The Associated Press. "When you say, 'Yesterday there were 1,300 deaths,' people say, 'OK, then it didn't go up. It was 1,300 people the day before, too.'" Some experts believe the official number of cases in Brazil is significantly lower than the actual number of infections, which some have estimated to be about 10 million.

Rogers Place, one of the NHL's arenas the league will use when it resumes play following its coronavirus stoppage, suffered significant storms damage. A significant storm rolled through the city on Thursday night in the Edmonton area, causing water to flood into the arena. The initial damage is in the terminus of Ford Hall, which is a foyer off the entry way, as well as leaks in other parts of the arena, according to arena management, ESPN reported. Rogers Place is a fairly new arena, having opened only four years ago. The NHL had announced the arena would be used as a hub to restart the 2019-20 season this summer. The Western Conference is scheduled to travel to Edmonton on July 26 with exhibition games starting July 28. The arena is also expected to host the conference finals and Stanley Cup Finals.

Texas reported 14,780 new cases of COVID-19 on Friday, sending the total number of confirmed cases in the state past 300,000. Texas now has now reported more cases than the U.k. (294,803), Spain (260,255) or Italy (243,967), according to Johns Hopkins University. All bars across the Lone Star State have been closed to help slow the spread of the coronavirus, especially among younger people, NBC News said. Texas is also giving school districts more flexibility on their decisions to reopen in the fall to ensure that students receive the education they need while also keeping all of the teachers, students and their families safe and healthy.

British Airways has retired all of its 747s due to the financial issues caused by the coronavirus pandemic. In an announcement made on Friday, the company said all 31 of its Boeing 747 planes would be retired due to ongoing challenges in the travel industry. The fleet was originally scheduled to be retired in 2024, according to UPI. The airline has also cut as many as 12,000 jobs and suspended 36,000 employees as a result of the pandemic. Other airlines around the world have been phasing out the 747 for years for more fuel efficient airplanes. United Airlines and Delta both retired the 747 back in 2017.

The C.D.C. has extended a cruise ship ban for the United States to further prevent the spread of the coronavirus. The C.D.C said there were 99 coronavirus outbreaks aboard 123 cruise ships in the United States this year, according to The New York Times. The cruise industry has continued to struggle through the coronavirus pandemic as many countries have placed bans after a cruise infected over 700 people and killed nine off the coast of Yokohama, Japan in February.. Another ship in Fort Lauderdale, Florida had four deaths on board from COVID-19. Cruise ships are currently suspended in the United States until Sep. 15, with many companies already withdrawn their ships from US waters and out of C.D.C. jurisdiction. Plans have been submitted on how to safely evacuate crew by the companies, but nearly all of them failed to meet basic requirements, the C.D.C. said.

People paying cash at Kroger supermarkets will no longer receive change due to the national coin shortage. Reduced production at the U.S. Mint has lead to a shortage in pennies, nickels, dimes and quarters across the country, according to CBS News, one of the many unexpected effects of the coronavirus. As a result, Kroger will no longer be giving coin change to shoppers that are paying with cash and do not have exact change. Instead, any change due back to the customer will have that money loaded onto their customer loyalty card and will be automatically applied to their next purchase, CBS News said. This new policy will not have any impact on those paying for their order with a credit or debit card.

Texas will not be reinstating lockdown measures amid a surge in new coronavirus cases. "Let me tell you, there is no shutdown coming," Gov. Greg Abbott said on Thursday. This comes one week after Abbott said that if the spread of the virus did not slow down, another lockdown would be on the table. "But the only way we can avoid a shutdown is if we do get everybody buying into this process of wearing a face mask," Abbott said. "We are certainly not out of the woods yet."

Two weeks ago, Abbott issued a statewide mask mandate in an effort to slow the spread of the coronavirus, and there are hints that it may be working, according to Fox 4. Recent data from the Texas Department of State Health Services shows that the spread of the coronavirus appears to be flattening; however, there are still around 10,000 new cases a day. "There is clear evidence that whatever people have been doing worked to an extent," Dr. Rajesh Nandy said. Nandy teaches epidemiology and biostatics at the UNT Health Science Center in Fort Worth, Texas. "There is little doubt that the mask mandates have been effective. The question is how long we can sustain it."

Over 10,000 new COVID-19 cases were reported across Texas on Thursday. (Image/Texas Department of State Health Services)

Seventy-two NFL players have tested positive for the coronavirus. The NFL Players Association announced that 'dozens' of players had tested positive as of July 10 but confirmed the exact number Thursday after the tally was revealed in a database, according to AFP. Out of roughly 2,900 players, it is currently unknown how many have been tested and how often. Players have requested the league to cancel all pre-season games in order to address fitness concerns. Recently, the NFL rejected a 48-day training camp recommendation in favor of a 23-day session. Many players have grown frustrated over uncertainty about the season, including Houston Texans star J.J. Watt, who expressed in a Tweet that they, "Don't know if there are preseason games or not, we don't know if there will be daily testing, semi-daily testing etc."

The U.K. hopes to return to normal by Christmas. "It is my strong and sincere hope that we will be able to review the outstanding restrictions and allow a more significant return to normality from November at the earliest - possibly in time for Christmas," Prime Minister Boris Johnson said on Friday. While Johnson and the rest of the U.K. is hoping for the best, they are still planning for the worst ahead of the winter, Reuters reported. One of the keys to achieving this goal is to keep infection rates down. According to data gathered by Johns Hopkins University, there has only been one day so far in July where the U.K. reported more than 1,000 new cases of COVID-19. This is significantly lower than in April when there were more than 5,000 new cases a day.

3M investigating claims of counterfeit masks. The leading U.S. manufacturer of N95 respirators has investigated thousands of reports of price gouging and fraud associated with its products, leading to more than a dozen lawsuits, Star Tribune reported. In some cases, the difference between the official masks and the counterfeit masks appear to be small, such as having a label that reads "3N" instead of "3M." While the appearance is similar, the counterfeit masks do not offer the same level of protection. "The schemes we shut down were not only unlawful, they also endangered lives and wasted precious time and resources by diverting buyers from legitimate sources of much-needed respirators," said Denise Rutherford, 3M senior vice president of corporate affairs. The company said that it plans on donating any proceeds from the lawsuits to help those effected by COVID-19.

A health professional prepares a needle containing a developmental coronavirus vaccine in Brisbane, Australia. (AAP Image/University of Queensland Pool, Glenn Hunt, via Reuters)

New hope of a breakghthrough after encouraging news from race for a coronavirus vaccine. Human trials of a vaccine being developed at the University of Oxford against the coronavirus have shown promising results in providing "double protection" against the virus. Blood samples taken from volunteers in phase one trials show that the vaccine stimulated the body to produce both antibodies and T-cells, which play a part in the body's immune response.The vaccine's development, supported by the United Kingdom government and AstraZeneca, is "absolutely on track," David Carpenter, chairman of the Berkshire Research Ethics Committee, which approved the Oxford trial, told Sky News. "Nobody can put final dates ... things might go wrong, but the reality is that by working with a big pharma company, that vaccine could be fairly widely available around September and that is the sort of target they are working on."However, U.K. Secretary of State for Health and Social Care Matt Hancock told Good Morning Britain the vaccine was more likely to be available next year. For more on the vaccine trial, watch the video below.

