The United States recorded 865 new deaths in just 24 hours due the coronavirus epidemic with the number of confirmed cases surging to 188,547, according to Johns Hopkins coronavirus resource centre.

US records highest death toll due to coronavirus

Makeshift hospitals pop-up across the globe to handle surge in COVID-19 patients

The US Navy’s hospital ships, which arrived on Monday to help out with the coronavirus pandemic has begun treating patients.

&nbsp;The two floating hospital ships arrived in New York Harbour and docked on Manhattan's West Side.

The 1,000-bed floating hospital is to help local efforts to beat back the spread of the deadly coronavirus.

Originally designed to treat scores of servicemen injured in the war, the naval ships Mercy and Comfort, each is 894-foot vessels stocked with life-saving equipment.

The arrival of these ships come as the nation’s coronavirus cases crossed one lakh, surpassing the national tallies of China and Italy.

The Navy hospitals are largely to be used for non-coronavirus patients.

The ship is typically used to support military campaigns and humanitarian crises abroad, along with earthquake and hurricane relief.

Over 800 medical staff, including doctors, nurses, mariners, and corpsmen, are aboard the USNS Mercy to provide medical care to non-coronavirus patients in Los Angeles.

This will allow local hospitals to focus its resources and intensive care units (ICUs) on COVID-19 patients.

Navy officials insist that they are doing everything to try to keep it virus-free. Therefore, every patient who boards the ship will be screened accordingly.

The ship has the same functions and capabilities as a typical hospital.

Out of 1000 beds, 500 are designated for minimal case needs, another 400 for intermediate cases, 20 for surgical recovery, and 80 for intensive care patients.

The comfort ship has been around for over four decades and been deployed all around the world.

With 12 operating rooms, 1,000 hospital beds, radiology services, a laboratory, pharmacy and ct scanner, the comfort is its own fully-staffed hospital

It responded to the earthquake in Haiti in 2010 and showed up off the coast of New Orleans after hurricane Katrina hit in 2005.

The US Navy’s hospital ships, which arrived on Monday to help out with the coronavirus pandemic has begun treating patients. The two floating hospital ships arrived in New York Harbour and docked on Manhattan's West Side.

The US Navy’s hospital ships, which arrived on Monday to help out with the coronavirus pandemic has begun treating patients. The two floating hospital ships arrived in New York Harbour and docked on Manhattan's West Side. The 1,000-bed floating hospital is to help local efforts to beat back the spread of the deadly coronavirus. Originally designed to treat scores of servicemen injured in the war, the naval ships Mercy and Comfort, each is 894-foot vessels stocked with life-saving equipment. The arrival of these ships come as the nation’s coronavirus cases crossed one lakh, surpassing the national tallies of China and Italy. The Navy hospitals are largely to be used for non-coronavirus patients. The ship is typically used to support military campaigns and humanitarian crises abroad, along with earthquake and hurricane relief. Over 800 medical staff, including doctors, nurses, mariners, and corpsmen, are aboard the USNS Mercy to provide medical care to non-coronavirus patients in Los Angeles. This will allow local hospitals to focus its resources and intensive care units (ICUs) on COVID-19 patients. Navy officials insist that they are doing everything to try to keep it virus-free. Therefore, every patient who boards the ship will be screened accordingly. The ship has the same functions and capabilities as a typical hospital. Out of 1000 beds, 500 are designated for minimal case needs, another 400 for intermediate cases, 20 for surgical recovery, and 80 for intensive care patients. The comfort ship has been around for over four decades and been deployed all around the world. With 12 operating rooms, 1,000 hospital beds, radiology services, a laboratory, pharmacy and ct scanner, the comfort is its own fully-staffed hospital It responded to the earthquake in Haiti in 2010 and showed up off the coast of New Orleans after hurricane Katrina hit in 2005.

The floating hospitals!: Everything you to want to know about USNS Mercy and Comfort

A US infant has died from the COVID-19 illness, officials in the state of Illinois said on Saturday, marking an extremely rare case of juvenile death in the global pandemic.

At a news conference, Governor JB Pritzker said "an infant" was among the fatalities linked to the new coronavirus over the previous 24 hours.

The state Department of Public Health said the child who died in Chicago was younger than one year old and had tested positive for COVID-19.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-rips-into-lamestream-media-amid-rising-covid-19-cases-in-us-289147" hreflang="en">Trump rips into 'lamestream media' amid rising COVID-19 cases in US</a>

"There has never before been a death associated with COVID-19 in an infant,"&nbsp;the department's director Ngozi Ezike said in a statement.

"A full investigation is underway to determine the cause of death."&nbsp;

Pritzker described himself as shaken by the news.

"I know how difficult this news can be, especially about this very young child," he said.

"It's especially sorrowful for the family of this very small child, for the years stolen from this infant. We should grieve."

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-drops-idea-of-new-york-lockdown-as-us-death-count-crosses-2000-289203" hreflang="en">Trump drops idea of New York lockdown as US death count crosses 2,000</a>

Last week, top French health official Jerome Salomon&nbsp;said a 16-year-old girl had died in the Ile-de-France region of Paris and its surroundings.

"Severe forms (of coronavirus) with the young are very rare," Salomon noted.

In the US state of California last week, the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health said that a teenager had tested positive for COVID-19 and died.

But the agency added the case is complex and there may be an alternate explanation.

Multiple studies have found the virus disproportionately affects older patients and those with underlying conditions.

The United States has the highest number of new coronavirus cases in the world, more than 120,000, although its death toll of more than 2,000 is still below that of other countries including Italy, Spain and China.

More than 450 US deaths occurred over the 24-hour period prior to Saturday afternoon.

The Chicago baby was among 13 new deaths in Illinois.&nbsp;&nbsp;

A US infant has died from the COVID-19 illness, officials in the state of Illinois said on Saturday, marking an extremely rare case of juvenile death in the global pandemic.

A US infant has died from the COVID-19 illness, officials in the state of Illinois said on Saturday, marking an extremely rare case of juvenile death in the global pandemic. At a news conference, Governor JB Pritzker said "an infant" was among the fatalities linked to the new coronavirus over the previous 24 hours. The state Department of Public Health said the child who died in Chicago was younger than one year old and had tested positive for COVID-19. Also read: Trump rips into 'lamestream media' amid rising COVID-19 cases in US "There has never before been a death associated with COVID-19 in an infant," the department's director Ngozi Ezike said in a statement. "A full investigation is underway to determine the cause of death." Pritzker described himself as shaken by the news. "I know how difficult this news can be, especially about this very young child," he said. "It's especially sorrowful for the family of this very small child, for the years stolen from this infant. We should grieve." Also read: Trump drops idea of New York lockdown as US death count crosses 2,000 Last week, top French health official Jerome Salomon said a 16-year-old girl had died in the Ile-de-France region of Paris and its surroundings. "Severe forms (of coronavirus) with the young are very rare," Salomon noted. In the US state of California last week, the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health said that a teenager had tested positive for COVID-19 and died. But the agency added the case is complex and there may be an alternate explanation. Multiple studies have found the virus disproportionately affects older patients and those with underlying conditions. The United States has the highest number of new coronavirus cases in the world, more than 120,000, although its death toll of more than 2,000 is still below that of other countries including Italy, Spain and China. More than 450 US deaths occurred over the 24-hour period prior to Saturday afternoon. The Chicago baby was among 13 new deaths in Illinois.

In rare case, US infant dies from COVID-19

As of Friday (March 27) the coronavirus had infected more than 100,000 people in the United States, now the US is leading the world leader in cases of COVID-19.

US leads the world in COVID-19 confirmed cases

Coronavirus Outbreak: Health Workers at risk in Spain, Italy and UK | WION News | World News The coronavirus death toll has surpassed 8,000 in Italy, erasing some of the hope seen earlier this week when the number of reported deaths seemed to have slowed down.

Coronavirus Outbreak: Health Workers at risk in Spain, Italy and UK

Spain returns faulty test kits to China | Spain Coronavirus News | World news As Spain’s death toll hit 4,089, the Chinese embassy in Madrid said on Thursday (26 March) that the Spanish government had bought a batch of faulty COVID-19 testing kits from an unauthorised Chinese company.

Spain returns faulty test kits to China | Spain Coronavirus News

In the United States, Coronavirus (COVID-19) continues to wreak havoc. The fatalities doubles in just 3 days. Trump said that quarantine will be be necessary. He issues travel curbs on New York instead. The United States of America is still underprepared for COVID-19. Most cities of U.S. still lacks masks & ventilators.

