VIRUS TODAY: Nursing homes start shots; Congress nears deal
Here's what's happening Wednesday with the coronavirus pandemic in the U.S.:
THREE THINGS TO KNOW TODAY
- The first COVID-19 vaccinations are underway at U.S. nursing homes, where the coronavirus has killed more than 110,000 people - about a third of American fatalities from the disease.
- Top congressional leaders are getting closer to an agreement on a long-delayed COVID-19 relief package, hoping to seal a deal as early as Wednesday that would extend aid to individuals and businesses and help ship vaccines to millions.
- Dozens of children who attended a Christmas tree-lighting event in Georgia may have been exposed to COVID-19 after a pair performing as Santa and Mrs. Claus tested positive for the virus, officials said.
THE NUMBERS: The seven-day rolling positivity rate for testing in the U.S. rose over the past two weeks from 10.1% on Dec. 1 to 11.1% on Tuesday, according to data through from Johns Hopkins University.
DEATH TOLL: Deaths in the U.S. stand at 304,000, or about the population of Cincinnati.
QUOTABLE: 'Å“Our theme today ought to be, '~If it's not one thing, it's another." - New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy, speaking during a news conference on a major snowstorm that was unfolding as delivery trucks distribute COVID-19 vaccine across the state.
ICYMI: A pandemic atlas: How COVID-19 took over the world in 2020.
ON THE HORIZON: On Thursday, a government advisory panel will consider whether to endorse emergency use of a second vaccine, this one made by Moderna.
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Find AP's full coverage of the coronavirus pandemic at https://apnews.com/hub/coronavirus-pandemic