Global coronavirus death toll passes 27,300, with Italy and Spain announcing over 2,000 fatalities in just 24 hours.
The number of people infected with the novel coronavirus in the United States surpassed 100,000 on Friday, according to a Johns Hopkins University tally.
Italy, meanwhile, announced 919 new deaths from coronavirus, the highest number of fatalities any country has reported in the space of 24 hours since the outbreak began late last year.
The total number of people who have died as a result of COVID-19 in Italy now stands at 9,194. Further dashing hopes that Europe is containing the pandemic, Spain recorded 789 new deaths in a daily, bringing the total number to 4,878.
Worldwide, more than 27,300 people have died from coronavirus, an infection which has affected more than half a million people.
More than 127,500 people globally have recovered from COVID-19.
Trump says US will make 100,000 ventilators in 100 days
US President Donald Trump said on Friday the United States would produce 100,000 ventilators in 100 days and said he had named White House aide Peter Navarro as the coordinator of the Defense Production Act.
“We’re going to make a lot of ventilators,” Trump said, pledging to take care of US needs while also helping other countries.
Trump said there was a great chance the United States would not need so many ventilators to fight the coronavirus outbreak, and would then help other countries in need.
US confirmed coronavirus cases surpass 100,000
The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in the United States surpassed 100,000 on Friday, with more than 1,500 deaths reported, according to Johns Hopkins University.
Italy, meanwhile, had more than 86,000 cases, with over 9,000 deaths.
US Congressman Mike Kelly tests positive
US Representative Mike Kelly, Republican of Pennsylvania, said on Friday he has tested positive for the coronavirus, the fifth member of Congress to do so.
In a statement, Kelly said he had started experiencing mild flu-like symptoms earlier this week, and his doctor ordered a test that he obtained at a drive-through testing site.
“My test came back positive this afternoon,” he said. “My symptoms remain mild, and I will serve the 16th district from home until I fully recover.”
Syria state media reports Assad and Abu Dhabi crown prince spoke on phone
President Bashar al-Assad and Abu Dhabi’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed Al-Nahyan have spoken on the phone, Syrian state media reported, in the first such call since Syria’s war began in 2011.
The crown prince confirmed the conversation in a tweet, saying the two had discussed “updates on COVID-19”.
“I assured him of the support of the UAE and its willingness to help the Syrian people. Humanitarian solidarity during trying times supersedes all matters, and Syria and her people will not stand alone,” he said.
US Army Corps looking at over 100 facilities
The Army Corps of Engineers is looking at potentially converting more than 100 facilities in the US to assist with the strain on hospitals dealing with the spread of the coronavirus, the commanding general of the Corps has said.
“Today, we’re looking at 114 different facilities in 50 states and five territories,” Lieutenant General Todd Semonite told reporters at the Pentagon that the Army Corps. He said the Corps had assessed 81 of the facilities so far.
Semonite said that he planned on having 2,910 rooms ready at the Javits Center in New York by Monday. He added that Army Corps was aiming to provide facilities for 3,000 people with the coronavirus at Chicago’s McCormick convention center by April 24 for about $75 million.
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