MINNEAPOLIS — Minnesota well being officers reported 29 new COVID-19 deaths on Wednesday, the state’s highest one-day dying toll since early June, because the coronavirus spreads at excessive ranges throughout the state.
The Minnesota Division of Well being additionally reported 1,254 new coronavirus instances, a quantity boosted by the division’s choice to begin reporting possible instances, as decided by newer know-how antigen exams, along with confirmed instances recognized by the extra widespread and extra correct PCR exams, also called molecular exams.
The grand case whole reported Wednesday included 40 possible instances on high of 1,214 new confirmed instances, which raised Minnesota’s whole case rely for the reason that pandemic started to 115,943, together with 180 whole possible instances up to now. The state’s dying toll rose to 2,180, together with six deaths from possible instances.
The division mentioned in its announcement that antigen exams are much less correct PCR exams, that are thought-about the gold customary. However antigen exams have some great benefits of producing quicker outcomes and being usable by suppliers that don’t have full laboratories. Each applied sciences take a look at whether or not somebody is actively contaminated with the virus.
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HERE’S WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE VIRUS OUTBREAK:
— French President Macron units curfew, restores state of emergency
— Spain 1st European Union nation to succeed in 900,000 virus instances
— World Financial institution OKs $12B for coronavirus vaccines, exams
— Russian President Vladimir Putin broadcasts regulatory approval for a second coronavirus vaccine after early-stage research.
— Scientists say amongst 21 developed nations at begin of the coronavirus pandemic, these with early lockdowns, solid national health systems averted extra deaths.
— Soccer star Cristiano Ronaldo is again in Italy after testing optimistic for the coronavirus in Portugal.
— Comply with AP’s pandemic protection at http://apnews.com/VirusOutbreak and https://apnews.com/UnderstandingtheOutbreak
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HERE’S WHAT ELSE IS HAPPENING:
BISMARCK, N.D. — Gov. Doug Burgum on Wednesday raised the coronavirus danger stage in a number of North Dakota counties however issued no mandated restrictions, even because the state’s variety of energetic COVID-19 instances has risen to document ranges day by day for the previous week.
Burgum moved 16 counties from reasonable danger to excessive underneath the state’s five-level plan to set coronavirus administration protocols for all the pieces from companies to household gatherings. The steering for high-risk counties consists of limiting companies occupancy to 25% with a cap of fifty individuals and inspiring companies to require masks. The rules are solely suggestions and never enforced.
Burgum mentioned the objective is “lowering transmissible moments.”
The steering for moderate-risk counties consists of chopping capability at companies to 50%, with a cap of 100 individuals.
Burgum has averted statewide mandates corresponding to mask-wearing, as a substitute stressing a private accountability message. He has mentioned the five-level color-coded tips are for use by native leaders “as a baseline for their very own insurance policies.”
Earlier Wednesday, North Dakota well being officers confirmed 713 new optimistic COVID-19 instances and 159 new energetic instances, together with eight further deaths. There have been 900.3 new instances per 100,000 individuals in North Dakota over the previous two weeks, which ranks first within the nation for brand new instances per capita.
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BERLIN — Chancellor Angela Merkel and the governors of Germany’s 16 states have agreed to tighten mask-wearing guidelines and make bars shut early in areas the place coronavirus an infection charges are excessive.
Wednesday’s assembly got here hours after the nation reported greater than 5,000 infections in someday for the primary time since mid-April. Whereas Germany remains to be in higher form than many different European nations, infections have accelerated quickly in latest weeks.
Officers advisable that mask-wearing — already required since April on public transport and in outlets — also needs to be made compulsory in public locations the place persons are packed intently collectively in districts the place there are greater than 35 new infections per 100,000 residents per week. In addition they referred to as for bars in these districts to be closed early.
In areas the place infections high 50 infections per 100,000 individuals over seven days — till now the purpose at which native authorities have needed to take motion — gatherings in private and non-private events needs to be restricted to 10 individuals.
Lots of Germany’s main cities have exceeded the 50 mark in latest days, amongst them Berlin, Cologne, Duesseldorf, Frankfurt, Stuttgart and Munich. State governments are liable for imposing and lifting virus-related restrictions.
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PHOENIX — An Arizona State College public well being professional has raised considerations after the typical variety of confirmed every day coronavirus instances in Arizona has risen during the last two weeks.
The state’s common variety of confirmed COVID-19 instances elevated from 476 instances a day on Sept. 29 to 685 instances on Oct. 13. Arizona averaged greater than 4,000 further instances a day in late June and early July when it was experiencing its most severe unfold of the virus.