Colorado has become the most recent state to require people to wear masks or face coverings. "The bottom line, like all Coloradans, I want to enjoy life, get a haircut, protect our economy, and protect lives. One of the powerful tools that our state has done well on but can do better on is wearing a mask," Gov. Jared Polis said on Thursday. "This is the least costly and simplest intervention we can do." The mandate applies to everyone over the age of 10 that is in an indoor public space, Fox 21 reported. Like many states, Colorado has experienced an uptick in new cases of COVID-19 in recent weeks with 38,726 cases across the state and nearly 6,000 hospitalizations, according to the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment.

India has become the third country in the world to record more than one million COVID-19 cases, trailing only the U.S. and Brazil. On Friday, India recorded 34,956 new infections, bringing the total number of confirmed cases to 1,003,832. However, according to experts, this is a relatively low number of infections given India's population of around 1.3 billion. In recent weeks, the virus has spread farther into the countryside and smaller towns, and it is likely to keep spreading, as epidemiologists say the virus is months away from hitting its peak in India. "In the coming months, we are bound to see more and more cases, and that is the natural progression of any pandemic," said Giridhar Babu, an epidemiologist at the nonprofit Public Health Foundation of India, according to Reuters. "As we move forward, the goal has to be lower mortality. A critical challenge states will is ow to rationally allocated hospital beds."

🚨 U.S. blows past daily record with more than 77,000 new COVID-19 cases in a single day. Thursday was a particularly grim day in the U.S. as the country logged its highest-ever number of new coronavirus cases over a 24-hour period, and also the largest number of fatalities is more than a month after 969 deaths were reported, according to Reuters, sending the death toll above 138.000. Florida, South Carolina and Texas all reported the largest one-day increases in cases on Thursday, continuing a concerning trend. The below graph from Johns Hopkins University shows the daily increase in cases in the U.S. since the outbreak began.

The U.S. recorded 77,217 new COVID-19 cases on Thursday, July 16, 2020, by far the largest single-day total since the outbreak began. (Johns Hopkins University)

Only about one in four Americans believe it would be safe to reopen public schools in the fall. Additionally, four in 10 parents say if classes do resume in the fall they will keep their children at home, according to a poll conducted by Reuters and Ipsos. In the poll, only 26% of American adults responded that they felt safe with school resuming, 55% said they felt unsafe and 19% were unsure. The poll was conducted in English online among 1,114 American adults. Additionally, only 20% of American adults said classes should resume for a standard calendar year, whereas 37% said classes should be entirely held online and 43% said a hybrid schedule of in-person and online classes should be conducted.

Here are the latest COVID-19 numbers, provided by researchers at Johns Hopkins University:

• Confirmed cases: 13,830,933

• Fatalities: 590,401

• Recoveries: 7,733,051

Another 1.3 million Americans applied for first-time unemployment benefits in the week ending July 11. Data from the U.S. Department of Labor showed 1.3 million initial claims, which are the claims filed by an unemployed person after separating from a job. The numbers this past week are down 10,000 from the week prior's revised level. On an unrevised level, 1.5 million people filed first-time claims, which is 109,000 higher than the week prior. The seasonal revisions are designed to account for typical seasonal fluctuations in unemployment filings. "Overall, filings remain high and are declining at a stubbornly slow pace," Rubeela Farooqi, chief US economist for High Frequency Economics, told CNN. "The pace could slow even further or reverse in coming weeks in response to a surge in virus cases and related closures of businesses."

On Thursday, barber shops, hair salons and other beauty-related businesses in New York will ask Gov. Andrew Cuomo for permission to carry on with business outdoors. According to ABC 7, some salons want to proceed with their business in parking lots and on sidewalks just as restaurants have been doing, but will need approval from Gov. Cuomo to do so as current state law requires salon services to be performed inside a licensed business.

Seventy-five nations across the world are interested in joining the COVAX Facility, which is designed to offer rapid, fair and equitable access to COVID-19 vaccines across the globe. According to a news release from The World Health Organization (WHO), the 75 countries would finance the vaccines and partner up with 90 lower-income countries to donate through Gavi's COVAX Advance Market Commitment (AMC). In total, 165 countries would be involved, making up 60% of the world's population. The United States was not included in a list released by WHO of countries willing to finance for the program. "COVAX is the only truly global solution to the COVID-19 pandemic," Seth Berkley, CEO of Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, said. "For the vast majority of countries, whether they can afford to pay for their own doses or require assistance, it means receiving a guaranteed share of doses and avoiding being pushed to the back of the queue, as we saw during the H1N1 pandemic a decade ago.

A very different Walt Disney World has reopened this month. For the first time since March, all four Disney World parks have opened their doors to guests, but it's a vastly different scene from before as the coronavirus pandemic continues. "I don't think I've ever seen it this empty," Barry Short, a frequent Disney World Guest and one of the first to return to the park when it reopened, told AccuWeather. Disney has put in place strict protocols, including limiting capacity and temperature checks before entering the park. Sanitation stations are also scattered throughout the park as well as reminders to social distance. Rides are running mostly empty and masks are required.

"They have been pretty strict about the mask thing, and this is the only way it's going to work," Short said. There are a few exceptions to this rule, including eating and drinking and while lounging at a "relaxation station," where guests can sit, apart from other guests, and take their masks off in the summer heat. Orlando has reached 90 degrees nearly every day so far during July, and the normal high for the city during the month is 92 degrees. For the summer months, AccuWeather has aggregated a few tips on how to stay cool while wearing a mask for the occasions where taking off a mask while in public isn't recommended. Even with the danger of the virus, Short still plans on continuing to return to the park. "I feel more comfortable, safer, going to Disney than I do going to the grocery store," Short said.

CVS and Target have joined the growing number of retailers to require all customers wear masks inside their stores. "We're joining others in taking the next step and requiring all customers to wear face coverings," CVS tweeted on Thursday. According to CNN, their mask mandate will go into effect on Monday. Target will also be joining CVS in mandating masks in its stores starting Aug. 1. The company will provide disposable masks at the doors for customers who do not have their own. "This builds on the more than 80% of our stores that already require guests to wear face coverings due to local and state regulations," Target said. Previously, Walmart, Kroger, Kohl's and Best Buy, among others, have also announced that they will require all customers to wear a mask.

Tougher lockdown restrictions have been put into place in Germany in an attempt to prevent a second wave. The lockdown measures are meant to contain local outbreaks to prevent them from spreading rapidly, according to AFP. The new restrictions put in place include a travel ban that prohibits people from going in and out of the affected areas. The country is also looking at ways to respond to new clusters using hyper-local lockdowns and rapid contact tracing and testing. Lockdown restrictions were shown to be needed after a coronavirus outbreak occurred at a slaughterhouse in the western part of Germany, but local courts ruled the lockdown put into place from that event was too broad. Anyone wanting to leave the affected areas will now have to be able to show a negative coronavirus test less than 48 hours old.

