At least five virus outbreaks in New Jersey are linked to Halloween parties, health officials say
From CNN's Evan Simko-Bednarski and Sheena Jones
At least five Covid-19 outbreaks in New Jersey are linked to Halloween parties, the US state's Department of Health spokeswoman Donna Leusner told CNN.
Leusner said the outbreaks include 70 cases from Halloween parties and other gatherings among students, quoting New Jersey Health Commissioner Judy Persichilli.
"According to Commissioner Persichilli, all social gatherings outside of immediate family are a concern. If you let your guard down, you could be exposed and not even know it if someone is asymptomatic," Leusner added.
"For example, we know of 10 outbreaks among hockey teams. Since the second week of November, we know of five outbreaks totaling 70 cases from Halloween parties and other social gatherings among students."
CNN is tracking the spread of Covid-19 across the US here:
Croatian football captain told of positive test result during match
From CNN's Zayn Nabbi in London and Antonia Mortensen in Milan
Domagoj Vida of Croatia is pictured during a match on September 5, in Porto, Portugal. Pedro Fiúza/NurPhoto/Getty Images
Croatian football captain Domagoj Vida has been placed in self-isolation after he learned he had Covid-19 during his country's match against Turkey on Thursday night.
Vida and the rest of his Croatia teammates tested negative on Monday, but the Besiktas centre-back's Wednesday morning test came back positive. He learned of the result during the match's half-time break on Thursday.
In addition to Vida, one member of the Croatian Football Federation delegation tested positive for the coronavirus, but a federation spokesperson said the man "was not in contact with national team members or staff members."
Croatia has a total of 75,922 Covid-19 cases and 925 deaths according to Johns Hopkins University.
7:04 a.m. ET, November 12, 2020
Trump's stunning abdication of leadership comes as pandemic worsens in US
Analysis from CNN's Stephen Collinson
President Donald Trump had predicted in almost every campaign rally that the media would stop talking about the coronavirus pandemic the day after the election. But as it turns out, no one is ignoring the worsening tragedy more than the President himself.
He's spending time with advisers, not strategizing on how to tame the out-of-control health emergency but seeking a path to win an election already declared lost. He's also found time to purge the top leadership of the Pentagon, and with few appointments on his public schedule appears to spend his days watching news coverage and tweeting misinformation about voter fraud.
In essence, Trump, his family and his advisers are spending all their energy desperately trying to save a job -- the presidency -- that he appears to have no intention of doing in any meaningful sense.
Germany’s infection rate is "flattening," disease control chief says
From CNN's Nadine Schmidt in Berlin and Rob Iddiols in London
Lothar Wieler, head of the Robert Koch Institute, addresses a news conference on the coronavirus situation in Germany, in Berlin, on November 12. Markus Schreiber/Pool/AFP/Getty Images
Germany’s Covid-19 infection rate is “flattening” and provides reason to be “cautiously optimistic,” according to the head of the country's Robert Koch Institute for infectious diseases (RKI).
The curve is flattening and it shows that we are not helpless against the virus,” Lothar Wieler said at a virtual press briefing on Thursday.
“But we don't yet know whether this is a stable development,” he added.
Wieler said it remains unclear if the slower coronavirus spread can be attributed to new Covid-19 restrictions introduced earlier this month or if the dip is because of limited lab capacity.
He warned that the overall number of infections remains “very high” and is rising in all of Germany, and that he expects hospitals to reach capacity.
He also said that it is “very likely” that the RKI is underreporting Covid-19 patients being treated in hospitals.
On Thursday, the number of confirmed coronavirus cases in the country rose by 21,866 -- the second highest daily record since the outbreak began -- to 727,553, according to RKI.
The death toll rose by 215 to 11,982, the institute reported.
Germany recorded its highest daily infection number of more than 23,300 on November 7.
Wieler said the country is currently experiencing a very high number of Covid-19 infections in people aged between 10-19 years old.
“Infection numbers can be brought down if we pull ourselves together,” he said, adding that measures such as social distancing and facial mask wearing can help stop the spread of the virus.
Germany has reimposed lockdown measures to try to slow the rate of Covid-19 infection. The country has limited bars, restaurants and cafes to take-out and delivery services, and limited the amount of people who can gather in public or private settings.
6:05 a.m. ET, November 12, 2020
Ukrainian president hospitalized with Covid-19 as country hits new case record
From CNN's Matthew Chance, Tim Lister and Simon Cullen
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky reviews the Slovak guard of honor during a ceremony on his official visit to Slovakia in September. Vladimir Simicek/AFP/Getty Images
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is being treated in hospital for Covid-19, his spokesperson has said, as the country registers a record increase in new infections.
Zelensky confirmed on Monday that he had contracted Covid-19.
His spokesperson said the president was moved to hospital on Tuesday “because there are better conditions for self-isolation and care for patients with coronavirus infection.”
The president's office says Zelensky has continued to work while in hospital, including a phone meeting with German Chancellor Angela Merkel.
On Thursday, Ukraine reported 11,057 new cases of coronavirus – the largest one day increase since the pandemic began.
