August 10 coronavirus news

By Julia Hollingsworth, Adam Renton, Meg Wagner and Melissa Macaya, CNN

Updated 12:01 a.m. ET, August 11, 2020
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8:56 a.m. ET, August 10, 2020

It only took 17 days for US cases to rise from 4 million to 5 million

From CNN's Christina Maxouris and Eliott C. McLaughlin

The US topped 5 million cases of coronavirus early Sunday — and as experts have highlighted before, the true number of infections could be many times higher.

The number means the country holds about a quarter of global cases of the virus and also tops the list with the most reported deaths in the world. As of 9:00 a.m. ET, the US had at least 5,045,564, according to the Johns Hopkins University tally.

To put the number in perspective, that means the United States has had more Covid-19 cases than Ireland has people. The number of cases is also slightly higher than the entire population of Alabama.

To put the speed in which the number is growing in perspective:

  • It took the country 99 days to reach 1 million.
  • 43 days to hit 2 million.
  • 28 days for 3 million and 15 days to surpass 4 million on July 23.
  • The number has jumped to 5 million in 17 days.

"This is such a sobering number," said Dr. William Schaffner, a professor of infectious diseases at Vanderbilt University.

The pandemic shows no sign of slowing, and deaths continue to climb, with more than 1,000 deaths reported each day over the past five days, according to data from Johns Hopkins University's Covid Tracker. Since July 21, there have been only four days the US did not report more than 1,000 deaths.

Track the virus in the US here.

9:14 a.m. ET, August 10, 2020

More than 97,000 children tested positive for Covid-19 in the last two weeks of July, report says

From CNN's Christina Maxouris

More than 97,000 children in the US tested positive for coronavirus in the last two weeks of July, a new report says. 

The report, published by the American Academy of Pediatrics and the Children's Hospital Association, said in those two weeks, there was a 40% increase in child cases across the states and cities that were studied. 

The age range for children differed by state, with some defining children as only those up to age 14 and one state -- Alabama -- pushing the limit to 24.

The compiled data comes during back-to-school season as health officials are trying to understand the effects of the virus on children and the role young people play in its spread. Some schools have begun welcoming crowds back to class and others have had to readjust their reopening plans in response to infections.

In one Georgia high school that made headlines after a photo of a crowded school hallway went viral, nine coronavirus cases were reported, according to a letter from the principal. Six of those cases were students and three were staff members, the letter said. 

While some US leaders -- including the President -- have said the virus doesn't pose a large risk to children, one recent study suggests older children can transmit the virus just as much as adults. Another study said children younger than 5 carry a higher viral load than adults, raising even more questions about their role in transmission.

At least 86 children have died since May, according to the new report. Last week, a 7-year-old boy with no pre-existing conditions became the youngest coronavirus victim in Georgia. In Florida, two teenagers died earlier this month bringing the state's death toll of minors to seven.

Read more:

9:10 a.m. ET, August 10, 2020

Iraq records more than 3,400 new Covid-19 cases

From CNN’s Aqeel Najim in Baghdad

A health worker administers a coronavirus test at a drive-thru testing facility on July 15 in Najaf, Iraq.
A health worker administers a coronavirus test at a drive-thru testing facility on July 15 in Najaf, Iraq. -/AFP/Getty Images

On Monday, Iraq’s Ministry of Health reported 3,484 new confirmed cases of coronavirus cases. This brings the total number of cases in the country to at least 153,599. 

The health ministry also reported at least 72 Covid-19 related deaths. That brings the total number of deaths in Iraq to at least 5,464.

8:46 a.m. ET, August 10, 2020

Here's a breakdown of Trump's executive actions on Covid-19 relief 

From CNN's Kristen Holmes, Zachary B. Wolf, Tami Luhby, Katie Lobosco and Kevin Bohn

US President Donald Trump signs executive orders extending coronavirus economic relief during a news conference on August 8 in Bedminster, New Jersey.
US President Donald Trump signs executive orders extending coronavirus economic relief during a news conference on August 8 in Bedminster, New Jersey. Jim Watson/AFP/Getty Images

With stimulus talks stalled, President Trump announced he would go around Congress to deliver aid to Americans affected by the pandemic.

While the House remains out, both members of the House and Senate have been told to be ready to return to Washington, DC should a deal be reached. The Senate is set to convene today at 3 p.m. ET.

A close read of the actual text of executive actions Trump signed Saturday suggests that even if they are deemed constitutional, they will not quickly deliver the aid Trump promised. They may not deliver much at all.

Here's a breakdown of the actions, the many strings attached and questions about what they actually accomplish.

Unemployment benefits

Trump described the memorandum signed Saturday as an action providing "an additional or extra $400 a week and expanded benefits."

But in reality, the additional unemployment aid is more complicated than the White House acknowledged and experts say it may not help a lot of the unemployed.

Now, under Trump's measure, the federal government is requiring states to pick up the tab for 25% ($100) of the as much as $400 additional benefit each person may be able to receive weekly in additional aid. On top of that, a state must agree to enter into this financial agreement with the federal government for any unemployed person living there to get any of the additional benefits.

