New York, the former epicenter of the U.S. Covid-19 pandemic, became the fourth U.S. state to surpass half a million coronavirus cases amid a nationwide surge in infections.

The United States saw the country’s highest-ever number of new Covid-19 cases in the past two days, keeping the pandemic a top election issue as Vice President Mike Pence travels the U.S. to campaign despite close aides testing positive.

The number of coronavirus deaths reported in the United States reached its highest total in two months, offering more evidence that the pandemic was gaining fresh momentum across the country as cooler weather sets in.

Researchers called for more research into using blood from recovered Covid-19 patients – or so-called convalescent plasma – as a potential treatment, after a small trial of hospitalized patients in India found it was of no benefit.

New York, New Jersey and Connecticut urged their residents to not travel between the three states as the U.S. Northeast sees a rise in Covid-19 cases, while California said major theme parks including Disneyland would not be opening anytime soon.

A California panel of experts will independently review the safety of new coronavirus vaccines and initial plans for distribution, Governor Gavin Newsom said.

Premiums for an average health insurance plan under the Affordable Care Act dropped by 2% for the 2021 coverage year, according to a report released by the Trump administration, which is seeking to invalidate the 2010 healthcare law.

Catalyst Pharmaceuticals filed new patent infringement lawsuits against Jacobus Pharmaceuticals and PANTHERx Rare LLC over a treatment for the rare autoimmune disease Lambert-Eaton Myasthenic Syndrome (LEMS).

Wisconsin and other states in the U.S. Midwest and beyond are battling surges in Covid-19 cases, with new infections and hospitalizations rising to record levels in an ominous sign of a nationwide resurgence as temperatures get colder.

Eli Lilly

U.S. drugmaker Eli Lilly and Co. said the government-sponsored clinical trial of the company’s Covid-19 antibody treatment similar to one taken by U.S. President Donald Trump was paused because of a safety concern.