Coronavirus Updates: Non high-risk Americans should be able to get vaccine by April, Fauci says

COVID-19 Live Updates, News and Information

ByEyewitness News WABC logo

Thursday, November 12, 2020

More than 144,000 new COVID cases in U.S.

Jim Dolan has a disturbing update on the coronavirus pandemic across the nation.

NEW YORK (WABC) -- Dr. Anthony Fauci says that Americans who are not on the high-priority list for a COVID-19 vaccine should be able to get vaccinated by the end of April.

On Tuesday, Dr. Fauci was honored as a so-called "Brooklyn COVID-19 hero."

The Brooklyn native was among 187 people recognized during the ceremony at Borough Hall.

Dr. Fauci was honored as an invaluable part of the coronavirus response team.

What to know about coronavirus:

How coronavirus changed the New York region

Do you have coronavirus symptoms?

NYC COVID-19 positivity rate tracker

Here are more of today's headlines:

Seton Hall University switches to all-remote learning

Seton Hall University announced Wednesday they are pivoting to all-remote learning for the remainder of the fall semester. The university says all three of their campuses including South Orange, Newark and Nutley/Clifton will switch to remote learning beginning on Thursday, November 12.

Staten Island Catholic Elementary schools switch to remote

As average positivity rates in many parts of Staten Island have increased to as high as 5.2%, Gov. Cuomo announced that the greater part of Staten Island is now a yellow zone.

All Catholic elementary schools in the Staten Island region will transition to remote learning starting Thursday and for the foreseeable future.

Updated guidance for indoor sports in NJ

The New Jersey Department of Health released updated guidance on indoor sports activities in conjunction with an Executive Order signed by Governor Murphy prohibiting interstate indoor K-12, club and league youth sports competitions.

Executive Order No. 194 signed by Governor Murphy on Tuesday, takes effect as of 5 a.m. Thursday. Practices, inter-team games, scrimmages, and tournaments, both contact and non-contact, are permitted for Low, Medium and High Risk Sports in indoor and outdoor settings for in-state teams.

Under Executive Order No. 194 and the updated guidance, indoor interstate youth sports competitions - including those operated by school-based, club and recreational programs - are suspended in New Jersey as of Thursday. The suspension applies to sports across all risk levels.

New York senator describes experience in COVID-19 vaccine trial

A New York state senator is speaking out about his decision to participate in a vaccine trial for COVID-19.

Sen. Brad Hoylman said he has always been a supporter of vaccines and wanted to do his part. Hoylman still doesn't know if he got Pfizer's actual vaccine or a placebo.

New Jersey AG quarantining

Attorney General Gurbir S. Grewal learned that a staff member he had contact with at the workplace on Monday tested positive for COVID-19. Upon learning this information, the Attorney General took a rapid COVID-19 test which came back positive; a follow-up PCR test, however, returned a negative result.

The Attorney General, who is asymptomatic, is closely following U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and New Jersey Department of Health guidance and is quarantining at home. Following established protocols, the Department of Law and Public Safety has begun the contact tracing process to notify everyone who may have come into close contact with the Attorney General during the potential infection window. The Attorney General will continue to perform his duties virtually while quarantined.

Suffolk restaurant exposure

The Suffolk County Health Department has issued an advisory about a potential COVID-19 exposure at two restaurants. Anyone who visited Mannino's Restaurant in Oakdale between Oct. 29 and Nov. 4 and the Village Idiot Irish Pub in Oakdale between Oct. 31 and Nov. 2 may have been exposed to the virus.

COVID at the White House

White House political director Brian Jack and at least two other White House aides have the coronavirus, sources familiar with the matter tell ABC News.

At this point, at least 12 people have tested positive in President Trump's orbit have tested positive since White House chief of staff Mark Meadows tested positive one week ago.

Cuomo announces restrictions for bars, restaurants, gyms

New York Governor Andrew Cuomo announced the closing of bars, restaurants and gyms daily by 10 p.m. that goes into effect starting Friday at 10 p.m. Curb-side pick up may continue after 10 p.m.

Possible exposure at Long Island restaurants

The Suffolk County Department of Health Services is advising anyone who visited these two locations in Oakdale -- Mannino's Restaurant between October 29 and November 4 and The Village Idiot Irish Pub between October 31 and November 2 -- that they may have been exposed to COVID-19. Officials say those who were potentially exposed should monitor themselves for symptoms for 14 days after visiting the restaurant.

Texas becomes 1st state to surpass 1 million COVID-19 cases

Texas has become the first U.S. state with more than 1 million confirmed COVID-19 cases as the nation continues to face a surge of infections, according to data from Johns Hopkins University early Wednesday. The nation's second-most populous state has recorded 1,010,364 coronavirus cases with 19,337 deaths since the pandemic began in early March, according to the count on the Johns Hopkins website. Texas had recently surpassed California, the most populous state, in recording the highest number of positive coronavirus tests. The true number of infections is likely higher because many people haven't been tested, and studies suggest people can be infected and not feel sick. Texas recorded 10,865 cases on Tuesday, setting a new daily record that surpassed by 74 cases an old mark set July 15, state officials said. According to state figures on Tuesday, an estimated 132,146 cases are active, the most since Aug. 17, and 6,170 COVID-19 cases are hospitalized, the most since Aug. 18.

Mayor de Blasio warns of restrictions

Fears about a second wave of the coronavirus are growing in New York City. Mayor Bill de Blasio warns that the rates need to stop climbing now, or residents should brace for new restrictions and closures. Nearly 800 new coronavirus cases were reported on Tuesday. Mayor de Blasio updated the citywide numbers Tuesday morning, and called Monday's 2.88% positivity rate "very worrisome."

New restrictions in New Jersey after 'devastating' numbers

Cases of the coronavirus continue to surge in New Jersey, as the state reported its highest daily total in seven months ahead of new restriction set to take effect Thursday. Gov. Phil Murphy said Tuesday there were 3,877 new positive cases, bringing the state total to 260,430. There were 21 additional fatalities, raising the state death toll to 14,661. The single-day total was the highest since April 24, when 4,247 cases were reported. Nearly 700 of the new cases were in Essex County, where officials in Newark say the current positivity rate is at 19%. They've put in restrictions that go beyond the state, mandating that all non-essential businesses close at 8 p.m. each night.

1M US Cases since Nov. 1

The U.S. has surpassed 1 million new confirmed coronavirus cases since the start of November. The tally of cases in just 10 days shows the reach of the virus amid a strong fall surge. Several states posted new highs Tuesday, including 12,000 new cases in Illinois and more than 7,000 in Wisconsin, where the governor planned to take the unusual step of delivering a live address to the state urging unity and cooperation to fight the virus. The death toll is also soaring and hospitals in several states are at the breaking point. Indiana reported 63 new deaths Tuesday.

Know your NYC COVID Zone

You can find your COVID zone at NYC.gov/covidzone.