Coronavirus Watch: 'Positive' results for a vaccine candidate

Case numbers continued to rise in multiple states Wednesday, while some governors announced more mandates to slow down their reopening processes.

Indoor dining in New Jersey, which was scheduled to return on Thursday, won't come back after all, while Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam banned bar seating starting Wednesday.

At least 19 states are pausing reopening policies – here's a list.

It's Wednesday, and this is Coronavirus Watch from the Paste BN Network. Here's the most significant news of the day, as of 2 p.m. ET. 

• Pfizer reported positive results for a vaccine candidate Wednesday, also noting that it could produce 100 million doses of the vaccine if studies go smoothly. “We are encouraged by the clinical data of BNT162b1, one of four mRNA constructs we are evaluating clinically, and for which we have positive, preliminary, topline findings,” a Pfizer research executive said in a press release. 
• But we're still one-third of the way to a widely available vaccine, experts say. More on that here.
• A new approach to testing could dramatically increase screening capacity. "Pooling" would test samples in batches, rather than running them one at a time.
• Equipment is still at a shortage for some medical professionals, six months after the virus was first detected on U.S. soil. The equipment situation has improved since infections spiked in March, but an American Nurses Association survey showed nearly 45% of respondents said they experienced gear shortages as late as May 31.
• The U.S. had 44,766 new cases confirmed Tuesday, the nation's second highest daily mark, according to Johns Hopkins University data. The U.S. totals stand at more than 2.6 million cases and 127,000 deaths. Track the latest numbers, including daily case numbers and state-by-state data, right here. 
• Globally, more than 10.5 million people have been infected and 500,000 have died. 

Are you house hunting? Potential buyers are battling low housing inventory and higher prices.

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As always, thank you for subscribing to our Coronavirus Watch newsletter, we appreciate you trusting the Paste BN Network for clear and accurate information. 

– Jay Cannon, Paste BN Network and Wires Editor, @JayTCannon on Twitter