According to government data, there have now been 500,865 cases in total, and 9,145 deaths across Ukraine.
5:27 a.m. ET, November 12, 2020
UK’s biggest food bank network saw 47% increase in need
From CNN's Rob Iddiols in London
The UK’s biggest food bank network, the Trussell Trust, saw a 47% increase in need between April and September, according to figures released on Thursday.
More than 1.2 million emergency food parcels were given to people struggling to afford essentials between April 1 and September 30, making it the busiest ever half-year period for food banks. Over 470,000 of the parcels went to children.
In April, the network's busiest ever month, the volume of food handed out went up by 59% compared with the same time in 2019.
However, the charity warned that these figures are only “the tip of the iceberg," as many people will have been helped by other community groups.
On Sunday, the UK government reversed its decision not to extend free school meals for low-income families over the Christmas holidays during the coronavirus pandemic, following a campaign by Manchester United and England footballer Marcus Rashford.
5:01 a.m. ET, November 12, 2020
What architecture could look like after Covid
From CNN's Stephanie Bailey
UAE-based Tariq Khayyat Design Partners designed "Walk of Life," a space that uses visual cues to encourage social distancing, and monitors people's movement. Downtown Design
As the world continues to battle coronavirus, designers are re-imagining how public spaces can let people come together, while keeping them safe.
"The Shape of Things to Come," an exhibition in Dubai, is offering a glimpse of what architecture and design could look like in a post-Covid world -- with ideas ranging from a nightclub that keeps dancers at a distance, to an inflatable pod that envelops tables at restaurants.
One design imagines a space that uses visual cues to encourage social distancing, and monitors people's movement.
Featuring over 25 Middle Eastern design practices, it showcases new concepts, product designs, and installations from architects and interior designers. The exhibition is part of the six-day Dubai Design Week.
If you're just joining us, here's the latest on the coronavirus pandemic
Police checks people's movement permits at a roadblock in central Athens, Greece on November 7, the first day of a three-week lockdown. Louisa Gouliamaki/AFP/Getty Images
Parts of the United States are reporting a record rises in cases, while countries in Europe tighten coronavirus restrictions. Here's the latest on the pandemic:
United States
The United States has set a record for the second consecutive day for the number of people hospitalized with Covid-19, according to the Covid Tracking Project (CTP).
Hospitals in the United States are coming under immense strain as some reach full capacity and others face threats of strikes by staff.
A number of states -- including Utah, Kentucky and New Mexico -- reported record daily totals of new coronavirus cases Wednesday.
Navajo Nation -- a tribal area spanning parts of Arizona, New Mexico and Utah -- has more than doubled the number of communities with "uncontrolled spread" of Covid-19.
The reigning NBA champion, the Los Angeles Lakers, announced Wednesday that the team will not allow fans to attend home games at Staples Center until further notice.
Europe
Greece will impose a tighter national curfew from Friday, with movement restricted between 9 p.m. and 5 a.m. unless it's necessary for work, health reasons, or to walk pets close to home.
Sweden plans to further tighten its coronavirus restrictions by banning the sale of alcohol after 10 p.m. and closing bars and restaurants at 10.30 p.m.
France has reported a rise in Covid-19 cases -- even though it's been under a nationwide lockdown for the past two weeks.
Spanish authorities will require visitors from high-risk countries to show proof of a negative Covid-19 PCR test, carried out no longer than 72 hours before they arrive. The country is now the fourth in Europe to report more than 40,000 deaths.
4:05 a.m. ET, November 12, 2020
Fewer than half of Americans are very likely to comply with another lockdown, polling shows
From CNN’s Lauren Mascarenhas
Washington Street is seen mostly empty in San Francisco, California on March 17, the first day of a Stay Home order to slow the spread of the coronavirus. Josh Edelson/AFP/Getty Images
Fewer than half of Americans say are very likely to comply with another lockdown, despite growing concerns over the coronavirus pandemic, the latest Gallup polling shows.
About 49% of Americans polled between October 19 and November 1 said they would be very likely to stay home for a month if health officials recommend it following a coronavirus outbreak in their community, down from 67% in the spring.
While 18% said they were somewhat likely to comply, a third of respondents said they would be unlikely to comply with lockdown orders -- double the rate seen in the spring.
Though Americans are less willing to stay at home, the results show they are more worried about the pandemic, with 61% saying they believe the situation is getting worse, compared to 40% in April.
Political divide: The results show a political divide in those willing to stay home. About 40% of Republicans polled said they were willing to comply with a stay-at-home order, down from 74% in the spring. In comparison, 87% of Democrats said they would likely comply, a slight drop from 91% in March and April.
About 82% of people said they were confident in their ability to avoid infection, compared to 64% in March, which could play a role in Americans’ willingness to stay home.
Mask wearing: Health experts have said that mask use could significantly reduce the need for another lockdown.
Only about half of Americans reported wearing masks in April, shortly after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention suggested the practice for the general public. The number rose to 92% in July and now sits at about 88%.
