Coronavirus Updates: Stay-at-Home advisory issued in Chicago

NEW YORK (WABC) -- As COVID-19 cases continue to surge across the country, the mayor of Chicago has issued a new Stay-at-Home advisory.

As part of the advisory, Chicagoans are asked to only leave the house for work or school or essential needs, which include getting medical care, going to the grocery store or pharmacy, getting takeout food or to receive deliveries.

The coronavirus pandemic is now surpassing previous records across the country, with 144,000 new cases were reported Wednesday in the biggest increase yet.

More than 65,000 Americans are now hospitalized with COVID-19, an all-time high, and in fact, every state is now seeing increases in cases, hospitalizations, ICU admissions and ventilator use.

Texas on Wednesday became the first state with more than 1 million confirmed COVID-19 cases, and California closed in on that mark as the surge of COVID infections engulfs the country.

The U.S. has recorded over 240,000 deaths and more than 10.3 million confirmed infections, and while the CDC says "adopting universal masking can help avert future lockdowns," many cities and states still don't require masks.

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Ivy League cancels winter sports

The Ivy League is canceling winter sports for the 2020-21 season, sources told ESPN.

The conference is also postponing spring sports until at least the end of February and won't conduct competition for fall sports during the spring semester, sources said.

CDC grim prediction

The CDC predicts there will be as man as 282,000 deaths in the U.S. by Dec. 5:

"This week's national ensemble forecast predicts that the number of newly reported COVID-19 deaths will likely increase over the next four weeks, with 5,500 to 13,400 new deaths likely to be reported in the week ending December 5, 2020. The national ensemble predicts that a total of 260,000 to 282,000 COVID-19 deaths will be reported by this date."

Support group helps COVID-19 survivors on Long Island

For some who have contracted the coronavirus, getting over the initial infection is just the beginning of their struggles.

In fact, studies show one in every five COVID-19 survivors is diagnosed with issues involving mental health and that's on top of all the lingering and bizarre, physical symptoms.

Food insecurity on Long Island increases nearly 50% since start of pandemic

Food banks on Long Island are reporting a nearly 50% increase in their food distribution since the start of the pandemic.

"When we have to double our work, it means that there are probably double, if not more, the number of people out in the community who are struggling," said Randi Shubin Dresner, with Island Harvest. Island Harvest reports a 47% increase in its food distribution and has helped 300,000 families since March.

Newark imposes curfew, other restrictions as COVID cases surge

Residents in some parts of New Jersey's largest city are facing a 9 p.m. curfew for at least the rest of the month as officials seek to stop a surge in coronavirus infections.

Newark Mayor Ras Baraka announced the new measures Wednesday. They include a mandatory 9 p.m. weekday curfew and 10 p.m. weekend curfew for parts of three zip codes where virus cases have spiked recently.

Biden COVID adviser proposes US lockdown of 4 to 6 weeks

As the United States surpasses a record for new COVID-19 infections and hospitalizations, one of President-elect Joe Biden's advisers has suggested a nationwide lockdown.

The U.S. has recorded over 240,000 deaths and more than 10.3 million confirmed infections, with new cases soaring to all-time highs of well over 120,000 per day over the past week. Dr. Michael Osterholm, a coronavirus adviser to Biden, said the drastic move could help bring the pandemic under control in the United States and even revive the economy.

Costco requiring all customers, even those with medical conditions, to wear face coverings

Costco has changed its COVID-19 safety policy and now requires all customers, even those with medical conditions, to wear face coverings inside the store.

Starting Monday, November 16, you must wear a face mask or a face shield to enter the store. Only children under two years old are exempt from the new rule, the company said in a press release.

Nurse's heartbreaking message

Mexico is getting hit hard by the coronavirus pandemic, with more than 10,000 cases in just the past day, according to Johns Hopkins University. Sergio Hernandez was one of those on the frontlines battling to try and save those who contracted COVID-19.

But that battle came to an end when the virus he was fighting took his own life.

"Because I will come back, this is not a goodbye. I am sure I will come back after a few days." These were some of the last words Hernandez recorded before he lost his short battle with the virus.

Dr. Fauci's hopeful message to those with COVID-19 fatigue

Dr. Anthony Fauci has a hopeful message for those suffering from COVID-19 fatigue: "The cavalry is coming" in the form of a vaccine and "help is really on the way."

Fauci told ABC's "Good Morning America" on Thursday that vaccines being developed "are going to have a major positive impact" once they start being deployed in December and early into next year. He says he hopes by April, May and June "the ordinary citizen should be able to get" a vaccine.

In the meantime, Fauci says there are fundamental things Americans can do to stem the spread of the deadly virus. They include "universal and uniform" wearing of masks, avoiding crowds, keeping social distance and washing hands. He says that sounds simple against a very difficult challenge but "it really does make a difference."

NJ Gov. Murphy exec. order

With coronavirus cases surging in New Jersey, Governor Murphy signed an executive order to give towns and cities the option to limit hours at non-essential businesses after 8 p.m. Murphy's decision is a change from the spring when he ordered statewide closures and declined to adopt a regional approach. Murphy warned of tighter restrictions if cases continue to rise.

NYC preparing to close schools immediately if positivity threshold reached

Mayor Bill de Blasio said Thursday that New York City is preparing to temporarily close schools if the current spike of new coronavirus cases surpasses the predetermined threshold. The city's rolling seven-day positivity average continues to tick upward, and de Blasio said schools will be closed to in-person learning immediately if it reaches 3%. Currently, the seven day average is 2.60% but has seen a steady rise.

Interstate youth hockey suspension

Seven states in the northeast are suspending interstate competitions for public and private schools and youth hockey effective Saturday, November 14, through at least the end of the year in response to recent coronavirus outbreaks associated with the conduct of interstate youth hockey activities. New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy, Maine Governor Janet Mills, Rhode Island Governor Gina Raimondo, New Hampshire Governor Chris Sununu, Vermont Governor Phil Scott, Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont, and Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker will support a regional approach to interstate competitions. They said in a joint statement that as case numbers increase in many states across the country, it is critical that neighboring states coordinate a regional approach to limit further community spread of the virus. The prohibition will not impact interstate collegiate, professional, or U.S. national team hockey activities, which will remain subject to existing health and safety protocols and/or restrictions.

NJ mayor in quarantine after exposure

Paterson Mayor Andre Sayegh announced his is self-quarantining after being exposed to a person with the coronavirus.

"Unfortunately, I have been exposed to someone who tested positive for COVID-19," he said. 'Therefore, while I am asymptomatic and this morning's rapid test was negative, out of an abundance of caution, I will work from home through the weekend and abide by public health protocols. I will provide further updates early next week."

New restrictions begin in NJ due to COVID uptick

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 evening. 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.

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.

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.

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