December 3 coronavirus news

By Ben Westcott, Adam Renton, Meg Wagner and Melissa Macaya, CNN

Updated 0508 GMT (1308 HKT) December 4, 2020
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10:35 a.m. ET, December 3, 2020

Delta will contact trace international travelers coming into the US

From CNN's Pete Muntean

A Delta Air Lines plane lands at John F. Kennedy International Airport in Queens, New York, on October 19.
A Delta Air Lines plane lands at John F. Kennedy International Airport in Queens, New York, on October 19. Nik Oiko/SOPA Images/LightRocket/Getty Images

Delta Air Lines said it will begin asking international travelers coming into the United States for coronavirus contact tracing information.

In a new memo released Thursday, Delta Air Lines CEO Ed Bastian said passengers can voluntarily submit their name, address, email and two phone numbers to “provide essential tracing information directly to the Centers for Disease Control, if needed." 

No major coronavirus outbreaks have been traced to a commercial airline flight in the United States — but there have not been any widespread tracing efforts.

Delta’s move is a first by a US carrier after the White House coronavirus task force asked airlines to administer contact tracing programs themselves rather than having the government handle.

In June, Vice President Mike Pence told major airlines to move forward with an industry-led solution for contact tracing of passengers.

11:12 a.m. ET, December 3, 2020

More Americans died yesterday from coronavirus than ever before. Here's a look at the latest figures. 

From CNN's Amanda Watts, Steve Almasy, Jason Hanna and Madeline Holcombe

The total number of coronavirus deaths reported in a day set a new record yesterday and hospitalizations also reached an all-time high. Doctors and nurses across the US are trying to find creative ways to handle the surging number of patients.

The numbers are grim and those totals have never been higher.

Here's a look at the latest figures:

Deaths:

  • There were more than 2,800 deaths reported Wednesday, according to Johns Hopkins University. The highest single day total since the pandemic began.
  • The nation is seeing an average of 1,603 reported deaths per day, according to JHU.
  • The nation has averaged over 1,000 reported deaths for 22 straight days.   

Hospitalizations:

  • More than 100,200 patients were in US hospitals Wednesday, according to the COVID Tracking Project.
  • This is the first time the nation has recorded over 100,000 current hospitalizations and the highest this metric has ever been.
  • The US is now averaging 94,311 hospitalizations over the last seven days.
  • 16 states and one territory reported record high hospitalizations on Wednesday. 

Here's a look at how new daily Covid-19 deaths have progressed over time:

Here's a look at how Covid-19 hospitalizations have progressed over time:

10:45 a.m. ET, December 3, 2020

Here's where things stand in the vaccine approval and distribution process

A health worker is pictured in a lab during clinical trials for a Pfizer coronavirus vaccine in Hollywood, Florida, on September 9.
A health worker is pictured in a lab during clinical trials for a Pfizer coronavirus vaccine in Hollywood, Florida, on September 9. Eva Marie Uzcategui/Bloomberg/Getty Images

The UK became the first Western country to authorize a Covid-19 vaccine yesterday, marking a pivotal moment in the global fight against coronavirus.

As coronavirus cases rise across the US and the world, here's a look at the latest on the race to approve and distribute a vaccine

  • Vaccines are on their way to the UK: The UK is set to receive its first batch of the Pfizer-BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine today, just one day after the vaccine was approved, England's deputy chief medical officer said. Yesterday, On Wednesday, the UK Department of Health said up to 800,000 doses of the vaccine — enough to inoculate 400,000 people — would be made available next week. 
  • European health experts are reviewing possible vaccines: The European Medicines Agency (EMA) began its review process of the Pfizer data in October and BioNTech and Pfizer submitted an application to complete the review process on Tuesday. The EMA has said it will conclude its review by Dec. 29 at the latest. EU member states cannot distribute a Covid-19 vaccine until it has been authorized by the EMA and signed off by the European Commission, according to EMA rules.
  • US health advisers meet next week to discuss candidates: The FDA's Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee, a panel of independent experts, will meet on Dec. 10 to review Pfizer's coronavirus vaccine candidate and make a recommendation about whether to authorize the vaccine. A similar FDA committee meeting for Moderna's vaccine candidate is set for Dec. 17. FDA officials say their decisions on the vaccines could come days to weeks after the meetings — it depends on what questions come up.
  • Russia is starting large-scale vaccination efforts: Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday ordered his government to start large-scale vaccinations against Covid-19 from next week. Russia became the first country in the world to approve its coronavirus vaccine, Sputnik V, in August, authorizing the treatment for public use even before crucial Phase 3 trials were conducted. The move drew criticism from scientific circles.