"We are not out of the woods yet," the head of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) warned. Kristalina Georgieva, the managing director of the IMF, warned that a new wave of COVID-19 infections could further disrupt the already ailing global economy, Reuters reported. The IMF reduced its 2020 global output forecasts in June predicted a 4.9% contraction in the world economy.

"The exceptional action taken by many countries, including the G-20-through fiscal measures of about US $11 trillion and massive central bank liquidity injections-put a floor under the global economy, Georgieva wrote in the blog post. "This extraordinary effort should not be underestimated.But we are not out of the woods yet. A second major global wave of the disease could lead to further disruptions in economic activity. Other risks include stretched asset valuations, volatile commodity prices, rising protectionism, and political instability." Georgieva added that on the positive side, "medical breakthroughs on vaccines and treatments could lift confidence and economic activity. These alternative scenarios highlight that uncertainty remains exceptionally high."

Spain's King Felipe VI led a memorial ceremony honoring the victims of the coronavirus. The memorial took place in the country's capital of Madrid and was attended by 400 guests. High-ranking European Union officials, the head of the World Health Organization, Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, and the NATO Secretary-General were on hand for the ceremony, according to DW. The ceremony hopes to set a positive scene for a two-day EU summit that starts Friday, the Spanish government said. Spain has suffered one of the worlds highest death tolls, with almost 30,000 people having died from the virus. The country is also one of the hardest hit economically after emerging from a three-month lockdown with strict restrictions. In total, Spain has over 258,000 confirmed cases of COVID-19.

Organizers with the 2020 Republican National Convention announced that the event will be scaled down, according to The Washington Post. The convention is now taking place in Jacksonville, Florida, from August 24-27 after being relocated from Charlotte last month. That decision came before Florida's recent dramatic spike in COVID-19 cases. According to the Post, Republican National Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel sent a letter to delegates on Thursday telling them attendance will be dramatically reduced by thousands. Only about 2,500 people are expected to attend during the first three days and the convention will feature a mix of indoor and outdoor events to ensure social distancing practices. However, on the final day, delegates will be allowed to bring a guest and alternate delegates can attend, bringing the total to around 6,000 to 7,000 people. "When we made these changes, we had hoped to be able to plan a traditional convention celebration to which we are all accustomed. However, adjustments must be made to comply with state and local health guidelines," McDaniel said in the letter. McDaniel added that a number of health protocols, including COVID-19 testing, will be implemented at the convention, according to the Post's report. Watch the video below for more.

Would you voluntarily allow yourself to be infected with the coronavirus? It may sound scary, but that's exactly what some of the world's top scientists say is necessary, CNBC reported. Medical doctors, Nobel Laureates, epidemiologists, and professors are calling for thousands of otherwise healthy volunteers to step forward and allow themselves be infected with COVID-19 for the purposes of vaccine testing. The urgent call for what they're describing as "challenge trials" was made in an open letter sent to Dr. Francis Collins, who leads the National Institutes of Health (NIH). "The rationale for human challenge trials is that they can greatly accelerate the development of a COVID-19 vaccine," the scientists said in the letter. "In such trials, volunteers still receive the vaccine candidate or a control," they continued. "Instead of resuming life as usual and waiting to 'catch' a virus, volunteers are deliberately exposed to the pathogen under controlled conditions. Beyond being faster than conventional trials, a challenge test is likelier to conclude with interpretable results, e.g. should the presence of virus around the study site begin to fade over time." The scientists also emphasized a need for "caution and oversight" with any such voluntary trial. On Thursday, Collins hailed the progress being made by Moderna in developing a potentially effective vaccine in what he said would be "record time." According to Collins, vaccines can take five to 10 years to develop -- a point that underscores the scientists call for courageous Americans to volunteer -- but Moderna has been working on a vaccine for 66 days. Collins closed his remarks by asking for volunteers to sign up for that trial by visiting a designated website.

Health worker collect a nasal swab from a woman to test for the coronavirus in Rayong province , Thailand, Tuesday, July 14, 2020. Authorities set up testing for anyone concerned they might have come into contact with an Egyptian soldier who visited a shopping mall in Rayong last week and then tested positive for COVID-19. (AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit)

Tensions rise over mandatory mask orders. The nation's top medical experts have been imploring Americans to adopt mask-wearing as an effective way of slowing the spread of COVID-19. Many local governments have been responding by issuing mandatory mask orders. Even Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey grudgingly announced such an order that goes into effect in her state on Thursday. Still, mask-wearing has become a major flashpoint for Americans four months into the pandemic. In Georgia, Gov. Brian Kemp issued an order that overturns any local official's order to make mask-wearing mandatory, describing compulsory masking as "a bridge too far," according to NPR. More than 3,000 have died from COVID-19 in Georgia.

In Florida, which many experts have said is becoming the new epicenter of the outbreak in the U.S., mandatory masks are an explosive issue and antimask protesters rallied at a restaurant in Windermere this week where they objected to the idea of masks being mandatory. The restaurant owner has defied mask orders. When police showed up to inspect the restaurant, protesters erupted and called for the police to stand down. Watch the video below to see the tense moment.

The San Francisco Unified School District (SFUSD) announced on Wednesday that the start of the new school year will be spent at home as students will begin the fall semester on Aug. 17 with distance learning. According to the letter written by Superintendent Dr. Vincent Matthews, the district hopes to provide a gradual hybrid approach, meaning that some students may eventually return to in-person learning during the semester. Dr. Matthews said SFUSD will distribute technological devices to students who did not receive it in the spring semester, possibly even to students below 3rd grade.

"The COVID-19 pandemic has challenged us in so many ways. There is a range of viewpoints regarding the best course of action," the superintendent wrote. "I want you to know we are listening and I am grateful to be part of a community that cares deeply for all children. I look forward to continuing to work together."

Mask-wearing will now be mandatory for indoor public spaces in France beginning next week. Earlier this week, French President Emmanuel Macron said the nation would implement compulsory face-covering rules beginning on Aug. 1, but that timeline has been accelerated, France24 reported, Several municipalities in northwestern France have also implemented mandatory mask-wearing policies in recent days as the number of COVID-19 cases has increased. People in France have so far been required to wear masks while riding public transportation, and in public spaces when social distancing is not possible. This week, Disneyland Paris partially reopened with mask-wearing rules and the Eiffel Tower began allowing tourists to visit the top floor again -- and all visitors must wear masks.

Air travelers could soon look more like astronauts based on one company's new protective masking device. According to Bloomberg, VYZR Technologies, a Toronto-based company, has released a new type of hazmat suit to make air travelers feel safe again. The product is called the BioVYZR and is built with anti-fogging windows as well as a hospital-grade air purifying device. The company says it produces 360 degrees of projections and shields and individual from all sides. The devices also limit wearers' ability to constantly touch their faces and can remove 95% of particulate matter, the company says. About 50,000 of the suits have been pre-ordered with the first batch set to be delivered by the end of July, Bloomberg reported. Ginny Maxwell, a talent manager in Nashville, told Bloomberg that she ordered four of them, one for each person in her family, which includes her two children. "They give us a lot of peace of mind," said Maxwell. "And the kids are excited to wear their ‘space helmets.' If nothing else, they will be a strange souvenir of this crazy time."