What made New York vulnerable to COVID-19

Reports from the US state of Pennsylvania claim that a woman purposely coughed on food items worth $35,000 at a grocery store.

Just yesterday, the United States Department of Justice had said that people who are attempting to intentionally spread coronavirus shall be charged with terrorism.

The woman is expected to face criminal charges, CNN reported.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/pandemic-will-cut-global-investment-flows-more-than-feared-un-288745">Pandemic will cut global investment flows more than feared, says&nbsp;UN</a>

Based on the Facebook post of the grocery chain’s co-owner, the woman coughed not only on produce, but on bakery items, meat, and other food items.&nbsp;

Soon after the staff discovered what was happening, the police were called in who took her into custody.

According to the police statement, the woman “intentionally contaminated” the food. Once her mental health treatment is complete, criminal charges shall be filed against her.

There’s no clarity on whether the woman is infected with the virus, but she will most probably be tested nevertheless.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/coronavirus-testing-kits-and-ventilators-are-they-the-difference-between-life-and-death-288763" hreflang="en">Coronavirus testing kits and ventilators, are they the difference between life and death?</a>

The produce, which amounts to over $35,000 has been discarded by Gerrity Supermarket, where the incident unravelled.

Besides this, everything and area that she came in contact with has been disinfected, as per the co-owner Fasula’s Facebook post.

<h6><img alt="ppp" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="6e45dee0-8232-4f73-b6eb-de3a11c395b7" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design%20%284%29_48.jpg" /> 
A cashier wearing a face masks processes a customer's payment at a supermarket on March 26, 2020 in the Portuense district of Rome during the country's lockdown following the COVID-19 new coronavirus pandemic | AFP</h6>

Fasula further expressed her displeasure over the wastage of food, especially in a time when the world might face a potential shortage of basic food items, with lockdowns in place all over.

Social media is filled with coronavirus-related pranks, whereby people are licking items at public spots, for instance, a pole in the metro, or coughing purposely to create paranoia.&nbsp;

In the US city of New Jersey, a man claiming to have coronavirus purposely spat on a grocery store employee. The charges against him mentioned “terroristic threats”.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/coronavirus-outbreak-global-cases-cross-530000-death-toll-rises-to-24070-288799" hreflang="en">Coronavirus outbreak: Global cases cross 530,000; death toll rises to 24,070</a>

The Justice Department had released a memo yesterday, according to which the virus qualifies as a biological agent. “Using COVID-19 as a weapon against Americans” will be perceived as a terrorist threat.

Cases of infections of the deadly coronavirus surpassed 530,000 worldwide on Friday and global deaths rose past 24,000, as COVID-19 spreads across Europe and North America.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/people-to-be-prosecuted-under-terrorism-law-if-they-intentionally-spread-coronavirus-us-justice-dept-288775" hreflang="en">People to be prosecuted under terrorism law, if they intentionally spread coronavirus: US Justice Dept</a>

COVID-19 has now infected more than 350,536 people, according to Johns Hopkins University, and killed at least 15,328 people. Around 122,203 people of that tally have recovered, according to Hopkins.

According to the news reports, The United States has taken the grim title of the country with the most coronavirus infections and reported a record surge in unemployment.

In the United States, more than 83,000 people have tested positive for COVID-19, edging out Italy, which has reported the most deaths, and China, where the virus was first detected in December in the metropolis of Wuhan.

Reports from the US state of Pennsylvania claim that a woman purposely coughed on food items worth $35,000 at a grocery store. Just yesterday, the United States Department of Justice had said that people who are attempting to intentionally spread coronavirus shall be charged with terrorism.

Reports from the US state of Pennsylvania claim that a woman purposely coughed on food items worth $35,000 at a grocery store. Just yesterday, the United States Department of Justice had said that people who are attempting to intentionally spread coronavirus shall be charged with terrorism. The woman is expected to face criminal charges, CNN reported. Also read: Pandemic will cut global investment flows more than feared, says UN Based on the Facebook post of the grocery chain’s co-owner, the woman coughed not only on produce, but on bakery items, meat, and other food items. Soon after the staff discovered what was happening, the police were called in who took her into custody. According to the police statement, the woman “intentionally contaminated” the food. Once her mental health treatment is complete, criminal charges shall be filed against her. There’s no clarity on whether the woman is infected with the virus, but she will most probably be tested nevertheless. Also read: Coronavirus testing kits and ventilators, are they the difference between life and death? The produce, which amounts to over $35,000 has been discarded by Gerrity Supermarket, where the incident unravelled. Besides this, everything and area that she came in contact with has been disinfected, as per the co-owner Fasula’s Facebook post. A cashier wearing a face masks processes a customer's payment at a supermarket on March 26, 2020 in the Portuense district of Rome during the country's lockdown following the COVID-19 new coronavirus pandemic | AFP Fasula further expressed her displeasure over the wastage of food, especially in a time when the world might face a potential shortage of basic food items, with lockdowns in place all over. Social media is filled with coronavirus-related pranks, whereby people are licking items at public spots, for instance, a pole in the metro, or coughing purposely to create paranoia. In the US city of New Jersey, a man claiming to have coronavirus purposely spat on a grocery store employee. The charges against him mentioned “terroristic threats”. Also read: Coronavirus outbreak: Global cases cross 530,000; death toll rises to 24,070 The Justice Department had released a memo yesterday, according to which the virus qualifies as a biological agent. “Using COVID-19 as a weapon against Americans” will be perceived as a terrorist threat. Cases of infections of the deadly coronavirus surpassed 530,000 worldwide on Friday and global deaths rose past 24,000, as COVID-19 spreads across Europe and North America. Also read: People to be prosecuted under terrorism law, if they intentionally spread coronavirus: US Justice Dept COVID-19 has now infected more than 350,536 people, according to Johns Hopkins University, and killed at least 15,328 people. Around 122,203 people of that tally have recovered, according to Hopkins. According to the news reports, The United States has taken the grim title of the country with the most coronavirus infections and reported a record surge in unemployment. In the United States, more than 83,000 people have tested positive for COVID-19, edging out Italy, which has reported the most deaths, and China, where the virus was first detected in December in the metropolis of Wuhan.

Woman in US coughs on food, supermarket discards goods worth $35,000

With the number of coronavirus cases rising rapidly, the World Health Organization (WHO) has warned that the United States could become the next epicentre of the pandemic. According to US Surgeon General Dr Jerome Adams, the country is ''already be seeing the beginnings of this in some areas, marking a new stage of the nation's outbreak.''

US bumps china with most number of cases: More than 85,000 COVID cases

The Labor Department reported Thursday that Americans are filing for unemployment benefits, the number surged to 3.3 million last week, which happens to be the highest number ever recorded.

Coronavirus Outbreak: 3.3 mn Americans file for unemployment | WION News

The death toll has topped one thousand in the United States. In these extraordinary times, the US Justice Department has given the green light to use anti-terrorism laws to investigate and prosecute people who attempt or threaten to intentionally infect others with the deadly coronavirus.

These warnings are not simply precautionary measures. The law enforcement agencies have made it clear that when such threats or intentional exposures come to light, they are going to enforce the law.

A 50-year-old man from New Jersey, George Falcone has been charged with making terroristic threats after allegedly coughing in the direction of a local supermarket employee and claiming he suffered from the coronavirus.

The third-degree terrorism charge carries a sentence of three to five years in state prison. &nbsp;

Falcone denies that he has COVID-19 and that he coughed on the supermarket worker.

The Justice Department has not made it clear whether perpetrators must actually have a confirmed COVID-19 diagnosis to be charged with terrorism-related crimes.

This development comes as the coronavirus outbreak crisis continues to intensify across with the US, with nearly 60,000 Americans testing positive for COVID-19 as of now.

More than twenty-one thousand people have died worldwide as a result of the highly-contagious virus.

The death toll has topped one thousand in the United States. In these extraordinary times, the US Justice Department has given the green light to use anti-terrorism laws to investigate and prosecute people who attempt or threaten to intentionally infect others with the deadly coronavirus.

The death toll has topped one thousand in the United States. In these extraordinary times, the US Justice Department has given the green light to use anti-terrorism laws to investigate and prosecute people who attempt or threaten to intentionally infect others with the deadly coronavirus. These warnings are not simply precautionary measures. The law enforcement agencies have made it clear that when such threats or intentional exposures come to light, they are going to enforce the law. A 50-year-old man from New Jersey, George Falcone has been charged with making terroristic threats after allegedly coughing in the direction of a local supermarket employee and claiming he suffered from the coronavirus. The third-degree terrorism charge carries a sentence of three to five years in state prison. Falcone denies that he has COVID-19 and that he coughed on the supermarket worker. The Justice Department has not made it clear whether perpetrators must actually have a confirmed COVID-19 diagnosis to be charged with terrorism-related crimes. This development comes as the coronavirus outbreak crisis continues to intensify across with the US, with nearly 60,000 Americans testing positive for COVID-19 as of now. More than twenty-one thousand people have died worldwide as a result of the highly-contagious virus.