Dr. Sanjay Gupta talks with Moderna Covid-19 vaccine trial participant:  

9:22 a.m. ET, December 3, 2020

Italy bans travel between regions during the Christmas holidays

From Valentina di Donato in Rome and Sharon Braithwaite in Pisa

A Christmas tree illuminates Piazza San Carlo in Turin, Italy, on December 2.
A Christmas tree illuminates Piazza San Carlo in Turin, Italy, on December 2. Stefano Guidi/Getty Images

Italy has banned movement between regions during the Christmas holidays to contain the spread of the coronavirus.

Here are some key things to know about the restrictions:

  • From Dec. 21 to Jan. 6, movement between regions will not be allowed, with the exceptions of work, health reasons and emergencies, according to a new decree which entered into force on Thursday.
  • During this timeframe people will not be allowed to move to their vacation homes.
  • On Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year's Day, movement between municipalities will be banned, with the above-mentioned exemptions.
  • People will be allowed to move to return to their place of residence.

Another new decree is currently being discussed by the government and regional administrations and is expected to go into effect on Friday. The decree will introduce further restrictions regarding the Christmas holidays.

Among the measures being discussed are: a national curfew starting at 10 p.m. local time and restaurants being required to close at 6 p.m. local time in "yellow" regions.

The Christmas Eve mass must end by around 8:30 p.m. local time "so that worshippers can return home before the 10 p.m. curfew," undersecretary at the Ministry of Health Sandra Zampa said Wednesday evening during an interview with Italian channel La7.

 

9:01 a.m. ET, December 3, 2020

You'll get a card when you get a Covid-19 vaccine. Here's what it looks like.

From CNN's John Bonifield and Amir Vera

A Department of Health and Human Services employee holds a Covid-19 vaccine record card on November 13 in Washington, DC.
A Department of Health and Human Services employee holds a Covid-19 vaccine record card on November 13 in Washington, DC. EJ Hersom/Department of Defense

The Department of Defense released the first images of a Covid-19 vaccination record card and vaccination kits Wednesday.

Vaccination cards will be used as the "simplest" way to keep track of Covid-19 shots, said Dr. Kelly Moore, associate director of the Immunization Action Coalition, which is supporting frontline workers who will administer Covid-19 vaccinations.

"Everyone will be issued a written card that they can put in their wallet that will tell them what they had and when their next dose is due," Moore said. "Let's do the simple, easy thing first. Everyone's going to get that."

A display shows items that will be provided with Covid-19 vaccines at Operation Warp Speed headquarters in Washington, DC, on November 13.
A display shows items that will be provided with Covid-19 vaccines at Operation Warp Speed headquarters in Washington, DC, on November 13. EJ Hersom/Department of Defense

Remember: No vaccine has been approved in the US yet, but Pfizer and Moderna are awaiting emergency use authorizations for their vaccine candidates. A panel with the US Food and Drug Administration is expected to discuss whether to authorize the EUAs on Dec. 10 and 17.

Should Pfizer and Moderna get the authorization, the vaccines' first shipments could happen Dec. 15 and 22, respectively, according to a document from the federal government's Operation Warp Speed.

9:39 a.m. ET, December 3, 2020

The holiday season is coming, and the CDC wants Americans to postpone travel and stay home

From CNN's Naomi Thomas

Dr. Henry Walke, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Covid-19 incident manager, said that as Americans continue through the holiday season, they should avoid travel and stay home.

“We’re happy we’re coming out with this guidance now before the holiday season to provide additional consideration for the American public and health care providers, public health administrators to think through in terms of preventing infection,” Walke said Wednesday.

“Our hope is before Thanksgiving, and now before the upcoming holiday season that people hear a message about avoiding travel, staying at home, and protecting themselves, especially now,” he continued. 

The reason for the recommendation to avoid travel is that cases are rising and hospitalizations and deaths are both increasing, Walke said. 

“We need to try to bend the curve, stop this exponential increase and so we’re really asking the American public to prevent these infections and avoid travel and wash their hands, wear a mask and maintain distance,” Walke said. 

Doctor: Holiday travel like pouring gasoline on surging cases

8:53 a.m. ET, December 3, 2020

Another 712,000 Americans filed for unemployment benefits last week

From CNN's Anneken Tappe

Tables are empty at a diner in West Hollywood, California, on November 30.
Tables are empty at a diner in West Hollywood, California, on November 30. Robyn Beck/AFP/Getty Images

Another 712,000 Americans filed for unemployment benefits last week on a seasonally adjusted basis, according to the Labor Department, as the job market recovery continues to slow. That was a bit lower in the previous week, which was revised higher.

