Coronavirus updates: Biden wants 100 days of mask-wearing; California set for new stay-at-home order; US passes 14 million cases

The nation’s one-day toll of coronavirus deaths surpassed 3,000 for the first time Wednesday and on Thursday the U.S. recorded its 14 millionth COVID-19 case, milestones showing the pandemic continues to race out of control.

The death toll of 3,157 came as hospitalizations surpassed 100,000 for the first time. The country has recored 1 million more cases of the virus in less than a week.

However, the daily death number may be inflated by fatalities reported days late because of the Thanksgiving holiday. Even so, the director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention predicted the U.S. could reach 450,000 deaths by February.

“The reality is, December and January and February are going to be rough times, and I actually believe they’re going to be the most difficult time in the public health history of our nation, largely because of the stress it’s going to put on our public health system,” Dr. Robert Redfield said Wednesday at a U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation event.

Things you should know Thursday:

Joe Biden said Thursday that he will ask Americans to commit to 100 days of wearing masks as one of his first acts as president. The move marks a notable shift from President Donald Trump, whose own skepticism of mask-wearing has contributed to a politicization of the issue.Former presidents Barack Obama, George W. Bush and Bill Clinton have said they are willing to take a coronavirus vaccine to prove that the treatment is safe and effective. They may even film themselves getting injected.New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo displayed a box of empty vials during his COVID briefing Thursday, demonstrating how the packages will be shipped to states and ultimately administrated. “So it’s not easy, but it’s real,” he said.The number of hospitalized COVID-19 patients nationwide passed the 100,000 mark Wednesday, and experts fear weary staff will be “overrun” by patients. Many hospitals will be forced to suspend elective surgeries and other routine operations, set up temporary field hospitals and stretch staff to the limit, experts said.

📈 Today’s numbers: The U.S. has reported more than 14 million cases and over 274,000 deaths, according to Johns Hopkins University data. The global totals: 64.9 million cases and 1.5 million deaths.

📰 What we’re reading: How did a third wave of COVID-19 engulf the U.S.? Take a closer look at the dark November with these graphics and maps.

This file will be updated throughout the day. For updates in your inbox, subscribe to The Daily Briefing newsletter.

Moderna says vaccine candidate provides at least 3 months of protection

Participants in a trial of Moderna’s candidate vaccine appeared to be protected from the virus for at least three months, the vaccine maker announced Thursday, marking the first indication of how long a COVID-19 vaccine might last.

Some vaccines, like one for the measles, essentially provide a lifetime of protection, while others, like the annual flu shot, have to be given repeatedly. Animal studies suggest that COVID-19 vaccines will provide long-term protection, but that has not yet been tested in people.

Both Moderna’s candidate COVID-19 vaccine and one made by Pfizer/BioNTech have been shown to be safe and more than 94% effective and are now awaiting authorization from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

— Karen Weintraub

Joe Biden asks Anthony Fauci to become his chief medical adviser

President-elect Joe Biden told CNN on Thursday that he asked Dr. Anthony Fauci, the expert on the coronavirus pandemic, to become his chief medical adviser and part of his Covid-19 response team.

Fauci, the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, has been a top official dealing with the pandemic. But President Donald Trump sidelined him at points during the year after Fauci’s stark warnings about the importance of wearing masks, social distancing and halting large-scale gatherings.

“I asked him to stay on the exact same role he’s had for the past several presidents, and I asked him to be a chief medical adviser for me as well, and be part of the Covid team,” Biden said.

— Bart Jansen

California set for new stay-at-home order

California Gov. Gavin Newsom announced a regional stay-at-home order Thursday based on hospital capacity amid a staggering rise in coronavirus cases that could overwhelm the state’s health care system within weeks.

“If we don’t act now, our hospital systems will be overwhelmed. If we don’t act now, death rates will climb,” Newsom said.

The new order divides the state into five regions. Newsom said none of the regions currently meet the threshold for the new rules but projects all will in coming days and weeks.

When they do, the order includes a three-week lockdown that prohibits residents from gathering. If implemented, essential businesses such as grocery stores must operate at 20% capacity; bars, wineries salons and restaurant dining have to shut down; and hotels can only be open for critical infrastructure support.

Schools can remain open if they’ve received a waiver. Restaurants can continue take-out and delivery services, Newsom said. All non-essential travel is restricted statewide, the governor added.

“This is not a permanent state,” Newsom said. “This is what we predicted. This is the final surge of the pandemic. There is a light at the end of the tunnel.”

— Nicole Hayden, Palm Springs Desert Sun

World War II vet beats COVID-19, marks 104th birthday

An Alabama man who spent World War II repairing bomb-damaged trains in France recovered from a fight with COVID-19 in time to mark his 104th birthday on Thursday.

Major Wooten was physically drained and a little fuzzy mentally after battling the new coronavirus but appears to be on the mend, said granddaughter Holley Wooten McDonald.

“I’m just thankful that they were able to treat him so quickly and we were able to get him tested,” said McDonald, adding: “It’s amazing that a 104 year old survived COVID.”

Pfizer chief not sure if vaccinated people can still spread infection

The CEO of Pfizer, maker of the first virus vaccine candidate to seek FDA approval, says he is not sure whether inoculation prevents the vaccinated person from infecting others with COVID-19. Albert Bourla told Dateline NBC, for an episode airing Thursday at 10 p.m. EST, that “this is something that needs to be examined. We are not certain about that right now.” Pfizer could grant emergency use authorization for its vaccine as soon as Dec. 10. Bourla also said he felt an obligation to vaccinate volunteers involved in the testing phase who were given a placebo instead of the vaccine.