Florida hospital's are facing a shortage of ICU beds as case numbers in the state continue to increase on a daily basis. NBC News reported that at least 54 hospitals in the state listed zero beds available, and another 40 hospitals have fewer than 10 percent bed availability in their ICUs. The state has reported over 300,000 total cases with another 10,085 being reported on Wednesday along with 112 deaths.

Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro received a second positive COVID-19 test result on Tuesday, one week after he initially announced his infection on July 7. Bolsonaro, leader of the country with the second-most COVID-19 cases and second-most deaths in the world, said in a Wednesday press conference that he still hasn't experienced any serious symptoms, according to The Associated Press. Prior to his initial diagnosis, Bolsonaro had made several mask-less appearances, mingling with large crowds. The president has been treating his COVID-19 with hydroxychloroquine, two months after former health minister Nelson Teich quit in protest of Bolsonaro's support of the anti-malaria drug that has not been proven effective against COVID-19.

The U.S. hit another record for the number of COVID-19 cases logged over a 24-hour period this week. According to data from Johns Hopkins University, 67,632 new cases were reported across the country on Tuesday. The total extended the surge in coronavirus that the majority of the country has been experiencing this month. Over the last 10 days, AFP reports, the country has seen between 55,000 and nearly 68,000 new cases per day. On Wednesday, the new cases total ticked down a bit to a little more than 66,000. Nationwide on Thursday morning, the U.S. was on the verge of reaching 3.5 million total cases since the outbreak began.

Virus cases in India are surging as another 32,695 new cases were reported on Thursday, The Associated Press reports. The country has the third-highest case count in the world, behind only Brazil and the United States, with over 968,000 cases since the pandemic began, according to Johns Hopkins University. India's Health Ministry also reported a record 606 deaths over the past 24 hours, The AP said. Lockdowns are going into effect once again across parts of the country, including in the cities of Bangalore and Pune. The coastal state of Goa, along India's western coast, is also implementing a three-day lockdown and a nighttime curfew, The AP reported.

A health worker takes a nasal swab sample of a woman at an urban health centre in Ahmedabad, India, Thursday, July 16, 2020. India's virus cases surged another 32,695 as of Thursday, taking the nation closer to 1 million and forcing a new lockdown in the popular western beach state of Goa two weeks after it was reopened to tourists. (AP Photo/Ajit Solanki)

Here are the latest COVID-19 numbers, provided by researchers at Johns Hopkins University:

• Confirmed cases: 13,578,608

• Fatalities: 584,782

• Recoveries: 7,596,551

More than 1 million people in the United Kingdom have quit smoking since the coronavirus pandemic began, according to a survey conducted by the global advocacy group Action on Smoking and Health (ASH). The BBC reported that 41% of those who quit said the decision was directly related to the coronavirus. The survey took place between April 15 and June 20 consisted of a sample of 10,000 people. The results were then used to estimate the total number of people who gave up smoking in the U.K, the BBC reported. About 7 million people were considered smokers in 2019 in the country. Research has found that smoking is "associated with increased severity of disease and death in hospitalized COVID-19 patients," the World Health Organization has said. Terrence Craggs, a resident of Newcastle, England, told the BBC that he quit smoking after being hospitalized and put on oxygen, even though his COVID-19 test was negative. "I could hardly breathe," he said. "I was hunting for air all the time. [The pandemic] is more of an incentive to stay off them, even though it's more difficult at the moment because of the stress," he said.

The 132nd edition of the Rose Parade has been canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic. Big events keep going down, and the latest is the fabled Rose Parade that takes place every New Year's Day in Pasadena, California. The parade, known as the "Grandaddy of Them All," was first held in 1891 and, according to organizers has only been canceled three times -- in 1942, 1943 and 1945, during World War II. The cancelation of the 2021 edition of the parade will represent the first time in 75 years that the event has not gone on. The Pasadena Tournament of Roses Association said the decision to cancel was made "with reluctance and tremendous disappointment," but that "the health and well-being of our parade participants and guests, as well as that of our volunteer members, professional staff and partners, is our number one priority." Planning for the Rose Bowl football game, which next year will be college football's semifinal, is still ongoing, organizers said.

Texas tradition slowed down not by COVID -- but by heat wave. The city of Fort Worth is nicknamed "Cow Town" and for good reason. According to AccuWeather National Reporter Bill Waddell, more than 4 million cattle were brought through the Fort Worth area during the late 1800s. Nowadays, as a nod to Texas history, cattle drives are typically held two times a day. These events draw tourists who come to witness some old Texas nostalgia. But during the recent heat wave, the cattle drive has been canceled three times due to the oppressive conditions -- temperatures have topped out in the high 90s for the last several days and are forecast to reach triple digits the next couple of days. Apart from the heat interfering with the cattle drives, the rising number of COVID-19 cases hasn't been disruptive. Waddell reported from a cattle drive in Fort Worth this week. Masks on faces were aplenty and he talked to several people to hear about why they came out to see the Texas longhorns marching through the streets. Watch his full report below.

Eye above the sky spies which beaches are packed and which are empty amid the pandemic. The pandemic has transformed the way people are spending their summers, although some beaches are still packed with sunbathers. New high-resolution satellite images taken by Maxar Technologies captured popular beaches around the globe from the middle of the Pacific Ocean to the Mediterranean Sea, and the images are stunning. Some beaches, such as Fort DeRussy Beach near Honolulu, Hawaii, were nearly devoid of people, while others were packed. In fact, one beach became so overwhelmed with people enjoying some surf and sun that the authorities temporarily shut it down. Below is the beach on Paradise Island in the Bahamas, which was all but empty -- but satellite images showed some other beaches, including some in the U.S., were anything but empty.

Paradise Island in the Bahamas was virtually empty on July 2, 2020, with empty beaches and pools across the island. (Satellite image ©2020 Maxar Technologies)

Masks mandatory in Alabama starting on Thursday. Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey on Wednesday issued an order requiring face coverings in public. "Individuals will be required to wear a mask or other facial covering when in public and in close contact with" people from other households. The order says a mask is mandatory when people can't maintain a distance of six feet or more, and also includes indoor spaces. There are a few exceptions to the new rule, including children under the age of 6, people with certain medical conditions and people who are eating or drinking or receiving medical treatment, like going to the dentist. Those who don't comply face a fine of $500, though Ivey acknowledged enforcement of the order, which goes into effect at 5 p.m. Thursday, could be difficult. "I always prefer personal responsibility over a government mandate," Ivey said, according to AL.com.

Countries are reimposing restrictions as the virus makes a resurgence. Some state governments and businesses in the U.S. have imposed their own new restrictions, rules and health checks, while some countries reimpose rules at their borders. New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo created a list of 22 states whose visitors will be required to quarantine for 14 days if they visit the region. Out-of-state travelers arriving in New York airports from those states face a $2,000 fine and a mandatory quarantine order if they fail to fill out a tracing form, according to The Associated Press. Walmart recently became the largest U.S. retailer to require customers to wear face coverings at all of its stores as well as Sam's Club locations, following similar decisions from Best Buy, Apple and other stores. Other countries are also reimposing lockdowns or imposing new rules. All travelers arriving in Greece from a land border with Bulgaria are now required to show negative coronavirus test results issued in the previous 72 hours.

