The US set a record for COVID-19 deaths reported in a day Wednesday - 3,124, a single-day toll worse than 9/11. The U.S. Has a record number of deaths in a week, at 15,927, or 95 per hour, or one death every 38 seconds. Around the country, hospitals are running out of beds, prompting stay-at-home orders in some places and mask mandates in 38 states. Ref. USAToday.
First shipments of Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine to arrive Monday at 145 US sites. "I expect the first shipments to arrive Monday morning," Gen. Gustave Perna, co-leader of Operation Warp Speed in charge of logistics, said Saturday. "Make no mistake, distribution has begun." The vaccine would be sent to to 636 locations nationwide this week, with 145 sites receiving doses Monday, 425 on Tuesday and the final 66 on Wednesday, Perna said. Ref. USAToday.
Vice President Pence to publicly receive COVID-19 vaccine Friday; President-elect Biden expected to receive vaccine as soon as next week. Vice President Mike Pence and Second Lady Karen Pence will receive the vaccine at the White House on Friday. Pence’s office said they will get the shot “publicly” to promote the safety and efficacy of the vaccine and “build confidence among the American people.” Biden, who has said he wants to take the vaccine "Publicly," told reporters Wednesday he doesn't want to cut ahead of higher-priority recipients such as healthcare workers. Ref. USAToday.