The COVID-19 Pandemic: US Death Toll Surpasses 1,000; Unemployment Claims Hit Record High; and More

World News:

Less than four months since the novel SARS-CoV-2 outbreak first started in Wuhan, China, the virus, which causes the disease COVID-19, has infected over half a million people. Worldometer now reports over 509,000 confirmed cases of COVID-19 worldwide and over 23,000 confirmed deaths. While China still leads the world in confirmed cases, they have been exceeded in mortalities (China has 3,287) by both Italy, which has 8,165 confirmed deaths, and Spain, 4,145 confirmed deaths.

While Italy and Spain remain the two hardest hit European countries, both reported improvements over the last 24 hours. Spain recorded 655 deaths from COVID on Thursday – down from 700 on Wednesday, and Italy also confirmed a lower infection rate in the past day. Although the World Health Organization’s (WHO) European office said it saw “encouraging signs”, they caution that it’s premature to say the worst has passed in these countries.

Other foreign countries notably affected include:

• Germany: 41,519 confirmed cases; 239 confirmed deaths.
• Iran: 29,406 confirmed cases; 2,236 confirmed deaths.
• France: 25,233 confirmed cases; 1,331 confirmed deaths.
• Switzerland: 11,712 confirmed cases; 191 confirmed deaths.
• UK: 9,849 confirmed cases; 477 confirmed deaths.

China Temporarily Suspends Entry of Foreigners

China decided to temporarily suspend entry for foreign nationals with visas or residence permits. The suspension goes into effect at midnight on March 28, and is intended to curb the spread of COVID-19. China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a press release that: “The suspension is a temporary measure that China is compelled to take in light of the outbreak situation and the practices of other countries. China will stay in close touch with all sides and properly handle personnel exchanges with the rest of the world under the special circumstances.”

National News:

Thursday, March 26, 2020

US Suffers its Deadliest Day Yet

On Wednesday, the US reported 223 deaths from COVID-19 – making it the deadliest day in the country since the outbreak started and pushes the US death toll to beyond 1,000. There are now over 75,000 cases of coronavirus in the US, and America inches closer to becoming the new epicenter. New York still accounts for more than half of these infections, with 37,258 confirmed cases and 385 deaths. New Jersey remains number two with 4,402 confirmed cases and 62 deaths, and California remains third with 3,203 confirmed cases and 68 deaths. Washington rounds out the top four most affected states with 2,588 confirmed cases and 132 deaths (second to NY).

The following states outside the top four have over 300 confirmed cases: Florida (2,355); Michigan (2,295); Illinois (1,865); Massachusetts (1,838); Louisiana (1,795); Georgia (1,525); Texas (1,308); Pennsylvania (1,127); Colorado (1,086); Tennessee (906); Connecticut (875); Ohio (704); Indiana (645); North Carolina (636); Wisconsin (630); Maryland (580); Arizona (508); Mississippi (485); Virginia (460); Alabama (449); South Carolina (424); Nevada (420); Missouri (356); Minnesota (346); Utah (346); Arkansas (310).

A Record High Unemployment Claims

A record 3.3 million Americans applied for unemployment benefits last week, the Labor Department reported on Thursday – surpassing the previous record of 695,000 set in 1982. “The most terrifying part about this is this is likely just the beginning of the layoffs,” said Martha Gimbel, a labor economist at Schmidt Futures in a Washington Post article. Less than two months ago the country’s employment rate was 3.5% – the lowest it had been in a half-century. Now, the rate is estimated to be 5.5% – the highest its been since 2015. “We may well be in a recession,” said Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell on NBC’s “Today” show. “The first order of business is to get the virus under control and then resume economic activity.”

House to Vote on Stimulus Package

The $2 trillion stimulus bill passed by the Senate yesterday will be voted on by the House on Friday, said Speaker Nancy Pelosi, who expects the package to receive “strong bipartisan support.” The historic relief bill was developed to provide unprecedented levels of aid and support to households, businesses, cities, and states, and will direct more money to a hospital system currently being overwhelmed by COVID-19 cases while expanding unemployment insurance.

Wednesday, March 25, 2020

• The White House and Senate leaders finally struck a deal on a $2 trillion package designed to spur a struggling economy that has been pushed to the brink amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Prince Charles, son of Queen Elizabeth II and heir to the British throne, tested positive for COVID-19 on Wednesday, his office announced. The Prince of Wales, 71, is only presenting mild symptoms and is “otherwise in good health.”