The Summer Olympics might be postponed again, as coronavirus cases resurge in Tokyo. The 2020 Summer Olympics, which had previously been postponed to 2021, are at risk if being postponed again as a fears of a new coronavirus mutation arises. According to Kiyoshi Kurokawa, a prominent Japanese government advisor, the coronavirus could have the ability to mutate into a stronger pathogen. "I think the virus is mutating all the time ... it may be a much stronger virus that triggers a second wave," Kurokawa told Reuters. "The Olympics may be postponed again, but I can't predict." Kurokawa then added that the recent spike in cases in the Japanese capital is due to a failure to stick to guidelines and hosting the Olympics could further increase this problem.

The U.S.-Canada border will remain closed into August, according to multiple media reports. The Canadian Broadcasting Corporation said the agreement to close the border comes after Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and U.S. President Donald Trump had a phone call on Monday to discuss a number of issues, including the border closure. It's the fourth time the border closure has been extended since it went into effect in March."We recognize that the situation continues to be complex in the United States in regards to COVID-19," Trudeau said Monday at a Monday press conference, according to the CBC. "Every month, we have been able to extend the border closures to all but essential goods and services and those discussions are ongoing." Some Canadian officials expect the border to remain closed for the foreseeable future, the CBC said.

Walmart announced that it will require face masks to be worn in all of its stores starting Monday, July 20. The company, the largest retailer in the U.S., announced that the wholesale retailer it owns, Sam's Club, will also mandate face coverings in all of its stores as well. "Currently about 65 percent of our more than 5,000 stores and clubs are located in areas where there is some form of government mandate on face coverings. To help bring consistency across stores and clubs, we will require all shoppers to wear a face covering starting Monday, July 20. This will give us time to inform customers and members of the changes, post signage and train associates on the new protocols," Walmart said in a statement.

The retailer also announced that all stores would only use one entrance and it has created a new position called "health ambassador." These employees will be located near store entrances to remind folks of these new requirements and help those who arrive without a mask to find an acceptable alternative. "We know it may not be possible for everyone to wear a face covering. Our associates will be trained on those exceptions to help reduce friction for the shopper and make the process as easy as possible for everyone," Walmart said.

(Image/Walmart)

As many as 30,000 racing fans will gather in ‘Thunder Valley' for NASCAR's All-Star race on Wednesday night, making it the most-attended sporting event in the U.S. since March. The All-Star race was originally set to be held at Charlotte Motor Speedway in North Carolina, but was moved to Bristol Motor Speedway in northeastern Tennessee where more fans would be allowed to attend in person. Although thousands of people are expected to attend the race, the venue will be at less than 20% capacity with people spread out across the colosseum to ensure that social distancing guidelines are maintained. The race time temperature is expected to be in the low 80s.

Fans will undergo a non-contact temperature check when entering Bristol Motor Speedway and will have to fill out a brief questionnaire prior to entering the racetrack said on its website. Fans will also have to wear a mask at all times until they get to their seat. "Once you're in your seat you're able to take it off, but every other time keep the mask on to keep our neighbors safe so we can have a fun family event but also do it in a safe way," Jerry Caldwell told AccuWeather. Caldwell is the general manager at Bristol Motor Speedway. Watch Caldwell's full interview with AccuWeather below:

Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt has tested positive for COVID-19. On Wednesday, Stitt announced that he's the first governor in the U.S. to contract the virus, and that he's isolating at home while he recovers. Although he has not suffered from any major symptoms, Stitt said that he decided to get tested on Tuesday after he started feeling "a little achy." According to Stitt, his wife and children all tested negative for the virus. Stitt, who has supported the early reopening of the economy, still believes that people should not wear masks. "We respect people's rights ... to not wear a mask," Stitt said during Wednesday's news conference, according to The Associated Press. Recently, Oklahoma has reported an increase in the number COVID-19 cases, bringing the total number of confirmed cases to nearly 22,000.

FILE - In this July 9, 2020, file photo Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt speaks during a news conference in Oklahoma City. Stitt announced Wednesday, July 15, 2020, that he's tested positive for the coronavirus and that he is isolating at home. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki, File)

"It's a tale of two cities" in Miami Beach, where residents comply with safety guidelines and visitors party. Recent social media posts have revealed the truth, as hundreds of visitors crowd in Miami Beach, filling up the area's restaurants and beaches. "People aren't respecting the virus," Miami Beach Mayor Dan Gelber told The Hill. "Especially younger people, they're going out, they're having parties, they're not exercising social distancing." According to Gelber, Miami-Dade County reported more than 3,000 cases in one day last week, as the positivity percentage for the virus in the area is around 25%.

Florida is on track to becoming the epicenter of a second wave coronavirus infections in the U.S., as 9,000 new cases were reported on Tuesday, bringing the total number of cases to more than 290,000. But, for some visitors, mask-wearing is still not a priority. "We know there's a pandemic going on but it's not like you're not going to live your life," said Tamia Young, a 36-year-old postal worker visiting from Brooklyn with her mother and two daughters, according to Reuters. As an effort to disperse large crowds and encourage social distancing and mask usage in public places, Miami Beach officials plan to increase police presence across the city. "The plan will provide... much needed extra personnel to manage the frequently uncooperative and unruly crowds that are completely ignoring all reopening guidelines," Miami Beach City Manager Jimmy Morales wrote in a memo to other city officials. Hear more from Gelber in the video below.

A study conducted in primates suggests that acquired immunity could prevent COVID-19 reinfection, according to a blog post written by Dr. Francis Collins, the head of the National Institutes of Health. Although there have been rare reports of people who have recovered from the virus, only to test positive a second time, a new study conducted by researchers in China could provide evidence against reinfection after having contracted the virus. The study, conducted in the lab of Chuan Qin, Peking Union Medical College in Beijing, analyzed the results of six monkeys who had been exposed to SARS-CoV-2. The animals then experienced symptoms, including pneumonia and respiratory infections. After 28 days, when the monkeys were clear of the infection and started recovering, four of the monkeys were re-exposed to the virus, while two served as controls. The researchers found that after a second exposure to the virus, the four monkeys tested negative for COVID-19. Additionally, the researchers noted an appearance of antibodies specific to the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein, which is presumed to have helped the monkeys resist a second infection. These antibodies were found to be even higher two weeks after the second exposure, as compared to the first exposure, according to the researchers. However, these results only cover a short period of time. Researchers will keep conducting research to see if these antibodies are present for months, or even years after contracting the virus.

