COVID Live Updates: Record number of Americans hospitalized with coronavirus

NEW YORK (WABC) -- As thousands of Americans celebrated the end of 2020 over the weekend, thousands of others faced the grim reality of the pandemic that continues to affect millions of Americans.

At least 351,000 lives have been lost to COVID-19 in the U.S., since the beginning of the pandemic, according to data collected by Johns Hopkins University -- representing approximately 19% of the total global death toll of 1.8 million COVID-19 related deaths.

It took the U.S. only 19 days to add 50,000 deaths, after the nation hit 300,000 confirmed COVID-19 related deaths on December 14. One in every 940 Americans has now died from the virus.

The grim milestones come on the heels of the worst month on record for cases, deaths, and hospitalizations. Between December 1 and December 31, 77,082 deaths were reported in the U.S., and over 6.25 million cases were recorded.

COVID-19 numbers are expected to surge across the country in the coming weeks following the winter holidays, similarly to what happened after Thanksgiving.

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Here are more of today's headlines:

Mayor de Blasio sends VP Pence letter outlining vaccine requests

On Monday, New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio sent Vice President Mike Pence a letter outlining the city's vaccine requests to the federal government. Among the written requests include support for increased speed of vaccine manufacturing to increase overall supply and the allocation of additional vaccine doses to the city and other nearby areas. In addition the mayor is also asking for the government to provide greater advance notice of dose allocation quantity and delivery schedule for planning purposes.

Select NJ ShopRite Pharmacies distributing COVID vaccines

ShopRite announced Monday that 39 select pharmacies in New Jersey are set to administer COVID-19 vaccines to healthcare workers as part of its partnership with the state , the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). ShopRite pharmacies are following the federal government's distribution schedule, and are taking a phased approach to the vaccine's distribution, focusing on those individuals at highest risk of exposure. In this first phase, persons working in the healthcare profession are prioritized to receive the vaccine.

Alex Trebek urges 'Jeopardy!' viewers to open hearts to COVID victims

In a message taped for what turned out to be his final week as "Jeopardy!" host, Alex Trebek urged the game show's viewers to honor the season of giving by helping victims of the coronavirus epidemic.

Trebek's plea aired in the opening moments of the show that aired on Monday.

Sandy Hook massacre 1st responder dies of COVID-19

One of the first Connecticut state troopers to respond to the 2012 Sandy Hook Massacre has died of COVID-19.

Connecticut State Police announced that retired Trooper First Class Patrick Dragon #705 of Brooklyn, Connecticut, died of the virus on Jan. 2. Dragon served as a state trooper until 2018 when he began working as a police dispatcher in Foster, Rhode Island.

Newark school official demanding for COVID testing before in-person learning begins

A top teacher official in New Jersey is demanding all teachers and at least the students from middle school and up, be tested for COVID-19 before any in-school instruction happens. President of the Newark Teachers Union John Abeigon says nobody wants to get back more than teachers, but only in a safe situation. Testing is widely available in Essex County at places like Lincoln Park and Branch Brook Park, and several others in the city.

Nets star Kevin Durant facing 7-day quarantine

Brooklyn Nets star Kevin Durant is facing a seven-day quarantine under league protocols because of exposure to a positive COVID-19 case, sources told ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski. Durant had the coronavirus in May, continues to register antibodies and has tested negative in multiple recent tests, sources said.

MVC Centers in South Plainfield, Edison, and Somerville closed due to COVID

The New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission has announced the South Plainfield Licensing Center, Edison Licensing Center, and Somerville Vehicle Center are closed due to a single employee testing positive for COVID-19 at each location.

South Plainfield Licensing Center will be closed until Friday, Jan. 15. The employee who tested positive was last in the South Plainfield Center Thursday, Dec. 31.

Edison Licensing Center will be closed until Tuesday, Jan. 12. The employee who tested positive was last in the Edison Center Monday, Dec. 28.

Somerville Vehicle Center will be closed until Friday, Jan. 15. The employee who tested positive was last in the Somerville Center Thursday, Dec. 31.

New variant found in New York

Gov. Cuomo announced a case of the new COVID variant has been identified in Saratoga, New York. The case is a man who works at a jewelry store and three other people associated with the store have tested positive for COVID, but it is not yet clear if those three cases are the new strain or not.

The store is N Fox Jewelers on Broadway in Saratoga Springs and anyone who visited the store is asked to get a test. The man with the variant did not travel, so Cuomo says evidence suggests it is in the community.

New lockdown in the UK

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has announced a new national lockdown for England until at least mid-February to combat a fast-spreading new version of the coronavirus. Johnson said the country is at "a critical moment," with cases rising rapidly in every part of the country.

