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Hi there! Welcome to this fresh edition of Key Developments, which is now being released twice a week and branching out beyond just COVID-19 news. While we’re still heavily focused on the pandemic right now, our goal is to expand coverage to include more diverse topics moving forward.

Globally, the number of confirmed cases has surpassed 13.4 million, with over 1.6 million new cases reported in the past week alone. The death toll worldwide stands at over 618,000. In the U.S., there are currently more than 4 million cases, with weekly increases often exceeding half a million. Tragically, nearly 145,000 Americans have lost their lives to the virus. The U.S., Brazil, and India remain the epicenters of the ongoing surge in infections.

Our disjointed handling of the crisis has left us grappling with both uncontrolled viral spread and severe economic fallout. Implementing either a nationwide mask mandate or consistent statewide policies could help mitigate further damage. It’s imperative that Congress takes action to prevent a full-blown catastrophe.

Recently, the White House Coronavirus Task Force delivered a report urging stricter measures in at least 18 states experiencing rising infection rates. Whether these recommendations will be adopted remains uncertain.

On a brighter note, some promising developments have emerged recently:

Early-stage trials for the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine showed positive results, offering hope for an effective tool against the virus. Additionally, encouraging findings were announced from an interferon beta clinical trial, which is set to be published shortly. This randomized controlled trial comes from a reputable research team, adding credibility to its potential impact.

While progress continues on multiple fronts, it’s clear that much work lies ahead. Let’s keep pushing for solutions while staying informed and proactive in protecting ourselves and our communities.