Americans are losing an array of people and programs dedicated to keeping them healthy.

The outbreak in Santa Clara County “is like a high-speed train,” health officer Dr. Sara Cody said. Health experts had pleaded with Americans to stay home over Thanksgiving and not gather with anyone who didn't live with them. On Monday, Moderna Inc. said it will ask U.S. and European regulators to allow emergency use of its COVID-19 vaccine as new study results confirm the shots offer strong protection. Rhode Island’s hospitals reached their COVID-19 capacity on Monday, the same day the state’s two-week pause took effect. In suburban St. Louis, a hospital official warned that hospitalizations could double in two to three weeks if people don’t quarantine after Thanksgiving gatherings.

As of Sunday, California has had nearly 1.2 million confirmed coronavirus cases and more than 19,000 deaths since the pandemic began. ___HERE’S WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE VIRUS OUTBREAK:—Fauci: US may see ‘surge upon surge’ of virus in coming weeks—U.K. ___ATHENS, Greece — Greek authorities announced 1,193 new coronavirus cases Sunday, a significantly lower daily figure than recently. Of the 115 infections reported Sunday, 24 were untraceable. South Korea on Thursday registered more than 500 new virus cases for the first time in eight months.

SAN JOSE, Calif. A California community college instructor with ties to the far-right, anti-government boogaloo" movement was in custody on suspicion of sending two dozen misogynistic and threatening letters to a county health officer involving the coronavirus pandemic, authorities said Tuesday. Alan Viarengo, 55, was arrested last week and investigators seized 138 firearms, thousands of rounds of ammunition and explosive materials from his home in Gilroy, the Santa Clara County Sheriffs Office said. Viarengo was charged with felony counts of stalking and threatening a public official after authorities said the letters were sent to county Health Director Dr. Sara Cody. The extremist movement uses boogaloo a 1980s movie sequel as a code word for a second civil war. Viarengo also sent a disturbing letter to the widow of Santa Cruz County sheriffs Sgt.