The latest on the coronavirus pandemic

The death toll from the coronavirus pandemic in the United States could spike to as high as 6,000 people a day by December in the worst-case scenario, according to Dr. Chris Murray, the chair of the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME) at the University of Washington.

Currently, about 1,000 people are dying daily from the coronavirus in the US.

In a new model released Friday, researchers at IHME predicted the number of daily deaths will decrease slowly in September -- then rise to nearly 2,000 a day by the start of December.

But Murray told CNN that, “depending on what our leaders do,” things can get worse.

The new IHME forecast projects 310,000 deaths by December -- 15,000 more than the previous forecast two weeks ago. That’s because while coronavirus infections are dropping in some areas, the death rate is not.

“In some states -- California is a good example -- cases peaked, are coming down, but deaths haven't,” Murray said. “We're seeing upswings in transmission in places like Kentucky and Minnesota, Indiana.”

If mask use increased in the US to 95%, the number of deaths could drop by almost 70,000, Murray added.

The number of Covid-19 cases in South Africa surged past 600,000 Friday, according to the country's Department of Health.

South Africa recorded 3,398 new cases to take its total to 603,338. Its coronavirus death toll stands at 12,843.

Mexico recorded 5,928 new cases of Covid-19 on Friday, taking the total number of infections in the country to 549,734.  

The Mexico health ministry also reported 504 new coronavirus-related deaths -- taking its total death toll to 59,610. 

Some context: Mexico has the third-highest number of coronavirus deaths in the world, behind only the US and Brazil, according to Johns Hopkins University (JHU).

In terms of coronavirus cases, Mexico is ranked third in Latin America, behind Brazil and Peru, according to JHU.

At least 26 cases of coronavirus in three states are being linked to the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally.

Minnesota reporteds 15 confirmed cases of Covid-19 among people that attended the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally in South Dakota earlier this month, Kris Ehresmann, Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) Infectious Disease director, said in a media briefing call Friday.

Of those 15 confirmed cases, one person was hospitalized and health officials say they expect to see additional cases in the next few days, Ehresmann added.

MDH is urging Minnesotans that attended Sturgis to self-quarantine for 14 days, and if they are feeling ill after returning from Sturgis, to please get tested and self-isolate until results are received, Ehresmann said.

At least seven Covid-19 cases in Nebraska's Panhandle region have been tied to the rally, Kim Engel, director of the Panhandle Public Health District, confirmed in an email to CNN.  

South Dakota state health officials announced Thursday that a person who worked at a tattoo shop in Sturgis had tested positive for the virus, and could have possibly exposed people during the event last week.

The person was an employee of Asylum Tattoo Sturgis, officials said.

On Friday, Brazil’s health ministry reported 30,355 new Covid-19 cases over the past 24 hours, bringing the total number to 3,532,330.

The ministry also reported 1,054 new Covid-19 deaths, raising the country’s death toll to 113,358.

Some context: Brazil is second only to the United States in total number of Covid-19 cases and deaths.

More than 175,000 people have died in the United States from the coronavirus, according to the latest data compiled by Johns Hopkins University.

There are at least 175,204 total deaths and 5,615,998 total cases across the country so far.  

US death toll timeline:

The Vanderbilt University athletics program has revealed that members of the football team have tested positive for Covid-19.

A prescheduled media availability with head football coach Derek Mason was canceled on Friday.

A prescheduled media availability with head football coach Derek Mason was canceled on Friday.

The university is set to open its SEC-only schedule away at Texas A&M on Sept. 26.

The top health official for Seattle and King County, Washington, has warned that the drop in new coronavirus cases in their community seems to be leveling off again.

Duchin said people should not become cavalier about public gatherings because the virus can still be spread easily.

“In the last two weeks, we've had almost 200 business identified as having one or more people with Covid-19 working while contagious,” he said

Although the daily count of new Covid-19 cases in King County has fallen since peaking a month ago, the seven-day rolling average of new cases has remained in triple-digits since June 27. And Duchin said they are not expecting better news in the next few months.

“We expect Covid-19 to get worse in the fall and winter and people to spend more time indoors," he said. 

Just over a week after announcing the famed Kentucky Derby would allow fans in the stands to witness the 146th edition, organizers have changed their minds. The rescheduled Run for the Roses will now be held without spectators.

Churchill Downs originally said it would allow 14% capacity at the racetrack (some 23,000 fans) for the Sept. 5 Triple Crown race.

“The Kentucky Derby is a time-honored American tradition which has always been about bringing people together. However, the health and safety of our team, fans and participants is our highest concern," the Churchill Downs Friday announcement said.

“We deeply regret the disappointment this will bring to our loyal fans.”

Kentucky’s governor Andy Beshear supported the decision saying, “The virus is still aggressively spreading in Kentucky, and the White House has announced that Jefferson County and the City of Louisville are in a ‘red zone’ based on increases in cases … I applaud Churchill Downs for continuing to monitor the virus and for making the right and responsible decision.”