The death toll from the coronavirus in the US has exceeded 175,000.
A new coronavirus pandemic has now killed more than 795,000 people worldwide.
More than 22.9 million people worldwide have been diagnosed with COVID-19, the disease caused by the new respiratory virus, according to data compiled by the Center for Systems Science and Engineering at Johns Hopkins University. The actual numbers are thought to be much higher due to lack of testing, many unreported cases and suspicions that some national governments are hiding or downplaying the extent of their outbreaks.
The United States is the least affected country in the world, with more than 5.6 million diagnosed cases and at least 175,409 deaths.
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Here’s how the news develops today. All times Eastern. Please refresh this page for updates.
8:51 p.m .: 51 quarantine students after positive tests at the University of Miami
Four students tested positive for COVID-19 at the University of Miami, the school said, and asked 51 students to quarantine.
The students who tested positive in Hecht Residential College, however, were “immediately” removed and placed in another location to isolate, according to a university statement.
The quarantine for the 51 other students only applies to those who live on the 7th and 8th floors of the building.
“The University of Miami has taken unusual steps to reorganize the campus to ensure physical distance and create a safe environment,” the school said in a statement. “Face coverings are required at all times, unless students are in their room.”
8:22 am: 15 Minnesota COVID-19 infections linked to Sturgis
At least 15 cases of the new coronavirus in Minnesota have been linked to the massive annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally in South Dakota, according to state health officials. They think these numbers will only increase.
“I think we expect to see many more cases related to Sturgis. Thousands of people are attending that event,” Kris Ehresmann, Minnesota Department of Health Director of Infectious Diseases, said at a news conference Friday. “It simply came to our notice then.
Ehresmann said because it takes time for people to develop symptoms, take a test and for officials to get those results, “these will not be the only cases we see.”
One of those 15 Minnesotans who were in Sturgis and diagnosed with COVID-19, one is currently hospitalized.
In any case, officials said these 15 people were at multiple bars and campsites in Sturgis. All those who went to Sturgis were advised to be self-isolating for 14 days once they were home.
The city of Sturgis began testing all of the city’s employees along with some first responders on Friday, according to ABC News’ KOTA branch.
6:10 am: 32 cases of COVID-19, 1 death linked to Maine marriage
At least 32 positive cases of coronavirus and now the death of a woman have been linked to an August 7 wedding reception at the Big Moose Inn in Millinocket, Maine, according to local health officials.
The woman died Friday, 14 days since the outbreak.
Millinocket Regional Hospital reported that it had 366 people linked to the wedding. The hospital is still waiting for 103 of those tests, it said in a statement Friday.
“All positive patients were contacted immediately, given care instructions and further instructed to quarantine,” said Robert Peterson, CEO of Millinocket Regional Hospital, in a statement. “The CDC has contacted tracing on all positive patients to determine the full extent of the outbreak.”
Due to the outbreak, the health care facility said it has a no-visit policy and will limit its services to essential medical care only through August 30th.
The Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention said 65 people attended the reception and that all confirmed cases, as of Aug. 17, are tied to Maine residents.
The executive commission of Maine Gov. Janet T. Mills says indoor capacity is 50 and outdoor capacity is 100 in the state. The state says it is in contact with the event space about following those requirements in relation to the outbreak.
Maine is one of the least-affected states in the U.S., with only 4,286 cases and 129 confirmed deaths since the pandemic began.
What to know about coronavirus:
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