French tourist attractions continue to reopen after months of closure. Starting Wednesday, tourists and locals can now visit Disneyland and the top floor of The Eiffel Tower. Disneyland Paris, Europe's most frequented theme park resort, is being reopened to the public. However, the opening will be partial, as it will enforce a reduced capacity to ensure social distancing. The top floor of Paris' most famous landmark will also re-open to the public, as 250 people will now be allowed to go up and enjoy the panoramic views of the city. Despite the brief closure of all major touristic sites in the city earlier this year, tourism experts remain optimistic about the future of the industry in the City of Light. "Last year, during the same period we welcomed 23,000 people every day," Patrick Branco Ruivo, managing director at the Eiffel Tower told the Associated Press. "When we reopened the Eiffel Tower, the first weekend we welcomed 5,000 people ... and last weekend 10,000 people. That's why for us we are optimistic for this summer even if the conditions are different ... it's a message of hope about COVID-19, that even if the conditions are not always very easy." Check out scenes from the reopening of Disneyland Paris below.

No fans allowed at Phillies and Eagles games this year. In what is no doubt a severe blow to the notoriously die-hard Philadelphia sports fans, city officials have ruled that, due to the threat posed by the coronavirus, fans will not be allowed to attend home games for the city's professional baseball and football teams this year, ESPN reported on Tuesday. "There's no way for them to be safe having a crowd there," Philadelphia health commissioner Thomas Farley said, according to ESPN. Philadelphia is the first city to take such measures. A spokesperson for the NFL said the decision will not impact whether fans will be allowed to attend games in other cities. "Decisions on the number of fans at stadiums will be determined on a market-by-market basis," league spokesperson Brian McCarthy said. The decision by city officials came on the same day the city canceled all major public events through Feb. 2021 due to the pandemic.

Philadelphia Phillies baseball players practice at Citizens Bank Park, Tuesday, July 7, 2020, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

As is the case in many other parts of the country like Texas, Florida and California, the virus is forcing bars to close once again in New Orleans. Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards issued new restrictions on bars last weekend. While they can't serve anyone indoors, bars are being allowed to remain open for takeout service or delivery, The Associated Press reports. The restrictions on bars comes as stifling heat grips the city. The AccuWeather RealFeel® Temperature in the Big Easy was approaching 100 F before 9 a.m. on Wednesday, and is forecast to remain above 100 into the weekend, according to the AccuWeather five-day forecast. In a statement last weekend, the governor's office said the state has identified at least 36 outbreaks that have affected over 400 people involving bars. "Public health officials believe going to bars is a higher public health risk than visiting other types of businesses because people are socializing and cannot wear masks when they drink," the governor's office said. Will Wilson, the general manager of Bruno's Tavern, an establishment in the New Orleans area since the 1930s, told The AP that that it didn't make enough sense for his bar to only offer takeout and delivery. "We could stay open but we'd be bleeding money," Wilson said.

A deserted stretch of Bourbon Street in the French Quarter of New Orleans is seen Tuesday, July 14, 2020. Many bars are closed after after Governor John Bel Edwards recently ordered tighter restrictions to stop the spread of COVID-19. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

A recent spike in coronavirus cases forces Tokyo authorities to declare a red alert. This alert, which is the highest in the city's four-level system, was announced as the situation in the Japanese capital has become "rather severe," according to Governor Yuriko Koike. "We are in a situation where we should issue warnings to citizens and businesses," Koike said in a press conference, according to Reuters. As infections among young people and asymptomatic cases rise, authorities are worried about a second wave of infection in the city and have urged everyone to refrain from unnecessary travel. To decrease the spread of the virus, authorities have asked for the cancellation of a recent travel aid campaign that aims to boost domestic tourism. Currently, daily virus cases in Tokyo have exceeded 200 in four of the past seven days. Watch the video in the tweet below for more.

Thousands of people go back into lockdown as the Spanish region of Catalonia announces stricter guidelines. Just weeks after a nationwide lockdown was lifted, authorities announced a new lockdown in Catalonia due to a surge of coronavirus infections in the area. "The maximum priority of (the Catalan) government is people's health and life and there cannot be any judicial interference that complicates the collective fight against the pandemic," Quim Torra's regional government said in a statement, according to Reuters. The statement, released on Tuesday, urged some 160,000 Catalans to stay home starting Wednesday. Additionally, gatherings of more than 10 people in three neighborhoods of L'Hospitalet, a Barcelona suburb, were prohibited.

Catalonian police officers speak to people, one of them using a scarf as a face mask, in Las Ramblas of Barcelona, Spain, Thursday, July 9, 2020. (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti)

Data from an early-stage trial of Moderna's COVID-19 vaccine is encouraging. According to Stat News, the biotech company's vaccine "led patients to produce antibodies that can neutralize the novel coronavirus that causes the disease." Stat News added that some minor side effects were reported in several patients who received the trial. The trial was conducted by the National Institutes of Health, and Dr. Anthony Fauci, the head of the NIH's National Institute for Allergy and Infectious Diseases, gave positive remarks in the wake of the results. "The hallmark of a vaccine is one that can actually mimic natural infection and induce the kind of response that you would get with natural infection. And it looks like, at least in this limited, small number of individuals, that is exactly what's happening," said Fauci, according to Stat News. "The data really look quite good," he added. "There were no serious adverse events." Stat News said the study found that the vaccine volunteers produced more "neutralizing antibodies than have been seen in most patients who have recovered from Covid-19."

Here are the latest COVID-19 numbers, provided by researchers at Johns Hopkins University:

• Confirmed cases: 13,323,530

• Fatalities: 578,628

• Recoveries: 7,399,310

Best Buy will require customers to wear masks or face coverings in their stores starting Wednesday to keep customers, communities and employees safe, Best Buy said in a news release. The store will provide masks for customers if they do not have one. Best Buy previously encouraged their use and the company's CEO Corie Barry said in May that customers largely complied, but employees also dealt with customers who didn't want to wear masks. "Any customer who has a concern about wearing a mask will be able to shop Best Buy via our website and app and choose home delivery or contactless curbside pickup, which remains in place at all our stores," Best Buy's news release stated. Costco and Apple are among other stores that already require their shoppers to wear face coverings.

Schools in North Carolina will open for in-person and remote learning,Gov. Roy Cooper said Tuesday. North Carolina has more than 89,000 confirmed coronavirus cases. With the beginning of the school year about a month away, schools will have fewer children in classrooms, social distancing and required face coverings for all students and staff, Cooper announced. The schools are also recommended to use one-way hallways and suspend large group activities like assemblies. Districts will have the option to conduct all remote learning if that is best for them, Cooper continued. "If trends spike and in-person school cannot be done safely with these safety protocols, then we will need to move to all remote learning like we did in March," Cooper tweeted.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said Floridians should be "diligent" about wearing face coverings and to listen to officials when it comes to preventing the spread of coronavirus. "I think it's also important to listen and follow the guidance that's put out by local officials, such as Mayor Giménez. And so, you know here in Miami-Dade County, you know that means being diligent about wearing the facial covering. That means following the other directives that he and some of the other officials here have put on. It really will make a difference if everyone does their part," DeSantis said during a news conference. The state has seen record coronavirus numbers, DeSantis said. "The percentage of people who were testing positive has finally started to decline, we'll see if that's a trend, or whether that was, that will be something that is short-lived. Certainly, we can say that the percentage of people who come in and test positive has stabilized," DeSantis said.

