--- title: "COVID-19 Update: New Contagious Variant Discovered" description: New cases and hospitalizations continue to rise across the country. The U.S. saw a record high 229,000 new cases on 04 December. image: https://www.globalguardian.com/hubfs/GG%20ArticleFeatureImages_Coronavirus%20V7_GG_Feature_CoronaVirus%20copy%2010.jpg --- [+1 (703) 566-9463](tel:+17035669463) | [Emergency Support](https://www.globalguardian.com//emergency-support) [![GG Logo Main White](https://www.globalguardian.com/hs-fs/hubfs/GlobalGuardian_Oct2019/Logos/GG%20Logo%20Main%20White.png?width=208&height=45&name=GG%20Logo%20Main%20White.png "GG Logo Main White")](https://globalguardian.com) - [Corporate ](https://www.globalguardian.com/corporate-solutions) - [Personal ](https://www.globalguardian.com/personal-solutions) - [Government](https://www.globalguardian.com/government-solutions) - [Outcomes](https://www.globalguardian.com/case-studies) - [ Travel Security ](https://www.globalguardian.com/case-studies?topic=Traveler%20Security) - [ Executive Protection ](https://www.globalguardian.com/case-studies?topic=Executive%20Protection%20and%20Transportation) - [ Emergency Response ](https://www.globalguardian.com/case-studies?topic=Emergency%20Response) - [ Medical Assistance ](https://www.globalguardian.com/case-studies?topic=Medical%20Assistance) - [ Event Security ](https://www.globalguardian.com/case-studies?topic=Event%20Security) - [ Video Surveillance ](https://www.globalguardian.com/case-studies?topic=Asset%20Security) - Learn - [ Global Digest ](https://www.globalguardian.com/global-digest) - [ Newsroom ](https://www.globalguardian.com/newsroom) - [ Webinars ](https://www.globalguardian.com/media-room#t4) - [ Global Guardian Academy ](https://academy.globalguardian.com/) - [ FAQ ](https://www.globalguardian.com/faq) - Company - [ About Global Guardian ](https://www.globalguardian.com/about-global-guardian) - [ Executive Leadership ](https://www.globalguardian.com/executive-leadership) - [ Menu of Services ](https://www.globalguardian.com/service-menu) - [ Global Coverage ](https://www.globalguardian.com/global-coverage) - [ Contact Us ](https://www.globalguardian.com/contact) - [ Careers ](https://www.globalguardian.com/careers) [![Request Security](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/2233164/aecafd49-7abe-4a80-95c2-e37dbbacda44.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/2233164/aecafd49-7abe-4a80-95c2-e37dbbacda44) # COVID-19 Update: New Contagious Variant Discovered December 22, 2020 | [Security Alerts](https://www.globalguardian.com/newsroom/topic/security-alerts) [![Share on Facebook](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/facebook-24x24.png)](http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.globalguardian.com%2Fnewsroom%2Fcovid19-update-12-22%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dfacebook) [![Share on LinkedIn](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/linkedin-24x24.png)](http://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.globalguardian.com%2Fnewsroom%2Fcovid19-update-12-22%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dlinkedin) [![Share on Twitter](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/twitter-24x24.png)](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?original_referer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.globalguardian.com%2Fnewsroom%2Fcovid19-update-12-22%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dtwitter&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.globalguardian.com%2Fnewsroom%2Fcovid19-update-12-22%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dtwitter&source=tweetbutton&text=COVID-19%20Update%3A%20New%20Contagious%20Variant%20Discovered) [![Share on Pinterest](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/pinterest-24x24.png)](http://pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.globalguardian.com%2Fnewsroom%2Fcovid19-update-12-22%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dpinterest&media=) [![Share on Email](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/email-24x24.png)](mailto:?subject=Check%20out%20https%3A%2F%2Fwww.globalguardian.com%2Fnewsroom%2Fcovid19-update-12-22%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Demail%20&body=Check%20out%20https%3A%2F%2Fwww.globalguardian.com%2Fnewsroom%2Fcovid19-update-12-22%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Demail) New cases and hospitalizations continue to rise across the country. The U.S. saw a record high 251,000 new cases on 18 December. Over the past week, there has been an average of 216,000 cases per day, an increase of seven percent from the average two weeks earlier. Hospitalizations are up 13 percent across the country compared to the same period two weeks ago. At least 115,000 Americans are hospitalized with COVID-19. - The U.S. has now recorded over 320,000 deaths. Daily deaths are increasing and remain high, up 19 percent from two weeks ago. The seven-day rolling average for daily deaths stands at nearly 2,700, up from 2,260 two weeks ago. South Dakota, Kansas, Rhode Island, and Pennsylvania have the highest per-capita death rates over the last week.  - While new cases are dropping in previously hard-hit areas of the Midwest, they are rising rapidly in areas of the South and West, including Georgia, Arkansas, South Carolina, California, Tennessee, and Arizona.  - Pfizer's vaccine received approval in the U.S. and the first doses were given to healthcare workers last week. The company plans to produce 1.3 billion doses worldwide by the end of 2021. The vaccine requires two doses to reach maximum efficacy. - Moderna's vaccine received emergency use authorization in the U.S. on 18 December. The company plans to distribute 5.9 million doses over the coming days and weeks. Moderna's vaccine requires two doses to reach maximum efficacy. For the latest United States case counts, [click here](https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/country/us/). ![22 dec usa daily](https://www.globalguardian.com/hs-fs/hubfs/22%20dec%20usa%20daily.png?width=709&name=22%20dec%20usa%20daily.png) ![22 dec usa daily deaths](https://www.globalguardian.com/hs-fs/hubfs/22%20dec%20usa%20daily%20deaths.png?width=711&name=22%20dec%20usa%20daily%20deaths.png) ![us map 22 dec](https://www.globalguardian.com/hs-fs/hubfs/us%20map%2022%20dec.png?width=1665&name=us%20map%2022%20dec.png) ##### Latest global updates: - A new, more contagious variant of COVID-19 was announced in the **United Kingdom **over the weekend, prompting dozens of countries to ban flights from the UK. - **France** closed its border to England, causing tens of thousands of freight trucks to become stuck at the Dover border crossing. France is expected to re-open the border to freight late on 22 December. - **Saudi Arabia **halted all international travel for one week after news broke of the variant COVID-19 strain in the UK.  - **Brazil **announced that effective 30 December, all international travelers, including Brazilian nationals and residents, arriving by air must present a negative COVID-19 RT-PCR test administered before departure not older than 72 hours and complete a health declaration form (DSV) to enter the country. - **China **announced it plans to vaccinate 50 million people by Feb 15, the Lunar New Year. The country has five vaccine candidates in late-stage testing; however, none have been authorized and no data has been released concerning their efficacy.  For the latest Global case counts, [click here](https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/#countries). #### RESOURCES ![AMC Announcement](https://www.globalguardian.com/hs-fs/hubfs/AMC%20Announcement.png?width=1250&name=AMC%20Announcement.png) As COVID-19 cases continue to surge, high quality PPE remains an ongoing need. Global Guardian is pleased to partner with American Mask Company to support our client base and deliver high-quality PPE to businesses and organizations of all sizes and industries. The American Mask Company was created to address the shortage and *quality* issues the U.S. has faced in securing protective face gear. Driven by the mission to deliver high-quality products that also support American jobs, all AMC products are proudly 100% made in the U.S. with American materials, by American workers. 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