Coronavirus Live Updates: Dr. Fauci Says U.S. May Have Enough Tests By June

COVID-19 , the disease caused by the coronavirus , was officially declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization on March 11.

More than 3.1 million cases of the virus have been confirmed worldwide, and more than 217,000 people have died from it, according to data compiled by Johns Hopkins University . Efforts to curb the outbreak have led to the global disruption of daily life and the economy, as schools and workplaces shutter in hopes of slowing transmission.

HuffPost reporters around the world are tracking the pandemic and the measures being taken to flatten the curve  of transmission.

Read the latest updates on the coronavirus pandemic below. (To see the latest updates, you may need to refresh the page. All times are Eastern. For earlier updates on the pandemic, go here .)

Newsom: California May Start The Next School Year Earlier — 4/29/20, 8:00 a.m. ET

California Gov. Gavin Newsom said he’s considering having his state’s public schools start the next school year earlier with a number of heavy modifications.

Newsom, speaking on NBC’s Today Show on Wednesday, said the changes could entail school times being staggered and lunch being eaten at desks instead of in a cafeteria. The changes, he admitted would be “very difficult.”

“If we’re ever going to get the economy moving again we’ve got to allow parents the ability to go back to work that can’t afford childcare and we’ve got to do it in a way that keeps our kids safe and our teachers safe and ultimately our community safe,” he said. 

— Nina Golgowski 

Spain Announces Phased Return To Normality — 4/29/20, 7:15 a.m.

Spain has announced a four-stage plan for life to return to normal by the end of June, signaling a potential end to one of the toughest coronavirus lockdowns in the world. Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said the lifting of the restrictions that have halted public life since March 14 and nearly paralyzed the economy, will begin May 4 and vary from province to province.

HuffPost Spain reports  (in Spanish) that each phase will last two weeks and will then advance to the next stage if key data points indicate that it’s safe to continue removing the lockdown.

During the initial phase, hairdressers and other businesses that operate via appointment will open, while restaurants will be able to offer takeaway services. In the next stage, envisaged to begin on May 11 for most of Spain, bars will reopen their terraces but will be limited to a third of their capacity.

Spain’s daily death toll is now at around 300, less than a third of a record high of 950 in early April. Total fatalities since the start of the outbreak sit at 23,822, while the number of cases have risen to 210,773 - the world’s second-highest after the United States.

— James Martin

Virus Sweeps Unabated Through Michigan Prison — 4/29/2020, 6:50 a.m. ET

A lawsuit to be filed Wednesday on behalf of 37,000 Michigan state inmates alleges that the Michigan Department of Corrections (MDOC) has failed to protect them from the spread of coronavirus, and inmates at the Lakeland Correctional Facility accuse the MDOC of knowingly allowing them to get sick.

“We weren’t sentenced to death, but as of now everyone feels like they’re on their way,” said Lakeland inmate Patrick Wilson. About 57% of Lakeland’s 1,400 prisoners have tested positive. Read more at HuffPost .

— Liza Hearon

COVID-19 ‘Significantly More Lethal’ Than Seasonal Flu, Early Antibody Test Results Suggest — 4/29/2020, 2:20 a.m. ET 

The novel coronavirus is more lethal than the seasonal flu, according to preliminary COVID-19 antibody test results, The Washington Post reported .

In New York state, for instance, Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) said Monday that, based on the latest antibody numbers, the death rate from the virus appears to be around 0.5%. Columbia University researchers have estimated that the national fatality rate is around 0.6%.

That rate “is way more than a usual flu season and I would think way more than the ’57 or 1968 [influenza] pandemic death toll, too,” epidemiologist Cecile Viboud told the Post.

— Dominique Mosbergen

Coronavirus Deaths In U.S. Exceed Toll From Vietnam War — 4/28/20, 6:53 p.m. ET

The death toll in the United States from the coronavirus pandemic has officially surpassed the nation’s death toll from the Vietnam War, with Johns Hopkins University reporting  58,365 confirmed COVID-19 deaths as of Tuesday evening.

The Vietnam Conflict Extract Data File of the Defense Casualty Analysis System Extract Files contains records of at least 58,220 U.S. military fatalities from the Vietnam War, according to the National Archives , which has had custody of the records since 2008. The Vietnam War lasted nearly two decades, and the records show that the deaths spanned about 50 years. The COVID-19 death toll comes not even three months since the first confirmed U.S. death from the virus.