Under the new rules, which are set to come into effect as soon as possible, primary and secondary schools and colleges will be closed for face to face learning except for the children of key workers. University students will not be returning until at least mid-February. All nonessential shops and personal care services like hairdressers will be closed, and restaurants can only operate takeout services.

New York City critical care nurse given first COVID vaccine in US gets second dose

A New York City frontline worker who was given the first COVID vaccine in the US received a second shot Monday. Sandra Lindsay, the director of critical care at Long Island Jewish Medical Center (LIJ) in Queens, got the all-important second Pfizer dose to lock in immunity against the virus.

Schools can stay open in NY, even if over 9%

Governor Cuomo said that if the region goes over 9% positivity, schools can stay open if the testing in schools shows they are below the community average. It will be up to school districts to decide if they want to keep schools open. Mayor Bill de Blasio said that he would keep schools in NYC open.

More groups approved for COVID vaccine in NY

Mayor de Blasio said the state has approved new groups of New Yorkers who can receive the coronavirus vaccine, starting Monday. The groups include testing site workers, contact tracers, outpatient and ambulatory care providers, dentists, physical therapists, workers at specialized health clinics and NYPD medical staff. More groups eligible starting January 11 include home care workers, hospice workers and nursing home staff not covered in the first wave of vaccinations.

NY Health Care Workers Get Vaccinated

Health care workers who are not hospital workers -- those who are in private practice or work in clinics -- began getting their vaccines in New York City and New York State. Northwell Health, which operates North Shore Long Island Jewish Medical, is among the health systems bringing the vaccine to those workers.

University Hospital workers in Newark getting 2nd dose of Pfizer vaccine

Health care workers in New Jersey who were the first in the state to get the COVID-19 vaccine are receiving their second doses Monday. The vaccine roll out has been slow nationwide, but Governor Phil Muprhy and Health Commissioner Dr. Judy Persichilli were on hand to watch the follow-up doses taking place at University Hospital in Newark. First up was Maritza Beniquez, a 56-year-old emergency room nurse who was the first to be vaccinated in New Jersey.

"I now have body armor," Beniquez said. "Walking away now, I know that by the end of this month, I am 95% immune. 95% sure that I can kiss my grandchildren and not get sick. 95% sure that I can go and turn a patient, suction a patient, treat a patient. I am 95% sure that when I go to the restaurant, I won't get sick. So this is, it's a game-changer. And it's my body armor."

NCAA to play all 67 March Madness games in Indiana in 2021

The NCAA announced Monday that this year's 67 men's basketball tournament games including the Final Four will be played entirely in Indiana. Games will be played on two courts inside Lucas Oil Stadium as well as at Bankers Life Fieldhouse, Hinkle Fieldhouse, Indiana Farmers Coliseum, Mackey Arena at Purdue and Assembly Hall in Bloomington. Only one game at a time will be played at Lucas Oil Stadium. Championship weekend is still scheduled for April 3 and April 5. Preliminary round dates have not yet been determined.

Fauci: COVID-19 vaccinations are increasing in a 'glimmer of hope'

The U.S. ramped up COVID-19 vaccinations in the past few days after a slower-than-expected start, bringing the number of shots dispensed to about 4 million, government health officials said. Dr. Anthony Fauci, the nation's top infectious-disease expert, also said on ABC's "This Week" that President-elect Joe Biden's pledge to administer 100 million shots of the vaccine within his first 100 days in office is achievable. And he rejected President Donald Trump's false claim on Twitter that coronavirus deaths and cases in the U.S. have been greatly exaggerated.

UK rolls out Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine

Britain on Monday took another giant step in the fight against COVID-19, ramping up its immunization program by giving the first shots in the world from the vaccine created by Oxford University and pharmaceutical giant AstraZeneca. Dialysis patient Brian Pinker, 82, was the first to get the new vaccine shot, administered by the chief nurse at Oxford University Hospital. Pinker said he was so pleased and that he can "now really look forward to celebrating my 48th wedding anniversary with my wife Shirley later this year."

New York indicators

New York reported a statewide positivity rate of 8.34% on Monday, as well as 170 deaths. Hospitalizations also increased to 8,251, marking an increase of 288.

Busiest travel day of pandemic as COVID cases rise

The TSA screened 1,327,289 people at airport checkpoints nationwide on Sunday, Jan. 3. It was the highest checkpoint volume since the pandemic hit. It was also the 8th of the last 12 days and 11th of the last 16 days that throughput topped 1 million.

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