updates: Nearly 2,100 died of covid-19 in U.S. on Tuesday, deadliest day since early summer

Tuesday was the deadliest day in the coronavirus pandemic for the U.S. since early summer — a troubling sign that the worst still on the horizon.

The country reported nearly 2,100 covid-19 deaths Tuesday, according to data tracked and analyzed by The Washington Post. It’s the highest mark since May 6, when states reported a combined 2,611 virus fatalities.

Here are some significant developments:

The CDC is finalizing guidance to shorten the length of time it recommends that people self-quarantine after potential exposure to the coronavirus to encourage more people to comply, two agency officials said Tuesday.
Americans are weighing their Thanksgiving options this week, as covid-19 patients overwhelm hospitals and the number of newly discovered cases per day is more than double what it was during the summer surge. State and local leaders are responding with short stay-at-home orders and hard limits on the number of people who can gather.
The federal government plans to send 6.4 million doses of Pfizer’s vaccine to communities across the United States within 24 hours of regulatory clearance, with the expectation shots will be administered quickly to front-line health-care workers, the top priority group, officials said Tuesday.
China and Russia are rushing to share their own state-backed vaccines with countries in need, positioning themselves to possibly expand their political and economic interests in the process. ...
In an effort to ensure that its workers gain protection from the coronavirus, Ford said it has purchased a dozen specialty freezers that can store Pfizer’s vaccine at ultralow temperatures.