By Nectar Gan, Adam Renton, Tamara Qiblawi and Melissa Macaya, CNN
From CNN's Sheena Jones
New York reported 12,568 new cases of Covid-19 as of Dec. 23, according to the state’s Covid-19 dashboard.
The state has 6,928 total Covid-19 hospitalizations, according to a tweet from New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo.
New York reports a 5.55% test positivity rate, according to the tweet.
“Sadly, there were 129 fatalities,” according to the tweet.
From CNN's Sheena Jones
New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy is requiring all United Airlines passengers with flights originating in the UK and flying into Newark Liberty International Airport to have a negative Covid-19 test before arriving in the state, according to a release from the governor’s office.
This comes after the UK announced the discovery of a new variant of Covid-19 in the country.
Passengers will be required to test negative for Covid-19 within 72 hours of their flight.
“In effort to strengthen existing travel protocols with our partners at United, beginning Monday, December 28, all United customers with flights originating in the U.K. will be required to present proof of a negative COVID-19 test obtained within 72 hours of departure for incoming flights to Newark Liberty International Airport. As we continue to experience a second wave of COVID-19 cases, it’s critical that we take any and all precautions to mitigate the potential for further transmission,” the release said in part.
Earlier this week, three other airlines agreed to test all passengers coming from the UK into New York for Covid-19.
from CNN's Hollie Silverman
Arizona reported the highest day of hospitalizations for the second day in a row, a graph tweeted by Republican Gov. Doug Ducey shows.
The number of inpatient Covid-19 patients hospitalized in Arizona increased to at least 4,221 from 4,163 yesterday, the governor said in a tweet Thursday.
Intensive care unit beds in use by Covid-19 patients decreased Thursday from 972 to 965 and the number of ventilators in use decreased to 620 from 673, Ducey said in a tweet.
The percentage of patients with Covid-like illness seen in Arizona hospitals is now at 16.6%, the governor tweeted.
There were at least 7,046 new Covid-19 cases and 115 new deaths reported Thursday for a total of 480,319 cases and 8,294 deaths since the pandemic began, according to the Arizona Department of Health Service dashboard.
A total of 3,107,007 Covid-19 tests have been reported in the state of Arizona, with 23,378 of those test results being reported Thursday, the ADHS website shows.
From CNN's Naomi Thomas
The safest way to celebrate the new year during the pandemic is at home with the people you live with, or online with friends and family, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said in guidance posted to its website on Wednesday.
“Staying home is the best way to protect yourself and others,” it says, echoing guidance for other winter holidays.
For those that host a celebration, CDC suggests staying outside, limiting the number of guests, making extra masks available and keeping background music low to avoid shouting.
When attending a celebration, the agency says masks should be worn indoors and outdoors and alcohol and drugs that can alter judgement should be avoided.
“While it is possible that some people may receive COVID-19 vaccines before New Year’s Eve, continue taking steps to protect yourself and others for some time to come,” the CDC says.
CDC also suggests other activities, such as having a virtual celebration with loved ones, planning a New Year’s party for the people who live in a household, reaching out to friends, family and neighbors, watching live streamed fireworks or planning an outdoor activity.
“It’s okay if you decide to postpone or cancel your gathering. Do what’s best for you,” the guidance says.
If celebrating with people outside of your household, CDC suggests wearing a mask – even under a scarf when outside – and staying at least 6 feet apart, avoiding crowds and poorly ventilated spaces, washing hands, staying home if sick and getting a flu shot as soon as possible.
Holiday travel may also increase a person’s chance of getting and spreading Covid-19, and CDC continues to recommend postponing travel.
From CNN's Ghazi Balkiz
Lebanon reported at least 2,708 new cases of Covid-19 in the past 24 hours, which is the highest number of daily infections recorded since the beginning of the pandemic, the country's Ministry of Public Health said Thursday.
On Wednesday, Lebanon set a previous record of 2,246 new cases.
The country now has a total of 165,934 cases. There were also 20 new deaths recorded in the past 24 hours, raising the national death toll to 1,353, the ministry added.
From Livia Borghese
On Christmas Eve, Italy surpassed 2 million coronavirus cases.
The country reported at least 18,040 new cases bringing the total to 2,009,317, according to the health ministry.
There were an additional 505 deaths in the last 24 hours, bringing the total to 70,900 deaths.
There are at least 2,589 people in intensive care — that's down from 35 patients the previous day.
From CNN’s Dan Kamal
Players, assistant coaches and coordinators have all missed National Football League games this season under league Covid-19 protocols, but never has a head coach been absent from the sidelines.
But – according to a statement from the Detroit Lions Thursday – that will change this weekend when the team’s interim head coach Darrell Bevell will be forced to sit out Detroit’s game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers because he is a close contact of someone who tested positive for Covid-19.
In addition to the team’s head coach, the Lions also announced four other coaches – defensive coordinator Cory Undlin, defensive line coach Bo Davis, defensive backs coach Steve Gregory and linebackers coach Ty McKenzie – will also miss the game due to NFL Covid-19 protocols.
The 5-9 Lions host the 9-5 Buccaneers Saturday at 1 p.m. ET.
From CNN's Brink Haley
There have been at least 18,479,054 cases of coronavirus in the US and least 326,495 people have died, according to Johns Hopkins University's tally.
So far today, Johns Hopkins has reported 20,681 new cases and 371 reported deaths.
With regards to vaccines, at least 9,465,725 doses have been distributed across the country and at least 1,008,025 doses of the vaccine have been administered, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The totals include cases from all 50 states, the District of Columbia and other US territories, as well as repatriated cases.
Here's a look at how the US' figures compare to other countries:
From CNN's Nicquel Terry Ellis, Nathaniel Meyersohn and Omar Jimenez
Chicago is among the cities across the country that could face roadblocks to vaccine access due to a lack of major pharmacy and grocery chains in their poorest Black and brown neighborhoods.
Public health experts identify these communities as "pharmacy deserts" — areas where a substantial number of residents have limited access to retail or independent pharmacies. The problem is largely found in areas with low income residents who have barriers to transportation.
Civil rights leaders and health advocates fear the disparity could leave underserved communities scrambling to figure out how to vaccinate everyone as the federal government says pharmacies will play a key role in vaccine distribution.
"It's going to be a mad scramble particularly if this vaccine is seen as safe and effective," said Rev. Marshall Elijah Hatch Sr., of New Mount Pilgrim Missionary Baptist Church on Chicago's west side. "It's very difficult to imagine that there's going to be some kind of egalitarian distribution. We are going to have to fight."
The US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced on Nov. 12 that the US government was partnering with large chain pharmacies and networks that represent independent pharmacies and regional chains to expand access to future Covid-19 vaccines.
The list of pharmacies included CVS, Walgreens, Rite Aid and large grocery chains with pharmacies such as Walmart, Kroger, Costco and Publix.
"Pharmacy vaccinators are crucial public health partners for increasing access and convenience of Covid-19 vaccines," HHS said in a news release. "By working with these partners, the federal government will rapidly expand access to Covid-19 vaccines."
But relying on pharmacies to expand vaccine access could be challenging.
A study from the University of Illinois at Chicago in 2014 showed that pharmacy deserts — which were defined as a low-income community that either has low-vehicle access and is more than half a mile from a pharmacy or is more than a mile from a pharmacy regardless of vehicle access — were more prevalent in predominately Black neighborhoods in Chicago than in White ones.
Between 2000 and 2010, there was a 20% increase in the number of pharmacies in White communities, with no expansion in minority communities, the study found.
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