A record 104,000 people are currently hospitalized in the United States for coronavirus.
There are another 213,000 new cases, and more than 2,600 new deaths.
California is particularly hard hit right now with cases there exploding.
Hospitalizations for COVID hit new high in United States
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Here are more of today's headlines:
US reports highest single-day COVID death total
According to the COVID Tracking Project, the US reported 3,054 COVID deaths, the highest single-day total of the pandemic. States also reported 1.8 million tests, 210,000 cases, and a record 106,688 COVID patients in hospitals.
Nassau County awaits COVID vaccine as cases rise to highest levels in months
Nassau County will soon receive 26,500 doses of the COVID vaccine which is the first batch expected to be approved by the FDA Thursday.
Pennsylvania Gov. Wolf in quarantine after testing positive for COVID-19
Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf is in quarantine after testing positive Tuesday for COVID-19.
The governor released a statement Wednesday confirming his diagnosis. He said he received a positive result during a routine test and is not exhibiting any symptoms.
Gov. Cuomo, Mayor de Blasio, other NY leaders urge for federal stimulus funding
New York leaders urged the state's congressional delegation to provide enough funding in the next federal stimulus package to avoid catastrophic cuts to the city and state budgets.
Governor Andrew M. Cuomo, Mayor Bill de Blasio, Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins, Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie and New York labor leaders issued a letter Wednesday, highlighting how New York has been the hardest hit by COVID-19 and calls for funding in the next stimulus to be allocated based on the needs of each state.
Murphy concerned about NJ hospitalizations
New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy said Thursday he was concerned about New Jersey's COVID-19 hospitalizations. The state reported 3,533 patients in state hospitals being treated for COVID-19. There were 4,665 new cases reported to the state. Murphy said the most recent data shows the state's positivity rate as of December 5 was 13.18%. Additionally, 59 more COVID-19 related deaths occurred Wednesday.
Murphy said predictive models developed by the Health Dept. show in the worst-case scenario hospitalizations could surge passed the peak the state saw in April, when more than 8,300 patients were being treated. Moderate models show hospitalizations falling short of the mid-April peak. If the state starts trending towards the worst case models, Murphy said he could impose more restrictions,
NYC nears another threshold
New York City reported 196 daily hospitalizations for COVID-19, nearing the threshold set of 200 hospital admissions. The 7-day positivity was 4.81% for Tuesday. "Hospitals are handling this new wave very well, a lot of lessons learned from the spring," said Mayor Bill de Blasio. "Obviously the uptick is having an impact on them and we're working with the state."
Stimulus update: New White House offer adds $600 checks to COVID-19 relief
The Trump administration dove back into Capitol Hill's confusing COVID-19 negotiations on Tuesday, offering a $916 billion package to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi that would send a $600 direct payment to most Americans - but eliminate a $300 per week unemployment benefit favored by a bipartisan group of Senate negotiators.
UAE says Chinese COVID vaccine 86% effective, offers few details
The United Arab Emirates said Wednesday a Chinese coronavirus vaccine tested in the federation of sheikhdoms is 86% effective, in a statement that provided few details but marked the first public release of information on the efficacy of the shot.
When and where? How COVID-19 vaccines will roll out in US
With coronavirus vaccines on the horizon, when and where will most Americans get their shots? Many of the details are still being worked out, as regulators review the first vaccine candidates. A federal panel of vaccine experts is meeting this week to consider Pfizer's vaccine, and again next week for Moderna's.
Companies working on 'COVID passports' for vaccine rollout
While the U.S. has yet to officially approve a COVID-19 vaccine, several industries are already developing business plans around those impending shots. Several companies -- like IBM and Change Healthcare -- are working on so-called "COVID passports" in partnership with various airlines and grocery chains.
Canada health regulator approves Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccine
Canada's health regulator on Wednesday approved Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccine. Health Canada posted on it is website that the vaccine made by U.S. drugmaker Pfizer and Germany's BioNTech is authorized. Canada is set to receive up to 249,000 doses this month and 4 million doses of the vaccine by March.
FDNY sends members memo on COVID vaccine safety after survey shows distrust
The FDNY is releasing more detailed information to their members about the vaccines and why it's important for firefighters who are on the frontlines and live in close quarters to get the COVID-19 vaccine.
A memo went out to New York City firefighters pointing out that: "The vaccine is available to you because you are essential to the safety of our city, and your safety is essential to the Department." That memo tried to clear up any misconceptions or misinformation about the vaccine saying that the shot does not change your DNA and it will not expose you to the virus alive or dead.
UK investigates allergic reaction to vaccine
U.K. regulators said Wednesday that people who have a "significant history'' of allergic reactions shouldn't receive the new Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine while they investigate two adverse reactions that occurred on the first day of the country's mass vaccination program. Professor Stephen Powis, national medical director for the National Health Service in England, said health authorities were acting on a recommendation from the Medical and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency.
SI orange zone schools reopen
Despite continued high COVID positivity rates in parts of Staten Island, schools in the borough's orange zone reopened Wednesday morning, with stricter safety measures in place. Those schools include PS 38 on Lincoln Avenue in Midland Beach, whose zip code has one of the highest infection rates in the city, more than 10%. The re-openings are happening because testing in public schools has shown much better results than that in the general population.
Know your NYC COVID Zone
You can find your COVID zone at NYC.gov/covidzone.
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How coronavirus changed the New York region
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