Coronavirus Live Updates: Cruise Lines Submit Safety plan to CDC; Europe Likely To See Further Lockdown

U.S. deaths related to Covid-19 are quickly approaching 200,000, according to data compiled by Johns Hopkins University. It’s a dire benchmark as the country continues to debate public safety measures and looks ahead to a contentious presidential election. It’s also far higher than every other nation’s official death toll — Brazil is the only other country to have recorded more than 100,000 virus-related deaths, with roughly 136,000 fatalities so far.

The following data was compiled by Johns Hopkins University:

Global cases: More than 31 million
Global deaths: At least 961,273
U.S. cases: More than 6.81 million
U.S. deaths: At least 199,513

17 MIN AGO
September sell-off picks up steam as Dow drops more than 400 points
U.S. stocks fell sharply at the open as a number of factors rattled traders amid a three-week losing streak for the market, reports CNBC’s Fred Imbert.

The U.K. is reportedly considering another national lockdown to curb rising coronavirus cases. Meanwhile, negotiations for a second U.S. stimulus bill could become more complicated if focus shifts to a bitter nomination process following the passing of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped 470 points, or 1.7%. The S&P 500 lost 1.4%, while the Nasdaq Composite fell 1.3%. The major stock averages were all coming off their third consecutive losing week. —Melodie Warner

33 MIN AGO
Black doctors’ group creates panel to vet Covid-19 vaccines
A group of Black physicians has created their own expert task force to independently vet regulators’ decisions about Covid-19 drugs and vaccines as well as government recommendations for curbing the pandemic, according to a STAT News report.

“It’s necessary to provide a trusted messenger of vetted information to the African American community,” said Leon McDougle, a family physician and president of the National Medical Association, an organization founded in 1895 in response to racist professional societies excluding Black doctors. “There is a concern that some of the recent decisions by the Food and Drug Administration have been unduly influenced by politicians,” he told STAT.

One example Dr. McDougle gave was the agency’s go-ahead to use hydroxychloroquine against Covid-19 even though there was no reliable evidence that it worked and some concerns it could cause heart damage. The FDA later revoked the emergency use of hydroxychloroquine.

The group will also evaluate how well the clinical trial participants represent the demographics of the American population, as well as the fairness of vaccine distribution plans. —Melodie Warner

2 HOURS AGO
Royal Caribbean and Norwegian Cruise Line submitted a report to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention providing a set of health and safety protocols, Reuters reported.

The cruise lines are hoping the protocols will allow them to once again set sail after operations were halted by the CDC’s March 14 no-sail order prompted by the coronavirus pandemic, according to the wire service.

The protocols included 74 steps, such as enhanced sanitation practices, controlling shore excursions and better protection for crew members. The companies also recommendations rigorous screening and testing before boarding, and set plans to address an outbreak while on board, Reuters said.

“We studied the industry’s experiences combating the pandemic – and we then incorporated the many lessons learned and advances made by medicine and science over the past six months,” the task force’s co-chair and Utah Governor Mike Leavitt told Reuters. —Terri Cullen

2 HOURS AGO
European nations are likely to impose more restrictions on public life in the coming days, analysts warned, as the number of new coronavirus cases continues to rise rapidly.

“Expect lots more restrictions over the days and weeks ahead, especially in Europe,” Deutsche Bank analysts said in a note. “The fact that the virus is already spreading quite rapidly is a big worry.”

Local restrictions have been imposed in various parts of Europe to quell outbreaks of infection, with parts of northern England in lockdown, for example, as well as areas of Spain’s capital Madrid. The U.K.’s top scientific advisor warned on Monday that without action, the U.K. could see 50,000 new cases per day by mid-October. The British government is believed to be considering a short, national lockdown to slow the spread of the virus.

Coronavirus cases are rising so rapidly in Europe that the World Health Organization warned last week that there was a “very serious situation” unfolding in the region, calling the resurgence in infections a “wake up call.” —Holly Ellyatt

– CNBC