Covid-19 positivity rate in New York's "red zones" is 3.19% and overall state rate is 1.08%, governor says
People walk past closed stores in the Borough Park section of Brooklyn, one of the five boroughs of New York City, on October 9. Angela Weiss/AFP/Getty Images
The average Covid-19 positivity rate in New York’s specific “red zone” focus areas in Brooklyn, Queens, Rockland, and Orange Counties is currently 3.19%, down from 4.34% on Saturday, Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced Sunday.
New York’s overall positivity rate, with the red zones included, is 1.08%, Cuomo said.
As of Saturday, 1,784 more New Yorkers have tested positive for Covid-19 and 7 more have died, Cuomo said.
One thing to note: These numbers were released by New York state, and may not line up exactly in real time with CNN’s database drawn from Johns Hopkins University and the Covid Tracking Project.
2:07 p.m. ET, October 18, 2020
Italy reports 5th day of record increases in Covid-19 cases
From CNN’s Nicola Ruotolo in Rome
People wearing protective masks walk across the Piazza del Duomo in Milan on October 17. Italy's government has made it mandatory to wear face protection outdoors, in an attempt to counter the spread of the coronavirus. Miguel Medina/AFP/Getty Images
Italy has recorded a record daily increase of coronavirus cases for the fifth day running, with another 11,705 positives reported, the national Civil Protection Agency said Sunday.
There have been an additional 69 deaths in the past 24 hours, bringing the number of deaths to 36,543.
As of Sunday, 750 coronavirus patients remain in ICU – up by 45.
12:23 p.m. ET, October 18, 2020
New York ski resorts can open at 50% indoor capacity beginning next month, governor says
From CNN's Laura Ly
Ski resorts in New York state will be allowed to open at 50% indoor capacity beginning on Nov. 6, Gov. Andrew Cuomo said Sunday.
Here are the restrictions at reopened ski resorts:
Masks will be required at all times, except when eating, drinking or skiing.
Social distancing is required between parties.
Ski gondolas and lifts must be restricted to members of the same party.
Ski lessons will be limited to a maximum of 10 people.
Shared rental equipment must be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected.
Food, beverage, retail and shuttle operations must conform to social distancing guidance.
Mountain capacity must be reduced by 25% on “peak” days or if multiple trails are closed due to poor conditions.
12:22 p.m. ET, October 18, 2020
South Carolina reports more than 700 new Covid-19 cases and 12 deaths
From CNN’s Natasha Chen
The state of South Carolina announced 722 new confirmed cases and 12 additional confirmed deaths due to coronavirus, on Sunday.
That brings the state total to at least 157,394 confirmed cases and 3,439 confirmed deaths since the pandemic began.
The state’s positivity rate is currently tracking at 10.3%, which is down slightly from Saturday’s rate of 11.4%
11:47 a.m. ET, October 18, 2020
NFL reports no new positive Covid-19 tests
From CNN's Homero DeLaFuente
Cole Beasley of the Buffalo Bills runs with the ball while being tackled by Jayon Brown of the Tennessee Titans in the fourth quarter at Nissan Stadium on October 13, in Nashville, Tennessee. Frederick Breedon/Getty Images
The National Football League confirmed there are no new positive tests for Covid-19 ahead of Sunday’s action, a league source told CNN.
The league has 12 games scheduled for Sunday and two more on Monday.
11:19 a.m. ET, October 18, 2020
UK records more than 16,000 new Covid-19 cases
From CNN’s Lindsay Isaac in London
The UK recorded another 16,982 on Sunday, an increase of 811 from Saturday.
The number of deaths however saw a decrease to 67 in the past 24 hours, according to government data.
10:57 a.m. ET, October 18, 2020
Trump tweets rare acknowledgement coronavirus cases are rising
From CNN's Sarah Westwood
President Trump tweeted a rare acknowledgement that cases are indeed rising across the country, and that the US is not turning the corner away from the pandemic, as he has repeatedly claimed in campaign appearances.
“The United States shows more CASES than other countries,” Trump tweeted, “because it TESTS at such a high (and costly) level. No country in the world tests at this level. The more you TEST, the more CASES you will be reporting. Very simple!”