“It is a moral and ethical-dilemma and obligation I think that we have to these people,” he said. “I believe that in discussion with regulators, we should find a way, sooner rather than later.”

New York City creating institute to prepare for future epidemics

New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio announced Thursday the creation of the Pandemic Response Institute, dedicated to preparing the city and other jurisdictions for future health emergencies and epidemics. This effort is part of city’s long-term recovery agenda “by building on the network of premier hospital systems, world leading medical universities and growing life sciences and tech sectors to make New York City the public health capital of the world,” de Blasio said in a statement. Building new technologies that detect, track and monitor health issues is among the institute’s goals.

“No city in the county has sacrificed more, or worked harder to keep COVID-19 at bay,” de Blasio said. “It’s time to … move forward with bold ideas to keep New Yorkers healthy and jump-start our economic recovery.”

Virginia county that balked at gun curbs digs in against virus restrictions

A Virginia County that once declared itself a “Second Amendment sanctuary” in defense of gun rights now says it is a “First Amendment sanctuary” and won’t enforce statewide restrictions aimed at curbing the virus outbreak. The rural county’s supervisors unanimously passed a resolution banning the use of county funds to uphold Democratic Gov. Ralph Northam’s mandates, saying they violate the Constitution of Virginia.

“It’s a sad day in the United States of America and the Commonwealth of Virginia when a governor using unlegislated mandates is harassing, fining citizens, business owners and elected officials, forcing compliance through fear and intimidation,” Supervisor Matt Cline told The News and Advance.

Northam’s executive order caps gatherings at 25 people and directs restaurants and bars to stop alcohol sales at 10 p.m. and close by midnight. The county’s 7-day average of 32.2 new daily cases reported per 100,000 people is higher than the state’s average of 27.1, according to the Virginia Department of Health.

Delta partners with CDC for international traveler contact tracing

Delta Air Lines is partnering with the CDC to begin coronavirus contact tracing efforts for travelers arriving in the U.S. The airline said in a news release Thursday that the effort is aimed at keeping “international customers informed of potential COVID-19 exposure.”

Beginning Dec. 15, Delta will ask customers traveling to the U.S. from an international location to voluntarily provide information for contact tracing and public health follow-up efforts. Information includes the passenger’s full name, email address, address in the U.S., primary phone number and secondary phone. The release says the data will be “directly and securely transmitting” to the CDC via U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

“This will give the CDC access to the data in moments, dramatically decreasing the time it takes to notify affected customers via local health departments,” Delta says.

– Sara M. Moniuszko

48 NBA players test positive for COVID; season to start Dec. 22

In the NBA, 48 of 546 players tested positive for COVID-19 in the first batch of testing for players who returned to their home market the week of Nov. 24-30, the league and the National Basketball Players Association said Wednesday. That’s an 8.7% positivity rate, slightly less than the 10.2% seven-day average for the U.S., per John Hopkins COVID-19 data tracking web site. The season is scheduled to start Dec. 22.

“Anyone who has returned a confirmed positive test during this initial phase of testing in their team’s market is isolated until they are cleared for leaving isolation under the rules established by the NBA and the Players Association in accordance with CDC guidance,” the NBA and NBPA said in a news release.

– Jeff Zillgitt

Pence visiting with FedEx officials ahead of vaccine distribution

Vice President Mike Pence was bound for Memphis, Tennessee, on Thursday to hold a roundtable discussion on distributing a COVID-19 vaccine. Though a vaccine has not yet been authorized in the U.S., officials are preparing for mass distribution of doses. Pence will be meeting with executives of FedEx, the Memphis-based shipping giant that will be among key transportation players in distributing a COVID-19 vaccine once approved. Operation Warp Speed, the White House-led initiative to develop and distribute vaccines, plans to begin the first vaccine deliveries within 24 hours of FDA authorization.

– Max Garland, Memphis Commercial Appeal

WHO updated social distancing guideline: Stay 3 feet away

The World Health Organization’s latest update on COVID safety guidelines urges extensive use of masks, frequent handwashing and physical distancing of at least three feet. Six feet has been the standard provided by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. WHO also warns to avoid touching your face and urges “adequate ventilation in indoor settings,” plenty of testing, contact tracing, quarantine and isolation. 

Masks should be worn outdoors and in well ventilated indoor spaces where physical distancing of at least three feet can’t be maintained, the guidelines say. In areas of COVID-19 spread, WHO also advised “universal” wearing of medical masks in health care facilities, including when caring for other patients.

IBM analysts warn of phishing attack on overseas vaccine supply chain

IBM analysts have detected a global phishing campaign targeting organizations associated with an overseas supply chain used for vaccine distribution. Spoofed emails impersonating a Chinese biomedical executive targeted organizations that help meet “transportation needs within the COVID-19 cold chain,” analysts wrote. Many vaccines, including those under review for COVID-19, must be kept cool and sometimes frozen during distribution, and the Chinese company whose executive was impersonated is a supplier of low-temperature equipment.