The NFL will offer a new mouth shield prototype for players to start testing. The league and the players union have yet to finalize health and safety protocols for the season, but testing of the Oakley-branded shield will begin as soon as this week in hopes of diminishing the possible spread of coronavirus. The shield is placed within the face mask and features off-set vents combined with a filter that is lined up directly in front of the mouth, according to CNN. The NFL's chief medical officer Dr. Allen Sills and NFL Players Association medical director Dr. Thom Mayer collaborated with Oakley in the design of the shield. "We've had a real robust discussion around it that stretches back a number of months," said Dr. Allen Sills, the league's chief medical officer. "From the start, the NFL Players Association, their medical advisers, their engineers have been engaged with us. We've also had dialogue with players along the way trying to look at early prototypes and developments."

CDC Director Robert Redfield sounds the alarm about the coming fall and winter seasons. Redfield said the confluence of flu season and the coronavirus pandemic will make for some hard times across America. "I am worried," Redfield told Howard Bauchner, the editor in chief of JAMA, in a live-streamed Q&A session. "I do think the fall and the winter of 2020 and 2021 are going to be the, probably, one of the most difficult times that we've experienced in American public health."

Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Robert Redfield, speaks during a White House Coronavirus Task Force briefing at the Department of Education July 8, 2020, in Washington. When President Donald Trump convened a recent coronavirus roundtable on how to safely reopen schools, the seats surrounding him were filled with parents, teachers and local health officials. The head of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention was relegated to secondary seating on the side. It was a telling indication of how Trump has sidelined and undercut federal health experts. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)

The discussion was wide-ranging, with Redfield touching on numerous topics, including the op-ed he published in JAMA calling for "universal masking." Redfield said," The time is now. I think the data is clearly there that masking works." He added that if the American public fully embraced masking, "we could bring this epidemic under control." Much of what Redfield discussed was bleak, but he did offer a morsel of good news during the interview. The CDC director said the death rate has slowed significantly from its peak to around 200 to 300 fatalities a day in recent weeks. "Back in March, we were at 2,500 deaths a day. If there's any good news, it's that there's less mortality associated with" COVID-19. Watch the complete interview below.

"You never think it's going to happen to you." A Texas nurse who has been treating coronavirus patients is now hospitalized herself with COVID-19. Heather Valentine, a 24-year-old ICU nurse at Houston hospital, told CNN's John Berman that she actually tested negative for COVID-19 twice. Valentine was given a rapid antibody test and a conventional COVID-19 test when she reported a slight fever and fatigue after working three straight day shifts. Her doctor, though, went a step further and ordered a CT scan of her chest. Valentine said her doctor called her and said "the CT [scan] looks way worse than you do." She was promptly admitted to the hospital. "He said it's possible I could've required intubation if I would have waited a couple days more," Valentine said, adding that the simple act of walking around was beginning to cause her to cough and have trouble breathing. She went on to add that her experience should be a wake-up call for younger people, who generally haven't experienced the severity of the illness the way older age groups have. "You never think it's going to happen to you, but I'm a perfect example. Just take every precaution," she said. Watch her full interview below.

While attention has shifted to fight the coronavirus pandemic, combating hunger and malnutrition stalls. It is too soon to assess the full impact of the lockdowns and other containment measures, but the pandemic is straining the global food systems since it is affecting the production, distribution and consumption of food. An annual study by the United Nations has estimates that at a minimum, 83 million people, and possibly as many as 132 million, may go hungry in 2020 as a result of the economic recession triggered by COVID-19, according to the World Health Organization. Asia remains home to the greatest number of undernourished, Africa is in second place, followed by Latin America, and the Caribbean.

Wearing face masks and coverings will be mandatory in England's shops starting July 24. Those who choose not to obey could face a fine of up to £100 which is about $125, the government announced, according to the BBC. People have been advised to wear coverings in enclosed public spaces, where they may come into contact with people they would not usually meet, since mid-May. However, a recent YouGov poll showed that just 31% of Britons surveyed have been wearing masks.. Health Secretary Matt Hancock said this new order will "give people more confidence to shop safely and enhance protections for those who work in shops". Mask-wearing has been mandatory on public transportation in England since 15 June. Children under 11 and those with certain disabilities will be exempt.

The Florida Department of Health on Tuesday announced 132 new deaths related to the coronavirus, a new single-day record for the state, The Miami Herald reported. Although the 132 deaths have been confirmed in the past 24 hours, that doesn't mean all of those victims died over the past day, the Herald said. The state health department also reported 9,194 new cases, bringing the state's known total to 291,629.

One infectious disease expert called Miami the new epicenter of the pandemic as the number of hospitalized patients topped 2,000 with hundreds of those in intensive care units, according to CNN. "What we were seeing in Wuhan -- six months ago, five months ago -- now we are there," Lilian Abbo, the head of infectious disease prevention for the Jackson Health System said at a Monday press conference alongside the Miami-Dade county mayor, Carlos Gimenez. Eight hospitals in Miami-Dade County, and 48 overall in the state, have reached their ICU capacity, CNN said, citing the Agency for Health Care Administration.

An employee at the Clevelander bar and restaurant on Ocean Drive stacks chairs as they have shut down due to public health concerns caused by COVID-19 during the coronavirus pandemic, Monday, July 13, 2020, in Miami Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)

Automakers have returned to building cars at full speed, but increased coronavirus cases may soon put another damper on the automobile industry. General Motors laid off about 1,250 workers at its truck plant in Missouri this week, while union workers at a G.M. pant in Texas called for the company to shut down the factory as hospitals have become inundated, according to The New York Times. The auto industry came to a near standstill for nearly two months as lockdowns were ordered during the pandemic's early stages. As these lockdowns started to ease, many manufacturers started running their plants in the United States to near full capacity once again. However, as new cases continue to surge, governors are starting to enact more restrictions which could involve the auto factories soon. Toyota reported an increase in the amount of coronavirus cases at its plant in San Antonio and the company idled plants in many states and Canada this week as part of a planned summer shutdown.

Concerts have returned to the famous Palais Garnier, home to the Paris Opera. For the first time since lockdowns were put in place, concerts have resumed with a two days of performances that pay tribute to healthcare workers. Many local residents have expressed their joy on the reopening of the historic site. A resident of Bastille told AFP that she only lived there to be able to go to operas while another resident said, "I've been a member of the Opera for forty years and it gives me enormous joy to be invited to come and see this concert for healthcare workers." France began easing lockdowns in May, with the first phase opening bars and restaurants. France has faced the third-highest death toll due to coronavirus in Europe but has gotten new infection numbers down to only about 500 a day for the last month. Watch a portion of the performance in the video below.

A beloved Arizona elementary school teacher has died from the coronavirus after sharing a classroom with others infected, NBC News reported. Kimberley Chavez Lopez Byrd had been teaching at the Hayden Winkelman Unified School District's virtual summer school with two other teachers. Lopez Byrd, who taught in the district for 38 years, became sick in early June with what she thought was a sinus infection. Later in the month, she tested positive for COVID-19 and was put on a ventilator the next day. Within two weeks, she had passed away. The other two teachers who tested positive both are on track for recovery. The school district is located about two hours southeast of Phoenix. The teachers were all extra-careful in the classroom, constantly wearing masks and gloves and using hand sanitizer constantly, Lopez Byrd's son, Luke Byrd, told NBC News. It is unknown whether she got the coronavirus in the classroom or somewhere else.

