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Cases Triple In Los Angeles County Within A Week; Experts Urge Vaccines, Boosters As Omicron Spreads; South African President Ends COVID-19 Self-Isolation; Leftist Gabriel Boric Wins Presidency In Chilean Runoff; Chinese Tennis Star Denies She Made Sex Assault Accusation; NIH Director Reveals Pressure Put On Him Under Trump. Aired 4:30-5a ET

Aired December 20, 2021 - 04:30   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

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[04:31:42]

ISA SOARES, CNN ANCHOR: Welcome back to CNN Newsroom. I'm Isa Soares. If you're just joining us, let me bring you up to date with our top stories this hour. Senator Joe Manchin says he's a no on the Build Back Better abruptly ending negotiations with the Biden White House and the President's signature piece of legislation.

A number of Manchin's fellow Democrats in the Biden administration are outrage over his decision over this act. In an interview with Fox News, Manchin said lawmakers should be focusing their attention towards the pandemic.

And top U.S. health officials are warning of an Omicron variant takeover that will bring a tough few weeks ahead. Data from John Hopkins University shows the country is now averaging more than 120,000 cases per day. CNN's Natasha Chen is in Los Angeles where officials say they're seeing cases rise again.

NATASHA CHEN, CNN U.S. NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Los Angeles County Public Health has reported quite a rise in number of daily confirmed cases just in the past week. For example, on Tuesday, there were about 1,100 positive test cases. But by the weekend on Saturday and Sunday, both seeing more than 3,500 positive COVID cases. And on Sunday, that number may even be a bit low because of the lag and weekend reporting.

So within just a week's time frame, we're seeing the tripling of numbers. In California overall, the positivity rate is still under 3 percent, which is relatively low compared to some other states. But California health officials did notice a rise in COVID positive cases in the days following the Thanksgiving holiday into early December. And that's why the state implemented new policies beginning December 15th to last for about a month before those policies are revisited.

There are three important things there. One is that everyone is required to wear masks indoors across the state. Two is that people are required to show proof of vaccination or a negative test to enter a mega event. Mega events are defined as either 1,000 people indoors or 10,000 people outdoors.

Finally, people travelling into California are recommended to get a COVID test three to five days after they arrive in the state. Already there are some events being canceled just like there are across the country due to positive cases. For example, a UCLA basketball game, even a production of a Christmas carol downtown in Los Angeles because of positive cases within those groups.

Schools including Stanford are also transitioning to virtual classes after the winter break is over here in Southern California. UCLA, the U.C. system, the Cal State system are saying they will monitor the situation for students after they come back from the winter break. Back to you.

SOARES: Thank you very much, Natasha Chen. Well, health experts are urging Americans to take the threat for Omicron seriously. One U.S. is likely facing a brutal winter surge.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DR, JONATHAN REINER, CNN MEDICAL ANALYST: There's a tsunami coming. Omicron variant is extraordinarily contagious. It's as contagious as measles. And that's about the most contagious virus that we've seen. This may be the most contagious virus that civilization has faced in our lifetimes.

DR. WILLIAM SCHAFFNER, NATIONAL FOUNDATION FOR INFECTIOUS DISEASES: We could be in for an ominous winter season and a kind of grim beginning of the New Year. There are still so many now vaccinated but still not boosted folks out there.

[04:35:07]

I wish everybody would go and get vaccine tomorrow. We've got plenty of vaccine available. It's in the refrigerators just waiting to get into arms.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

SOARES: Well, meanwhile, the U.S. is seeing a jump in air travel despite increasing COVID cases. The TSA screened more than 2 million passengers at U.S. airports on Saturday. That's the third day in a row.

The number of travellers over the past few days is nearly the same as pre-pandemic levels, suggesting Americans aren't canceling holidays travel plans despite, of course, the threat of Omicron. Officials are encouraging travelers to be careful. And of course, to get tested.