People to be prosecuted under terrorism law, if they intentionally spread coronavirus: US Justice Dept

United States emerges as coronavirus hotspot

President Donald Trump declared the beginning of the end of the coronavirus crisis in the United States on Tuesday and called for a quick end to social distancing, even as New York's governor compared the growing pandemic to a "bullet train."

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/cure-cant-be-worse-than-problem-announces-trump-as-he-vows-to-reopen-us-economy-amid-covid-19-crisis-288294" hreflang="en">'Cure can't be worse than problem', announces Trump as he vows to reopen US economy amid COVID-19 crisis</a>

Trump, who is keen to get his reelection campaign back on track, said that social distancing has caused too much pain to the US economy, prompting Congress to debate a historic rescue package.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/new-york-state-accounts-for-over-5-of-global-coronavirus-cases-numbers-expected-to-increase-288271" hreflang="en">New York state accounts for over 5% of global coronavirus cases, numbers expected to increase</a>

"Our country -- it's not built to shut down," he said on Fox News. "You can destroy a country this way by closing it down."

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/could-united-states-become-the-next-epicentre-of-covid-19-288258" hreflang="en">Could United States become the next epicentre of COVID-19?</a>

"I would love to have the country opened up and just raring to go by Easter," said Trump, declaring he could see "light at the end of the tunnel."

The president said he looked forward to "packed" churches on Easter, which is on April 12 -- less than three weeks away.

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Social distancing and quarantine measures have been instituted across much of the United States, with stay-at-home orders for more than a third of the population, bringing the&nbsp;world's biggest economy to an abrupt halt.

An Ipsos/Axios poll released Tuesday found that 74 percent of Americans have stopped attending large gatherings, while 48 percent have canceled travel plans, leaving airports deserted.

Another significant casualty of the shutdown has been the presidential campaign, with Trump having to halt a relentless series of big rallies around the country.

Health experts have advised the measures as the foundation for preventing the easily transmitted, potentially fatal illness from multiplying uncontrollably.

The administration on March 16 declared "15 Days to Slow the Spread," a period which expires early next week.

But Trump made clear Tuesday that he thinks the response to coronavirus deaths has been blown out of proportion, saying "we lose much more than that to automobile accidents. We didn't call up the automobile companies to say, 'Stop making cars.'"

Later, Trump appeared to retreat from his Easter goal at a press conference alongside the renowned government infectious diseases specialist Anthony Fauci.

"We'll only do it if it's good," Trump said, adding that the reopening could be limited to a "portion" of the nation. He mentioned areas like farm country, Texas and the west, often sparsely populated.

His own press secretary, Stephanie Grisham, quarantined since coming into contact with Brazilian officials almost two weeks ago, has tested negative, the White House said Tuesday.

The plunge in activity and warnings of recession or even depression are a brutal reversal for what was until a few weeks ago a humming economy, with record low unemployment.

Congressional leaders said Tuesday they were getting closer all the time to delivering a major boost by passing a nearly $2 trillion rescue package for businesses, ordinary Americans and hospitals reeling from the shutdown.

Republicans and Democrats have been wrangling over the bill for several days but news that they were nearing a deal sent battered stock prices on Wall Street soaring.

This would be the biggest emergency injection of money into the economy in history, dwarfing even the bailouts of 2008, when a worldwide financial crisis sent the US economy into a tailspin.

More than 700 people have died from the new coronavirus in the United States, while the number of confirmed cases is near 54,000, a tracker maintained by Johns Hopkins University showed Tuesday.

The US has the third-highest number of confirmed cases globally, behind China and Italy.

And despite Trump's relentless optimism, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo warned of "astronomical numbers" in the state and the nation's biggest city.

"We are not slowing it. And it is accelerating on its own," he said, comparing the spread of the disease to "a bullet train."

With his reelection campaign temporarily knocked off track, Trump is now seeking to turn the coronavirus calamity into a dramatic comeback story that will deliver him a second term in November.

One of his main claims to a second term, prior to the coronavirus outbreak, was the strong economy.

"We can't lose a Boeing, we can't lose some of these companies," he said on the Fox News broadcast from the White House. "If we lose those companies we're talking about hundreds of thousands of jobs, millions of jobs."

However, his push for a quick reopening of the economy carries the risk that some will see it as putting wealth over the survival of the sick, especially the vulnerable elderly.

Texas Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick said as much, urging those over 70 "not to sacrifice the country."

Cuomo, whose daily news conferences have made him a major national voice during the crisis, shot back at those calling for rapid economic reopening, saying "my mother is not expendable."&nbsp;

President Donald Trump declared the beginning of the end of the coronavirus crisis in the United States on Tuesday and called for a quick end to social distancing, even as New York's governor compared the growing pandemic to a "bullet train.

President Donald Trump declared the beginning of the end of the coronavirus crisis in the United States on Tuesday and called for a quick end to social distancing, even as New York's governor compared the growing pandemic to a "bullet train." Also read: 'Cure can't be worse than problem', announces Trump as he vows to reopen US economy amid COVID-19 crisis Trump, who is keen to get his reelection campaign back on track, said that social distancing has caused too much pain to the US economy, prompting Congress to debate a historic rescue package. Also read: New York state accounts for over 5% of global coronavirus cases, numbers expected to increase "Our country -- it's not built to shut down," he said on Fox News. "You can destroy a country this way by closing it down." Also read: Could United States become the next epicentre of COVID-19? "I would love to have the country opened up and just raring to go by Easter," said Trump, declaring he could see "light at the end of the tunnel." The president said he looked forward to "packed" churches on Easter, which is on April 12 -- less than three weeks away. × Social distancing and quarantine measures have been instituted across much of the United States, with stay-at-home orders for more than a third of the population, bringing the world's biggest economy to an abrupt halt. An Ipsos/Axios poll released Tuesday found that 74 percent of Americans have stopped attending large gatherings, while 48 percent have canceled travel plans, leaving airports deserted. Another significant casualty of the shutdown has been the presidential campaign, with Trump having to halt a relentless series of big rallies around the country. Health experts have advised the measures as the foundation for preventing the easily transmitted, potentially fatal illness from multiplying uncontrollably. The administration on March 16 declared "15 Days to Slow the Spread," a period which expires early next week. But Trump made clear Tuesday that he thinks the response to coronavirus deaths has been blown out of proportion, saying "we lose much more than that to automobile accidents. We didn't call up the automobile companies to say, 'Stop making cars.'" Later, Trump appeared to retreat from his Easter goal at a press conference alongside the renowned government infectious diseases specialist Anthony Fauci. "We'll only do it if it's good," Trump said, adding that the reopening could be limited to a "portion" of the nation. He mentioned areas like farm country, Texas and the west, often sparsely populated. His own press secretary, Stephanie Grisham, quarantined since coming into contact with Brazilian officials almost two weeks ago, has tested negative, the White House said Tuesday. The plunge in activity and warnings of recession or even depression are a brutal reversal for what was until a few weeks ago a humming economy, with record low unemployment. Congressional leaders said Tuesday they were getting closer all the time to delivering a major boost by passing a nearly $2 trillion rescue package for businesses, ordinary Americans and hospitals reeling from the shutdown. Republicans and Democrats have been wrangling over the bill for several days but news that they were nearing a deal sent battered stock prices on Wall Street soaring. This would be the biggest emergency injection of money into the economy in history, dwarfing even the bailouts of 2008, when a worldwide financial crisis sent the US economy into a tailspin. More than 700 people have died from the new coronavirus in the United States, while the number of confirmed cases is near 54,000, a tracker maintained by Johns Hopkins University showed Tuesday. The US has the third-highest number of confirmed cases globally, behind China and Italy. And despite Trump's relentless optimism, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo warned of "astronomical numbers" in the state and the nation's biggest city. "We are not slowing it. And it is accelerating on its own," he said, comparing the spread of the disease to "a bullet train." With his reelection campaign temporarily knocked off track, Trump is now seeking to turn the coronavirus calamity into a dramatic comeback story that will deliver him a second term in November. One of his main claims to a second term, prior to the coronavirus outbreak, was the strong economy. "We can't lose a Boeing, we can't lose some of these companies," he said on the Fox News broadcast from the White House. "If we lose those companies we're talking about hundreds of thousands of jobs, millions of jobs." However, his push for a quick reopening of the economy carries the risk that some will see it as putting wealth over the survival of the sick, especially the vulnerable elderly. Texas Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick said as much, urging those over 70 "not to sacrifice the country." Cuomo, whose daily news conferences have made him a major national voice during the crisis, shot back at those calling for rapid economic reopening, saying "my mother is not expendable."