While the total fatalities in the U.S. during the pandemic and during the war is almost the same now, the nation’s actual death rate from COVID-19 is much higher, at about 17.6 deaths per 100,000 inhabitants, according to NPR . The death toll in 1968 — the deadliest year for the U.S. in Vietnam — was 16,899, or 8.5 troops killed for every 100,000 U.S. residents. The nation has a Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C., where the name of each U.S. fatality is written on a wall . The coronavirus fatality count in the U.S. now exceeds the count on that wall.

— Sanjana Karanth

Dr. Fauci Says U.S. May Have Enough Tests By June — 4/28/20, 5:28 p.m. ET

Dr. Anthony Fauci, the nation’s leading expert on infectious disease, said Tuesday that officials on the White House’s coronavirus task force predict everyone who needs a test will be able to get one by June. 

“As we get into May and June, from what we’re hearing from the people in the task force that deal directly with the companies and the major firms that make the tests … we will have a very, very increased production,” Fauci told CNN . “I’m always the skeptic in the group.”

Early June would mark three months after President Donald Trump falsely stated that “anybody that needs a test gets a test.” 

“Everyone who needs a test, according to the way we’re approaching the identification, isolation, contact tracing — keeping the country safe and healthy — hopefully we should see that as we get towards the end of May, the beginning of June,” Fauci said. 

Trump has made misleading public statements claiming that the coronavirus response is up to individual governors, but Fauci emphasized Tuesday that the response to the outbreak “has to be a partnership between the federal government and the states.” 

— Sara Boboltz

Confirmed Cases In U.S. Top 1 Million — 4/28/2020, 2:15 p.m. ET

The number of confirmed cases of the coronavirus in the United States surpassed 1 million on Tuesday, doubling in less than three weeks, according to data compiled by Johns Hopkins University .

The United States, home to about 4% of the global population, has reported around one-third of the world’s more than 3 million  known coronavirus infections. More than 57,000 deaths linked to the virus have been confirmed nationwide.

— Hayley Miller

Alabama To Begin Reopening Its Economy Thursday 4/28/2020, 1:11 p.m. ET

Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey (R) announced that her state will begin the process of reopening businesses and allowing more gatherings starting Thursday at 5 p.m.

The “Safer At Home” order  will allow all retail businesses to reopen with a 50% occupancy limit. Beaches will also reopen with a ban on gatherings of 10 or more people. All medical procedures, including elective ones, will be allowed to proceed.

Gyms, salons, entertainment venues and other spaces deemed “close contact” zones will remain closed. 

As of Tuesday, there have been more than 6,539 COVID-19 cases  in Alabama and 228 deaths associated with the virus.

— Lydia O’Connor

British Airways To Make Up To 12,000 Workers Redundant — 4/28/20, 1:10 p.m. ET

British Airways is set to make up to 12,000 workers redundant, according to parent company IAG. The announcement also revealed that revenues plunged 13% in the first quarter of 2020.

“In light of the impact of COVID-19 on current operations and the expectation that the recovery of passenger demand to 2019 levels will take several years, British Airways is formally notifying its trade unions about a proposed restructuring and redundancy programme,” IAG said in a statement. 

BA has about 42,000 staff members, with 12,000 representing about 29% of the workforce.

Read more on HuffPost UK.

— Chris York

More Than 30% Of Americans Have Witnessed Anti-Asian Racism Related To COVID-19, New Survey Finds — 4/28/20, 9:36 a.m. ET

Nearly a third of Americans have “witnessed someone blaming Asian people for the coronavirus epidemic,” according to a new survey from Ipsos and the Center for Public Integrity, consistent with a recent surge in reports of racist attacks against Asian Americans.

The survey, released Tuesday, also found that among the respondents who identified themselves as Asian American, 60% of them had witnessed someone blaming Asian people.

Last week, a group of advocacy organizations and researchers working to track incidents of racism against people of Asian descent said nearly 1,500 incidents  had been reported within a four-week period, from respondents in 45 U.S. states and the District of Columbia.

Read more on the survey from the Center for Public Integrity .

— Marina Fang

U.S. FDA Commissioner Warns Against Ingesting Hand Sanitizer — 4/28/20, 8:44 a.m. ET

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has asked manufacturers of hand sanitizers to add “denatured alcohol” to their products, creating “a bitter taste” in order to prevent people, especially children, from ingesting the products, Reuters reported.

“Hand sanitizers are not proven to treat COVID-19, and like other products meant for external use, are not for ingestion, inhalation or intravenous use,” FDA Commissioner Stephen Hahn said in a statement Monday.

Last week, U.S. President Donald Trump dubiously suggested that ingesting disinfectant products could treat COVID-19.

Local and national poison control hotlines have reported an increase in calls over the last few weeks, including a significant number involving hand sanitizer.

