COVID-19 Updates: NY positive rate hits new low, CDC concerned about virus effect on children

COVID-19 Live Updates, News and Information
Sunday, August 9, 2020
NEW YORK (WABC) -- New York reported its lowest one-day positive rate since the start of the pandemic, Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced Sunday.

65,812 tests were conducted Saturday, with only .7% testing positive.

Meanwhile, the Centers for Disease Control has growing concerns about the coronavirus' effect on children.

The agency believes that about 600 children have come down with a rare illness that is linked to COVID-19. Experts say multi-system inflammatory syndrome attacks a child's vital organs.

It's been found in kids in more than 40 states, as well as the District of Columbia. Of those 600 children, 10 have passed away.

Doctors also say Latino and Black children are especially coming down with the mysterious illness -- they make up nearly three-quarters of all the cases.

More than four months into a sustained outbreak, the U.S. surpassed an astonishing milestone of 5 million confirmed infections, easily the highest in the world.

Health officials believe the actual number is closer to 50 million, given testing limitations and the fact that as many as 40% of all cases are asymptomatic.

Here are more of today's headlines:

100 DAYS FREE OF COVID
New Zealand on Sunday marked 100 days since it stamped out the spread of the coronavirus, a rare bright spot in a world that continues to be ravaged by the disease.

BRAZIL'S GRIM MILESTONE
In Brazil, the coronavirus death toll has now surpassed 100,000.

Yet even as cases continue to climb, most cities have reopened shops and dining and people have filled bars in cities like Rio de Janeiro.

GERMANY CASES ON THE RISE
And for the third day in a row, Germany has reported more than 1,000 new cases of coronavirus.

It's a concerning spike for a country that had reported that they had pretty much contained the spread of the virus.

STIMULUS PACKAGE TALKS COLLAPSE
A last-ditch effort by Democrats to revive Capitol Hill talks on vital COVID-19 rescue money collapsed in disappointment at week's end, making it increasingly likely that Washington gridlock will mean more hardship for millions of people who are losing enhanced jobless benefits and further damage for an economy pummeled by the still-raging coronavirus.

NYC CHECKPOINTS LIST
New York City is continuing to hold checkpoints at various locations to try to stop the spread of COVID-19.

7 On Your Side goes to mayor after NYC nurses slammed with parking tickets
7OYS goes to mayor after NYC nurses slammed with parking tickets

MORE CORONAVIRUS COVID-19 COVERAGE



COVID-19 Help, Information. Stimulus and Business Updates

UPDATES
New York City
New Jersey

Long Island
Westchester and Hudson Valley
Connecticut

7 On Your Side Investigates: Up to 4,000 coronavirus cases prevented by NYC contact tracers
Up to 4,000 COVID cases prevented by NYC contact tracers: officials

REOPENING INFORMATION
What's Open, What's Closed
Reopening New York State
Reopening New Jersey
Reopening Connecticut
Total count of NYC, Long Island COVID-19 cases based on patient address
Copyright © 2024 WABC-TV. All Rights Reserved.