California cases breach 2 million, New Jersey records worst month
California’s hospitalizations rose to a new high even as most of the state remained under a stay-home order through the holidays.
The state added 26 new patients to 19,797, though the number of available intensive- care unit beds —hovering near a record low— increased slightly.
The number of infections statewide surpassed 2 million this week, and it added 30,375 on Saturday, bringing the total to 2.07 million. It added just 36 new deaths, reflecting a pause in testing at some sites for the holidays. Fatalities totaled 23,983.
New Jersey has had about as many cases in December as it did from May through October. This month’s tally is already a record.
The state reported 4,000 cases on December 25, bringing its total so far this month to roughly 117,000. From May 1 to October 31, it reported nearly 119,000.
Of 458,901 total cases since the outbreak first hit New Jersey in March, just under half were reported in November and December, data show. Hospitalizations from Covid-19 have tripled in that same two-month time period.
Nor th Ca rol ina sur pa s sed 500,000 infections over the holiday, reporting more than 19,000 new cases since December 23. The state’s total is now 513,930, the Department of Health and Human Services reported. The state’s weekly- average number of hospitalizations hit a high. Total deaths, trending downward over the last several days, are now 6,526.
In New York, state investigators are looking into reports that an upstate health- care agency obtained Covid-19 vaccine doses and improperly distributed them. A press release from Howard Zucker, the state health commissioner, suggested Parcare Community Health Network in Orange County may have diverted the vaccine to people not on the state’s list to receive it first healthcare workers and residents and staff of nursing homes.
“We take this very seriously and DOH will be assisting State Police in a criminal investigation into this matter,” Zucker said in a statement.
Key developments:
Mutant strain found in Canada
The Canadian province of Ontario announced that it had found two cases of the coronavirus variant now widespread in the UK They were identified as a couple “with no known travel history, exposure or high- risk contacts,” according to a statement.
“This further reinforces the need for Ontarians to stay home as much as possible and continue to follow all public health advice, including the provincewide shutdown measures beginning today,” said Barbara Yaffe, the province’s chief medical officer. The lockdown restricts gatherings, limits in- person shopping and prohibits indoor and outdoor dining.
20 Nigerian doctors die from Covid in one week: Report
At least 20 Nigerian doctors have died from Covid-19 in a week amid a second wave of infections, the Premium Times reported, citing the Nigeria Medical Association.
The outbreak has been caused by intense community transmission in nearly two- dozen states. Nigerian health workers had complained of exposure to coronavirus infections due to a lack of adequate personal protective equipment, which has led to more than 1,000 infections among health workers.
UK cases stay above 30,000
The UK reported more than 30,000 cases for the seventh consecutive day. Saturday’s tally of 34,693 cases is in line with the average over the previous seven days. Deaths were significantly lower at 210, compared to a daily average of 522 for the past week.
Italy cases slow
Italy reported 10,407 new cases, a decrease from 19,037 the day before, and the number of newly-recorded deaths fell to 261. The country on Thursday began what will be the first of two strict lockdown periods as the government tries to curb contact between citizens during the holiday period. Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte said in a Facebook post on Saturday that the first doses of the vaccine arrived in Rome.
A new Covid-19 strain was found in the region of Campania, which includes Naples, in six passengers traveling from the UK, where it is widespread, and in other areas of the country including Veneto, La Repubblica reported on its web site.
Ireland cases accelerate
Ireland recorded almost 1,300 new virus cases on Saturday, breaking 1,000 for the second day in a row and taking numbers back to the peak of the so- called second wave of the disease. The government has already brought forward new curbs, closing all bars and restaurants on Christmas Eve and restricting travel for at least three weeks. It hasn’t ruled out a return of tougher measures.
Portugal reports fewest cases since October
Portuga l on Saturday reported the smallest daily increase in confirmed virus cases since October. There were 1,214 new cases in a day, less than a fifth of the daily record of 6,994 reported on November 19. The number of patients in intensivecare units rose by nine to 513. Portugal is scheduled to start providing Covid-19 vaccines on Sunday, and will begin by giving the shots to health- care workers.
Turkey signs vaccine accord with Biontech
Turk ey signed an agreement with Pfizer Inc. partner Biontech SE for 4.5 million doses of their coronavirus vaccine, with an option to raise it to 30 million. Health Minister Fahrettin Koca said Friday that an initial 550,000 doses will arrive by the year- end or in early January, state news agency Anadolu reported.
Turkey made its first Covid-19 vaccine deal with Sinovac Biotech Ltd. for 50 million doses, saying it found the Chinese vaccine to be the safest as it’s manufactured using conventional methods. But the Coronavac needs to be administered in two shots, which means the amount Turkey signed for will be enough only for 25 million of its citizens out of a population of more than 83 million people.
Russia allows Sputnik V vaccine for elderly use
Russia reported 29,258 more infections in the past day, with cases reaching 3,021,964. Deaths rose by 567 to 54,226.
The country’s health ministry allowed the use of the Sputnik V vaccine for mass vaccination of those older than 60, ministry head Mikhail Murashko said on Russia-24 TV.
Russia started a mass vaccination program domestically for people 18- 60 years old earlier this month. Authorities have put the effectiveness of the locally developed shot at 91.4 percent.
South Africa sees another daily record
South Africa reported record daily infections for a third straight day, with 14,796 new cases, the health ministry said late Friday, bringing the total number of confirmed cases to 983,359.
The government rejected allegations that a new variant in the country had spurred a second wave in the UK, and criticized its decision to impose travel restrictions. Several other countries have also halted flights from South Africa.