The purpose of the phishing campaign “may have been to harvest credentials, possibly to gain future unauthorized access to corporate networks and sensitive information relating to the COVID-19 vaccine distribution,” analysts Melissa Frydrych and Claire Zaboeva wrote.

– Donovan Slack

CLOSE

Without masks and a vaccine, we could reach Herd Immunity from COVID-19, but deaths would skyrocket. We break down the science of it.

USA TODAY

Will some preschoolers ever catch up after shutdowns?

Countless American preschoolers are falling behind with social and emotional skills after months of shutdowns. Experts say the result could be devastating for the long-term success of many kids given that preschool years are arguably among the most formative of a child’s life. A student who starts kindergarten without preschool is more likely to repeat a grade, require special-education services or drop out, statistics show. 

“Unfortunately, for children, the impact of this pandemic will be felt for years,” said Dimitri Christakis, a pediatrician who directs the Seattle Children’s Hospital Center for Child Health, Behavior and Development. 

– Alia Wong

FacebookTwitterGoogle+LinkedInCoronavirus testing ramps up across the US Fullscreen

Post to Facebook

Posted!

A link has been posted to your Facebook feed.

Hundreds of motorists line up at the Whale’s Tooth parking lot in New Bedford, Mass., to be tested for COVID-19. (Peter Pereira/The Standard-Times via AP) ORG XMIT: MABED301 Peter Pereira, The Standard-Times via APFullscreen

COVID Team member Tameshila Robinson holds a specimen from a patient’s test at the Christ Community Health Services Lamar Emissions Station on Monday, Nov. 30, 2020. The testing site is no cost for those with or without insurance.
Jrca7221 Joe Rondone, Memphis Commercial AppealFullscreen

A health care employee works at a walk-up COVID-19 testing site, Wednesday, Nov. 18, 2020, in Miami. Florida health officials have reported a steady increase in the number of new coronavirus cases each day over the past month and a half, though the numbers are no where near the peak in July. Lynne Sladky, APFullscreen

Medical assistant Linh Nguyen works at a COVID-19 testing site set up at the OC Fairgrounds in Costa Mesa, Calif., Monday, Nov. 16, 2020. Jae C. Hong, APFullscreen

People get tested for COVID-19 at the Reno-Sparks Indian Colony Tribal Health Clinic on Nov. 13, 2020. JASON BEAN via Imagn Content Services, LLCFullscreen

Salt Lake County Health Department public health nurse Lee Cherie Booth performs a coronavirus test outside the Salt Lake County Health Department Thursday, Nov. 5, 2020, in Salt Lake City. Utah Gov. Gary Herbert said he is feeling “frustrated” with the state’s rising coronavirus numbers as new cases and hospitalizations continued a streak of new record highs on Thursday. Rick Bowmer, APFullscreen

El Paso county begins using Ascarate Park as new mega COVID-10 testing site Wednesday, Oct. 28, in El Paso. BRIANA SANCHEZ/EL PASO TIMES, EL PASO TIMES / USA TODAY NetworkFullscreen

Heather Johnson, center, an employee of the Lee County Health Department, administers a COVID-19 test to a woman at a mobile test site behind the North Fort Myers Community Pool on Oct. 17, 2020. Andrew West, Fort Myers News-PressFullscreen

A Rapid Engagement Team, comprised of employees from the Department of Public Health and Social Services, Department of Public Works, Guam Homeland Security/Office of Civil Defense and others, are assisted by Guam National Guard soldiers, during the second day of free COVID-19 testing for the residents living in the Gill Baza and Zero Down subdivisions in Yigo on Friday, Oct. 16, 2020. Of the tests conducted on Thursday with 124 residents at the subdivisions, 48 were tested positive of having contracted COVID-19, said Janela Carrera, DPHSS spokesperson. Rick Cruz/PDNFullscreen

A Wisconsin National Guard COVID-19 testing site opens on Thursday, Oct. 15, 2020, at Appleton North High School, 5000 N. Ballard Road in Appleton, Wis. Wm. Glasheen/USA TODAY NETWORK-WisconsinFullscreen

Technicians’ PPE hangs on cones outside the West Des Moines Test Iowa site at Lutheran Church of Hope on Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2020 in West Des Moines. Brian Powers, Des Moines RegisterFullscreen

A medical worker prepares to collect a sample at the Nations-Tobin Park site Monday, September, 14, 2020. Mark Lambie, El Paso TimesFullscreen

Michael Cordova, 4, tightly holds onto his free lolipop as he reacts to getting a COVID-19 test at the Escambia County Equestrian Center on Mobile Highway in Pensacola on Thursday, August 6, 2020. Gregg Pachkowski, Pensacola News JournalFullscreen

Healthcare workers walk to a tent, Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2020, at a COVID-19 testing site outside Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Fla. State officials say Florida has surpassed 500,000 coronavirus cases. Meanwhile, testing is ramping up following a temporary shutdown of some sites because of Tropical Storm Isaias. Wilfredo Lee, APFullscreen

Cars wait in lines, Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2020, at a COVID-19 testing site outside Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Fla. Wilfredo Lee, APFullscreen

A person is tested for the COVID-19 Coronavirus Tuesday, July 28, 2020 at Cesar Chavez City Park in Phoenix. Matt York, APFullscreen

Department of Public Health and Social Services personnel, health professionals and volunteers collect information and swab samples from residents during an extended outreach for free COVID-19 testing at the Asan-Maina mayor’s office on Thursday, July 23, 2020. Residents were offered the option of walk-up testing or drive-through testing being conducted at the site. Rick Cruz/PDNFullscreen

