U.S. Coronavirus Cases Pass 400,000 After Doubling in Just One Week
The novel coronavirus has infected over 400,000 people in the U.S. More than 12,900 have died, while over 22,500 have reportedly recovered from infection as of Wednesday, according to the latest figures from Johns Hopkins University. Confirmed cases in the U.S. have more than doubled from April 1, when there were nearly 200,000 infections.
The virus, which was first reported in Wuhan in China's Hubei province, has spread to over 1.4 million people across at least 184 countries and regions. More than 301,000 people have recovered from infection and over 82,100 have died.
The U.S. remains the epicenter of the outbreak, with New York reporting the highest number of confirmed infections in the country. The state has seen at least 138,863 cases, including 76,876 in New York City, according to the latest figures from the office of New York Governor Andrew Cuomo.
New Jersey, Michigan, California, Louisiana and Massachusetts all have more than 15,000 confirmed infections, according to the latest figures from their respective state health departments.
New York reported its highest daily death toll on Tuesday with 731, bringing its total to 5,489, Cuomo confirmed at a press conference on Tuesday. New York City alone had at least 4,009 casualties as of Wednesday.
Elsewhere in the country, New Jersey has seen at least 1,232 deaths among its 44,416 total confirmed cases, according to the latest figures on the New Jersey state government website.
Americans have been warned to brace themselves for the "hardest week," with a surge in deaths expected in the coming days.
U.S. Surgeon General Jerome Adams told Fox News on Sunday: "This is going to be the hardest and the saddest week of most Americans' lives, quite frankly. This is going to be our Pearl Harbor moment, our 9/11 moment, only it's not going to be localized. It's going to be happening all over the country."
"There is a light at the end of the tunnel if everyone does their part for the next 30 days," he added.
States across the country have issued a "stay-at-home" order in a bid to curb the spread of the virus. The order requires residents to remain at home and for all non-essential businesses, including bars, restaurants and other places of public gathering, to remain closed.
The director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), Dr. Anthony Fauci, said at a White House press briefing on Monday: "The best tool we have is mitigation. We know it worked in other countries, and we're seeing how it's working here. So if we really want to make sure that we don't have these kinds of rebounds [in infections] that we're worried about, it's mitigation, mitigation, mitigation."
Top 10 states with the most COVID-19 cases
(as of April 8)
- New York—at least 138,863 cases, 5,489 deaths
- New Jersey—at least 44,416 cases, 1,232 deaths
- Michigan—at least 18,970 cases, 845 deaths
- California—at least 17,620 cases, 450 deaths
- Louisiana—at least 16,284 cases, 582 deaths
- Massachusetts—at least 15,202 cases, 356 deaths
- Pennsylvania—at least 14,945 cases, 250 deaths
- Florida—at least 14,747 cases, 296 deaths
- Illinois—at least 13,549 cases, 380 deaths
- Georgia—at least 9,156 cases, 348 deaths
The graphic below, provided by Statista, illustrates the spread of COVID-19 in the U.S.
Data on COVID-19 cases is from Johns Hopkins University unless otherwise stated.
World Health Organization advice for avoiding spread of coronavirus disease (COVID-19)
Hygiene advice
- Clean hands frequently with soap and water, or alcohol-based hand rub.
- Wash hands after coughing or sneezing; when caring for the sick; before, during and after food preparation; before eating; after using the toilet; when hands are visibly dirty; and after handling animals or waste.
- Maintain at least 1 meter (3 feet) distance from anyone who is coughing or sneezing.
- Avoid touching your hands, nose and mouth. Do not spit in public.
- Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or bent elbow when coughing or sneezing. Discard the tissue immediately and clean your hands.
Medical advice
- Avoid close contact with others if you have any symptoms.
- Stay at home if you feel unwell, even with mild symptoms such as headache and runny nose, to avoid potential spread of the disease to medical facilities and other people.
- If you develop serious symptoms (fever, cough, difficulty breathing) seek medical care early and contact local health authorities in advance.
- Note any recent contact with others and travel details to provide to authorities who can trace and prevent spread of the disease.
- Stay up to date on COVID-19 developments issued by health authorities and follow their guidance.
Mask and glove usage
- Healthy individuals only need to wear a mask if taking care of a sick person.
- Wear a mask if you are coughing or sneezing.
- Masks are effective when used in combination with frequent hand cleaning.
- Do not touch the mask while wearing it. Clean hands if you touch the mask.
- Learn how to properly put on, remove and dispose of masks. Clean hands after disposing of the mask.
- Do not reuse single-use masks.
- Regularly washing bare hands is more effective against catching COVID-19 than wearing rubber gloves.
- The COVID-19 virus can still be picked up on rubber gloves and transmitted by touching your face.