Trump declares coronavirus fight close to end, but cases rise

With the number of coronavirus cases rising rapidly, the World Health Organization (WHO) has warned that the United States could become the next epicentre of the pandemic. Out of the new cases recorded in the last 24 hours, 40 per cent came from the United States alone.

Nearly 6,000 infected & over 800 dead in United States

A week after millions of Americans began taking shelter at home from the coronavirus, states warned on Tuesday against easing restrictions too soon even though the clampdown is devastating the U.S. economy.

President Donald Trump said on Monday he was considering how to restart business life when a 15-day shutdown ends next week, even as the highly contagious virus spreads rapidly and poorly equipped hospitals struggle with a wave of deadly cases.

A Republican, Trump is seeking to win re-election in November on a promise of economic growth.

Governor Andrew Cuomo, a Democrat whose state of New York has become the epicenter of the U.S. outbreak with 25,665 cases, strongly opposed allowing people to travel, socialize and get back to workplaces too quickly.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/cure-cant-be-worse-than-problem-announces-trump-as-he-vows-to-reopen-us-economy-amid-covid-19-crisis-288294" hreflang="en">'Cure can't be worse than problem', announces Trump as he vows to reopen US economy amid COVID-19 crisis</a>

"If you ask the American people to choose between public health and the economy, then it's no contest. No American is going to say accelerate the economy at the cost of human life," he said at a convention center in Manhattan that is being repurposed to fit beds for coronavirus patients.

Cuomo said the projected need for hospital beds in New York at the peak of the outbreak has jumped to 140,000, compared with the 53,000 that are available and that the apex of the outbreak could still be 14-21 days away

Maryland Governor Larry Hogan, a Republican, told CNN on Tuesday: "We don't think that we're going to be in any way ready to be out of this in five or six days or so, or whenever this 15 days is up from the time that they started this imaginary clock."

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/could-united-states-become-the-next-epicentre-of-covid-19-288258" hreflang="en">Could United States become the next epicentre of COVID-19?</a>

More than 42,000 people in the United States have contracted COVID-19, the respiratory illness caused by the virus, and at least 620 have died. The World Health Organization on Tuesday warned that the United States has the potential to become the global epicenter of the coronavirus pandemic, citing a "very large acceleration" in infections.

Senior Pentagon leaders said on Tuesday that the outbreak could continue for months.

Trump issued guidelines last week that he said aimed to slow the spread of the disease over 15 days, including curbing unnecessary travel. Economic activity has ground to a halt in major states such as New York and California.

The coronavirus has shuttered thousands of U.S. businesses, thrown millions out of work and led state governors to order about 100 million people - nearly a third of the nation's population - to stay at home.

There were signs that nerves had begun fraying after days of people working from home, looking after children whose schools are shut and severely scaling back on everyday activities.

Steve Rubinstein, a small bottle of hand sanitizer dangling from his belt loop, was juggling his two small children as they played in a New York park. Both he and his wife are working from home.

"It's very challenging, my wife and I both work, we have fulltime jobs," he said. "But it's, yeah, it's nonstop, it's relentless," Rubinstein, 35, added about balancing work demands and keeping their children safe and entertained.

Trump told a White House news conference on Monday that "America will again and soon be open for business," saying the crisis should not "turn into a long-lasting financial problem."

Rapidly reopening the economy might backfire, with higher deaths and people remaining fearful of going out, according to investors who remain anxious about the coronavirus’ uncertain trajectory and its economic toll.

“Markets will react badly because they have learned that this approach doesn’t work,” Axel Merk, chief investment officer of Merk Investments, said. “From a medical point of view, you have to break the exponential growth and you do that with shelter in place policies.”

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Wall street jumps

After taking a beating for most days in recent weeks, Wall Street bounced from three-year lows on Tuesday amid signs that Washington was nearing a deal on a $2 trillion package to rescue the economy from coronavirus. All three main U.S. stock indexes jumped more than 5%.

Negotiators predicted the U.S. Senate could pass the stimulus bill, which includes financial aid for ordinary Americans, small businesses and critically affected industries, as soon as Tuesday.

After criticism from Cuomo and others that Trump was not wielding special powers to force businesses to make medical equipment likes masks and ventilators, the federal government said on Tuesday it would use the Defense Production Act to procure 60,000 coronavirus test kits.

Peter Gaynor, the Federal Emergency Management Agency administrator, told CNN the Trump administration had decided to use the act because "there are some test kits we need to get our hands on." It would be the first time the act is being used for the coronavirus crisis.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/new-york-state-accounts-for-over-5-of-global-coronavirus-cases-numbers-expected-to-increase-288271" hreflang="en">New York state accounts for over 5% of global coronavirus cases, numbers expected to increase</a>

For right now, Birx said people in the United States should continue to follow the guidelines of social distancing.

"What the president is doing is looking for the future ... not looking to change what we're doing now," she said.

Stephen Moore, an economic commentator said by Trump's aides to be influencing the president, told Reuters on Monday there was a re-examination in the White House of the wisdom of “a full scale … shutdown of the economy.”

He said there were some who thought that “if we go on too long with the economy shut down, the human toll for that could be greater than the risk of the virus."

Despite the huge changes to daily life, many Americans still say they are willing to make sacrifices.

Christine Schindler, 58, a former receptionist, was alone waiting for a bus on Manhattan’s Upper West Side on Tuesday. She said she thought it was dangerous to lift the restrictions too early for the sake of the economy.

“It’s going to come back up anyway, really, once things hit the bottom,” she said. “This is supposed to be the number one economy in the world.”

A week after millions of Americans began taking shelter at home from the coronavirus, states warned on Tuesday against easing restrictions too soon even though the clampdown is devastating the U.

A week after millions of Americans began taking shelter at home from the coronavirus, states warned on Tuesday against easing restrictions too soon even though the clampdown is devastating the U.S. economy. President Donald Trump said on Monday he was considering how to restart business life when a 15-day shutdown ends next week, even as the highly contagious virus spreads rapidly and poorly equipped hospitals struggle with a wave of deadly cases. A Republican, Trump is seeking to win re-election in November on a promise of economic growth. Governor Andrew Cuomo, a Democrat whose state of New York has become the epicenter of the U.S. outbreak with 25,665 cases, strongly opposed allowing people to travel, socialize and get back to workplaces too quickly. Also read: 'Cure can't be worse than problem', announces Trump as he vows to reopen US economy amid COVID-19 crisis "If you ask the American people to choose between public health and the economy, then it's no contest. No American is going to say accelerate the economy at the cost of human life," he said at a convention center in Manhattan that is being repurposed to fit beds for coronavirus patients. Cuomo said the projected need for hospital beds in New York at the peak of the outbreak has jumped to 140,000, compared with the 53,000 that are available and that the apex of the outbreak could still be 14-21 days away Maryland Governor Larry Hogan, a Republican, told CNN on Tuesday: "We don't think that we're going to be in any way ready to be out of this in five or six days or so, or whenever this 15 days is up from the time that they started this imaginary clock." Also read: Could United States become the next epicentre of COVID-19? More than 42,000 people in the United States have contracted COVID-19, the respiratory illness caused by the virus, and at least 620 have died. The World Health Organization on Tuesday warned that the United States has the potential to become the global epicenter of the coronavirus pandemic, citing a "very large acceleration" in infections. Senior Pentagon leaders said on Tuesday that the outbreak could continue for months. Trump issued guidelines last week that he said aimed to slow the spread of the disease over 15 days, including curbing unnecessary travel. Economic activity has ground to a halt in major states such as New York and California. The coronavirus has shuttered thousands of U.S. businesses, thrown millions out of work and led state governors to order about 100 million people - nearly a third of the nation's population - to stay at home. There were signs that nerves had begun fraying after days of people working from home, looking after children whose schools are shut and severely scaling back on everyday activities. Steve Rubinstein, a small bottle of hand sanitizer dangling from his belt loop, was juggling his two small children as they played in a New York park. Both he and his wife are working from home. "It's very challenging, my wife and I both work, we have fulltime jobs," he said. "But it's, yeah, it's nonstop, it's relentless," Rubinstein, 35, added about balancing work demands and keeping their children safe and entertained. Trump told a White House news conference on Monday that "America will again and soon be open for business," saying the crisis should not "turn into a long-lasting financial problem." Rapidly reopening the economy might backfire, with higher deaths and people remaining fearful of going out, according to investors who remain anxious about the coronavirus’ uncertain trajectory and its economic toll. “Markets will react badly because they have learned that this approach doesn’t work,” Axel Merk, chief investment officer of Merk Investments, said. “From a medical point of view, you have to break the exponential growth and you do that with shelter in place policies.” Wall street jumps After taking a beating for most days in recent weeks, Wall Street bounced from three-year lows on Tuesday amid signs that Washington was nearing a deal on a $2 trillion package to rescue the economy from coronavirus. All three main U.S. stock indexes jumped more than 5%. Negotiators predicted the U.S. Senate could pass the stimulus bill, which includes financial aid for ordinary Americans, small businesses and critically affected industries, as soon as Tuesday. After criticism from Cuomo and others that Trump was not wielding special powers to force businesses to make medical equipment likes masks and ventilators, the federal government said on Tuesday it would use the Defense Production Act to procure 60,000 coronavirus test kits. Peter Gaynor, the Federal Emergency Management Agency administrator, told CNN the Trump administration had decided to use the act because "there are some test kits we need to get our hands on." It would be the first time the act is being used for the coronavirus crisis. Also read: New York state accounts for over 5% of global coronavirus cases, numbers expected to increase For right now, Birx said people in the United States should continue to follow the guidelines of social distancing. "What the president is doing is looking for the future ... not looking to change what we're doing now," she said. Stephen Moore, an economic commentator said by Trump's aides to be influencing the president, told Reuters on Monday there was a re-examination in the White House of the wisdom of “a full scale … shutdown of the economy.” He said there were some who thought that “if we go on too long with the economy shut down, the human toll for that could be greater than the risk of the virus." Despite the huge changes to daily life, many Americans still say they are willing to make sacrifices. Christine Schindler, 58, a former receptionist, was alone waiting for a bus on Manhattan’s Upper West Side on Tuesday. She said she thought it was dangerous to lift the restrictions too early for the sake of the economy. “It’s going to come back up anyway, really, once things hit the bottom,” she said. “This is supposed to be the number one economy in the world.”

