California now has the most cases in US; Number of childrens' cases rises

Coronavirus updates: California now has the most cases in US The novel coronavirus pandemic has now killed more than 617,000 people worldwide and over 14.8 million people across the globe have been diagnosed with COVID-19. ABC News ABC News

The novel coronavirus pandemic has now killed more than 617,000 people worldwide.

Over 15 million people across the globe have been diagnosed with COVID-19, the disease caused by the new respiratory virus, according to data compiled by the Center for Systems Science and Engineering at Johns Hopkins University. The actual numbers are believed to be much higher due to testing shortages, many unreported cases and suspicions that some governments are hiding or downplaying the scope of their nations' outbreaks.

The United States has become the worst-affected country, with more than 3.9 million diagnosed cases and at least 142,350 deaths.

Latest headlines:

• California is now the state with the most coronavirus cases
• Coronavirus cases rising in kids
• CDC director 'absolutely' would send his grandkids back to school...

Coronavirus cases in children is steadily rising and nearing the level of patients 65 or older, according to internal FEMA memos obtained by ABC News. Children ages 12 to 17 appear to become infected at a higher rate than younger kids.