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DR. ANTHONY FAUCI, DIRECTOR, U.S. NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF ALLERGY & INFECTIOUS DISEASES: We really need to flood the system with testing. We need to have tests available for anyone who wants them particularly we're in a situation right now where people are going to be gathering even though they are vaccinated and boosted. They may want to go that extra step that extra mile to know that when we have people coming into the home where they're going someplace that you could know in 15 minutes whether or not you're positive.

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SOARES: Well, that's the focus on the United States. Let me take you to South Africa because South African President Cyril Ramaphosa's ended a week of self-isolation after his positive test for COVID-19. This comes as South Africa's Health Minister says hospitalizations are up but still lower than previous COVID-19 wave. Infections are surging since the Omicron variant was reported in the country last month.

David McKenzie is with us from Johannesburg with the latest. And David, of course, the world has been closely monitoring South Africa really trying to understand this new variant. What are you seeing in terms of hospitalizations and whether critically further restrictions are needed here?

DAVID MCKENZIE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, the short answer on restrictions is that they haven't put any new restrictions in. The authorities here, Isa, in South Africa said that because there's a relatively low rate of hospitalization and death, even now, nearly a month after this variant was identified by South African scientists, they are not installing new restrictions.

That must be said, though, there is still a mask mandate in this country for public spaces that has been in place for many, many months. But there isn't the tight restrictions that we saw early on in the pandemic, or the restrictions that are being put in place because of Omicron in Israel and parts of Europe and potentially in the U.K.

The fact is that the hospitalization rates are substantially lower still, compared to the Delta wave here and previous waves, and so are the deaths. They call it a uncoupling -- decoupling, I should say, between the rising cases and the subsequent rise in severe cases. Now, there could be several reasons for that as we've been talking about, Isa.

One could be that there, in this province alone, is this zero prevalence, meaning, people have already had covered up to 80 percent of the population. That should protect people against severe illness, even if it was a previous variant. And there's also up to 40 percent of people with at least one vaccine does. So that kind of complicates trying to assess whether this is because of that, or is it because Omicron itself is more mild.

There's also a warning that you can't necessarily take what's happening here and extrapolate it to other countries that might have a different picture based on the previous parts of the pandemic. But I must say that the feeling here in South Africa is people are feeling a lot better about this variant.

Now, several doctors I've spoken to even today said there's plenty of room in the hospitals. And not that many severe cases, certainly very few people on ventilators. Hopefully that translates to the rest of the world. Isa? SOARES: David McKenzie for us in Johannesburg. Thanks very much, David.

And I want to bring you a quick look really at all prices because we've seen oil prices really red arrows falling quite drastically around 5 percent really. Brent Crude down 4.5 percent. WTI Crude down 5 percent. Now this is, of course, over fears of the spread of the Omicron variant spreading and really fears that this could even have an impact on demand right across the world.

If you look at U.S. futures, red arrows right across the board, of course. Markets opening several hours from now, but look down three -- just over 3 percent for the Dow Jones. We'll keep an eye, of course, on those numbers as trading gets underway this Monday on Wall Street.

Now, tennis star Peng Shuai said there's a misunderstanding about her allegation she was sexually assaulted by a former Chinese official. The latest on her case coming up.

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[04:42:56]

SOARES: In Chile, supporters of 35-year-old leftist Gabriel Boric are celebrating his victory in the presidential runoff. He is the youngest person ever elected president in Chile and he has the support of the country's Communist Party. Far-right candidate Jose Kast conceded on Sunday evening. Boric will replace outgoing President Sebastian Pinera who's set to leave office in March. The election comes in the wake of social unrest over inequality and political discontent.

Now, Chinese tennis star Peng Shuai has given an interview to a Singapore newspaper saying she never accused anyone of sexual assault. That is despite a post on her social media account about being coerced intersex by a former Chinese official. In a video of the interview, she says she's always been free and that there may have been a misunderstanding. There's been a global concern for Peng's well-being and about whether she's being silenced by Chinese authorities.

Selina Wang joins me now live in Tokyo with the very latest. And Selina, give us a bit more in terms of what she said in this interview on whether this eases concerns at all for her well-being, for the likes of the WTA here.