Argentine health officials are trying to solve a medical mystery as 57 sailors tested positive for the coronavirus after 35 days at sea. However, before sailing, the entire crew, which consisted of 61 members, had tested negative for the virus before sailing. The Echizen Maru fishing boat returned to port after a few of the crew members started to experience symptoms related to COVID-19, according to the health ministry for the Tierra del Fuego province. "It's hard to establish how this crew was infected, considering that for 35 days, they had no contact with dry land and that supplies were only brought in from the port of Ushuaia," said Alejandra Alfaro, the director of primary health in the province. As of right now, the crew has been placed in quarantine as health officials continue to study the case.

Philadelphia is expected to cancel all large events for the next six months due to the risk of COVID-19, KYW Newsradio reported. The news is expected to be officially announced at the city's COVID-19 briefing on Tuesday. Popular longstanding events that are affected by this decision include the city's Broad Street Run in October, the annual Thanksgiving Day Parade and the Mummers Parade, which is an annual New Year's Day tradition in the city. The decision to cancel large public event does not affect private outdoor events with fewer than 50 guests such as weddings or events on private property, KYW reported. That means the National Football League's Philadelphia Eagles could still welcome fans, but it is not yet known how many fans will be allowed to attend games at Lincoln Financial Field this coming season.

Members of the South Philadelphia String Band perform during the 116th annual Mummers Parade in Philadelphia on Friday, Jan. 1, 2016. Outrageously costumed Mummers strutted their stuff Friday at the city's annual New Year's Day parade, a colorful celebration that features string bands, comic brigades, elaborate floats and plenty of feathers and sequins. (AP Photo/Joseph Kaczmarek)

Hong Kong has imposed its strictest measures yet in order to prevent the spread of the coronavirus, according to Bloomberg. Officials said that bars, gyms, and beaches will close, and all public gatherings will be limited to four people. In addition, masks will remain required and those who refuse to wear them on public transit will be fined. Forty local cases were detected on Tuesday which brings the week total to 224. Of the new cases, it's unclear how 24 of those infections occurred, which caused officials to implement the strict social distancing measures. This comes amid a second wave starting to emerge across the world. Some cities in Australia and the United States have begun to reinstitute lockdown restrictions due to increase in cases. If the pandemic doesn't slow, officials say the restrictions will have to be extended.

France's Bastille Day parade honored military and health care workers. French President Emmanuel Macron hosted a scaled-down parade on Tuesday, dedicated to celebrating frontline workers who have worked to help everyone during the coronavirus pandemic. The annual event, which commemorates the storming of the Bastille fortress that triggered the French Revolution in 1789, celebrated the hard work of medical workers, cashiers and postal workers. In this year's annual Bastille Day interview, Macron talked about the severity of the pandemic as he emphasized the importance of mask-wearing, stating that he wants masks to be required in all public places starting on August 1. "We will be ready in the event of a second wave," Macron said, according to France 24.

France's President Emmanuel Macron and French Armies Chief Staff General Francois Lecointre stand in the command car, center, as they review troops before the start of the Bastille Day military parade, Tuesday, July 14, 2020 in Paris. France are honoring nurses, ambulance drivers, supermarket cashiers and others on its biggest national holiday Tuesday. Bastille Day's usual grandiose military parade in Paris is being redesigned this year to celebrate heroes of the coronavirus pandemic. (AP Photo/Francois Mori)

The Indian IT hub of Bangalore, located in the southern state of Karnataka, has instituted a seven-day lockdown, AFP reports. The city, home to more than 13 million, has emerged as a new hot spot in India. The country surpassed 900,000 cases Monday, while its death toll is hovering just under 24,000. AFP reports that companies in the IT sector in Bangalore are allowed to have staff on premises, but only at 50% of capacity. Travel will be banned during this time and only essential businesses will be allowed to stay open. Elsewhere in India, officials in the western city of Pune reintroduced a lockdown after the city reported a record 1,333 new infections on Monday, AFP said.

Out-of-state travelers from 19 different states could face a $2,000 fine if they fail to provide contact information to authorities when entering New York. Gov. Cuomo announced the new mandate on Monday, as he assured that the state is "serious about enforcing quarantine." Additionally, New York is requiring travelers from these 19 states to self-quarantine after they arrive:

• Alabama

• Arizona

• Arkansas

• California

• Delaware

• Florida

• Georgia

• Iowa

• Idaho

• Kansas

• Louisiana

• Mississippi

• Nevada

• North Carolina

• Oklahoma

• South Carolina

• Tennessee

• Texas

• Utah

Due to continued uncertainty surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic, students in the Los Angeles and San Diego school districts will continue to learn online when classes resume in August. The Associated Press reports that about 720,000 students from kindergartners to high school seniors attend schools in the districts, which are the two largest in California. "There's a public health imperative to keep schools from becoming a petri dish," Austin Beutner, superintendent of the Los Angeles Unified School District, said according to The AP. "The health and safety of all in the school community is not something we can compromise."

Across the country, the Atlanta school board agreed to delay the first day of school by two weeks, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported. Classes will now begin on Aug. 24 as opposed to Aug. 10. The delay was made in order to help teachers and families prepare for virtual learning when classes start. Atlanta Public Schools announced last week that school buildings would not reopen due to a current surge of COVID-19 cases in Georgia.

Rows of school buses are parked at their terminal, Friday, July 10, 2020, in Zelienople, Pa. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)

Worldwide cases of coronavirus cross 13 million since beginning of outbreak. According to data collected by the Johns Hopkins Coronavirus Resource Center, the total number of cases worldwide hit 13,127,030 overnight, counting all of the cases since the illness began spreading in late 2019. Although 7 million people have recovered, more than half a million people have lost their lives due to COVID-19.

A British pub owner has turned to a shocking method to enforce social distancing--literally. Jonny McFadden, the operator of The Starr Inn in St. Just, Cornwall, located in southwestern England, installed an electric fence to make sure customers stayed at a safe distance from each other. McFadden told the BBC that there was limited space in the bar, which only served drinks. He said the fence is "just a normal electric fence that you would find in a field." Whether or not the fence is turned on is a different story. "Come and find out -- there is a fear factor and it works," McFadden told the BBC when asked that question. He noted that the fence has been working since people have been avoiding it. "They know it is a fence and don't want to touch it to find out whether it is on or not," he said.

Here are the latest COVID-19 numbers, provided by researchers at Johns Hopkins University:

• Confirmed cases: 13,113,181

• Fatalities: 573,288

• Recoveries: 7,268,022

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Reporting by Lauren Fox, John Murphy, Brian Lada, Mark Puleo, Maria Antonieta Valery Gil, Kevin Byrne, Chaffin Mitchell, Adriana Navarro, John Roach, Dexter Henry, Bill Wadell, Jonathan Petramala, and Monica Danielle

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