Editor's Note: Here are the latest key updates you may have missed relating to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) as of July 13, 2020. |

In the U.S.

According to Johns Hopkins University (as of July 13, 2020): |

• Total U.S. cases: 3.3 million
• Total U.S. deaths: 135,213

(Source: Statista)

Florida reported 15,300 new virus cases on July 12, a new single-day record in the U.S. since the start of the pandemic, exceeding previous records set by Texas, New York and California. Florida Education Commissioner Richard Corcoran announced public schools are to reopen in August. "There is a need to open schools fully to ensure the quality and continuity of the educational process, the comprehensive well-being of students and families and a return to Florida hitting its full economic stride," Corcoran's order said. U.S. Education Secretary Betsy DeVos also said students across the U.S. should go back to attending school this fall. In an interview with CNN, she said, "There is going to be the exception to the rule. But the rule should be that kids go back to school this fall." President Trump signed an extension of the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) deadline to August 8. A Michigan Circuit Court Judge ruled in favor of the insurer in a case where restaurants were seeking business interruption insurance coverage due to COVID-19-related government shutdowns. The decision is one of the first in the U.S. to consider whether the virus causes the 'physical damage' needed to trigger coverage under most business policies. Nearly four months after shutting its gates, Walt Disney World in Florida reopened its Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom parks on July 11 despite rising COVID-19 cases in the state. Epcot and Disney's Hollywood Studios will open on July 15. On July 12, New York City reported its first day of zero confirmed COVID-19 deaths. Louisiana Governor Bel Edwards signed a new law that will shield K-12 schools and colleges from most civil lawsuits should a student or teacher contract the virus on-site. |

Around the world

According to Johns Hopkins University (as of July 13, 2020): |

• Total cases globally: 12.95 million
• Total deaths globally: 569,878
• Cases by region: Americas (6.66M), Europe (2.9M), Eastern Mediterranean (1.29M), South-East Asia (1.16M), Africa (477,575), and Western Pacific (244,219)

The World Health Organization (WHO) reported a record of 230,270 new global coronavirus cases on Sunday (July 12). WHO issued new transmission guidance on the virus that acknowledges some reports of airborne transmission but does not confirm that COVID-19 does spread via the air. Lloyd's of London is proposing a new type of policy that would cover revenue lost during a lockdown when businesses are ordered to close, according to a new company report. Lloyd's also is calling for governments to back funds that would help protect insurers against a wave of claims during crisis events. Travelers from the U.S. will be subject to restrictions when entering the United Kingdom, the government announced July 3. At the same time, the U.K. lifted quarantine requirements for visitors to and from 59 other countries. The Lancet, a medical journal, reported that a large-scale COVID-19 antibody study in Spain indicates only 5% of its population developed antibodies. The findings support evidence that herd immunity is "unachievable." Mexico passed Italy as the country with the fourth-most COVID-19 deaths as of July 12. France will begin testing passengers at airports who arrive from countries with high coronavirus cases, a government spokesperson said. The initial target is to test 2,000 individuals a day. Thailand will begin the first stage of human trials for a coronavirus vaccine. The first stage will involve 100 volunteers split into two groups: 18 to 60 years of age and 60 to 80 years of age. A group of scientists in the U.K. is calling for the government to make masks mandatory in all indoor public spaces. Two of Pfizer and BioNTech's investigational mRNA-based vaccine candidates received fast track designation from the FDA, Bloomberg reported. "The FDA's decision to grant these two COVID-19 vaccine candidates Fast Track designation signifies an important milestone in the efforts to develop a safe and effective vaccine against SARS-CoV-2," Peter Honig, SVP, global regulatory affairs at Pfizer, said in a statement. "We look forward to continue working closely with the FDA throughout the clinical development of this program, Project Lightspeed, to evaluate the safety and efficacy of these vaccine candidates." Related: Coronavirus update: New restrictions, CDC adds new symptoms and more