Immune To COVID? New Study Suggests Why

More than 600,000 people have died from COVID-19 around the world.

The grim milestone was reached as worldwide cases topped 14 million and two of the most well-respected organizations tracking the disease reported record numbers of new cases in recent days.

The United States alone accounts for nearly one quarter of the worldwide deaths and cases, with more than 3.7 million known infections and at least 140,369 deaths as of Sunday, according to data compiled by Johns Hopkins University.

Brazil has confirmed more than 2 million cases, the second highest in the world, while India has reported just over 1 million. Russia and South Africa, in that order, follow with the most cases.

There are more than 14.3 million known cases of COVID-19 worldwide, but experts think the actual numbers are higher because of testing shortages and shortfalls in the way data is collected.

Both Johns Hopkins and the World Health Organization reported record daily numbers of new infections worldwide in the past few days, with new cases topping 250,000 in a single day for the first time since the pandemic began.

Latest Developments

United States

-The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention added cancer to its list of pre-existing conditions that could make people more vulnerable to severe complications from COVID-19. The list, updated on Friday, already included conditions such as chronic kidney disease, Type 2 diabetes, diabetes and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

-Coronavirus deaths in more than 20 states are higher now than they were at the end of June, accordoing to The Washington Post.

-Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards said Sunday that his state has the third highest number of cases per capita in the U.S. "COVID-19 is more rampant in Louisiana now than it has ever been. We now have a statewide epidemic, it is no longer one or two regions driving case growth," Edwards posted on Twitter. "It's on all of us to do better and wear masks in public, practice social distancing and avoid congregating."

-A doctor in Houston says the situation there is worse than it was after Hurricane Harvey, according to The Associated Press. At least two dozen hospitals had to be evacuated as Harvey swamped the city with flood waters in September 2017. “I’ve never seen anything like this COVID surge,” Dr. Alison Haddock of the Baylor College of Medicine, who has worked in emergency rooms for more than a decade, said. “We’re doing our best, but we’re not an ICU.” Harvey killed at least 82 people in Texas. COVID-19 has claimed the lives of nearly 4,000.

-Texas Gov. Greg Abbott announced Sunday that five US Navy teams are deploying to four locations "to help meet medical needs in hospitals throughout the state." The governor said in a news release that the teams, which include medical and support professionals, are going to Harlingen, Del Rio, Eagle Pass and Rio Grande City.

-Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti told CNN the city is on the “brink” of another stay-at-home order as coronavirus cases continue to surge. More than 153,000 people in Los Angeles are known to have been infected with COVID-19 and at least 4,084 have died.

-Georgia reported more than 4,700 new cases Saturday, a record high for a single day. The state has recorded more than 139,000 cases overall and at least 3,168 deaths.

-North Carolina, Wisconsin and Missouri also saw record daily increases in cases on Saturday.

Worldwide:

-The Australian city of Melbourne ordered anyone who leaves their homes to wear a mask, as infections there continue to spread. Anyone who violates the rule could be fined $140, the AP reported. The city and some surrounding areas are already under a lockdown order issued earlier this month. The state of Victoria, where Melbourne is located, has recorded more than 5,600 cases of COVID-19, about half the total number in Australia overall.

-All non-essential civil servants in Hong Kong are being told to work from home amid a spike in cases. Masks are also required in all public places. Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam characterized the situation as “really critical” and said there is no sign that it is under control.

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.