On Sunday night, Trump said he was open to allowing people to get the enhanced benefit without states picking up some of the cost. He said it was possible that the federal government could pick up the entire cost if governors make a request.

Evictions

The executive action signed by Trump does not reinstate the previous moratorium on evictions, which lapsed in July. The original ban covered mortgages which were backed by federal funds. The nonprofit Urban Institute has estimated that moratorium covered just over 12 million households.

The new measure only states that "the Secretary of Health and Human Services and the Director of the CDC shall consider whether any measures temporarily halting residential evictions of any tenants for failure to pay rent are reasonably necessary to "prevent the further spread of COVID-19."

The action calls for the Housing and Urban Development and Treasury secretaries to identify "any and all Federal funds to provide temporary financial assistance to renters and homeowners" who are "struggling" to pay their mortgages and rents because of the coronavirus.

Experts told CNN that it was unclear based on the process laid out for government agencies how long it would take for anyone to see funding from this.

Payroll tax

The payroll tax measure that Trump signed Saturday does not actually reduce the payroll taxes. It defers the due date for the portion of those taxes paid by employees — 6.2% for Social Security and 1.45% for Medicare — through December 31. It applies to workers whose wages are less than $4,000 on a biweekly basis, or about $104,000 a year.

This is similar to Treasury's deferring the federal income tax due date this year to July 15, from April 15.

You can read the full breakdown here.

8:43 a.m. ET, August 10, 2020

Trump's big power move leaves workers in limbo

Analysis from CNN's Stephen Collinson

US President Donald Trump's big executive power move ostensibly meant to support laid-off workers and stimulate the economy is already mired in confusion that threatens to leave millions of jobless Americans waiting in vain for help from Washington.

White House advisers struggled to explain Sunday exactly what the flurry of presidential actions, signed by Trump after the breakdown of talks with congressional Democrats on a new coronavirus rescue package, actually do or how quickly they might work. But it's already clear the measures fall well short of the President's billing. 

In many ways, his intervention on Saturday is a typical Trump gambit. His executive actions appear hurriedly written and thought out -- designed for a political flourish rather than as a sound foundation for governing.

While the President claims to have stepped in to protect American workers, his actions may not deliver the help Americans need -- especially since his memorandum on unemployment benefits actually lowers federal payments from the $600 level under a previous Congressional package and his order for "assistance to renters and homeowners" does not extend the eviction moratorium that has already expired. His decision to unveil the measures Saturday in a rambling, hyper political news conference at his New Jersey golf club, playing to a gallery of well-heeled members, bolstered the impression of a political stunt.

That was especially the case since the President accompanied his announcement with untrue claims about election fraud and the true state of the pandemic -- which hit the 5 million infections mark on Sunday as more than 1,000 Americans die every day from the disease.

Read the full analysis:

8:38 a.m. ET, August 10, 2020

"If we suppress the virus, we can safely open up societies," WHO head says

From CNN's Naomi Thomas

World Health Organization Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus attends a press conference on July 3 at the WHO headquarters in Geneva.
World Health Organization Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus attends a press conference on July 3 at the WHO headquarters in Geneva. Fabrice Coffrini/Pool/AFP/Getty Images

As the global Covid-19 case count approaches 20 million and deaths approach 750,000, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, director-general of the World Health Organization, said the virus must be suppressed to safely reopen societies,

“I know many of you are grieving, and that this is a difficult moment for the world,” Tedros said during a news briefing in Geneva on Monday. “But I want to be clear: There are green shoots of hope and no matter where a country, a region, a city or a town it – it is never too late to turn the outbreak around.”

He said there are "two essential elements to effectively addressing the pandemic effectively."

“Leaders must step up to take action, and citizens need to embrace new measures,” he said.

Tedros highlighted countries such as New Zealand and Rwanda as examples of places that are doing well in the fight against Covid-19.

New Zealand’s Prime Minister celebrated 100 days with no community transmission but stressed the need to stay cautious, Tedros said. Rwanda is seeing progress due to a similar combination, he said. Testing and treatment for Covid-19 is free, people who test positive are isolated, and all their potential contacts are visited and tested by health workers.

“Getting the basics right provides a clear picture of where the virus is, and the necessary targeted actions to suppress transmission and save lives,” Tedros said.

He added that "even in countries where transmission is intense, it can be brought under control by applying an all-of-government, all-of-society response."

Using tools such as rapid case identification, contact tracing, adequate care for patients, physical distancing, mask wearing and hand hygiene, chains of transmission have been broken.

“Whether countries or regions have successfully eliminated the virus, suppressed transmission to a low level, or are still in the midst of a major outbreak,” Tedros said, “now is the time to do it all – invest in the basics of public health, and we can save both lives and livelihoods.”

Countries that have successfully done this have been able to reopen parts of societies, including schools, with a risk-based approach; however they must stay vigilant for potential clusters of Covid-19.

Everyone wants to see schools reopen, Tedros said, but the safety of all those involved must also be ensured.

“My message is crystal clear: Suppress, suppress, suppress the virus,” Tedros said. “If we suppress the virus effectively, we can safely open up societies.”