States reject Trump talk of restarting US economy early

As global leaders scramble to choose between retaining economic activity to prevent the halt of growth and locking down their countries in order to prevent an outbreak, United States President Donald Trump has chosen to strike a balance.

As the virus is expected to peak in the United States soon, Trump is attempting to avoid an economic meltdown while hoping to contain the virus.

"Our country was not built to be shut down," the President announced on Monday. "We are going to be opening up our country for business because our country was meant to be open".

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"We are going to get it all going again very soon," he said. Additionally, he openly said that he was not looking at months, but only a few weeks.

The United States recently recorded over 40,000 cases. 100 deaths were also witnessed, a first for the country since coronavirus reached the nation.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/new-york-state-accounts-for-over-5-of-global-coronavirus-cases-numbers-expected-to-increase-288271" hreflang="en">New York state accounts for over 5% of global coronavirus cases, numbers expected to increase</a>

One of the members of Donald Trump’s coronavirus task force, Dr Deborah Birx claimed that the virus was spreading five times faster in New York than other states.

The president has claimed that things are “bad”, but is sceptical about social distancing.

&nbsp;"If it were up to the doctors, they may say let's keep it shut down, let's shut down the entire world", he claimed.

The conflict has brought out the differing approaches that can be undertaken during a pandemic, which is to lock down the country to save lives, or to forego this in favour of protecting economic growth.

CNN reported that the administration is considering limiting work to younger people, who are less prone to critical complications.

In the face of potential unemployment, the administration is facing a dilemma.&nbsp;

However, most states in the United States have imposed directed people to stay at home, with businesses closed, and schools shut.

<h6><img alt="ppp" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="b819ce09-f89a-43c2-9e9c-9173aa131a26" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design%20%284%29_47.jpg" /> 
US President Donald Trump speaks during the daily briefing on the novel coronavirus, COVID-19, at the White House, March 23, 2020, in Washington, DC | AFP 
 
&nbsp;</h6>

The US healthcare system is currently ill-equipped to deal with the influx of patients.

The President insisted that “we can do two things at once”, implying that the country need not impose a lockdown and shut down the economy.

However, global trends have made it abundantly clear that there is no middle ground in a situation like this. Countries can either shut their societies down to contain the virus, or work as usual and risk infection.

The man at the helm of the president's task force: Dr Anthony Fauci, was nowhere to be seen alongside Trump. Instead, he attended meetings attacking the pandemic.&nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/could-united-states-become-the-next-epicentre-of-covid-19-288258" hreflang="en">Could United States become the next epicentre of COVID-19?</a>

With the number of coronavirus cases rising rapidly, the World Health Organization (WHO) has warned that the United States could become the next epicentre of the pandemic.

“A very large acceleration” in the number of coronavirus cases has been recorded recently.

Out of the new cases recorded in the last 24 hours, 85 per cent came from Europe and the United States. Out of these, 40 per cent cases alone came from the US.

Recently, the president tweeted out and reaffirmed his faith in Americans to aptly deal with the virus.

"Our people want to return to work," he said on Twitter. "They will practice Social Distancing and all else, and Seniors will be watched over protectively &amp; lovingly. We can do two things together. THE CURE CANNOT BE WORSE (by far) THAN THE PROBLEM!"

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/covid-19-spain-virus-death-toll-rises-by-514-to-2696-288261" hreflang="en">COVID-19: Spain virus death toll rises by 514 to 2,696</a>

(With inputs from agencies)

As global leaders scramble to choose between retaining economic activity to prevent the halt of growth and locking down their countries in order to prevent an outbreak, United States President Donald Trump has chosen to strike a balance.

As global leaders scramble to choose between retaining economic activity to prevent the halt of growth and locking down their countries in order to prevent an outbreak, United States President Donald Trump has chosen to strike a balance. As the virus is expected to peak in the United States soon, Trump is attempting to avoid an economic meltdown while hoping to contain the virus. "Our country was not built to be shut down," the President announced on Monday. "We are going to be opening up our country for business because our country was meant to be open". "We are going to get it all going again very soon," he said. Additionally, he openly said that he was not looking at months, but only a few weeks. The United States recently recorded over 40,000 cases. 100 deaths were also witnessed, a first for the country since coronavirus reached the nation. Also read: New York state accounts for over 5% of global coronavirus cases, numbers expected to increase One of the members of Donald Trump’s coronavirus task force, Dr Deborah Birx claimed that the virus was spreading five times faster in New York than other states. The president has claimed that things are “bad”, but is sceptical about social distancing. "If it were up to the doctors, they may say let's keep it shut down, let's shut down the entire world", he claimed. The conflict has brought out the differing approaches that can be undertaken during a pandemic, which is to lock down the country to save lives, or to forego this in favour of protecting economic growth. CNN reported that the administration is considering limiting work to younger people, who are less prone to critical complications. In the face of potential unemployment, the administration is facing a dilemma. However, most states in the United States have imposed directed people to stay at home, with businesses closed, and schools shut. US President Donald Trump speaks during the daily briefing on the novel coronavirus, COVID-19, at the White House, March 23, 2020, in Washington, DC | AFP The US healthcare system is currently ill-equipped to deal with the influx of patients. The President insisted that “we can do two things at once”, implying that the country need not impose a lockdown and shut down the economy. However, global trends have made it abundantly clear that there is no middle ground in a situation like this. Countries can either shut their societies down to contain the virus, or work as usual and risk infection. The man at the helm of the president's task force: Dr Anthony Fauci, was nowhere to be seen alongside Trump. Instead, he attended meetings attacking the pandemic. Also read: Could United States become the next epicentre of COVID-19? With the number of coronavirus cases rising rapidly, the World Health Organization (WHO) has warned that the United States could become the next epicentre of the pandemic. “A very large acceleration” in the number of coronavirus cases has been recorded recently. Out of the new cases recorded in the last 24 hours, 85 per cent came from Europe and the United States. Out of these, 40 per cent cases alone came from the US. Recently, the president tweeted out and reaffirmed his faith in Americans to aptly deal with the virus. "Our people want to return to work," he said on Twitter. "They will practice Social Distancing and all else, and Seniors will be watched over protectively & lovingly. We can do two things together. THE CURE CANNOT BE WORSE (by far) THAN THE PROBLEM!" Also read: COVID-19: Spain virus death toll rises by 514 to 2,696 (With inputs from agencies)

'Cure can't be worse than problem', announces Trump as he vows to reopen US economy amid COVID-19 crisis

Iran's supreme leader Ali Khamenei said Sunday his country would never accept any aid to fight the novel coronavirus from arch-enemy and "charlatans" the United States, as Tehran announced 129 new deaths.