SELINA WANG, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, Isa, this does not extinguish global concerns about Peng Shuai's well-being and the WTA is still calling for an investigation. Now this marks the first time Peng Shuai has ever spoken publicly to international media about the sexual assault allegations. And in the interview, she denies the claims.

She was speaking on the sidelines of a cross country ski event in Shanghai. She was speaking to a Singaporean Chinese language news outlet called Lianhe Zaobao. Take a listen to what she said.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP) PENG SHUAI, TENNIS PLAYER (through translation): I want to emphasize one thing that is very important, that I have never spoken or written about anyone sexually assaulting me. At this point, it's very important to be emphasized clearly. In terms of the Weibo post, first of all, it's my personal privacy. There possibly has been a lot of misunderstanding.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WANG: In the interview, she also said that she's been living at home in Beijing and denied that she's been under any kind of surveillance.

[04:45:00]

Now, Chinese state media reporters also posted photos and videos of her at this event including this video of her talking and smiling with former Chinese NBA star Yao Ming. But rights groups, Isa, remain concerned that she is being pressured and making staged appearances.

The WTA said in a statement, "As we have consistently stated, these appearances do not alleviate or address the WTA significant concerns about her well-being and ability to communicate without censorship or coercion. We remain steadfast in our call for a full, fair and transparent investigation without censorship into her allegation of sexual assault, which is the issue that gave rise to our initial concern."

The WTA had earlier in the month said it was suspending tournament since in China over concerns about the treatment of Peng Shuai. And this controversy all started last month when Peng alleged in a 1,600 word post on China's social media site Weibo, that a former Chinese Vice Premier had sexually assaulted her in the past. That post was swiftly censored. Discussion of the topic is blocked on China's heavily censored internet.

And after that, Peng had disappeared from public view for nearly three weeks. Photos and videos of her later surfaced in posts by Chinese state media. The IOC said that it held two video calls with her although it has not made those calls public. And now with the Winter Olympics less than two months away, China's foreign ministry has said that it, quote, opposes politicisation of sport, and has said that it hopes that, quote, malicious speculation about Peng Shuai will stop. Isa?

SOARES: Well, Selina Wang, I know you'll keep us on top of this story. Selina live for us in Tokyo. Thanks very much. Great to see you.

Now, closing arguments are scheduled to begin in just a few hours in the trial over the police shooting of Daunte Wright during a traffic stop. Former Officer Kim Potter broke down in tears as she testified in her own defence on Friday, apologizing and insisting she didn't want to hurt anybody. The testimony was the first time Potter has spoken in detail publicly about what led up to the shooting.

Potter told the court she mistook her service gun for her taser when she fatally shot 20-year-old Wright. Prosecutors says she acted recklessly. Potter has pleaded not guilty to charges of first and second degree manslaughter.

Pro and college sports are being rocked by new COVID outbreaks. Nearly every major league in the U.S. is hitting pause in some way to slow the spread. Details on the teams getting benched next.

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[04:51:17]

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DR. FRANCIS COLLINS, OUTGOING DIRECTOR, U.S. NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH: Can you imagine a circumstance where the director of the NIH, somebody who believes in science would submit to political pressures and fire the greatest expert in infectious disease that the world has known just to satisfy political concerns?

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SOARES: Well, that is the outgoing NIH Director Dr. Francis Collins, describing the pressure he felt under the Trump administration to fire the nation's top infectious disease expert, Dr. Anthony Fauci. He tells CBS he was pressured by Trump and other Republicans to endorse some proven COVID remedies like hydroxychloroquine.

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COLLINS: I got into a difficult place and got a bit of a talking to by the president of the United States about this, but I stuck my ground.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Would you have resigned if it had come to the White House trying to get you to do something you didn't want to do?

COLLINS: Yes, I was not going to compromise scientific principles to just hold on to the job.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

SOARES: Well CNN has reached out to Trump's office for comment on the Collins interview.