A swab sample is collected from a resident by Department of Public Health and Social Services personnel during an extended outreach for free COVID-19 testing conducted at the Asan-Maina mayor’s office on Thursday, July 23, 2020. Residents were offered the option of walk-up testing or drive-through testing being conducted at the site. Rick Cruz/PDNFullscreen

Lab technician Zenobia Neal sets up for a COVID-19 test Thursday, July 23, 2020, at Poplar Healthcare in Memphis. Max Gersh / The Commercial AppealFullscreen

Vehicles line up at a rapid COVID-19 testing site early Friday morning, July 24, 2020, at a parking lot near the Advance Medical Urgent Care Center in Naples, Florida. Jon Austria/Naples Daily NewsFullscreen

Specialist Mary Felton hands a test sample to Private Jon-Rena Thomas from the Louisiana Army National Guard as they conduct COVID-19 testing at Cajun Field. Thursday, July 23, 2020. SCOTT CLAUSE/USA TODAY NetworkFullscreen

A boy receives a free COVID-19 test at a St. Johns Well Child & Family Center mobile clinic set up outside Walker Temple AME Church in South Los Angeles amid the coronavirus pandemic on July 15, 2020 in Los Angeles, California. A clinic official said most of the residents they are currently testing in their South L.A. clinics are Latinos. According to the California Department of Health, Latinos are currently 2.9 times more likely than white people to test positive for the coronavirus. California reported over 11,000 new coronavirus infections today, the most in the state in a single day since the pandemic began. Mario Tama, Getty ImagesFullscreen

An aerial view shows a long line of cars July 15, 2020, at a COVID-19 testing site at Dodgers Stadium in Los Angeles. ROBYN BECK, AFP via Getty ImagesFullscreen

Staff at direct cars at a drive-through COVID-19 test site, July 15, 2020 at Dodgers Stadium in Los Angeles, California. – Los Angeles County Public health director Barbara Ferrer said July 15 that “We are in an alarming and dangerous phase” of the coronavirus pandemic and access to testing in hard-hit communities would be dramatically expanded. ROBYN BECK, AFP via Getty ImagesFullscreen

Leiana Smith, a registered nurse, right, explains the COVID-19 testing process to Gustavo Carrillo, left, at a new walk-up site Thursday, July 16, 2020, in the parking lot of 2001 W. Lincoln Ave. in Yakima, Washington. Amanda Ray, APFullscreen

Medical workers from New York wearing personal protective equipments test for the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) at temporary testing site for COVID-19 in Higher Dimensions Church on July 17, 2020 in Houston, Texas. New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo dispatched medical workers from New York State to assist with the spread of COVID-19 in Houston, and particularly in the hard-hit communities of color. Go Nakamura, Getty ImagesFullscreen

The Patients First COVID-19 testing site that was previously causing major traffic back-ups on Mahan and Magnolia drives has now been moved to Northwood Centre. Tori Lynn Schneider/Tallahassee DemocratFullscreen

Workers direct cars as they wait in line for coronavirus testing at Dodger Stadium, July 14, 2020, in Los Angeles. Mark J. Terrill, APFullscreen

Neil Snyder of the Rotary Club assigns tasks to volunteers. Healthcare Network of Southwest Florida teamed up with the City of Marco Island to offer COVID-19 screening at Veterans Community Park Saturday morning, conducting over 375 tests for the virus. Lance Shearer/CorrespondentFullscreen

A COVID-19 testing site sits in front of the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge during the coronavirus outbreak in San Francisco, Saturday, July 11, 2020. Jeff Chiu, APFullscreen

People stand in line to get tested for COVID-19 at a free walk-up testing site on July 11, 2020 in Atlanta, Georgia. With nearly 4,500 new cases of COVID-19 being reported over the previous day the City of Atlanta has rolled back to a Phase I status. Elijah Nouvelage, Getty ImagesFullscreen

Vehicles wait in line at a COVID-19 testing site at the Miami Beach Convention Center during the coronavirus pandemic, Sunday, July 12, 2020, in Miami Beach, Fla. Fla. on Sunday reported the largest single-day increase in positive coronavirus cases in any one state since the beginning of the pandemic. Lynne Sladky, APFullscreen

Cars lineup as they wait for COVID-19 testing by the Army National Guard at the American Back Center in Corpus Christi, Texas on Friday, July 10, 2020. Courtney Sacco, Corpus Christi Caller-TimesFullscreen

People wait in their cars for COVID-19 test at a drive through testing site in the South Mountain Community College parking lot in Phoenix, Ariz. on July 10, 2020. Nick Oza, Arizona RepublicFullscreen

People wait in their cars for COVID-19 test at a drive through testing site in the South Mountain Community College parking lot in Phoenix, Ariz. on July 10, 2020. Nick Oza, Arizona RepublicFullscreen

Nurses and doctors take samples for COVID-19 tests at a drive through testing site in the South Mountain Community College parking lot in Phoenix, Ariz. on July 10, 2020. Nick Oza, Arizona RepublicFullscreen

Registered nurse Keith M. takes a sample from Sharon at a drive-through COVID-19 test site at Austin Emergency Center on South Lamar Boulevard on Wednesday July 8, 2020. [JAY JANNER/AMERICAN-STATESMAN] (Via OlyDrop) Jay Janner, Jay JannerFullscreen

