This daily round-up brings you a selection of the latest news and updates on the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic, as well as tips and tools to help you stay informed and protected.
Top stories: US states tighten restrictions; more mink deaths from COVID; stocks and oil gain on vaccine news.
1. How COVID-19 is affecting the globe
Confirmed cases of COVID-19 have now passed 51.4 million globally, according to the Johns Hopkins Coronavirus Resource Center. The number of confirmed deaths stands at more than 1.27 million.
Ireland is set to ease travel restrictions for arrivals from 'red' regions of Britain and the EU from 29 November. Arrivals would see their quarantine period cut to as little as five days from 14 if they test negative.
Stocks gained but bonds dropped on Wednesday as news of a working COVID-19 vaccine boosted investors against a background of surging cases.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has urged the premiers of the country's 10 provinces to "do the right thing" and introduce stricter measures to fight rising COVID-19 cases.
Oil prices have risen more than 1%, as a report showed US crude inventories have fallen more than expected amid a confidence boost from hopes of an effective vaccine.
More than 15,000 mink have died of coronavirus in the United States since August. Authorities have around a dozen farms under quarantine and are investigating, according to state agriculture officials.
Two-thirds of Brits say they would get vaccinated for COVID-19 - but young people are more likely to refuse a jab, according to a poll by research firm Kantar.
2. US states impose new restrictions
States across the US have reintroduced restrictions in an effort to tackle surging cases across the country.
California has told three counties to go back to the most restrictive category of rules, which include a ban on indoor dining, as well as indoor activities in gyms and religious institutions.
“We anticipate if things stay the way they are... over half of California counties will have moved into a more restrictive tier” by next week, Dr Mark Ghaly, the state's health and human services secretary said.
New restrictions will also be introduced in Minnesota from Friday. Dine-in services must close between 10pm and 4am, restaurants and bars must keep patron numbers below 50% capacity and restrictions on private social gatherings will be extended.
In Iowa, new mask-wearing requirements have been introduced, and the size of social gatherings restricted.
The wave of new restrictions come as the US reported more than 100,000 new COVID-19 cases for a seventh straight day, according to a Reuters tally. Hospitalizations also continue to rise, with a record 59,000 in-patients being treated for the disease on Monday.