Speaking in a televised address, Khameini charged in a message directed at Washington: "No one trusts you. You are capable of bringing into our country a drug that will keep the virus alive and prevent its eradication."

Iran has been one of the countries worst hit by the COVID-19 illness along with Italy, Spain and China, and the latest fatalities raised the official death toll to 1,685, the health ministry said.

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More than 1,028 new cases in the past 24 hours meant a total of 21,638 people had now tested positive for the virus, said ministry spokesman Kianouche Jahanpour.

US President Donald Trump -- who has imposed sanctions and a "maximum pressure" campaign on Tehran over its nuclear programme --- said on February 29 that Washington was ready to help Iran fight the virus if its leaders requested it.&nbsp;

But Khamenei reiterated Iran's rejection, charging that Washington, which whom it has had no diplomatic relations for more than 40 years, was "capable" of wanting to intensify the epidemic in the Islamic republic.

"Today America is our most ferocious and vicious enemy," Khamenei said in his address to the nation.

"The American leaders are liars, manipulators, impudent and greedy ... They are charlatans," he said, also labelling them "absolutely ruthless" and "terrorists".

The American proposals "to help us with medicines and treatments, provided we ask for them, are strange", he said, noting that the United States itself suffers from "a horrible shortage not only of disease prevention equipment but also of medicines".&nbsp;

Speaking to Washington, he added: "If you have something, use it for yourself."

Khamenei advised Iranians that "everyone should follow the instructions" of the authorities to fight the epidemic "so that Almighty God will put an end to this calamity for the Iranian people, for all Muslim nations and for all mankind".

The ministry's Jahanpour said Tehran province had reported 249 new cases and the central province of Yazd, where 84 new patients had been counted, "could become a new focus of the disease in the coming days".

To limit the spread of the virus, the authorities have asked people to refrain from travelling during the current Persian New Year celebrations.&nbsp;

In Iran "about 68 percent of deaths from COVID-19 disease are people over 60 years of age", Jahanpour said, stressing that family trips "are generally risk factors for this age group".&nbsp;

Iran's supreme leader Ali Khamenei said Sunday his country would never accept any aid to fight the novel coronavirus from arch-enemy and "charlatans" the United States, as Tehran announced 129 new deaths.

Iran's supreme leader Ali Khamenei said Sunday his country would never accept any aid to fight the novel coronavirus from arch-enemy and "charlatans" the United States, as Tehran announced 129 new deaths. Speaking in a televised address, Khameini charged in a message directed at Washington: "No one trusts you. You are capable of bringing into our country a drug that will keep the virus alive and prevent its eradication." Iran has been one of the countries worst hit by the COVID-19 illness along with Italy, Spain and China, and the latest fatalities raised the official death toll to 1,685, the health ministry said. × More than 1,028 new cases in the past 24 hours meant a total of 21,638 people had now tested positive for the virus, said ministry spokesman Kianouche Jahanpour. US President Donald Trump -- who has imposed sanctions and a "maximum pressure" campaign on Tehran over its nuclear programme --- said on February 29 that Washington was ready to help Iran fight the virus if its leaders requested it. But Khamenei reiterated Iran's rejection, charging that Washington, which whom it has had no diplomatic relations for more than 40 years, was "capable" of wanting to intensify the epidemic in the Islamic republic. "Today America is our most ferocious and vicious enemy," Khamenei said in his address to the nation. "The American leaders are liars, manipulators, impudent and greedy ... They are charlatans," he said, also labelling them "absolutely ruthless" and "terrorists". The American proposals "to help us with medicines and treatments, provided we ask for them, are strange", he said, noting that the United States itself suffers from "a horrible shortage not only of disease prevention equipment but also of medicines". Speaking to Washington, he added: "If you have something, use it for yourself." Khamenei advised Iranians that "everyone should follow the instructions" of the authorities to fight the epidemic "so that Almighty God will put an end to this calamity for the Iranian people, for all Muslim nations and for all mankind". The ministry's Jahanpour said Tehran province had reported 249 new cases and the central province of Yazd, where 84 new patients had been counted, "could become a new focus of the disease in the coming days". To limit the spread of the virus, the authorities have asked people to refrain from travelling during the current Persian New Year celebrations. In Iran "about 68 percent of deaths from COVID-19 disease are people over 60 years of age", Jahanpour said, stressing that family trips "are generally risk factors for this age group".

Iran rejects Trump's virus aid offer as toll jumps to 1,685

The United States and&nbsp;Mexico&nbsp;are working on a plan to close their border to non-essential travel due to the coronavirus pandemic, the State Department said Thursday.

The move comes as similar measures are expected to come into force along the northern border with Canada by Saturday.

Watch:&nbsp;Donald Trump invokes wartime act to combat coronavirus outbreak

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Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and&nbsp;Mexico's Foreign Secretary Marcelo Luis Ebrard Casaubon spoke on "coordinating a plan to restrict non-essential travel across our shared border in response to the COVID-19 pandemic," State Department spokeswoman Morgan Ortagus said.

"The two leaders discussed the importance of creating a uniform North American strategy to reduce public health risks to our communities and more effectively address rising challenges jointly."

Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/hoax-everything-under-control-and-pandemic-a-timeline-of-how-donald-trump-denied-coronavirus-outbreak-287559">'Hoax', 'everything under control' and 'pandemic': A timeline of how Donald Trump denied coronavirus outbreak</a>

Pompeo tweeted that he had been working closely with Ebrard "on travel restrictions that balance protecting our citizens from further transmission of COVID19."

"Together, we can reduce public health risks and prioritize essential cross-border commerce and trade."

In a tweet, Ebrard said he would reveal more details of the closure on Friday.

The measure follows similar US moves to bar visitors from most of Europe, China and other parts of the world as its number of coronavirus cases surges.

The United States and Mexico are working on a plan to close their border to non-essential travel due to the coronavirus pandemic, the State Department said Thursday.

The United States and Mexico are working on a plan to close their border to non-essential travel due to the coronavirus pandemic, the State Department said Thursday. The move comes as similar measures are expected to come into force along the northern border with Canada by Saturday. Watch: Donald Trump invokes wartime act to combat coronavirus outbreak Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Mexico's Foreign Secretary Marcelo Luis Ebrard Casaubon spoke on "coordinating a plan to restrict non-essential travel across our shared border in response to the COVID-19 pandemic," State Department spokeswoman Morgan Ortagus said. "The two leaders discussed the importance of creating a uniform North American strategy to reduce public health risks to our communities and more effectively address rising challenges jointly." Also read: 'Hoax', 'everything under control' and 'pandemic': A timeline of how Donald Trump denied coronavirus outbreak Pompeo tweeted that he had been working closely with Ebrard "on travel restrictions that balance protecting our citizens from further transmission of COVID19." "Together, we can reduce public health risks and prioritize essential cross-border commerce and trade." In a tweet, Ebrard said he would reveal more details of the closure on Friday. The measure follows similar US moves to bar visitors from most of Europe, China and other parts of the world as its number of coronavirus cases surges.

Coronavirus pandemic: US and Mexico plan to close border to 'non-essential travel'

The US President Donald Trump has invoked the Defense Production Act to combat coronavirus outbreak, the coronavirus death toll in the United States has surpassed 150.

Donald Trump invokes wartime act to combat coronavirus outbreak

Amazon.com Inc&nbsp;on Monday said it would hire 100,000 warehouse and delivery workers in the United States to deal with a surge in online orders, as many consumers have turned to the web to meet their needs during the coronavirus outbreak.

With shoppers clearing out shelves in fear of quarantines or product shortages, retailers are racing to keep food and hygienic items in stock and have employees on hand for in-store work or delivery.

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Like Amazon, US supermarket chains Albertsons, Kroger&nbsp;and Raley's have sought new hires to staff busy sections and fulfil online orders. They are turning to people in the restaurant, travel and entertainment businesses who are suddenly looking for work because of the coronavirus.

Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/amazon-bans-sale-of-most-nazi-propaganda-books-citing-anti-semitism-286879">Amazon bans sale of most Nazi propaganda books citing anti-semitism</a>

"We want those people to know we welcome them on our teams until things return to normal and their past employer is able to bring them back," Amazon said in a blog post.