Montgomery County residents wait in line to be tested for the coronavirus in Chevy Chase, Md., on July 8. David Baratz, USA TODAYFullscreen

Drivers wait to be tested for COVID-19 at the Hard Rock Stadium parking lot July 6 in Miami Gardens, Fla. The state is experiencing a spike in coronavirus cases and plans to close some businesses to combat the rise. Joe Raedle, Getty ImagesFullscreen

National Guard Specialist Shumirai Tsikada, right, passes a coronavirus testing kit through the window of truck at the West Side Senior Activity Center in Odessa, Texas on Wednesday, July 1, 2020. Eli Hartman, Odessa American via APFullscreen

An aerial view of people in cars lined up to be tested for COVID-19 in a parking lot at Dodger Stadium amid the coronavirus pandemic on June 26, 2020 in Los Angeles, California. Mario Tama, Getty ImagesFullscreen

Healthcare professional Kenzie Anderson, left, prepares to take a sample from a patient at a United Memorial Medical Center COVID-19 testing site Friday, June 26, 2020, in Houston. David J. Phillip, APFullscreen

Lillian Palacios, left, holds her son, Daniel, 7, as a healthcare professional prepares to take a sample from him at a United Memorial Medical Center COVID-19 testing site Friday, June 26, 2020, in Houston. David J. Phillip, APFullscreen

A Tampa Public Safety Officer signals drivers where to go at a coronavirus testing site at the Lee Davis Community Resource Center on June 25, 2020 in Tampa, Florida. The USF Health system partnered with the Hillsborough County Government to provide coronavirus testing at several location sites throughout the county. Florida is currently experiencing a surge in COVID-19 cases, as the state reached a new record for single-day infections on Wednesday with 5,511 new cases. Octavio Jones, Getty ImagesFullscreen

As the State of Florida’s COVID-19 positive cases continue to rise and an outbreak at Jacksonville’s beaches caused the closure of many popular restaurants and bars lines at the testing site at Lot J outside TIAA Bank Field in Jacksonville, Fla. on June 18, 2020. Bob Self, Florida Times-Union via USA TODAY NetworkFullscreen

Dozens of people line up in their cars for drive-through COVID-19 testing at Baylor Scott & White Clinic in Round Rock, Texas, on Tuesday June 23, 2020. Jay Janner, Austin American-Statesman via USA TODAY NetworkFullscreen

Bob Audette, a reporter for the Brattleboro Reformer, gets COVID-19 test at ClearChoiceMD Urgent Care, in Brattleboro, Vt., on Saturday, May 16, 2020. (Kristopher Radder /The Brattleboro Reformer via AP) ORG XMIT: VTBRA101 Kristopher Radder, The Brattleboro Reformer via APFullscreen

Registered Nurse Joselline Garcia puts a throat swab from a Clay County resident into a specimen vial as healthcare workers performed throat swab testing on Clay County residents for COVID-19 at a drive-through site at Walter Odom Park in Orange Park, Florida Thursday morning, May 14, 2020. Bob Self, Florida Times-Union via USA TODAY NetworkFullscreen

Registered Nurse Nehemiah Nogalski talks with a Clay County resident as he prepares to take a throat swab from them at the drive-through testing line at Walter Odom Park Thursday morning. Healthcare workers performed throat swab testing on Clay County residents for COVID-19 at a drive-through site at Walter Odom Park in Orange Park, Florida Thursday, May 14, 2020. Bob Self, Florida Times-Union via USA TODAY NetworkFullscreen

Physician’s assistant Jessica DeMarco places a swab into a vial after collecting a sample from a patient tested for COVID-19 at the Sangamon County Health Clinic’s drive-up testing site at 2833 South Grand Ave. East in Springfield, Ill., Tuesday, May 12, 2020. Ted Schurter, The State Journal-RegisterFullscreen

Dr. Careyana Brenham waits with a swab to test a patient for COVID-19 at the Sangamon County Health Clinic’s drive-up testing site at 2833 South Grand Ave. East in Springfield, Ill., Tuesday, May 12, 2020. Ted Schurter, The State Journal-RegisterFullscreen

A woman is tested for COVID-19 by the San Antonio Fire Department at a free walk-up test site, Friday, May 8, 2020, in San Antonio. Eric Gay, APFullscreen

Residents of senior public housing wait to be tested for COVID-19 in Paterson, N.J., Friday, May 8, 2020. Seth Wenig, APFullscreen

A driver gets tested for coronavirus at a drive-thru site in a Walmart parking lot in Rochester, N.Y., on May 5. JAMIE GERMANO/ROCHESTER DEMOCRATFullscreen

Jersey City, N.J., started giving residents COVID-19 tests May 4 even if they did not show any symptoms of the virus. Some stood in line for 90 minutes to receive the free test. (Pets were not given tests.) Kevin Wexler, NorthJersey.com / USA TODAY NETWORKFullscreen

Captain Raymond Ortiz is shown while blood is drawn for an antibody test in Jersey City, Monday, May 4, 2020. Kevin Wexler, NorthJersey.com / USA TODAY NETWORKFullscreen

