In international news, southern Africa is seeing a regional surge in coronavirus cases following a second wave in South Africa linked to a variant that many scientists believe is more infectious. South Africa’s confirmed cases have topped 1.1 million with over 31,000 deaths. A Johannesburg nurse described the dire situation.

Lerato Mthunzi: “Our mortuaries, as I speak to you, are full to capacity. In fact, it’s in the longest, where we’ve seen, you know, body bags on the floor.”

Brazil’s COVID-19 deaths have topped 200,000 — the second-highest death toll after the U.S. — as health officials resist a lockdown amid an intense surge. Japan has declared a one-month state of emergency in and around Tokyo as cases in the capital hit a record high of 2,500 Thursday. Residents are being asked to stay home, and bars and restaurants to close at 8 p.m. Health experts say stricter measures are needed, with some suggesting a full national lockdown.