Major shipper United Parcel Service Inc&nbsp;said it's a trucking and air deliveries were still on despite growing government restrictions on commercial activities. It said Monday it was meeting demand with its existing workforce.

The coronavirus, which has led to more than 7,100 deaths globally and prompted mass lockdowns of people, has also led to items being out of stock on Amazon and some deliveries taking longer than usual.

Also see: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/googles-coronavirus-testing-website-hits-upper-ceiling-after-going-live-286875">Google's coronavirus testing website hits upper ceiling after going live</a>

Amazon's headcount fluctuates seasonally, recently peaking for the holiday quarter at 798,000 full and part-time workers. It was not immediately clear how many people Amazon would employ after it hires 100,000 more.

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To draw new employees, Amazon said it would add $2 to its minimum $15 per hour to US&nbsp;workers' wages through April. The extra pay for hourly employees in North America and Europe is expected to cost more than $350 million, Amazon said.

Meanwhile, other retailers facing long queues are making pitches for talent, too.

Watch: Tech giants makes 'work from home' mandatory for their employees amid COVID-19 outbreak

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It was not clear if there would be any impact on delivery operations from new government restrictions. In the San Francisco Bay Area on Monday, officials said people must stay at home except for some essential purposes, such as work for "businesses that ship or deliver groceries, food, goods or services directly to residences."

An Amazon spokeswoman did not immediately return a request for comment on the San Francisco order.

Amazon.com Inc on Monday said it would hire 100,000 warehouse and delivery workers in the United States to deal with a surge in online orders, as many consumers have turned to the web to meet their needs during the coronavirus outbreak.

Amazon.com Inc on Monday said it would hire 100,000 warehouse and delivery workers in the United States to deal with a surge in online orders, as many consumers have turned to the web to meet their needs during the coronavirus outbreak. With shoppers clearing out shelves in fear of quarantines or product shortages, retailers are racing to keep food and hygienic items in stock and have employees on hand for in-store work or delivery. Like Amazon, US supermarket chains Albertsons, Kroger and Raley's have sought new hires to staff busy sections and fulfil online orders. They are turning to people in the restaurant, travel and entertainment businesses who are suddenly looking for work because of the coronavirus. Also read: Amazon bans sale of most Nazi propaganda books citing anti-semitism "We want those people to know we welcome them on our teams until things return to normal and their past employer is able to bring them back," Amazon said in a blog post. Major shipper United Parcel Service Inc said it's a trucking and air deliveries were still on despite growing government restrictions on commercial activities. It said Monday it was meeting demand with its existing workforce. The coronavirus, which has led to more than 7,100 deaths globally and prompted mass lockdowns of people, has also led to items being out of stock on Amazon and some deliveries taking longer than usual. Also see: Google's coronavirus testing website hits upper ceiling after going live Amazon's headcount fluctuates seasonally, recently peaking for the holiday quarter at 798,000 full and part-time workers. It was not immediately clear how many people Amazon would employ after it hires 100,000 more. To draw new employees, Amazon said it would add $2 to its minimum $15 per hour to US workers' wages through April. The extra pay for hourly employees in North America and Europe is expected to cost more than $350 million, Amazon said. Meanwhile, other retailers facing long queues are making pitches for talent, too. Watch: Tech giants makes 'work from home' mandatory for their employees amid COVID-19 outbreak It was not clear if there would be any impact on delivery operations from new government restrictions. In the San Francisco Bay Area on Monday, officials said people must stay at home except for some essential purposes, such as work for "businesses that ship or deliver groceries, food, goods or services directly to residences." An Amazon spokeswoman did not immediately return a request for comment on the San Francisco order.

Amazon to hire 100,000 workers as online orders surge on coronavirus worries

Pharmaceutical companies have been racing against time to develop vaccines as the death toll and infections around the world continue to spike.

US begins first human trial of coronavirus vaccine

The US federal reserve took an initiative to face the economic crisis due to Covid-19. This is the second emergency fed rate cut in two weeks. US President Donald Trump welcomed this move

WION Dispatch: Second Emergency fed rate cut

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The US Navy reported its first suspected case of the new coronavirus aboard a ship, saying a sailor had tested positive for the disease but the result needed to be confirmed by health authorities.

It came a week after another US Navy sailor stationed in southern Italy contracted COVID-19, which has killed more than 3,700 people worldwide including nearly 70 in the United States.

Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-steps-up-coronavirus-response-announces-rate-cut-shutdowns-and-curfews-286589">US steps up coronavirus response, announces rate cut, shutdowns and curfews</a>

"A Sailor assigned to the amphibious assault ship USS Boxer (LHD 4) tested 'presumptive positive' for Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), marking the first case for a sailor aboard a Navy ship," the Navy said in a statement on Sunday evening.

The sailor was in quarantine at home, it said, adding that "personnel that the individual immediately identified having close contact with have been notified and are in self-isolation at their residences."

Also see: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/coronavirus-chaos-spreads-globally-trump-declares-us-emergency-286308">Coronavirus chaos spreads globally, Trump declares US emergency</a>

The Navy said that the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention would need to confirm the positive result.

The USS Boxer is currently in port at a naval base in San Diego, according to local media.

The US Navy reported its first suspected case of the new coronavirus aboard a ship, saying a sailor had tested positive for the disease but the result needed to be confirmed by health authorities.

The US Navy reported its first suspected case of the new coronavirus aboard a ship, saying a sailor had tested positive for the disease but the result needed to be confirmed by health authorities. It came a week after another US Navy sailor stationed in southern Italy contracted COVID-19, which has killed more than 3,700 people worldwide including nearly 70 in the United States. Also read: US steps up coronavirus response, announces rate cut, shutdowns and curfews "A Sailor assigned to the amphibious assault ship USS Boxer (LHD 4) tested 'presumptive positive' for Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), marking the first case for a sailor aboard a Navy ship," the Navy said in a statement on Sunday evening. The sailor was in quarantine at home, it said, adding that "personnel that the individual immediately identified having close contact with have been notified and are in self-isolation at their residences." Also see: Coronavirus chaos spreads globally, Trump declares US emergency The Navy said that the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention would need to confirm the positive result. The USS Boxer is currently in port at a naval base in San Diego, according to local media.

Coronavirus hits US Navy, sailor tests positive

A vaccine row has erupted between the US and Germany. This as Berlin hit back at Donald Trump over allegations that the US President tried to buy exclusive rights of a possible coronavirus vaccine being developed by a German firm.

A German paper has reported that Berlin is trying to fight off Trump's attempt to create a monopoly over a Covid-19 vaccine.

The report said that Trump has offered billions of dollars to German firm cure-vac to secure a possible vaccine "only for the United States".

Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/british-scientist-makes-breakthrough-as-race-for-coronavirus-vaccine-picks-up-278859">British scientist makes breakthrough as race for coronavirus vaccine picks up</a>

German lawmakers have accused the US President of using the epidemic for electoral gains. The coronavirus outbreak has&nbsp;emerged&nbsp;as Trump's biggest challenge in the election year.

The country's economy minister hit out Trump saying that Germany is not for sale.

German biotech firm Curevac announced that it is working on a coronavirus vaccine which can come into use by June.

Chief production officer and co-founder of Curevac, Florian von der Muelbe, said: "We have already been able to collect experience with other prophylactic vaccines, for example, rabies vaccines, and saw very good results."

"And on this basis, we are now building that new vaccine. We now have a platform process where we can quickly respond to new threats, so we believe that this technology is a very good way to quickly provide solutions."

Also Read:<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/coronavirus-german-firm-is-developing-a-possible-vaccine-286603"> Coronavirus: German firm is developing a possible vaccine</a>

Concerns over US interests on the&nbsp;vaccine were raised after Curevac removed its CEO who had recently met Trump.

The German government has said that it will not allow monopoly over the vaccine and will resist foreign takeovers.&nbsp;Meanwhile, Washington has denied allegations saying that it was not seeking to keep any potential vaccine for itself.

An American official said that the US has been in touch with over 25 firms which are working on a vaccine.

Meanwhile, the US government is starting a Covid-19 vaccine trial. The first participant in the clinical trial is expected to receive an experimental dose today.

A vaccine row has erupted between the US and Germany. This as Berlin hit back at Donald Trump over allegations that the US President tried to buy exclusive rights of a possible coronavirus vaccine being developed by a German firm.

