<h2>THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 2020 AS OF 04:30 PM EST</h2>
To-date, the United States (US) has had <a href="https://coronavirus.jhu.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">9.49 million</a> confirmed cases of COVID-19 and the death toll across the country has reached <a href="https://coronavirus.jhu.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">233,767</a>. Currently, the US is leading countries across the world in active COVID-19 cases. Globally, the <a href="https://coronavirus.jhu.edu/map.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Johns Hopkins Coronavirus Resource Center</a> reports that there are 48.25 million confirmed cases of COVID-19; with India ranked second in total confirmed cases (8.36 million) and Brazil ranked third with 5.59 million total confirmed cases.
On Wednesday, the US <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2020/us/coronavirus-us-cases.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">reported</a> 100,000 new COVID-19 cases in a single day &#8212; the highest number of new cases recorded in a single day since the pandemic began. According to the <a href="https://covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker/#cases_casesinlast7days" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Centers for Disease Control (CDC) COVID Data Tracker</a>, Illinois is leading the country in COVID-19 cases in the past seven days, with a total of 48,579 new cases. Additionally, <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/live/2020/11/05/world/covid-19-coronavirus-updates" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">23 states</a> have documented more active cases in the past week than in any other week-long period prior &#8212; with Nebraska, Maine, Indiana, Minnesota, and Colorado also setting single-day case records on Wednesday, November 4. 
As cases continue to climb, applications for unemployment benefits have reached a historic high. The <a href="https://www.dol.gov/sites/dolgov/files/OPA/newsreleases/ui-claims/20202058.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">US Department of Labor (DOL)</a> reported 751,000 citizens applied for unemployment in the past week, adding that 21.5 million people in total were still receiving some type of unemployment assistance. 
Additionally, approximately<a href="https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/69/wr/mm6939e2.htm" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"> 56 million school-aged children</a> resumed education programs in August and September, with many schools opting for online-only or hybrid programming with some online components. The CDC <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/69/wr/mm6939e2.htm">reported</a> 277,285 COVID-19 cases in children between March and September &#8212; adolescents ages 12 to 17 accounting for almost double the number of cases than those ages five to 11. 
<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-6759" src="http://hagertystg.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Screen-Shot-2020-11-05-at-3.11.53-PM.png" alt="" width="922" height="500" />
Unsplash: <a href="https://unsplash.com/photos/yVEmozUCyxc" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Thomas de Luze</a>
<a href="https://www.bbc.com/news/explainers-53640249" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Across Europe</a>, countries have taken different measures to prevent the further spread of COVID-19. France has entered a second national lockdown, while Germany and the Netherlands have implemented partial lockdowns. Italy has scheduled sweeping new measures such as organizing the country into red, orange, and green zones &#8211; with red zones indicating the greatest level of infection and requiring shop closures. In the United Kingdom (UK), holiday traditions are showing signs of change as businesses organize<a href="https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-54816579" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"> virtual holiday gatherings</a> for their employees. Additionally, British actor, James Bartlett, developed a <a href="http://santascallingyou.co.uk" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">website</a> where young children can hold a Zoom call with Santa Claus before Christmas. 
In India, Union Territory (UT) Director of Health Services Amandeep Kaur Kang spoke with <a href="https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/punjab/diwali-winter-can-lead-to-second-covid-surge-in-region-166252" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">The Tribune India</a> and cautioned about Diwali celebrations which could lead to a second COVID-19 surge in the country. 
