US Covid cases: Biden team warn Trump hurting virus work as death toll hits highest day in 6 months

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coronavirus-us (AP)

The Biden team has warned about the negative impact Donald Trump and his administration has had on the coronavirus pandemic surging across the United States, while vowing to be ready on day one to respond to the novel virus. “There is a transition plan and we’re translating that plan into a blueprint for action,” Rick Bright, a member of Joe Biden’s Covid-19 advisory board said.  

The United States has hit multiple grim milestones amid the coronavirus pandemic within the last week. In just one week, the US posted more than one million new Covid-19 cases, bringing the total case number to over 11.3 million, according to Johns Hopkins University. Hospitalisations are also on the rise, as 19 states recorded record highs on Tuesday alone. 

On Wednesday, the US passed more than 250,000 deaths from Covid-19, according to reports. The country also posted its highest daily death toll in six months on Tuesday after 1,707 people died from the novel virus. 

Increased cases, hospitalisations, and death tolls encouraged state leaders to implement strict coronavirus guidelines and restrictions in an effort to curb the spread of the novel virus. In Minnesota, Governor Tim Walz was expected to announce the closure of gyms and in-person dining on Wednesday night due to the current surge. 

Kentucky was also expected to implement stricter coronavirus restrictions on Wednesday afternoon due to the current surge in cases. 

In better news, two companies are reporting strong data from the final phase of their coronavirus vaccine trials. Both Moderna and Pfizer announced that their coronavirus vaccines proved to be 90 per cent effective or more against the coronavirus with no serious safety risks. It was anticipated for them to file for emergency authorisation with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the coming days.

Key Points

• US death toll tops 250,000 dead from Covid-19
• White House press secretary calls restrictions ‘Orwellian’
• Pfizer to apply for emergency authorisation on Friday
• Minnesota governor to implement stricter restrictions

[18 November 2020 18:18 · Danielle Zoellner]

Biden’s Covid-19 adviser says administration will be ready ‘on day one’

“We will be ready on day one,” Rick Bright, a member of President-elect Joe Biden’s Covid-19 advisory board told CNN on Wednesday. 

Concerns were raised that the Biden administration would have to start from scratch with its response to the pandemic given the Trump administration’s unwillingness to assist in the current transition period. But Mr Bright said otherwise. 

“There is a transition plan and we’re translating that plan into a blueprint for action,” he said, adding that the advisory board has been in contact with a variety of healthcare professionals during this period. 

He went on the slam how the Trump administration has responded to the coronavirus pandemic since it hit the country earlier this year

“We’ve waited 10 months for a plan to be shared with the American public and health care experts on the vaccine program. We waited for a plan on national testing strategies. We waited for plans on ramp-up of production of PPE and other critical medical supplies,” Mr Bright said. “We haven’t yet seen any of those plans. I don’t think those plans exist.”

He added: “The Trump administration unfortunately has politicised so much of this response, including the vaccine,” he said. “And there are many Americans across our country who are hesitant on whether or not they can trust this vaccine because of the political pressure that we've seen from the Trump administration.”

[18 November 2020 18:40 · Danielle Zoellner]

US record’s highest single-day death toll in six months

The United States recorded 1,707 people dying from the coronavirus on Tuesday, the highest single-day death toll the country has posted in the last six months. 

For the last week, the country has averaged about 1,100 deaths per day. 

This comes as the country has hit surpassed 250,000 Americans dying from the novel virus on Wednesday, NBC News first reports. 

Cases and hospitalisations are also surging in the vast majority of states across the country, encouraging state leaders to implement stricter coronavirus restrictions. 

[18 November 2020 19:01 · Danielle Zoellner]

Stanford University distances itself from Trump coronavirus adviser

Dr Scott Atlas has become on of Donald Tump’s top coronavirus adviser’s amid the pandemic. But the neurologist, who has no public health experience, has sparked controversy for making several questionable statements.

Just over the weekend, Dr Atlas encouraged Michigan residents to “rise up” against the coronavirus restrictions Governor Gretchen Whitmer put in place due to a current surge in cases and hospitalisations. This sparked backlash, as people said Dr Atlas was encouraging violence. 

Dr Atlas is a senior fellow at the Hoover Institution, a conservative think tank affiliated with Stanford University, but he is currently on leave while working for the Trump administration on the White House coronavirus task force. 

The university released a statement about Dr Atlas following questions about his association with the college. 

“Dr. Atlas has expressed views that are inconsistent with the university’s approach in response to the pandemic. Dr. Atlas’s statements reflect his personal views, not those of the Hoover Institution or the university,” the statement read. 

“Stanford’s position on managing the pandemic in our community is clear.  We support using masks, social distancing, and conducting surveillance and diagnostic testing.  We also believe in the importance of strictly following the guidance of local and state health authorities,” it added. 

[18 November 2020 19:27 · Danielle Zoellner]

Delta Air Lines to block booking middle seats through March

Delta Air Lines announced it would continue to not book the middle seats of flights through March. 

The company made the decision earlier this year to block the seats in an effort to keep customers distanced from each other on a flight. 

Delta has become the only airline to make the commitment amid the coronavirus pandemic. 

United and American Airlines started booking middle seats over the summer. Southwest Airlines said in September it would start booking middle seats after 30 November following Thanksgiving, and the company has not indicated if that would change. JetBlue has been operating at 70 per cent capacity as of late and indicated it would start to increase its capacity.