A vaccine row has erupted between the US and Germany. This as Berlin hit back at Donald Trump over allegations that the US President tried to buy exclusive rights of a possible coronavirus vaccine being developed by a German firm. A German paper has reported that Berlin is trying to fight off Trump's attempt to create a monopoly over a Covid-19 vaccine. The report said that Trump has offered billions of dollars to German firm cure-vac to secure a possible vaccine "only for the United States". Also Read: British scientist makes breakthrough as race for coronavirus vaccine picks up German lawmakers have accused the US President of using the epidemic for electoral gains. The coronavirus outbreak has emerged as Trump's biggest challenge in the election year. The country's economy minister hit out Trump saying that Germany is not for sale. German biotech firm Curevac announced that it is working on a coronavirus vaccine which can come into use by June. Chief production officer and co-founder of Curevac, Florian von der Muelbe, said: "We have already been able to collect experience with other prophylactic vaccines, for example, rabies vaccines, and saw very good results." "And on this basis, we are now building that new vaccine. We now have a platform process where we can quickly respond to new threats, so we believe that this technology is a very good way to quickly provide solutions." Also Read: Coronavirus: German firm is developing a possible vaccine Concerns over US interests on the vaccine were raised after Curevac removed its CEO who had recently met Trump. The German government has said that it will not allow monopoly over the vaccine and will resist foreign takeovers. Meanwhile, Washington has denied allegations saying that it was not seeking to keep any potential vaccine for itself. An American official said that the US has been in touch with over 25 firms which are working on a vaccine. Meanwhile, the US government is starting a Covid-19 vaccine trial. The first participant in the clinical trial is expected to receive an experimental dose today.

Trump, Germany row erupts over coronavirus vaccine

Corporate America joined the fight against the spread of coronavirus on Friday, as President Donald Trump and executives announced that Google would offer a website to help people determine whether they needed tests and retailers would set up drive-through testing in parking lots.

Also read:<a href="http://13.235.153.162/world/trump-suspends-travel-from-europe-to-us-in-coronavirus-crisis-285714"> Trump suspends travel from Europe to US in coronavirus crisis</a>

Shares of Google parent Alphabet Inc, Walmart Inc, Target Corp and drugstore owner CVS Health Corp all closed up more than 9%, in line with the broad stock market, though Alphabet dropped 2% after hours.

Pressure has been rising on U.S. officials to increase and improve testing for the fast-spreading virus, which has reached almost every U.S. state and infected more than 1,660 people in the country.

Also read:<a href="http://13.235.153.162/world/coronavirus-effect-after-macron-trump-does-a-namaste-285974"> Coronavirus effect: After Macron, Trump does a 'Namaste'</a>

"I want to thank Google. Google is helping to develop a website, it's gonna be very quickly done, unlike websites of the past, to determine whether a test is warranted and to facilitate testing at a nearby convenient location," Trump said.

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"Google has 1,700 engineers working on this right now, made tremendous progress."

An administration presentation showed a potential user would be asked several questions on the website and then given a recommendation as to whether they should get a coronavirus test.

Those requiring a test would be referred to a store that can provide assistance, potentially including a drive-through test, according to the administration's presentation. Results would be available online in 24 to 36 hours.

U.S. Vice President Mike Pence said the website's launch date would be known by Sunday night.

Verily, a healthcare tech company also owned by Alphabet, said it was leading the effort to develop the web tool, with the help of an undisclosed number of Google employees.

"We are in the early stages of development, and planning to roll testing out in the (San Francisco) Bay Area, with the hope of expanding more broadly over time," Verily spokeswoman Kathleen Parkes said.

About 1,700 Google workers have volunteered to help with coronavirus-related efforts, according to a person familiar with the matter, but it is unclear whether all of them are involved with developing the new website.

Carolyn Wang, another Verily spokeswoman, said it initially aimed to assess testing needs for people more prone to catching the virus, such as healthcare workers. But she said Verily now plans to trial the system more broadly at several sites around the San Francisco region.

Wang added that Verily was "collaborating closely with organizations like Quest Diagnostics and LabCorp who are also working on additional approaches to making testing more accessible and expedient in other areas."

Quest Diagnostics Inc and Laboratory Corp of America Holdings did not respond to after-hours requests for comment.

The Verily spokeswomen did not respond to questions on how data submitted by website visitors would be protected and used.

Leading U.S. retailers will work with the government to assist with drive-through coronavirus testing, the Retail Industry Leaders Association said. Senior leaders of Walmart, Target, Walgreens Boots Alliance Inc and CVS stood with Trump at the announcement.

The tests will be conducted in retail store parking lots and sent to labs to complete testing in partnership with local health departments and diagnostic labs. The testing sites will not be run by the companies.

The cooperation with the Trump administration comes as Alphabet faces several antitrust investigations from state and federal agencies over its search and digital advertising businesses.

Trump has accused Google of skewing its search results to portray him negatively. The company has also attracted the administration's ire for not renewing a contract to provide its artificial intelligence technologies for a military drone program.

"Google cosying up to the government doesn't hurt," said Andre Barlow, an antitrust expert with the law firm Doyle, Barlow and Mazard. "Obviously there are a lot of factors that are weighed in the antitrust investigation, which could go either way."

Trump also is eager to increase testing after efforts were hampered by flawed kits distributed by the federal government in February, which gave some false results.

Corporate America joined the fight against the spread of coronavirus on Friday, as President Donald Trump and executives announced that Google would offer a website to help people determine whether they needed tests and retailers would set up drive-through testing in parking lots.

Corporate America joined the fight against the spread of coronavirus on Friday, as President Donald Trump and executives announced that Google would offer a website to help people determine whether they needed tests and retailers would set up drive-through testing in parking lots. Also read: Trump suspends travel from Europe to US in coronavirus crisis Shares of Google parent Alphabet Inc, Walmart Inc, Target Corp and drugstore owner CVS Health Corp all closed up more than 9%, in line with the broad stock market, though Alphabet dropped 2% after hours. Pressure has been rising on U.S. officials to increase and improve testing for the fast-spreading virus, which has reached almost every U.S. state and infected more than 1,660 people in the country. Also read: Coronavirus effect: After Macron, Trump does a 'Namaste' "I want to thank Google. Google is helping to develop a website, it's gonna be very quickly done, unlike websites of the past, to determine whether a test is warranted and to facilitate testing at a nearby convenient location," Trump said. × "Google has 1,700 engineers working on this right now, made tremendous progress." An administration presentation showed a potential user would be asked several questions on the website and then given a recommendation as to whether they should get a coronavirus test. Those requiring a test would be referred to a store that can provide assistance, potentially including a drive-through test, according to the administration's presentation. Results would be available online in 24 to 36 hours. U.S. Vice President Mike Pence said the website's launch date would be known by Sunday night. Verily, a healthcare tech company also owned by Alphabet, said it was leading the effort to develop the web tool, with the help of an undisclosed number of Google employees. "We are in the early stages of development, and planning to roll testing out in the (San Francisco) Bay Area, with the hope of expanding more broadly over time," Verily spokeswoman Kathleen Parkes said. About 1,700 Google workers have volunteered to help with coronavirus-related efforts, according to a person familiar with the matter, but it is unclear whether all of them are involved with developing the new website. Carolyn Wang, another Verily spokeswoman, said it initially aimed to assess testing needs for people more prone to catching the virus, such as healthcare workers. But she said Verily now plans to trial the system more broadly at several sites around the San Francisco region. Wang added that Verily was "collaborating closely with organizations like Quest Diagnostics and LabCorp who are also working on additional approaches to making testing more accessible and expedient in other areas." Quest Diagnostics Inc and Laboratory Corp of America Holdings did not respond to after-hours requests for comment. The Verily spokeswomen did not respond to questions on how data submitted by website visitors would be protected and used. Leading U.S. retailers will work with the government to assist with drive-through coronavirus testing, the Retail Industry Leaders Association said. Senior leaders of Walmart, Target, Walgreens Boots Alliance Inc and CVS stood with Trump at the announcement. The tests will be conducted in retail store parking lots and sent to labs to complete testing in partnership with local health departments and diagnostic labs. The testing sites will not be run by the companies. The cooperation with the Trump administration comes as Alphabet faces several antitrust investigations from state and federal agencies over its search and digital advertising businesses. Trump has accused Google of skewing its search results to portray him negatively. The company has also attracted the administration's ire for not renewing a contract to provide its artificial intelligence technologies for a military drone program. "Google cosying up to the government doesn't hurt," said Andre Barlow, an antitrust expert with the law firm Doyle, Barlow and Mazard. "Obviously there are a lot of factors that are weighed in the antitrust investigation, which could go either way." Trump also is eager to increase testing after efforts were hampered by flawed kits distributed by the federal government in February, which gave some false results.

Google, Walmart join US effort to speed up coronavirus testing

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