Meanwhile, 288,701 workers filed for benefits under the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance program, which provides aid for workers like the self-employed and contractors. This number is not adjusted for seasonality.

Added together, 1 million Americans filed initial benefit claims on an unadjusted basis last week. Continued jobless claims stood at 5.5 million.

Thursday's report comes just days after the US Government Accountability Office said that the Labor Department hadn't provided an accurate estimate of the number of Americans claiming benefits. States' backlogs are overloaded with the historically high number of applications, which is contributing to this issue.

On top of that, millions of people may not be receiving the full unemployment payments they are owed, GAO said.

Economists and lawmakers have relied on jobless claims data throughout the pandemic because its weekly release schedule is the closest to real-time economic data.

'This should be a flashing red light': Romans on unemployment

8:54 a.m. ET, December 3, 2020

A global and equitable vaccine would generate $153 billion in economic benefits for 2020-21, says report

From CNN’s Sarah Dean and Eleanor Pickston

A health worker in Hollywood, Florida, injects a person during clinical trials for a Pfizer coronavirus vaccine on September 9.
A health worker in Hollywood, Florida, injects a person during clinical trials for a Pfizer coronavirus vaccine on September 9. Eva Marie Uzcategui/Bloomberg/Getty Images

Global equitable access to Covid-19 vaccines would generate estimated economic benefits of at least $153 billion in 2020-21 and $466 billion by 2025 in 10 major economies, a report by the Eurasia Group has found. 

The political risk consultancy analyzed 10 major economies -- Canada, France, Germany, Japan, Qatar, South Korea, Sweden, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom and the United States -- to assess the economic benefits of contributing to the work of the Access to COVID-19 Tools (ACT) Accelerator.

The ACT Accelerator, led by the World Health Organization, in partnership with other international health organizations, is a global collaboration which supports the development and equitable distribution of the tests, treatments and vaccines. 

The study determined that the ACT Accelerator program is “the only ‘end-to-end’ complete global solution -- across tests, treatments, and vaccines -- for tackling the pandemic.”

It examined the expected negative effects of sustained coronavirus outbreaks in low- and lower-middle-income countries (LLMICs), based on the downside and baseline scenarios of the IMF’s  October 2020 World Economic Outlook forecasts.

Leaving such countries without access to Covid-19 vaccines will cause “significant economic damage” and put “decades of economic progress at risk -- for both LLMIC and advanced economies alike," it found.

“Rapid, widespread, and equitable vaccination, tests, and treatments will save countless lives in LLMICs, allowing policymakers’ focus to return to the core development goals of raising living standards, empowering women, and marginalized communities, and strengthening institutions,” it said.

The Eurasia Group report was commissioned by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, a partner in the ACT Accelerator program alongside WHO, European Commission and France. 

To date, the 10 countries featured in the report have contributed $2.4 billion to the ACT Accelerator, with the UK committing just over $ 1 billion, and Germany, Canada, Japan and France committing $618 million, $290 million, $229 million and $147 million respectively. The program needs $38 billion in funding, of which $28.2 billion is still currently outstanding. 

8:32 a.m. ET, December 3, 2020

Prince Harry says the pandemic is like "Mother Nature has sent us to our rooms"

From CNN’s Max Foster and Sharon Braithwaite

Prince Harry attends an event in Silverstone, England, on March 6.
Prince Harry attends an event in Silverstone, England, on March 6. Peter Nicholls/Pool/AFP/Getty Images

Prince Harry has said the Covid-19 pandemic is like a punishment from nature. 

"Somebody said to me at the beginning of the pandemic, it's almost as though Mother Nature has sent us to our rooms for bad behavior, to really take a moment and think about what we've done," Prince Harry said during an interview released Tuesday on video-on-demand platform WaterBear. 

It's been a universally tough year for everybody," he said.

"It certainly reminded me, as it has probably reminded all of us, how interconnected we all are, not just as people but through nature. We take so much from her and we rarely give a lot back," he said talking to WaterBear’s CEO Ellen Windemuth and Head of Strategy Sam Sutaria on behalf of NGO African Parks -- of which Prince Harry has been president since December 2017.

When asked how storytelling could help to drive action, he said: "Every single raindrop that falls from the sky relieves the parched ground. What if every single one of us was a raindrop and if every single one of us cared, which we do, because we have to care because at the end of the day, nature is our life source, but we’ve got to be clever and find a way to be able to uplift and inspire in that education and awareness."