Deaths in France and Italy increased but numbers of patients in intensive care dropped again
, 16 have now died with the virus around the world since the pandemic broke out in China in December.
As of Saturday afternoon (Italy had reported , coronavirus deaths while the US had , , according to the Johns Hopkins tally.
There are now at least
, (recorded cases of Covid – across the United States. Dr. Anthony Fauci, US infectious diseases chief, has said the country is “starting to see the levelling off and coming down” of cases and deaths but says mitigation efforts such as social distancing should not be pulled back yet.
Federal social distancing recommendations, issued by President Donald Trump, are currently in place until April
The president is facing twin pressures from the outbreak: with at least million jobs lost in recent weeks as virus restrictions cripple the country’s economy.
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Media caption One food bank in Los Angeles had a car queue that stretched one mile long (1.6km)
He said on Friday that a new council, made up of business and medical figures, would be announced next week to help him with the “biggest decision I’ve ever had to make” on when to relax measures.
It comes as Congress continues to spar over the next stage of Covid – 24 financial relief.
Democrats want a new proposed $ bn (£ 0897 bn) bill to help small businesses to also allow for additional funding for hospitals and local governments.
But on Saturday the two top Republicans in Congress, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, rejected the demand .
In a statement they described the move as a “reckless threat” which blocked “job-saving funding”.
Federal social distancing recommendations, issued by President Donald Trump, are currently in place until April
The president is facing twin pressures from the outbreak: with at least million jobs lost in recent weeks as virus restrictions cripple the country’s economy.
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