Tuesday, March 24, 2020

• Wall Street rebounded on Tuesday amid hopes that lawmakers are finalizing the $2 trillion stimulus package designed to infuse life into the economy by helping American workers and businesses. The Dow Jones Industrial Average soared by 1,400 points, or 8%, while the S&P 500 and the Nasdaq both saw modest gains at around 5%.
• In an unprecedented move, the Olympic Games were postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic for about a year, according to an ESPN report. This marks the first time in history the Olympics have been postponed or cancelled due to anything other than war.
• Indian Prime Minister Narenda Modi ordered a complete lockdown for India’s huge population of 1.3 billion on Tuesday.

Monday, March 23, 2020

• President Trump is contemplating reopening the economy for weeks instead of months. “We can’t have the cure be worse than the problem,” Trump told reporters at a briefing Monday, echoing a midnight Sunday tweet. “We have to open our country because that causes problems that, in my opinion, could be far bigger problems.”
• The Federal Reserve is accelerating plans to rescue the economy and stave off a possible depression by announcing unlimited bond-buying, three new credit facilities and a upcoming Main Street lending program.
• Stocks were deep in the red at midday Monday, wit the Dow down almost 4%, or 770 points, the S&P 500 down 4%, and the Nasdaq Composite down 2.4%.
• New York Governor Andrew Cuomo announced that the state will initiate three studies for potential COVID-19 treatments this week.
• United Kingdom Prime Minister Boris Johnson imposed the most stringent restrictions seen in the UK since the end of World War II on Monday.”From this evening I must give the British people a very simple instruction — you must stay at home,” Johnson said.

Sunday, March 22, 2020

• Plans to advance a $1 trillion aid package failed to pass on Sunday. President Trump, however, remains optimistic saying “We’ll see what happens. I think we’ll get there. We have to help the worker. We have to save the companies.” A second vote has been been scheduled for Monday.

Saturday, March 21, 2020

• New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy signed two executive orders on Saturday which scraps all non-approved gatherings and shutters all non-essential retail businesses.

Per USA Today, here’s a look at the latest stay-at-home orders, as of Sunday:

• Delaware Gov. John Carney ordered residents to stay at home and closed nonessential businesses in the state starting Tuesday at 8 a.m.
• Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear ordered ‘nonessential’ businesses to close
• Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards imposed a statewide stay-at-home order, effective 5 p.m. Monday.
• Ohio will impose a statewide stay-at-home mandate, effective 11:59 p.m. Monday, Gov. Mike DeWine announced.
• Philadelphia became the latest city to order its residents to stay home, a mandate that goes into effect at 8 a.m. Monday and exempts activities like buying groceries and medicine, seeking medical care and exercising.
• Missouri’s two largest cities issued stay-at-home orders Saturday. St. Louis’ mandate, which also applies to St. Louis County, begins Monday, and the one for Kansas City and its metro area goes into effect Tuesday.
• New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell directed residents to stay at home beginning Friday.
• San Miguel County, Colorado, is under a shelter-in-place order until April 3.
• Athens-Clarke County, Georgia, is under a shelter-in-place order until April 7.
• Blaine County, Idaho, is under a shelter-in-place order.

Friday, March 20, 2020

• On Friday, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo ordered all non-essential workers across the state to remain at home. New York also implemented a 90-day moratorium on evictions for both residential and commercial tenants.
• President Trump said he will trigger the Defense Production Act to accelerate the production of medical supplies to combat the pandemic.The act would enable the administration to force American industry to manufacture medical supplies that are running dangerously short.

Thursday, March 19, 2020

• California Governor Gavin Newsom ordered all California residents to stay home on Thursday, making them the first state to impose that strict mandate on its population – a population of nearly 40 million people.
• President Trump announced on Thursday that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is developing experimental drugs, including those used to treat malaria, available to test on COVID-19.
• Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin laid out details of the Trump administration’s plan to send relief money to Americans amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Wednesday, March 18, 2020

• The Dow fell 6.3% by close of Wednesday trading – losing 1,335 points and falling to 19,902. The S&P 500 index took a 5.2% hit on Wednesday, and the Nasdaq composite lost 4.7% on Wednesday, falling 6,989 points.
• The virus has taken a terrible toll on one New Jersey family – claiming the life of its matriarch, 73-year-old Grace Fusco, as well as her oldest son and daughter.

Tuesday, March 17, 2020

• The Trump Administration supported a plan that would send checks directly to American citizens as part of a $1 trillion stimulus package designed to infuse life into the economy while aiding households and businesses in need.
• New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio warned New Yorkers on Tuesday to “get ready for the possibility” of a shelter-in-place order as the number of confirmed cases in the five boroughs soars.
• The World Health Organization is now recommending that people experiencing COVID-19 symptoms should avoid taking ibuprofen, after French officials warned that anti-inflammatory drugs may exacerbate effects of the virus.
• National Basketball Association (NBA) superstar and former Most Valuable Player (MVP) Kevin Durant, tested positive for COVID-19 along with four other players on the Brooklyn Nets.