A medical professional works at a drive-thru coronavirus testing site at Cambridge Health Alliance Somerville Hospital on April 28, 2020 in Somerville, Massachusetts. The city of Somerville is offering free testing to any resident who wants it, and requiring residents to wear masks in public spaces in order to combat the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19). Maddie Meyer, Getty ImagesFullscreen

Medical Assistant Courtney Banks steps out of St. Luke’s Miller Creek Medical Clinic to take the temperature of a patient at their drive-thru coronavirus testing site in Duluth, Minn., Monday, April 27, 2020. Alex Kormann, Star Tribune via APFullscreen

Members of the Army National Guard work at a recently opened coronavirus testing site on April 19, 2020 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. Spencer Platt, Getty ImagesFullscreen

Members of the Army National Guard work at a recently opened coronavirus testing site on April 19, 2020 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. Spencer Platt, Getty ImagesFullscreen

The Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency (PEMA) works to set up a COVID-19 mass testing site in the parking lot of Mohegan Sun Arena in Wilkes-Barre Twp., Pa., Saturday, April 18, 2020. The mass testing site in Luzerne County is scheduled to open early next week and it will be the first mass testing site in Northeastern Pennsylvania. Christopher Dolan, APFullscreen

Detail view of a medical professional administering a test for coronavirus (COVID-19) at a drive thru test site on April 18, 2020 in Springfield, Tennessee. Brett Carlsen, Getty ImagesFullscreen

University Medical Center of El Paso registered nurse Claudia Rodriguez works with a coronavirus patient in one of the tents outside the hospital on April 3, 2020. Mark Lambie, El Paso TimesFullscreen

Heath care workers conduct COVID-19 testing at Corpus Christi’s drive-thru testing center at the old CHRISTUS Spohn Memorial Hospital parking lot on Sunday, March 29, 2020. Courtney Sacco, Corpus Christi Caller TimesFullscreen

Cars lineup outside the old CHRISTUS Spohn Memorial Hospital at Corpus Christi’s drive-thru COVID-19 testing center on Sunday, March 29, 2020. Courtney Sacco, Corpus Christi Caller TimesFullscreen

A health care worker hands off a swab specimen to another after doing a test on someone in the back of the ambulance Friday morning, March 27, 2020. Swab testing continues at the federal COVID-19 testing site in Lot J at TIAA Bank Field in Jacksonville, Fla. as the known numbers of those infected by the coronavirus continue to rise. Bob Self, Florida Times-UnionFullscreen

A medical professional administers a COVID-19 test during a drive-thru testing station on March 26, 2020 in Daly City, Calif. New coronavirus testing stations are opening up each day in the San Francisco Bay Area. Justin Sullivan, Getty ImagesFullscreen

Mary Hermiz, Medical Assistant, works at a drive-through coronavirus testing site on March 25, 2020 in Glendale, Arizona. Nick Oza, The Arizona RepublicFullscreen

NCH Baker Hospital staff check documentations from community members wishing to be tested for Coronavirus (COVID-19) on Monday, March 16, 2020, at NCH Baker Hospital in Naples. Jon Austria/Naples Daily News USA TODAY NETWORK – FLORIDAFullscreen

Patients for COVID-19 testing in the parking lot at Maready Medical in Mesa, Ariz. March 23, 2020. Patients were pre-screened through telemedicine before being tested. Michael Chow/The RepublicFullscreen

A health care worker with the UNLV School of Medicine tests a patient for the coronavirus at a drive thru testing site Tuesday, March 24, 2020, in Las Vegas. John Locher, APFullscreen

Laboratory Technologist Roger Knauf, left, and Sarah Dell, test for COVID-19, the illness caused by the new coronavirus at Gravity Diagnostics in Covington, Kentucky Tuesday, March 24, 2020. The work is conducted in a secure area and the actual test is done behind glass. The lab was founded in 2016 and was approved for COVID-19 testing on March 16. The CEO is Tony Remington. Liz Dufour/The EnquirerFullscreen

Cars snake through the parking lots at the PNC Bank Arts Center in Holmdel waiting for a Covid-19 test being done there Tuesday, March 24, 2020. Thomas P. Costello & Tariq ZehawiFullscreen

Nurses Teresa Adkins, left, and Hope Ridgeway work at a Mobile Health Unit for drive-thru coronavirus testing at Robert C. Byrd Clinic on the campus of the West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine in Lewisburg, W.Va., Tuesday, March 24, 2020. The nurses and doctors can test for COVID-19, but also treat flu and allergy symptoms. Jenny Harnish, APFullscreen

A healthcare worker with the University of Nevada, Las Vegas School of Medicine tests a patient for the coronavirus at a drive-through testing site Tuesday, March 24, 2020, in Las Vegas. UNLV Medicine, the clinical arm of the UNLV School of Medicine, started conducting COVID-19 testing by appointment for people who meet the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines. John Locher, APFullscreen

A car goes through the COVID-19 drive-through testing facility Monday, March 23, 2020, at the Memphis fairgrounds. Max Gersh, The Commercial Appeal/ USA TODAY NetworkFullscreen

Police officers direct drivers as they enter Glen Island Park in New Rochelle, N.Y March 22, 2020. The park was the first site set in Westchester County set up for Covid-19 testing. New Rochelle was the epicenter of the spread of the Covid-19 virus after congregants of a neighborhood synagogue were the first to be diagnosed with the virus. Seth Harrison, The Journal News/ USA TODAY NETWOFullscreen