Now the National Hockey League has halted the season for seven teams due to rising COVID infections. The latest wave is putting the sports leagues across United States in a bit of a bind. CNN's Nadia Romero has more for you.

NADIA ROMERO, CNN U.S. CORRESPONDENT: Well normally this time of year would be a great time for sports fans. You've got a college hoops, college football, NFL, NHL, NBA, so many things to watch and enjoy. But instead, it feels a lot like the very beginning of COVID-19 pandemic with so many of those games being postponed or canceled.

So let's start with basketball. The NBA today on Sunday canceling some of its games Sunday and Monday, postponing those games for a later date because of COVID-19. And we're talking about big name superstars in the Brooklyn Nets like Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant out. And we're even seeing that when it comes to college basketball, that is 20 men's basketball games, and 36 women's basketball games canceled or postponed so far this year.

From the basketball court to the Gridiron now, an NFL Saturday doubleheader, it turned into a single showdown between the New England Patriots and Indianapolis Colts. Three games postponed week 15 of the NFL, because so many players are out on the COVID-19 reserve list. More than 20 players for the Cleveland Browns, for the Rams and the Washington Football Team.

And the NFL even saying this past weekend, that the -- they're having new protocols for asymptomatic, fully vaccinated players. We're not going to test them on a regular basis, but instead moving to a more targeted approach, a big change coming from the NFL.

Now the NHL making a big announcement on Sunday saying that it will postpone 30 games between December 18th and December 23rd. And that includes cross border games. So remember, the NHL has teams in Canada and the U.S. and they're citing the concerns over federal restrictions and travel concerns over the border. And that's the news coming out of the NHL this weekend.

Nadia Romero, CNN, Atlanta.

SOARES: Thank you very much, Nadia. Well, one of the NFL teams still playing games made it count big on Sunday, the Green Bay Packers clinched the NFC North title after holding off the Baltimore Ravens, 31 to 30. Star quarterback Aaron Rodgers has for more than 260 yards and landed three touchdowns.

At 442, Rodgers now ties Hall of Fame quarterback Brett Favre for most scoring passes in Green Bay history. Congrats then.

Now, Tiger Woods returned to competitive golf went pretty well. This weekend's PNC Championship in Florida was the first time the golf legend competed since his leg was badly injured in that car crash back in February if you remember. He teamed up with his 12-year-old son son Charlie the two-day tournament, where they took second place.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

[04:55:15]

TIGER WOODS, PROFESSIONAL GOLFER: The fact that I'm able to have this opportunity this year -- even a couple weeks ago we didn't really know whether or not I would, you know, I'd be doing this. But here we are. And we had just the best time ever.

And he and I out there, I just wished that -- I told you guys yesterday, I wish I could have walked on the fairways with him. And then, you know, side by side with him the entire time like we were last year.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

SOARES: The father-son duo shot 1,500 pound Sunday. At one point, birdied 11 straight holes, but they finished a tournament two strokes behind John Daly and his son.

Now, movie theaters have been desperate for a massive blockbuster since the pandemic, of course, and now they've got their superhero.

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UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The entire world is about to forget that Peter Parker is Spider Man.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Wait, everyone?

(END VIDEO CLIP)

SOARES: The latest Marvel movie "Spider-Man: No Way Home" still the third largest opening weekend in history. Soon it says it racked in more than $253 million in North America. The amazing Spider man right there in action indeed.

And before I leave you today, we have some baby breaking news to bring you. Congratulations to our friend and colleague Sarah Chiplin and her husband Izzy (ph) on the arrival of their precious baby boys. You can see there Levi Freddy Lewis (ph) born on Sunday afternoon in London. He's absolutely gorgeous.

Christmas clearly has come early for this family and we're thrilled for them all including big sister Levi (ph). Congratulations.

And that does it for me here on CNN Newsroom. I'm Isa Soares. Our coverage continues on "Early Start" with Christine Romans and Laura Jarrett. I shall see you tomorrow. Bye-bye.

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