His claim that the Covid-19 spikes are due solely to increased testing, however, is a well-worn argument his White House has promoted since the summer. This is the same line Trump frequently used during previous increases in cases – a suggestion that the only reason for the rising case numbers was an increase in cases. It wasn’t true then, and it’s not true now.
Some more context: While the number of daily tests has been rising, there is no doubt we’re seeing an increase in the actual spread of the virus, not just seeing more cases being captured by testing.
One telltale sign: hospitalizations are also rising; we’re seen major hospitalization increases in various states. Also, the national test positivity rate has also been rising since late September; in some states, it has seen a sharp spike.
10:04 a.m. ET, October 18, 2020
Health Secretary Azar blames Covid-19 spikes on "mitigation fatigue"
From CNN's Sarah Westwood
US Secretary of Health and Human Services Alex Azar testifies before the House Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Crisis, on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC, on October 2. Michael A. McCoy/AFP/Getty Images
Health Secretary Alex Azar blamed a rise in US coronavirus cases on “mitigation fatigue,” and he said he wished more seniors had worn masks at an indoor event President Trump held in Fort Myers, Florida, on Friday.
“Cases are increasing,” Azar acknowledged on NBC’s “Meet the Press.” “We’re seeing this happen because we’re getting colder weather and were losing that natural social distancing that happens from being out of doors.”
“People are getting tired,” he added. “We’re seeing mitigation fatigue right now.”
Azar encouraged people to continue to adhere to guidelines about face coverings, hand-washing and maintaining social distance in an effort to create what he described as a “bridge” to the time when a vaccine and treatments become available.
“Be mindful of those indoor household gatherings,” he said. “Just because you’re related to someone or friends with someone doesn’t mean you can’t transmit.”
Trump has frequently held large gatherings, in defiance of the wishes of local officials, where social distancing does not happen and people do not wear masks. Many, but not all, are outdoors.
Pressed on Trump’s indoor event in Fort Myers, which Azar attended, the health secretary argued masks were provided and social distancing was attempted.
“I wish everybody there would’ve worn face coverings and maintained social distancing,” he said.
Azar said herd immunity regarding coronavirus — when a percentage of people have become sick and achieved immunity thereby protecting the rest of the population — is not the current policy of the administration.
“No, that’s not our policy. It’s a desire through vaccination to get to herd immunity,” he said. “The desire is reduce cases, reduce cases, reduce hospitalizations, reduce fatalities.”
He added it was the overall goal of the administration to achieve that in the future once there is large distribution of a vaccine which will protect most people.
9:56 a.m. ET, October 18, 2020
Switzerland announces nationwide mask mandate
From CNN’s Hira Humayun in Atlanta
Switzerland announced on Sunday a series of measures including a mask mandate to curb the spread of Covid-19, to go into effect on Monday.
According to a government press release, the Swiss Federal Council introduced national measures such as a mandate to wear masks in publicly-accessible indoor areas.
Masks were required on public transport for those over the age of 12 since early July, but the additional measures will require masks at publicly accessible public transport areas such as railway stations (including platforms), airports, bus stops and tram stops as well. Masks are now also required in indoor spaces like shops, post offices, banks, museums, libraries, sports facilities, restaurants and other publicly accessibly spaces.
Masks are also required in schools, higher education institutes and child-care facilities.
The government also banned spontaneous public gatherings of more than 15 people in public places such as town squares, streets, paths and parks. Organized outdoor events such as demonstrations however, are allowed provided precautionary measures are followed. For private events of more than 15 people, food and drink should only being consumed when seated, and anyone standing up must wear a mask. For private events, hygiene rules need to be followed and contact details for those in attendance must be recorded.
“The rapid rise in coronavirus cases in the last few days is a cause for great concern,” the government said, pointing to the rising number of cases and number of hospitalizations.
“Since 19 June, the cantons have played the lead role in combating the COVID-19 epidemic in Switzerland,” the press release added, “The Confederation still expects the cantons to conduct widespread testing, implement a sound system of contract tracing and employ targeted measures to help fight the epidemic.”
