December 18 coronavirus news

As new Covid-19 cases surge in the United States, over the last seven days, more than 1.51 million new coronavirus cases were reported, according to Johns Hopkins University. That means new infections were reported in 1 in 216 Americans this week alone, per JHU data.

This is the most cases added in a single week since the pandemic began.

The US is now averaging more cases every single day than it ever has during the pandemic. Right now, on average, about 216,675 new cases are reported every day. The US has now averaged more than 200,000 cases for 11 consecutive days.

In just the first 17 days of the month, December is already the second-highest month of new cases since the pandemic began, per JHU.

Here's how this month compares:

As the first doses of a Covid-19 were shipped across the country, California is still bracing for more deaths in the upcoming weeks. New restrictions were put in place, and several parts of the state are running low on ICU beds and hospital staff is struggling to keep up with the surge.

Here's a look at where things stand:

The latest numbers

Restrictions

Preparing for more

Pat John, a nursing home resident who received the Covid-19 vaccine, says “everyone should be willing to take it.”

After taking the vaccine, she said she felt fine.

"I haven't had one bit of trouble," she told CNN.

She added:

Watch:

Moments after Vice President Mike Pence received the first dose of his Covid-19 vaccine, Dr. Anthony Fauci took to the stage to address the key concerns he keeps hearing on vaccines.

"Two questions get asked when people have hesitancy or reluctance to get vaccinated," he said.

"Did you go too quickly is the first. The answer to that, the speed, was a reflection of extraordinary scientific advances and did not compromise safety, nor did it compromise scientific integrity," he said.

He continued:

Fauci described the moment as "unprecedented" but also "bittersweet," for all the lives that have been lost. However, he expressed hope that with the vaccine, the months ahead would get sweeter.

Watch Dr. Fauci:

After getting the first dose of his Covid-19 vaccine, US Surgeon General Jerome Adams said he felt "called" to receive it to help build trust in communities of color.

Black Americans remain among the groups that have the least confidence in the vaccine, according to a study from the Kaiser Family Foundation. The study found that 35% of Black Americans would probably or definitely not get the vaccine if it was determined to be safe by scientists and widely available for free.

Adams spoke today about the significance of his own vaccination – what he called the "importance of representation."

"As an individual with asthma and high blood pressure, I am acutely aware of my own increased risk for Covid-19 exposure and the comorbidities that increase my risk of complications," Adams said. "And as the US Surgeon General and a Black man, I am equally aware of the symbolic significance of my vaccination today."

He noted "the importance of representation" in the vaccine process and the medical field at large.

"Many of you have heard me tell the story: I never believed I could be a doctor, much less the surgeon general of the United States because I'd never met another black doctor, even though I had straight As, the first doctor I met of color was Dr. Ben Carson when I was in college," he said.

He continued:

Watch US Surgeon General Jerome Adams:

Dr. Anthony Fauci said it's very likely we will see people getting vaccinated with the Moderna Covid-19 vaccine "within a few days."

When asked about the significance of Moderna's claims that its vaccine could perhaps prevent infection – in addition to disease – Fauci said "that's the ultimate goal."

The Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee (VRBPAC) voted 20-0 with one abstention to recommend emergency use authorization for the Moderna vaccine, which is very similar in design, composition, safety and efficacy to Pfizer/BioNTech's vaccine. That was the only question facing the committee – whether to recommend EUA.

In expectation that the FDA will soon give the green light, vaccine advisers to the CDC scheduled meetings for Saturday and Sunday to discuss the Moderna vaccine. The group must vote to recommend the vaccine and the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention must accept that recommendation before vaccinations can begin.

Vice President Mike Pence just received the first dose of his Covid-19 vaccine at Walter Reed Medical Hospital.

Pence, head of the White House Coronavirus Task Force, touted the success of the Trump administration's efforts to get a vaccine calling it a "miracle."

Watch the full moment below:

Vice President Mike Pence, second lady Karen Pence and Surgeon General Jerome Adams are set to receive the Pfizer coronavirus vaccine moments from now.

There are three barstools set up in the room along with tables with the vaccine materials, with three screens. Two say "SAFE and EFFECTIVE," and one says "Operation Warp Speed" with "Promises Made, Promises Kept," in smaller text.

Walter Reed medical staff are present, wearing scrubs and lab coats and masks, as are key task force members Dr. Anthony Fauci, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Administrator Seema Verma, US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Dr. Robert Redfield and Pence chief of staff Marc Short.

US pharmacy Walgreens began administering Pfizer/BioNTech’s Covid-19 vaccine to residents and staff at long-term care facilities in Ohio and Connecticut on Friday.

According to a news release, the pharmacy's team members will administer the vaccine in “approximately 800 long-term care facilities across 12 states" starting the week of December 21, and will "expand vaccinations to nearly 3 million residents and staff at 35,000 long-term care facilities" as states finalize their plans.

Walgreens team members have conducted approximately 150,000 off-site visits since 2015 and more than 70 million vaccinations over the last decade, the company said.