<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-6760" src="http://hagertystg.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Screen-Shot-2020-11-05-at-3.14.21-PM.png" alt="" width="880" height="584" />
Unsplash: <a href="https://unsplash.com/photos/8hHxO3iYuU0" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">SJ Objio</a>
As the pandemic enters its eighth month, pharmaceutical companies rush to develop a vaccine. AstraZeneca, Johnson &amp; Johnson, and Pfizer signed on to the International Federation of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers &amp; Associations’ <a href="https://www.ifpma.org/resource-centre/covid-19-vaccine-maker-pledge/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">COVID-19 Vaccine Maker Pledge</a> in September. The pledge commits manufacturers to “high ethical and sound scientific principles,” as determined by regulatory agencies around the world. In mid-October, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) called for holds on vaccine trials at <a href="https://www.astrazeneca.com/media-centre/press-releases/2020/fda-authorises-restart-of-the-covid-19-azd1222-vaccine-us-phase-iii-trial.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">AstraZeneca</a> and <a href="https://www.jnj.com/our-company/johnson-johnson-prepares-to-resume-phase-3-ensemble-trial-of-its-janssen-covid-19-vaccine-candidate-in-the-us" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Johnson &amp; Johnson</a> due to “adverse reactions” and “unexplained illnesses,” respectively. As of October 27, <a href="https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/coronavirus-covid-19-update-october-28-2020" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">clinical trials have resumed globally</a> for both companies under guidance from the FDA.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet tw-align-center">
Continue social distancing, wearing a face covering, and washing your hands frequently to help protect yourself and others around you from <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/COVID19?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#COVID19</a>. Learn more: <a href="https://t.co/1SadSf21K4">https://t.co/1SadSf21K4</a>. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/COVIDStopsWithMe?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#COVIDStopsWithMe</a> <a href="https://t.co/Cu3i8BgDSx">pic.twitter.com/Cu3i8BgDSx</a>
— HHS.gov (@HHSGov) <a href="https://twitter.com/HHSGov/status/1323989777985773568?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 4, 2020</a></blockquote>
<script src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" async="" charset="utf-8"></script>
US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS): <a href="https://twitter.com/HHSGov/status/1323989777985773568" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Twitter</a>
Hagerty Consulting’s Vice President of Healthcare and University Programs, <a href="https://hagertyconsulting.com/employee/jeff-bokser/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Jeff Bokser</a>, provided further guidance on COVID-19 preventative measures: 
“As COVID-19 cases continue to spike across the country, hospitals are overwhelmed trying to create capacity to care for patients. We all play a role in protecting our own health to reduce the spread of the virus and the strain on our healthcare system by consistently doing the following:
<ul>
<li>Wear a mask when physical distancing is not possible; </li>
<li>Remain vigilant and keep physical distance from others; </li>
<li>Wash your hands frequently and avoid touching your eyes, nose, and face; and </li>
<li>Avoid gatherings and stay outdoors as much as possible. </li>
</ul>
We are all feeling what is being called “COVID-19 fatigue” but following these measures will help get the virus under control, keep you and your families safe, and allow our communities and healthcare system to return to a sense of normalcy.” 
Additionally, the CDC and ready.gov have issued general guidance and best practices to limit the spread of germs and the virus. All households should utilize the <a href="https://www.ready.gov/pandemic" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">following best practices</a> to limit virus spread and transmission: 
<ul>
<li>Avoid contact with individuals who are sick or exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19; </li>
<li>Stay home when you are sick to protect others; </li>
<li>Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing; </li>
<li>Wash your hands frequently and after leaving any public environment; </li>
<li>Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth; and </li>
<li>Practice other good health habits, including managing sleep, getting physical exercise, managing stress, drinking fluids, and eating nutritious foods. </li>
</ul>
Stay healthy and well this winter with Hagerty’s easy-to-use health and wellness <a href="https://hagertyconsulting.com/about-us/blog/hagerty-health-wellness-tips-staying-safe-healthy-this-fall-winter/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">checklist</a>:
<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-6684" src="http://hagertystg.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Screen-Shot-2020-10-08-at-9.26.42-AM.png" alt="" width="1184" height="872" srcset="https://hagertystg.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Screen-Shot-2020-10-08-at-9.26.42-AM.png 1184w, https://hagertystg.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Screen-Shot-2020-10-08-at-9.26.42-AM-300x221.png 300w, https://hagertystg.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Screen-Shot-2020-10-08-at-9.26.42-AM-1024x754.png 1024w, https://hagertystg.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Screen-Shot-2020-10-08-at-9.26.42-AM-768x566.png 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1184px) 100vw, 1184px" />
The World Health Organization (WHO) has also issued <a href="https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/advice-for-public" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">COVID-19-specific guidance</a> that is especially applicable to the upcoming holiday season. The following practices should be utilized when attending or hosting a small holiday or public gathering: Avoid the “3 Cs,” spaces that are closed, crowded, or involve close contact. 
The Hagerty Team will continue providing information and updates on current events and disasters impacting the nation. For more precautionary information and guidance, please visit the <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">CDC</a> or <a href="https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/question-and-answers-hub/q-a-detail/q-a-small-public-gatherings-and-covid-19" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">WHO</a> website. 
<h4>STAY UPDATED AND LEARN MORE HERE: </h4>
<ul>
<li><a href="https://gisanddata.maps.arcgis.com/apps/opsdashboard/index.html#/bda7594740fd40299423467b48e9ecf6">John Hopkins University’s Coronavirus COVID-19 Global Cases Map</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/downloads/DIY-cloth-face-covering-instructions.pdf">CDC Guidance on Cloth Face Coverings</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html">2019 Novel Coronavirus Situation Updates by CDC</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.who.int/health-topics/coronavirus">World Health Organization Coronavirus Information</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/interactive-timeline">World Health Organization Interactive COVID-19 Response</a></li>
<li><a href="https://hagertyconsulting.com/casestudy/department-of-public-health-workshops-on-quarantine-and-isolation/">Hagerty Consulting Quarantine and Isolation Workshop</a></li>
</ul>
 Keep track of Hagerty’s Incident coverage here:
<h3 style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://hagertyconsulting.com/about-us/blog/?_sft_blog_cat=covid-19" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">DISASTER DISCOURSE CORONAVIRUS UPDATES</a></h3>
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