The new world record number of deaths was recorded in the United States as 2108 additional deaths were recorded within 24 hours on Friday. This is the most massive daily report in the world since the pandemic broke out.
The new death toll raises the total number of people who have succumbed to COVID-19 in the United States to 20,595, which is now higher than the country that mourned the most dead Italy (18849 deaths), but with a population five times smaller.
The United States has also surpassed half a million officially recorded cases, with 35,000 recorded within 24 hours. By midnight they had 533,470 confirmed cases of COVID-19.
Although President Trump has stated that the epidemic curve in the United States is at its peak, new estimates from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) – reported by the New York Times on Friday – predict a sharp rise in cases and deaths during summer if social distancing measures and stay at home orders now in place are lifted sooner than what is really necessary. The outcome of such a decision could lead to 2,000,000 deaths and 100 million cases in total.
With the federal social security guidelines expiring in late April, the President is now considering extending the measures again, calling it "the biggest decision I ever had to make." Trump was willing to lift all the lockdown measures and restore the US economy, but over time he has become more reluctant to do so prematurely.
New York remains the worst-hit state in the United States, with about 800 new deaths on Friday alone, with a total of more than 7,800. However, Governor Andrew Cuomo said the "curve" in new cases and fatalities had begun to flatten out as the number of ICU patients fell on Friday for the first time since New York remains the worst-hit state in the United States, with about 800 new deaths on Friday alone, with a total of more than 7,800. However, Governor Andrew Cuomo said the "curve" in new cases and fatalities had begun to flatten out as the number of ICU patients fell on Friday for the first time since the COVID-19 outbreak.
The rapid spread of the virus has infected about 1.7 million people and killed 102,000 worldwide since the pandemic began late last year, spreading quickly to more than 180 countries. While cases in the United States crossed the half-million mark on Friday - representing nearly a third of global infections - regionally, in Europe, many countries have recorded a similar number of cases, with Spain, Italy, France, and Germany reporting more than 120,000 cases each, and several other countries with more than 20,000.
Photo credits to: Reuters/Brendan McDermid
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