With cases rising with the onset of fall as many predicted, the United States' total COVID-19 cases have passed seven million, and on the global front, a number of countries—especially in Europe—reported similar rises as the World Health Organization (WHO) made its financial case for big investments in tools to battle the virus, according to a news report from the Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy (CIDRAP) at the University of Minnesota.
All Midwestern states except Ohio reported more COVID-19 cases over the past four weeks compared to the previous four weeks, especially South Dakota and North Dakota, Reuters reported. Currently, the United States reports over 44,000 new cases, along with more than 900 deaths. The nation's current totals are 7,116,455 million with more than 204,762 deaths, according to the Johns Hopkins online dashboard.
In its latest forecast on COVID-19 deaths, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) predicted that fatalities could reach between 214,000 and 226,000 by October 17.
In federal government developments, House Democrats are at work on a new, smaller coronavirus relief package what would help airlines, restaurants, and small businesses, the Wall Street Journal reported. However, the $2.4 trillion package is still bigger than the White House has signaled that it would support.
Also, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued an emergency use authorization (EUA) for the first point-of-care antibody (POC) test for COVID-19. The fingerstick blood sample test can be performed in doctor's offices, hospitals, and other settings without samples needing to go to a central lab.
