The 600,000 case benchmark could be passed later today.
The global coronavirus pandemic has now killed more than 803,000 people worldwide, almost a quarter of those in the US
More than 23.1 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 tests of deficits, 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, with more than 5.6 million diagnosed cases and at least 176,345 deaths.
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2:02 a.m.: Coronavirus cases in Florida due to grim milestone
Florida is approaching a grim milestone, as total confirmed cases of coronavirus are on the verge of exceeding 600,000. The total number of cases currently stands at 597,597.
New daily cases have been more than 4,000 since August 19, so the chance that the state will pass is 600,000 if new cases are reported later today.
If so, Florida would only be the second state to do so, behind California.
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1:11 am: 17 more students test positive for COVID in Georgia Tech Greek housebreaking
Georgia Tech officials said Saturday that 33 more students tested positive for COVID-19 on campus, including 17 members of the same Greek residence.
Officials with Sigma Phi Epsilon said Saturday night that the outbreak was at their residence.
At least eight other students in Greek housing tested positive at the end of last week, but it is unclear if all of those students live in the Sigma Phi Epsilon house.
“In addition to the cluster of Greek homes living in the same Greek residence near the campus, reported via a campus communication yesterday, 17 more members of the organization tested positive today,” officials wrote.
School officials did not identify which Greek organization was affected, but Sigma Phi Epsilon issued a statement confirming it was her home on Saturday night.
“Over the past several days, we have dealt with a spike in COVID-19 cases among our members,” the organization wrote on Instagram. “From three days ago, our home was locked to non-residents, and we worked closely with our Alumni and Volunteer Corporation, the Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life and Georgia Tech Administration to test and isolate all other members of our chapter. members, in accordance with requests from the administration. ”
Officials said all occupants of the home have been checked and Georgia Tech is turning the residence into an isolation location. Students who do not test positive will move elsewhere to quarantine.
“If you have recently been in contact with residents of Greek housing, please come and test one of Georgia Tech’s free trials,” officials wrote.
Students returned to class on August 17 at Georgia Tech. Students held a die-in on campus that day, protesting against returning to instruction.
At least 251 students at Tech have tested positive for the virus.
ABC News’ Ahmad Hemingway contributed to this report.
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