ASU Biodesign Institute Govt Director Dr. Joshua LaBaer mentioned Wednesday that the present state of affairs reminds him of June. Arizona has recorded 227,635 confirmed virus instances and 5,772 deaths for the reason that pandemic started in March.
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ST. LOUIS — Fifty-six residents of Missouri veterans houses have died of COVID-19 since Sept. 1, together with 25 at one facility in southeast Missouri.
Missouri Veterans Fee spokesperson Jamie Melchert instructed the St. Louis Put up-Dispatch Wednesday that the deadliest outbreak was in Cape Girardeau, the place 20 residents died in September and 5 extra have died in October, by means of Monday.
Melchert mentioned 13 residents died at one other veterans residence within the southwestern Missouri city of Mt. Vernon, 12 others died in St. James and 6 extra died in Warrensburg.
He mentioned 38 of the deaths occurred in September. Earlier than then, the one confirmed coronavirus dying in a Missouri veterans residence was in April in north St. Louis County.
Republican Gov. Mike Parson referred to as for an exterior evaluation of operations on the veterans houses on Oct. 2, however didn’t say what number of veterans had died. Melchert mentioned the St. Louis legislation agency Armstrong Teasdale will deal with the evaluation.
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WASHINGTON — First woman Melania Trump says Barron Trump examined optimistic at one level for the coronavirus however has subsequently examined unfavorable.
The primary woman says in a publish on the White Home web site that “my concern got here true” when 14-year-old Barron examined optimistic for the virus. She says “fortunately he’s a powerful teenager and exhibited no signs.”
President Donald Trump introduced almost two weeks in the past that he and the primary woman had examined optimistic for the virus. The president ended up going to Walter Reed Nationwide Army Medical Middle for remedy and has since returned to the White Home and to the marketing campaign trial, whereas the primary woman quarantined on the White Home.
The primary woman says that in a technique she was glad “the three of us went by means of this on the similar time so we may handle each other and spend time collectively.”
The primary woman mentioned she’s comfortable to report she has examined unfavorable and that she hopes to renew her duties as quickly as she will be able to, including that “together with this excellent news, I need individuals to know that I perceive simply how lucky my household is to have obtained the type of care that we did.”
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TOPEKA, Kan. — Kansas has reported its largest seven-day will increase in each COVID-19-related deaths and new coronavirus instances.
The state Division of Well being and Surroundings mentioned Wednesday that Kansas had one other 67 deaths since solely Monday, a rise of 8.7%, to convey the overall for the pandemic to 838. However it wasn’t clear what number of of these fatalities have been older and simply being reported now as native and state well being officers look at dying certificates from earlier months.
The state additionally mentioned it had 1,293 new confirmed or possible instances over two days, a 1.9% enhance that introduced the overall for the pandemic to 69,155.
The state averaged 743 new instances a day for the seven days ending Wednesday, surpassing the document of 736 set for the seven days ending Monday.
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OMAHA, Neb. — Nebraska officers say Halloween celebrations could must be tweaked this yr due to the coronavirus pandemic because the state continues to set information for the variety of COVID-19 hospitalizations.
Gov. Pete Ricketts mentioned Wednesday that he thinks youngsters will nonetheless be capable of go trick-or-treating for Halloween however individuals could resolve to go away sweet on their porches for teenagers to select up as a substitute of handing it out themselves this yr.
Ricketts, who eradicated a lot of the state’s restrictions associated to the virus final month, isn’t more likely to impose new guidelines for Halloween, however he inspired individuals to observe the suggestions of public well being officers who’ve referred to as conventional trick-or-treating a excessive danger exercise.
Within the state’s most populous county, Douglas County well being officers mentioned Wednesday that folks can scale back the dangers related to trick-or-treating by setting out goodie baggage for households to seize whereas sustaining a protected distance and staying in small teams. Foregoing trick-or-treating altogether in favor of planning scavenger hunts or different actions solely with your individual household would cut back the danger additional.
Douglas County Well being Division Director Adi Pour advisable that folks keep away from massive indoor events or huge gatherings at haunted homes to restrict dangers.
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GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — U.S. Rep. Invoice Huizenga mentioned he examined optimistic for the coronavirus earlier than he was scheduled to look Wednesday at a Michigan marketing campaign rally with Vice President Mike Pence.
Huizenga mentioned on Twitter that he took a fast check and was isolating himself whereas awaiting outcomes from a second check.
Pence spoke for about an hour outside at Lacks Enterprises in Cascade Township, close to Grand Rapids. Peter Meijer, a Republican operating for Congress, greeted and launched Pence.
“The street to victory runs proper by means of Michigan,” Pence mentioned.
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OKLAHOMA CITY — The White Home Coronavirus Process Pressure says Oklahoma stays within the crimson zone for newly reported coronavirus instances, which recommends residents put on masks among the many methods to gradual the virus’ unfold.