Read more from Reuters.

— Marina Fang

Scotland Becomes First UK Nation To Recommend Face Coverings — 4/28/20, 8:15 a.m. ET

Scotland has become the first U.K. nation to officially recommend the use of face masks during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

A government document published Tuesday said the evidence backing the use of face coverings was “limited,” but conceded: “There may be some benefit in wearing a facial covering when you leave the house and enter enclosed spaces, especially where physical distancing is more difficult and where there is a risk of close contact with multiple people you do not usually meet.”

“We are recommending that you consider using face coverings in the limited circumstances described above as a precautionary measure,” the document said.

Other situations include traveling on public transportation or entering a food shop where it is not always possible to maintain a two-meter distance from another customer.

A total of 1,332 patients in Scotland have died after testing positive for the coronavirus, up by 70 from 1,262 on Monday.

Read more.

— Sara C. Nelson

UK Holds Minute’s Silence For Key Workers — 4/28/20, 6:15 a.m. ET

A minute’s silence was held in the U.K. at 11 a.m. to remember key workers who have died during the coronavirus pandemic.

Dame Donna Kinnair, chief executive of the Royal College of Nursing, said the tribute came from “a somber but grateful nation.”

Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who is only just back at work after he ended up in intensive care with the virus, was among those to pay respects, with government workers also having been asked to join in.

On Monday, U.K. health secretary Matt Hancock confirmed that 82 NHS workers and 16 social care staff had lost their lives to COVID-19.

Bus drivers are also among those who have died carrying out their work during the pandemic. Subway and bus networks were also asked to pause for the silence so workers could honor their colleagues. Read more

— Jasmin Gray

Some U.S. Airlines Ask Or Require Customers To Wear Masks On Board — 04/28/2020; 5:50 a.m. ET

JetBlue said Monday that all customers on its flights will be required to wear  face coverings while traveling beginning on May 4. “Wearing a face covering isn’t about protecting yourself, it’s about protecting those around you,” Joanna Geraghty, JetBlue’s president and chief operating officer, said in a statement. “This is the new flying etiquette.”

American Airlines said it would begin handing out masks to some customers on the same day; but while it said it was taking the action to look out for customers’ wellbeing, travelers would not be required to wear the masks. “We are looking out for our customers’ wellbeing to give them peace of mind while they travel with us,” Kurt Stache, a vice president at American Airlines, said in a statement.

— Dominique Mosbergen

Texas Governor Will Let Stay-Home Order Expire, Allowing Many Businesses To Reopen — 4/27/20, 5:30 p.m. ET

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R) announced that the state’s stay-at-home order meant to prevent further spread of the coronavirus will expire on Thursday, after which many businesses will be allowed to reopen with restrictions on occupancy.

Under the new measures, retail stores, restaurants, movie theaters and malls will be able to reopen Friday, though these will be limited to 25% occupancy . The governor says he aims to reopen other businesses, like bars, hair salons and gyms, in mid-May.

Public health experts have warned about the dangers of states reopening too early without adequate capacity to conduct widespread testing and “contact tracing” of positive COVID-19 cases.

In Texas, there have been more than 25,000 confirmed coronavirus cases so far, and at least 663 deaths as of Monday.

— Sarah Ruiz-Grossman

Trump Press Briefing Now Back On 4/27/2020, 1:33 p.m. ET

President Donald Trump’s evening press briefing with the coronavirus task force is back on the calendar for Monday, the White House informed reporters.

The briefing was canceled earlier for the third day in a row. At the last one Trump held, he walked out of the room after 20 minutes without taking any questions a stark difference from the hourslong press conferences he typically hosts. He has repeatedly gotten himself into hot water at those daily briefings, most recently for suggesting that people be injected with disinfectant or sunlight to cure COVID-19. His advisers have reportedly told him to scale back the appearances. 

Lydia O’Connor

Airbnb To Require Hosts To Wait 24 Hours Between Guests — 04/27/2020, 11:30 a.m. ET

Airbnb has announced new cleaning procedures for hosts that include requiring a 24-hour wait period in between guests.

The new vacancy requirement, which will take effect in May, follows a CDC recommendation meant to “address the possibility of particles that may remain airborne for a few hours,” the company said in a press release.

Hosts are encouraged to enroll in a “Cleaning Protocol” initiative that provides information on COVID-19 prevention and enhanced cleaning practices. Guests will be able to identify which hosts are enrolled in the program and book accommodations accordingly.

“We are working with leading experts in health and hygiene so that our community’s trademark hospitality can incorporate official guidance and fulfill new personal preferences, with hosts and guests uniting to offer, manage and enjoy cleaner accommodations,” Greg Greeley, the president of homes at Airbnb, said in a statement.