A resident of a long term care facility gets tested for the coronavirus with a nasal swab in The Villages, Florida, in March 2020. Joe Burbank, Orlando Sentinel via APFullscreen

A healthcare worker prepares to swab a driver, Sunday, March 22, 2020, at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Fla. The National Guard opened a coronavirus drive-thru testing site Sunday testing first responders. On Monday, they planned to expand it to people at least 65 years old who are showing symptoms of the illness. Wilfredo Lee, APFullscreen

Stephanie Crilley, R.N., left, and nurse practitioner April Sweeney, at right, prepare to begin testing at the drive-through testing site at the AHN Health + Wellness Pavilion in Millcreek Township, Pa. Saint Vincent Hospital officials expected to test up to 40 patients daily at the site, which opened Friday. All patients tested must have a Saint Vincent Hospital physician referral and appointment. The samples will be tested for flu strains before they’re tested for COVID-19, a new coronavirus. Christopher Millette, Erie Times-News/ USA TODAY NETWORKFullscreen

A police officer waves traffic past the entrance to a drive-through COVID-19 testing center after it reached capacity in Paramus, N.J., Friday, March 20, 2020. The coronavirus testing center opened Friday in Bergen County which has been the state’s hardest-hit area. Gov. Phil Murphy said only those with symptoms should get in line, and not those whom he called the “worried well,” people who are feeling well but are concerned they could be infected. The facility will have the capacity to conduct 2,500 tests a week, according to the governor. Seth Wenig, APFullscreen

Nurse practitioner April Sweeney takes a sample from a patient, March 20, 2020, at the drive-through testing site at the AHN Health + Wellness Pavilion in Millcreek Township, near Erie, Pa. Saint Vincent Hospital officials expected to test up to 40 patients daily at the site, which opened Friday. All patients tested must have a Saint Vincent Hospital physician referral and appointment. The samples will be tested for flu strains before they’re tested for COVID-19, a new coronavirus. Christopher Millette, ERIE TIMES-NEWS/ USA TODAY NetworkFullscreen

Medical personnel administer tests to New Jersey residents at the drive-through coronavirus testing center at Bergen County Community College in Paramus New Jersey on Friday, March 20, 2020. John Meore, The Journal News/USA TODAY NETWORKFullscreen

A sign sits on a barrier at a coronavirus COVID-19 drive thru testing location operated by Murphy Medical Associates at Cummings Park on March 20, 2020 in Stamford, Conn. John Moore, Getty ImagesFullscreen

A health worker directs motorists at a coronavirus COVID-19 drive thru testing location operated by Murphy Medical Associates at Cummings Park on March 20, 2020 in Stamford, Conn. John Moore, Getty ImagesFullscreen

Workers wearing protective clothing conduct test samples inside a plastic tent, Thursday, March 19, 2020, at a state-managed coronavirus drive-through testing site that just opened on Staten Island in New York. It is the first drive-through site in New York City, although there others located in New Rochelle and at Jones Beach on Long Island, and more around the state. Kathy Willens, APFullscreen

A member of the New York state National Guard holds a sign for drivers who came for COVID-19 testing, Thursday, March 19, 2020, at a state-managed coronavirus drive-through test site operating on it’s first day on Staten Island in New York. Kathy Willens, APFullscreen

Hospital personnel assist people at a coronavirus screening tent outside the Brooklyn Hospital Center, Thursday, March 19, 2020 in New York. If they determine that someone may have the virus they are brought into the hospital for a full test. Mark Lennihan, APFullscreen

Moriyah Cox, left, and Raisa Wheeler, both with Mt. Hope EMS, work on flu and coronavirus tests during drive-thru testing by the Fayette County Health Department in Oak Hill, W.V. on Thursday, March 19, 2020. Chris Jackson, The Register-Herald via APFullscreen

Georgia Esoteric and Molecular (GEM) Lab research associate Yasmeen Jilani, seated, tests possible coronavirus samples at the GEM lab at the Medical College of Georgia in Augusta, Ga., Thursday morning March 19, 2020. Michael Holahan, The Augusta Chronicle/ USA TODAY NetworkFullscreen

Healthcare workers screen patients who will be tested for COVID-19 at the FoundCare drive-thru testing station in Palm Springs, Fla. on March 19, 2020. Greg Lovett, The Palm Beach Post/ USA TODAY NetworkFullscreen

Healthcare worker Ludnie Emile prepares to test people for COVID-19 at their drive-thru coronavirus testing station in Palm Springs, Fla. on March 19, 2020. Greg Lovett, The Palm Beach Post/ USA TODAY NetworkFullscreen

New York State Department of Health worker gives instructions to a person seeking a coronavirus test at a COVID-19 drive-through testing site at Jones Beach State Park on Long Island, Wednesday, March 18, 2020, in Wantagh, N.Y. New York is among roughly ten states that have set up their own drive-through testing centers, as state and local leaders look to compensate for an acute shortage of tests in the United States. Kathy Willens, APFullscreen

A view of a checkpoint prior to entering to be tested for the coronavirus at Jones Beach State Park in New York. Andy Marlin, USA TODAY NETWORKFullscreen

Clark Drobek works at processing collections of swabs taken from various patients to see if they tested negative or positive for the Coronavirus COVID-19. The pathology and laboratory medicine labs at the Henry Ford Hospital on W. Grand Blvd in Detroit , Mich. were very busy on March 17, 2020 with many medical technologists and laboratory managers working long hours. Eric Seals, Detroit Free Press via USA TODAY NETWORKFullscreen