“Group unfold continues in Oklahoma in each rural and concrete areas,” in keeping with the duty power report launched Wednesday by the Oklahoma State Division of Well being. “Mitigation efforts ought to … embody masks sporting, bodily distancing, hand hygiene, and avoiding crowds in public and social gatherings in non-public to cease the growing unfold amongst residents of Oklahoma.”
The well being division mentioned there have been 749 individuals hospitalized Wednesday, down from a document excessive 760 reported Tuesday. There have been a further 1,121 confirmed instances, bringing the overall to 102,614 for the reason that pandemic started.
Well being officers additionally reported 13 further deaths from COVID-19, the sickness brought on by the illness, bringing the dying toll to 1,132.
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INDIANAPOLIS — Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb mentioned Wednesday that the statewide masks order will stay in place however more durable restrictions on companies and crowd sizes aren’t being reinstated regardless of latest sharp will increase in COVID-19 hospitalizations and charges of latest infections.
The Republican governor mentioned some individuals have been exhibiting disregard for the protection of others, placing the flexibility of faculties to stay open and well being of these most in danger in jeopardy.
Holcomb determined three weeks in the past to carry almost all of Indiana’s restrictions whereas extending the masks mandate, which was scheduled to run out Saturday. His new order will lengthen it for a month.
State well being commissioner Dr. Kristina Field additionally introduced that she, an grownup daughter and younger grandson examined optimistic for the coronavirus on Tuesday. Field mentioned she wasn’t struggling any COVID-19 signs, whereas her daughter and grandson had delicate signs.
Holcomb wore a face masks throughout the on-line briefing from his Statehouse workplace for the primary time, saying he can be present process a coronavirus check later Wednesday and deliberate to quarantine himself on the governor’s workplace till he had the outcomes.
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NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Tennessee Gov. Invoice Lee’s workplace says that the Republican is in quarantine after a member of his safety element examined optimistic for the coronavirus.
In keeping with a press release, Lee had examined unfavorable on Wednesday however he can be in quarantine with first woman Maria Lee.
No different details about the publicity was instantly accessible.
Together with asserting he’s in quarantine, Lee canceled Wednesday’s in-person COVID-19 briefing. As an alternative, Lee and Well being Commissioner Lisa Piercey will maintain a phone convention name to offer additional updates.
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PARIS — President Emmanuel Macron introduced that 18 million French residents in 9 areas, together with in Paris, may have a curfew beginning Saturday by means of Dec. 1.
He additionally reinstated the state of well being emergency for the nation, which ended three months in the past. The 9 p.m. curfew is aimed toward limiting the resurgent coronavirus amid second wave.
Macron says: “Our objective is to curb the virus. We should scale back the variety of instances per day to three,000 or 4,000. Our objective is to scale back non-public contacts. What known as the curfew is a measure that’s applicable.”
The curfew will apply to the Paris area and to eight others: Grenoble, Lille, Lyon, Aix-Marseille, Toulouse, Montpellier, Saint-Etienne.
“We received’t go to eating places after 9 p.m., we received’t’ see mates, we received’t social gathering, as a result of that’s how one can go on the virus,” Macron says.
Sufferers with COVID-19 occupy a 3rd of intensive care items nationwide. France has 798,000 confirmed instances and almost 33,000 deaths.
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DES MOINES — Iowa reported 1,217 new confirmed coronavirus instances previously 24 hours and 11 deaths.
President Donald Trump was anticipated to go to Des Moines on Wednesday for an airport rally held in a cargo hangar. Iowa’s positivity price of 18.82% ranks fifth within the nation.
The variety of individuals handled in hospitals for COVID-19 reached a brand new excessive of 473. A area of southeast Iowa had solely 18% inpatient beds accessible, in keeping with state knowledge.
Iowa’s seven-day rolling common positivity price rose previously two weeks from 16.78% on Sept. 29 to 18.82% on Oct. 13, in accordance info from Johns Hopkins College.
In Iowa, there’s been a complete of 101,812 confirmed instances and 1,492 deaths.
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BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. — Town of Beverly Hills, California, has banned trick-or-treating this Halloween to attempt to forestall unfold of the coronavirus.
The motion was accredited as an urgency ordinance by the Metropolis Council on Tuesday night time.
The ordinance bars trick-or-treaters from going home to deal with or automotive to automotive, which is described as “trunk or treating.”
Individuals could not present sweet or Halloween treats to anybody outdoors their very own family. Town can be banning pedestrians and automobiles from sure streets on Oct. 31, excluding residents.
California has not enacted a statewide restriction on Halloween however is strongly discouraging these actions and urging households to plan alternate options, together with digital celebrations.