Airbnb’s updated cleaning guidelines come as the travel and hospitality industries suffer major losses amid the pandemic. Only 23.4% of U.S. hotel rooms were occupied between April 14 and April 20, a decline of 64.4% compared to the same time period a year ago, USA Today reported .

Airbnb, which is privately held, hasn’t disclosed its booking numbers. The company announced earlier this month that it received a $1 billion loan from investors during the pandemic and has created a $250 million fund to pay affected hosts, CNN reported .

Hayley Miller

White House Cancels Daily Coronavirus Briefing — 4/27/20, 11:08 am ET

The White House has canceled President Donald Trump’s daily coronavirus briefing for the third consecutive day.

Typically held around 5 p.m. Eastern time, the briefings have increasingly turned into Trump airing grievances and disseminating lies and misleading information about the pandemic, leading White House officials to advise reducing them or curtailing Trump’s involvement in them. 

On Thursday, Trump preposterously suggested a possible COVID-19 treatment could involve ingesting disinfectant products. He later claimed he was being sarcastic. On Friday, he abruptly ended that day’s briefing without taking questions from reporters.

He may speak at a 4 p.m. event, according to the White House’s schedule for Monday.

— Marina Fang

Boris Johnson Returns To Work After COVID-19 Battle — 4/27/2020, 4:43 a.m. ET

U.K. Prime Minister Boris Johnson has returned to work after recovering from COVID-19, HuffPost UK reports .

Speaking at 10 Downing Street on Monday, Johnson, who spent three days in intensive care earlier this month battling the virus, said the U.K. was “beginning to turn the tide” against the virus but warned it was too early to lift the country’s lockdown.

This is not the time “to go easy” on social distancing, Johnson said, as it would “throw away all the effort and sacrifice of the British people” and risk another wave of illness. 

— Dominique Mosbergen

New Zealand Eases Restrictions As New COVID-19 Cases Fall Below 1% — 4/27/2020, 4:30 a.m. ET

New Zealand, which has been under one of the strictest national lockdowns amid the coronavirus pandemic, said it will start easing some restrictions this week as the daily rate of new cases has slowed to below 1%. 

Around 400,000 people are expected to return to work after the country lifts restrictions at midnight on Monday, Reuters reported. Some outdoor activities like fishing and surfing will be allowed, and parliament and courts are preparing to reopen. Many restrictions will remain, however. Public gatherings are still banned, and shops and restaurants will remain closed.

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has warned the fight against the virus is very much still ongoing.

“It can’t be return to pre COVID-19 life,” she said. “That day will come, but it’s not here yet.” 

— Dominique Mosbergen

USNS Comfort Discharges Last Patient, Prepares To Leave NYC — 4/27/2020. 12:46 a.m. ET

Naval hospital ship USNS Comfort, which treated more than 180 COVID-19 patients over a four-week period, will soon be leaving New York City’s harbor.

The ship discharged its last patient on Sunday, ABC News reported . The vessel — a fully functioning hospital with 70 ventilators — will soon head back to its homeport in Norfolk, Virginia, to prepare for its next mission.

There has been no indication that the ship will be used elsewhere to treat coronavirus patients.

— Dominique Mosbergen

Gov. Cuomo Announces Phased Plan To Reopen New York As Death Rate Slows — 4/26/20, 7 p.m. ET

New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo said that he plans to reopen parts of the state  in coordinated phases, likely beginning with the construction and manufacturing industries.

New York is currently under a strict stay-at-home order until at least May 15. After that date, Cuomo said regions of the state that have seen the CDC-recommended 14-day decline in hospitalizations could start to open in some areas of the construction and manufacturing sectors.

The state government will monitor the effects of the first phase of reopening the economy for at least two weeks, which will include the hospitalization rate, the infection rate, the number of positive antibody tests and the overall public health impact. After that, Cuomo said the second phase will be based on how “essential” businesses’ services are and how they are able to operate while maintaining social distancing guidelines for customers and employees.

The governor stressed that New York City and the surrounding region will be the most “problematic” to reopen, but that the state will work specifically to make sure the area’s transportation systems, schools, beaches and parks all follow the same guidelines. The effort will hopefully also be in coordination with neighboring states.

On Sunday, New York’s statewide hospitalizations dropped to 12,839 — the first time since March 31 that the number has been fewer than 13,000. The state reported 367 COVID-19 deaths in the past day, down from 437 the previous day.

— Sanjana Karanth

For earlier updates on the pandemic, go here .

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