8:32 a.m. ET, August 10, 2020

Bolivia nears 90,000 Covid-19 cases after days of protests following postponement of elections

From CNN’s Tatiana Arias and Gloria Carrasco

A healthcare worker takes part in a house-to-house campaign to help curb the spread of coronavirus on August 8 in La Paz, Bolivia
A healthcare worker takes part in a house-to-house campaign to help curb the spread of coronavirus on August 8 in La Paz, Bolivia Juan Karita/AP

Bolivia’s Health Ministry reported 944 new Covid-19 cases on Sunday, bringing the country’s total number of cases to 89,999.

At least 53 new deaths were also reported, bringing the death toll to 3,640.

Sunday marked seven days since protesters started setting up road blockades across the country to oppose the delay of the country’s general election. 

At least 60 roadblocks were set up, preventing transport for medical supplies and oxygen needed to fight the pandemic and causing more than 30 deaths, according to health authorities.

“During the last few days we regret the deaths due to the lack of oxygen related to road blocks and attacks against the transport of medical supplies and others” Virgilio Prieto, head of epidemiology in Bolivia, said in a statement released by the Health Ministry on Saturday. 

Bolivia’s Supreme Electoral Tribunal (TSE) postponed the country’s general election to September first and later to October due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Dialogue efforts between the government, the opposition party MAS led by former president Evo Morales and union leaders have not been successful.

 

8:06 a.m. ET, August 10, 2020

It's just after 1 p.m. in London and 8 a.m. in New York. Here's the latest on the pandemic

The novel coronavirus has infected more than 19.8 million people worldwide and caused more than 731,570 deaths. Here's what you need to know:

  • Child cases surge in the US: More than 97,000 children tested positive for coronavirus across the US in the last two weeks of July, according to a new report. The compiled data comes during back-to-school season, as officials try to understand the effects of the virus on young people.
  • US and Taiwan sign memorandum of understanding: The United States and Taiwan have signed a memorandum of understanding on health cooperation. Taiwan's Minister of Health and Welfare Shih-Chung Chen said it marked a "new chapter in Taiwan-US relations."
  • UK leader says schools "must reopen": Boris Johnson said there was a "moral duty" to ensure children returned to school next month.
  • Former Indian president tests positive: Pranab Mukherjee announced that he had been diagnosed with coronavirus and urged people he had been in contact with to get tested.
  • US college football season could be postponed: Leaders from college sports' "Power Five" conferences discussed postponing the country's football season and other fall sports over the weekend according to multiple reports.
8:11 a.m. ET, August 10, 2020

Moderna's clinical trial numbers show there's "no way" Trump can have a vaccine by Election Day

From CNN's Elizabeth Cohen

A medical worker prepares to inject a participant in a Phase 3 Covid-19 vaccine clinical trial sponsored by Moderna at Accel Research Sites in DeLand, Florida, on August 4.
A medical worker prepares to inject a participant in a Phase 3 Covid-19 vaccine clinical trial sponsored by Moderna at Accel Research Sites in DeLand, Florida, on August 4. Paul Hennessy/NurPhoto/Getty Images

Contrary to his predictions, President Trump won’t have a coronavirus vaccine ready by Election Day, vaccine experts tell CNN after reviewing data from Moderna, the first company to begin Phase 3 clinical trials of a coronavirus vaccine in the United States.

There’s no way. There's just no way," said Dr. Peter Hotez, a vaccinologist at Baylor College of Medicine, and a CNN medical analyst.

Last week President Trump said he was "optimistic" a vaccine would be ready around Election Day on November 3.

"I believe we'll have the vaccine before the end of the year, certainly, but around that date, yes. I think so," Trump said Thursday.

CNN obtained part of an email Moderna sent on Friday to the principal investigators of its vaccine trials. It says 4,536 study subjects have enrolled in the trials.

The trial started on July 27, and intends to enroll 30,000 study subjects. The company has said it is "on track to complete enrollment in September."

Moderna won't make that 30,000 in September if they continue at the rate of the first two weeks, but it’s likely the speed of enrollment will ramp up, since as of Friday only 54 of the study's 89 sites were operating, according to the company's email to its researchers.

Moderna's numbers did increase significantly from the first week of the trial to the second week.

Even if Moderna does reach its goal of full enrollment during the month of September, the company still won't have a vaccine on the market by Election Day, infectious disease experts say.

I don't see how that would be possible," said Dr. Paul Offit, a vaccinologist at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia.

After Moderna enrolls its subjects and gives them their first shot, they then have to wait 28 days before giving them a second shot.

That means participants enrolled at the end of September won’t be getting their second injections until the end of October.

Offit said they then have to wait two weeks for the vaccine to become fully effective.

"That takes you past Election Day," Offit said.

After that, the researchers have to wait and see who gets sick with Covid-19 and who does not. Half the study participants are receiving the real vaccine, and half get a placebo, or a shot that does nothing. Neither the participants nor the doctors giving the vaccines know who got which injections.

Both Offit and Hotez predict there will be results from the Moderna study in the first quarter of 2021 at the earliest.

Maybe by Inauguration Day, we might have a glimmer of whether the vaccine is working and be able to assess its safety," Hotez said.

Read more: