August 16 coronavirus news

By Jessie Yeung, Jenni Marsh, Tara John, Fernando Alfonso III, Alaa Elassar and Amir Vera, CNN

Updated 12:01 a.m. ET, August 17, 2020
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11:29 p.m. ET, August 16, 2020

China reports 22 new Covid-19 cases

China's National Health Commission reported that 22 new Covid-19 cases were identified throughout the country Sunday.

Another 37 asymptomatic cases were also recorded. China counts these cases separately.

A total of 84,849 cases of the novel coronavirus have been identified throughout China since the pandemic began.

10:52 p.m. ET, August 16, 2020

An art exhibition in Beijing is glorifying China's Covid-19 response

From CNN's Oscar Holland

The world may be in the midst of a global pandemic, but visitors to a new Beijing exhibition could be forgiven for thinking the battle has already been won.

A triumphant art show celebrating the "great spirit of the Chinese people" in fighting Covid-19 opened this month at the country's National Museum, near Tiananmen Square in the center of Beijing.

Through a collection of almost 180 artworks, including sculptures, watercolors and dramatic oil paintings of heroic doctors, the exhibition aims to document the initial coronavirus outbreak in Wuhan and its aftermath.

But given that the country heavily censors art, the contents of the museum's exhibition mirrors the official stance on China's containment of Covid-19.

Through images of aid workers, the exhibition's messaging also appears closely aligned with government narratives around the country's international response to the crisis -- or "demonstrat(ing) China's responsibility as a major country in dealing with ... a major public health emergency," as the foreword at the show's entrance proclaims, despite criticism of officials' early attempts to suppress news of the virus ahead of the busy Lunar New Year holiday in January.

Read more:

10:21 p.m. ET, August 16, 2020

United States Forces Korea raises health protection level due to new outbreak in South Korea

From CNN's Paula Hancocks and Gawon Bae in Seoul, South Korea, and Eric Cheung in Hong Kong

Gen. Robert Abrams speaks during an event in Panmunjom, South Korea, on July 27
Gen. Robert Abrams speaks during an event in Panmunjom, South Korea, on July 27 Jeon Heon-Kyun/Pool/Getty Images

United States Forces Korea (USFK) has raised its health protection level following an uptick in the number of Covid-19 infections in South Korea.

USFK raised the protection level to level "Charlie" at 5 a.m. Korean time, which indicates the presence of sustained community transmission of Covid-19 across South Korea, according to a notice posted by the US Department of Defense.

South Korea has boasted one of the world's most successful responses to Covid-19. In a country of more than 50 million people, only 15,318 cases of Covid-19 and 305 virus-related deaths have been reported.

However, there has been a significant rise in cases throughout the country in recent days.

More than 600 new cases were reported across Friday, Saturday and Sunday, as daily infection numbers crossed the triple digit threshold for the first time since March.

As part of USFK's new measures, only essential individuals will be required to report for duty, while others will work remotely, USFK said in a statement.

Gen. Robert B. Abrams, the USFK Commander, said the military must "balance the overall health, safety and protection of the force with mission accomplishment, and that means immediately raising our health protection conditions and preventive control measures now."

Travel outside the military installations will only be authorized for official and necessary duties, it added. All individuals are also required wear a mask outside the installations.

9:49 p.m. ET, August 16, 2020

Videos show large gathering at an off-campus housing area near the University of North Georgia

From CNN's Hollie Silverman

While masks are not required in Georgia, people are seen not wearing them or social distancing at this large gathering near the University of North Georgia in Dahlonega, Georgia.
While masks are not required in Georgia, people are seen not wearing them or social distancing at this large gathering near the University of North Georgia in Dahlonega, Georgia. Fair Use

Videos posted to social media show a large gathering at an off-campus housing area near the University of North Georgia in Dahlonega, about 65 miles north of Atlanta.

Sylvia Carson, UNG executive director of communications, told CNN in an emailed statement Sunday that the school is "aware that a large outdoor party was held at a privately-owned, off campus apartment complex located near" the Dahlonega campus Saturday night. 

"We are disappointed that many of our students chose to ignore Covid-19 public health guidance by congregating in a large group without social distancing or face coverings," the statement said. "The University of North Georgia continues to emphasize to our students and university community that everyone has an individual responsibility both on and off campus to follow guidance from the Georgia Department of Public Health and the CDC to prevent the spread of the virus."

There are no mask mandates in the state of Georgia. 

UNG requires masks at UNG buildings and facilities, but face coverings are not required in residence hall rooms or when enclosed alone in an office or study area, according to the guidance posted by UNG effective July 15.

9:16 p.m. ET, August 16, 2020

Mexico reports more than 4,000 new coronavirus cases

From CNN’s Sharif Paget and journalist Karol Suarez in Mexico City

Mexico has recorded 4,448 new cases of the novel coronavirus on Sunday, taking the total number of cases in the country to 522,162.

The Health Ministry also added 214 new deaths for a total count of 56,757. Mexico continues to hold the third-highest number of deaths in the world from coronavirus following only the US and Brazil, according to Johns Hopkins University (JHU).

Mexico is now ranked third in Latin America by JHU in terms of its number of total coronavirus cases. As of Sunday, Mexico trails Peru - which has 525,803 total cases - by nearly 4,000 cases and Brazil, which has recorded more than 3.3 million infections. 

9:13 p.m. ET, August 16, 2020

Iraq warns of "disastrous consequences" if coronavirus restrictions are not followed  

From CNN's Mohammed Tawfeeq

People walk on the street in Baghdad, Iraq, on August 12.
People walk on the street in Baghdad, Iraq, on August 12. Khalil Dawood/Xinhua/Sipa USA

The Iraqi Health Ministry has warned of "disastrous consequences" if people don't follow the rules and instructions issued by the ministry to contain the spread of coronavirus. 

The country recorded its highest daily record of new Covid-19 cases on Sunday, with 4,348 new coronavirus cases and 75 deaths. The spread of coronavirus is expected to get much worse, given the country’s medical infrastructure has been damaged by decades of sanctions, war, and corruption. 

“The Ministry has always indicated that the citizen's negligence in implementing the instructions issued by the Ministry of Health, based on the International Regulations of the World Health Organization, will lead to a significant increase of (coronavirus) cases,” the Health Ministry statement said on Sunday. “Therefore, we call on the concerned authorities, clerics, tribal leaders, non-governmental organizations, prominent figures, and various media outlets ... to urge citizens to abide by the instructions issued by the Ministry of Health.”

The guidance includes recommendations to stay home, social distance, wear masks and wash hands regularly.

Despite the warning, Iraq's Supreme Committee for National Health and Safety decided on Saturday to reduce daily lockdown hours, as the country is under huge economic pressure. Many low-income earners are not able to afford to stay home and out of work – or to work from home -- and there have been no alternative income arrangements provided by the government.

Iraq is also preparing for a major religious commemoration this month known as Ashura, which is the anniversary of the death of Imam Hussein, grandson of the Prophet Mohammed. Ashura is considered the holiest day on the Shia Muslim calendar and Iraqi officials and religious figures have been warning citizens to avoid all gatherings during the event. Each year, hundreds of thousands converge on Karbala, about 62 miles south of Baghdad, to visit the Imam Hussein holy shrine there. 

Iraq's Supreme Committee for National Health and Safety issued a statement on Saturday calling on all Iraqis to mark the event from inside their homes and avoid marching toward Karbala. 

9:10 p.m. ET, August 16, 2020

Rising test positivity rate sparks new Covid-19 restrictions in Illinois' Metro East area

From CNN's Jennifer Selva

Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker at a news conference at the University of Chicago's Harper Center on July 23.
Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker at a news conference at the University of Chicago's Harper Center on July 23. Antonio Perez/Chicago Tribune/Tribune News Service/Getty Images

The Metro East area of Illinois -- the southwestern counties of the state near the Missouri border -- is facing new Covid-19 mitigation guidelines after three days in a row of a test positivity rate of 8% or higher, according to a news release from Gov. JB Pritzker. The area is also known as Region 4.

Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) say this means that starting Tuesday, all bars, restaurants and casinos need to close by 11 p.m. local time. All party buses will be closed, and gathering sizes should be reduced to 25 people or less.

If the data shows we need to go backwards in our reopening, I won’t hesitate to tighten restrictions to protect our collective health,” Pritzker said.

After 14 days, the IDPH will reassess the rules to see whether more stringent measures such as closing indoor bars and dining is needed.

“Region 4 is the first of the 11 regions to reach resurgence criteria, but we hope it will be the last," said IDPH Director Dr. Ngozi Ezike. "By implementing additional mitigations, such as decreased indoor capacities and limiting hours, we hope to reduce the spread of the virus in the Metro East, and also help prevent an increase in cases, hospitalizations, and death in other regions of the state.” 

According to the IDPH, Illinois is reporting 206,081 total cases and 7,744 deaths.

8:25 p.m. ET, August 16, 2020

Colombia reports more than 11,000 new coronavirus cases and surpasses 15,000 deaths

From journalist Stefano Pozzebon in Bogota.

Colombia’s Health Ministry reported 11,643 new cases from Covid-19 Sunday, bringing the total number of cases in the country to 468,332.

The ministry also reported 287 new deaths, bringing the total death toll to 15,097.

Colombia’s capital, Bogotà, remains the country’s biggest hotspot with 163,295 total reported cases.

8:34 p.m. ET, August 16, 2020

More than 170,000 people with coronavirus have died in the US

From CNN's Hollie Silverman

Funeral home director Jeffrey Rhodes prepares the body of man who died from coronavirus in Tampa, Florida.
Funeral home director Jeffrey Rhodes prepares the body of man who died from coronavirus in Tampa, Florida. Octavio Jones/Getty Images

More than 170,000 people with coronavirus have died in the United States as of 7:30 p.m. EST Sunday, according to the Johns Hopkins University tally.

As of Sunday night, 5,401,167 cases and 170,019 deaths have been reported nationwide.

A total of 40,002 new cases and 538 new deaths were reported Sunday. 

For the latest Johns Hopkins University U.S. numbers: https://coronavirus.jhu.edu/map.html   

CNN’s map, using JHU data continues to refresh every 15 mins: https://www.cnn.com/interactive/2020/health/coronavirus-us-maps-and-cases/