Monday, March 16, 2020

• On Monday, the number of COVID-19 cases in America spiked beyond 4,000.
• Six Bay Area counties were ordered to “shelter in place” on Monday – the strictest measure of its kind in the U.S. thus far.
• The Dow recorded its worst one-day point plummet in history on Monday – dropping 2,997 points, or 12.9%. The S&P 500 plunged 12%, its worst day since 1987. According to the VIX metric, a gauge of stock market volatility, the COVID-triggered mayhem surpasses what the market experienced during the 2008 financial crisis.
• U.S. researchers administered the first shots of an experimental COVID-19 vaccine, code named mRNA-1273, on Monday to a woman from Seattle. Dr. Anthony Fauci of the U.S. National Institutes of Health cautioned that even if the research is successful, a vaccine would not be available to the public use for another 12 to 18 months.
• Governors in New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut mutually decided to shut down all non-essential businesses.
• New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy issued a curfew from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. that restricts travel for all NJ residents, making NJ the first U.S. state to do so.
• Actor Idris Elba disclosed to the world that he tested positive for COVID-19 on Monday morning. The star of “Luther” said that feels “OK” and so far isn’t presenting any symptoms. Elba has been isolated since last Friday after being exposed to someone who tested positive.

Sunday, March 15, 2020

• The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and government agencies are reported that there are over 3,400 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the U.S., and 69 deaths. “For a while, life is not going to be the way it used to be in the United States, said” Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, on CNN’s “State of the Union” Sunday morning. “We have to just accept that if we want to do what’s best for the American public.”
• New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio announced on Sunday that the city will close its public school system through at least April 20 and possibly for the remainder of the year in the hopes of combating the spread of COVID-19. The NYC school system stands as the nation’s largest – comprised of nearly 1,900 public schools and over 1.1 million children.
• The Federal Reserve slashed interest rates to zero percent and purchased $700 billion in bonds and securities in an attempt to stabilize the economy.
• The CDC laid out new guidelines on Sunday strongly urging Americans to cancel or postpone any in-person events that consist of 50 people or more.

Saturday, March 14, 2020

• The White House announced on Saturday that the U.S. has added the United Kingdom and Ireland to its European travel ban list.
• President Trump tested negative for COVID-19 on Saturday, according to the president’s personal physician. The President took the test after having direct contact with three people who subsequently tested positive for the virus.
• Beginning Sunday, Walmart reduced its operating hours at all stories and Neighborhood Markets until further notice. This change only affects 24-hour stores, as any Walmart which had already been operating with reduced hours will continue to do so. Apple also announced that it will close all its retail stores outside of Greater China until March 27, while Nike decided to temporarily close all its stores in the U.S. for a period of 12 days.

Friday, March 13, 2020

• President Trump declared a national state of emergency by invoking the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistant Act, which will deploy technical, and logistical assistance and frees up $50 billion in federal resources to combat the virus.
• The 2020 Masters golf tournament has been postponed.

Thursday, March 12, 2020

• Ohio, Maryland, Michigan, and the large urban school districts of Seattle and San Francisco are shut down all K-12 schools in an attempt to slow COVID-19’s spread.
• The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 2,352 points on Thursday following President Trump’s announced 30-day travel ban on visitors from European countries.
• The NCAA decided to cancel the 2020 men’s and women’s basketball tournaments this year.
• The National Hockey League (NHL) paused the remainder of the 2019-2020 season, NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman announced on Thursday.
• Major League Baseball (MLB) decided to suspend Spring Training and games and delay the start of the 2020 regular season, according to baseball Commissioner Robert D. Manfred Jr.
• Utah Jazz star Donovan Mitchell became the second player to test positive.
• Disneyland announced on the closure of Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure Park through the end of March. Universal Studios Hollywood and Universal Orlando Resort also announced temporary closures beginning on March 14.
• The wife of Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Sophie Grégoire Trudeau, tested positive for COVID-19 on Thursday. Therefore, the Prime Minister vowed to keep himself and his wife in isolation for 14 days.

Wednesday, March 11, 2020

• WHO officially characterizes COVID-19 as a pandemic.
• President Trump addresses the nation and announces a temporary travel ban from 26 countries in Europe over the next 30 days (effective Friday, March 13 at midnight).
• The NBA suspends its 2019-2020 regular season after Utah Jazz player, Rudy Gobert, tested positive for COVID-19.
• Oscar-winning movie star Tom Hanks and his wife, Rita Wilson, both test positive for COVID-19 while on set in Australia.

DocWire News will provide breaking updates on the COVID-19 pandemic as they become available.