Immune To COVID? New Study Suggests Why

Anyone attending President Trump's upcoming campaign rally must waive liability in case they get sick with COVID-19, some states and cities are pausing reopening plans amid a spike in cases, and drinking is now allowed on the Atlantic City Boardwalk as the coronavirus pandemic in the U.S. and worldwide continues.

The United States has recorded more than 2 million known cases of COVID-19 and at least 114,357 deaths, according to data tracked by Johns Hopkins University. Worldwide, there have been more than 423,500 deaths and 7.5 million infections.

Latest Updates

United States:

-Two more big summertime events in Illinois have been canceled to the pandemic. The Illinois State Fair and the Du Quoin State Fair won't be held this year, Gov. J.B. Pritzker announced Friday.

-People who attend President Donald Trump's upcoming campaign rally must submit a form agreeing not to sue the campaign, the venue or anyone else affiliated with the event. Online registration for the June 19 Trump rally in Tulsa, Oklahoma, carries this disclaimer: "By clicking register below, you are acknowledging that an inherent risk of exposure to COVID-19 exists in any public place where people are present. By attending the Rally, you and any guests voluntarily assume all risks related to exposure to COVID-19 and agree not to hold Donald J. Trump for President, Inc.; BOK Center; ASM Global; or any of their affiliates, directors, officers, employees, agents, contractors, or volunteers liable for any illness or injury."

-Oregon Gov. Kate Brown is putting state reopening plans on hold for at least a week, due to an increase in COVID-19 infections. "This one-week pause will give public health experts time to assess what factors are driving the spread of the virus," Brown said Thursday night. "I will use the data we see in the next week to determine whether to lift this pause or extend it."

-Utah is also pausing the lifting of restrictions, as is Nashville.

-More than half a million people went through TSA checkpoints at U.S. airports on Thursday, the highest number since travel was mostly halted in March due to the coronavirus pandemic. The number is still well below the 2.7 million travelers on the same day last year, according to CNN.

-Seeking to boost tourism amid the coronavirus pandemic, Atlantic City is now allowing people to stroll the city's famous boardwalk while sipping an alcoholic beverage. Mayor Marty Small issued an executive order allowing for the public consumption of alcohol including to-go drinks served by local establishments, The Associated Press reported. “It's the Bourbon Street vibe we're going for,” restaurant owner Pat Fasano said. “Having the ability to sell drinks to go is definitely helpful because: Who's in the bars now? No one."

-Puerto Rico announced that it will reopen to tourists starting July 15.

Worldwide:

-It took nearly 100 days for coronavirus cases in Africa to rise to 100,000. But that number doubled over the next 18 days, according to the World Health organization. Part of the reason for the soaring numbers may be due to increased testing, The New York Times reported, but community transmission has been confirmed in half of Africa's 54 countries.

-The British economy shrunk by 20% in April, putting it at levels not seen in nearly 20 years, according to the AP.

For the latest coronavirus information in your county and a full list of important resources to help you make the smartest decisions regarding the disease, check out our dedicated COVID-19 page.

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