(NEW YORK) — As the COVID-19 pandemic has swept the globe, more than 5 million people have died from the disease worldwide, including over 764,000 Americans, according to real-time data compiled by Johns Hopkins University’s Center for Systems Science and Engineering.
Just 68.8% of Americans ages 12 and up are fully vaccinated against COVID-19, according to data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Latest headlines:
-Times Square reopening to vaccinated revelers for New Year’s Eve
-US sees increase in pediatric cases for 2nd week in a row
-Fauci says fully vaccinated families should ‘feel good’ about gathering for holidays
-US daily case average jumps 23%
Here’s how the news is developing. All times Eastern.
Nov 16, 12:01 pm
DC to lift indoor mask mandate on Monday
Washington, D.C., will lift its indoor mask mandate on Monday.
“Instead of following a blanket mandate, residents, visitors, and workers will be advised to follow risk-based guidance from DC Health that accounts for current health metrics and a person’s vaccination status,” Mayor Muriel Bowser’s office said in a statement
Private businesses can still require masks.
Masks will still be required in places including public transportation, schools, childcare facilities and nursing homes.
ABC News’ Beatrice Peterson
Nov 16, 11:36 am
Times Square reopening to vaccinated revelers for New Year’s Eve
Times Square is reopening this New Year’s Eve after being closed last year due to the pandemic.
Revelers must bring proof of full vaccination and a photo ID.
“This has been a heroic city fighting through COVID. We are turning the corner. We’ve got a lot to celebrate. It’s going to be a big moment in Times Square on New Years Eve,” Mayor Bill de Blasio said, ABC New York station WABC-TV reported.
Nov 15, 6:54 pm
US sees increase in pediatric cases for 2nd week in a row
For the second week in a row, the U.S. experienced an increase in its weekly number of pediatric COVID-19 cases.
Over the last week, more than 122,000 child cases were reported — an increase of about 22% from two weeks ago, according to a new report from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and the Children’s Hospital Association (CHA).
This marks the 14th consecutive week that child COVID-19 cases are above 100,000.
Prior to the recent increases, infections among children had been steadily dropping since the pandemic peak of 252,000 child cases, recorded over the span of a week in early September.
But now, COVID-19 cases among children remain “extremely high,” the organizations wrote, and since the first week of September, there have been almost 1.6 million additional child cases.
Last week, children accounted for more than a quarter (27%) of reported weekly COVID-19 cases, though children under 18 make up just 22.2% of the U.S. population.
ABC News’ Arielle Mitropoulos
Nov 15, 4:20 pm
Arkansas opening boosters to all adults
Arkansas will now allow boosters for all adults, Gov. Asa Hutchinson said Monday.
“What we’re finding is that we want more people to get their booster shot and this is somewhat confusing and limiting as to the eligibility of those that ought to be getting their booster shot,” the governor said at a press conference. “And so in consultation with the Department of Health, we’re changing that.”
ABC News’ Matt Foster
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