Good evening,
Please find today's Daily COVID-19 Update for August 24 below and attached. Please let me know if you have any comments or questions.
Thank you,
Jeff Cohen
NFORMS Members in the News
Member: Christopher Tang
Member: Sheldon Jacobson
Member: Sheldon Jacobson
U.S. Federal Policy Update
- The Food and Drug Administration issued an emergency use authorization for convalescent plasma to be used for treatment of COVID-19, with an announcement stating that the "known and potential benefits of the product outweigh the known and potential risks of the product."
- The Environmental Protection Agency announced that they have approved a long-lasting antiviral surface cleaning product for use against COVID-19.
- Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden and his vice president running mate Kamala Harris announced their plan to require regular coronavirus testing of the candidates and their staff. Campaign spokesperson Andrew Bates stated that this new strategy is "another step demonstrating Joe Biden and Kamala Harris' commitment to [turning] the page" on the coronavirus crisis.
Global Response
- World Health Organization Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus urging more contributions to the COVID-19 Vaccines Global Access Facility, which is a program seeking to ensure equal access to vaccines by countries around the world. He stated that "when there's initially a limited supply, it's important to provide the vaccine to those at highest risk around the world."
- The German Foreign Ministry issued a travel warning urging citizens to avoid travel to Paris and the Cote d'Azur region (in southeastern France). Their warning also asks that any travelers from these regions be required to get a coronavirus test upon arriving back in Germany.
- South Korean President Moon Jae-in warned that the country's resurgence of the coronavirus is forcing residents to "face a new crisis," and it "is a much more severe emergency than the early days of the COVID-19 crisis."
- New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced that they would extend their current Level 3 coronavirus restrictions through August 30th.
- Some of the regions in Spain – including Madrid, Catalonia, and Murcia – have tightened coronavirus restrictions in their areas. In the capital city of Madrid, citizens have been directed to "avoid all unnecessary gatherings" and to "limit unnecessary social interaction as much as possible."
State Update
- Rhode Island Governor Gina Raimondo (D) announced that the state has been provided more funding for unemployment, which will give an additional $300 per week for the next three weeks – totaling a $900 supplemental.
- The Federal Emergency Management Agency announced a Lost Wages Grant for New Hampshire that will allow for $300 per week to those unemployed due to COVID-19, on top of their regular unemployment benefits.
- New York Governor Andrew Cuomo (D) announced that the state has reported its lowest positivity rate for coronavirus, with a 0.66% rate announced today.
Economic Update
- U.S. stocks were on the rise today, with all three indices closing the day with increases. The Nasdaq Composite climbed by 0.6%, the S&P 500 by 1.0%, and the Dow Jones Industrial Average by 1.4%.
Latest Impact Data
- In the United States: Over 5,913,577 cases and 181,066 deaths in 50 states, 4 territories, and Washington, D.C.
- Worldwide: Over 23,795,050 and 816,386 deaths in at least 204 countries and territories.
In the News
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Jeffrey M. Cohen, MBA
Director, Public Affairs & Marketing
INFORMS
jeff.cohen@informs.org------------------------------