Health care staff from the Community Health of South Florida, Inc. (CHI) prepare to test people for the coronavirus in the parking lot of its Doris Ison Health Center on March 18, 2020 in Miami, Fla. Joe Raedle, Getty ImagesFullscreen

Registered nurses and patient care technicians wait for their next patient to drive up to be tested for the coronavirus at Christenberry Fieldhouse in Augusta, Ga. Michael Holahan, The Augusta Chronicle/ USA TODAY NetworkFullscreen

Individuals are tested for COVID-19, also known as the coronavirus at a mobile clinic set up in the parking lot at the Mayo Clinic Hospital in Phoenix on the morning of March 18, 2020. Only Mayo Clinic patients with a doctor’s order could use the mobile clinic. A slow but steady stream of vehicles was passing through the mobile clinic on Wednesday morning. David Wallace, The Republic/ USA TODAY NETWORKFullscreen

A medical worker tests a person for the coronavirus at a drive-through facility primarily for first responders and medical personnel in San Antonio, Tuesday, March 17, 2020. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott said, “This is not a time to panic. It’s not as if we have never been through this before. We’ve been through this many, many times.” Eric Gay, APFullscreen

A technician prepares COVID-19 coronavirus patient samples for testing at a laboratory in New York’s Long Island. Wide scale testing is a critical part of tracking and containing infectious diseases. But the U.S. effort has been plagued by a series of missteps. John Minchillo, APFullscreen

Interested in this topic? You may also want to view these photo galleries:

Replay

1 of 100

2 of 100

3 of 100

4 of 100

5 of 100

6 of 100

7 of 100

8 of 100

9 of 100

10 of 100

11 of 100

12 of 100

13 of 100

14 of 100

15 of 100

16 of 100

17 of 100

18 of 100

19 of 100

20 of 100

21 of 100

22 of 100

23 of 100

24 of 100

25 of 100

26 of 100

27 of 100

28 of 100

29 of 100

30 of 100

31 of 100

32 of 100

33 of 100

34 of 100

35 of 100

36 of 100

37 of 100

38 of 100

39 of 100

40 of 100

41 of 100

42 of 100

43 of 100

44 of 100

45 of 100

46 of 100

47 of 100

48 of 100

49 of 100

50 of 100

51 of 100

52 of 100

53 of 100

54 of 100

55 of 100

56 of 100

57 of 100

58 of 100

59 of 100

60 of 100

61 of 100

62 of 100

63 of 100

64 of 100

65 of 100

66 of 100

67 of 100

68 of 100

69 of 100

70 of 100

71 of 100

72 of 100

73 of 100

74 of 100

75 of 100

76 of 100

77 of 100

78 of 100

79 of 100

80 of 100

81 of 100

82 of 100

83 of 100

84 of 100

85 of 100

86 of 100

87 of 100

88 of 100

89 of 100

90 of 100

91 of 100

92 of 100

93 of 100

94 of 100

95 of 100

96 of 100

97 of 100

98 of 100

99 of 100

100 of 100

AutoplayShow ThumbnailsShow CaptionsLast SlideNext Slide

Former presidents line up to get vaccine and build public confidence

Former Presidents Barack Obama, George W. Bush and Bill Clinton are volunteering to get inoculated on camera once COVID-19 vaccines win FDA approval. The three most recent former presidents hope an awareness campaign would be a powerful message as American public health officials try to persuade the public to take the vaccine, CNN reports. 

Freddy Ford, Bush’s chief of staff, said the 43rd president had reached out to Dr. Anthony Fauci – the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases and the nation’s top infectious disease expert – and Dr. Deborah Birx, the White House coronavirus response coordinator.

“First, the vaccines need to be deemed safe and administered to the priority populations,” Ford told CNN. “Then, President Bush will get in line for his, and will gladly do so on camera.”

Hawaiian couple arrested for boarding flight after positive test

A Hawaiian couple that boarded a flight from San Francisco to Lihue, Hawaii, after knowingly testing positive for COVID-19 have been arrested. 

The Kaua‘i Police Department confirmed to USA TODAY that Wailua residents Wesley Moribe and Courtney Peterson were taken into custody Sunday after “placing the passengers of the flight in danger of death.” Moribe and Peterson were charged with reckless endangering. They both posted bail at $1,000 each.

According to a police report, Moribe, 41, and Peterson, 46, were ordered by the Quarantine Station at the San Francisco International Airport to isolate after testing positive for the highly contagious virus. The couple, however, defied airport orders and boarded a United Airlines flight from San Francisco to the islands. Moribe and Peterson were accompanied by a 4-year-old child. 

– Cydney Henderson

COVID-19 resources from USA TODAY 

In your inbox: Stay up to date with the latest news on the coronavirus pandemic from the USA TODAY Network. Sign up for the daily Coronavirus Watch newsletter. Tips for coping: Every Saturday and Tuesday we’ll be in your inbox, offering you a virtual hug and a little bit of solace in these difficult times. Sign up for Staying Apart, Together.On Facebook: A lot is still unknown about the coronavirus. But what we do know, we’re sharing with you. Join our Facebook group, Coronavirus Watch, to receive daily updates in your feed and chat with others in the community about COVID-19.

Source