More than 2 million have been infected with the novel coronavirus worldwide as the pandemic continues to affect every aspect of people's lives.The global death toll stands at more than 140,000 people, according to data compiled by the Center for Systems Science and Engineering at Johns Hopkins University. The actual numbers are believed to be much higher due to a number of deaths in which a person is not tested for the virus.Many municipalities have begun counting probable deaths caused by COVID-19, including New York City, the epicenter of the disease in the United States.The U.S. has more deaths and cases than any country in the world, with more than 64,000 diagnosed cases and at least 31,590 deaths.Today's biggest developments:New York, other states extend shutdown to May 15 UK will stay on lockdown for next 3 weeks Midwest governors form coalition to reopen their states NJ governor 'outraged that bodies of the dead' piled up at nursing home Editor's PicksScientist behind saliva test breakthrough sees bridge to nationwide coronavirus screeningDavid Muir Exclusive with Bill and Melinda Gates on CoronavirusCoronavirus map: Tracking the spread in the US and around the world
Here's how the news is developing today. All times Eastern. Please refresh this page for updates.3 p.m.: Facebook canceling events with 50 or more people through June 2021
Facebook is canceling physical events with 50 or more people through June 2021, CEO Mark Zuckerberg said.He said some events would be held virtually instead.SLIDESHOW: Coronavirus outbreak sparks global health emergency
Most Facebook employees will work from home through at least the end of May 2020."Even after more of our teams can return, if there's any reason they feel they can't work in our offices -- because they are in a vulnerable population, because with schools and camps canceled they don't have childcare, or anything else -- that they can plan to work from home through at least the summer," Zuckerberg said.Tune into ABC at 1 p.m. ET and ABC News Live at 4 p.m. ET every weekday for special coverage of the novel coronavirus with the full ABC News team, including the latest news, context and analysis.2:30 p.m.: Midwest governors form coalition to reopen their states
The governors of Michigan, Ohio, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Illinois, Indiana and Kentucky announced Thursday that they'll work together to reopen the Midwest economics.Rick Wittenmyer shops for groceries at the West Side Market, April 10, 2020, in Cleveland.Rick Wittenmyer shops for groceries at the West Side Market, April 10, 2020, in Cleveland.Tony Dejak/AP
The governors said in a joint statement that they'll look at four factors to determine when is best to reopen: "sustained control" of infection and hospitalization rates; "enhanced ability" to test and trace; "sufficient health care capacity" for resurgence; and social distancing practice prepared for workplaces."This doesn’t mean our economy will reopen all at once, or that every state will take the same steps at the same time," the governors' statement said, "But close coordination will ensure we get this right."1:55 p.m.: NJ governor 'outraged that bodies of the dead' piled up at nursing home
New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy said Thursday that he's "outraged that bodies of the dead were allowed to pile up in a makeshift morgue" at a New Jersey nursing home.Murphy said he asked the attorney general to investigate the deaths at the Andover Subacute and Rehab Center."New Jerseyans deserve to be cared for with respect, compassion and dignity," Murphy said.An ambulance departs with a patient from Andover Subacute and Rehab Center, during the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak in Andover, New Jersey, April 16, 2020.An ambulance departs with a patient from Andover Subacute and Rehab Center, during the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak in Andover, New Jersey, April 16, 2020.Stefan Jeremiah/Reuters
New Jersey's Department of Health said the facility has had 35 deaths, including 19 from coronavirus, in recent weeks.At least 103 residents have COVID-19, the health department said.MORE: 44 veterans have died at Holyoke Soldiers' Home, 100 test positive for COVID-19
New Jersey Congressman Josh Gottheimer claims 68 people have died at the nursing home, which is in his district.In a Thursday morning interview with ABC New York station WABC, Gottheimer said he "just got off phone with administrator ... they have 68 lives lost ... It's horrific."One of the two buildings of Andover Subacute and Rehabilitation Center, in Andover N.J., April 15, 2020.One of the two buildings of Andover Subacute and Rehabilitation Center, in Andover N.J., April 15, 2020.Gregg Vigliotti/The New York Times via Redux
The investigation comes after a number of bodies were removed this week. According to police, the first clue was a request for 25 body bags."When they called Saturday they were desperate for body bags," Gottheimer said.Investigators initially discovered five bodies in the facility’s holding area. In subsequent days they were tipped off to a body being stored in a shed. No bodies were seen in the shed but investigators then found another 12 bodies in the holding area.Faces of the coronavirus pandemic: Remembering those who died
A team has been sent to help the residents and staff at the rehab center, Murphy said.The governor also said the attorney general will "do a review of all long-term care facilities that have experienced a disproportionate number of deaths" during the pandemic.12:55 p.m.: Trump discusses coronavirus with G-7 leaders
President Donald Trump discussed the coronavirus pandemic with G-7 leaders in a conference call on Thursday, joined by the leaders of the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, Canada and Japan.A handout image released by 10 Downing Street, shows President Donald Trump on the screen and Britain's Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab, right, attending a remote G7 meeting inside 10 Downing Street, in central London, on April 16, 2020, during the novel coronavirus COVID-19.A handout image released by 10 Downing Street, shows President Donald Trump on the screen and Britain's Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab, right, attending a remote G7 meeting inside 10 Downing Street, in central London, on April 16, 2020, during the novel coronavirus COVID-19.Andrew Parsons/10 Downing Street/AFP via Getty Images
According to the White House, "The leaders recognized that the G7 nations annually contribute more than a billion dollars to the World Health Organization (WHO), and much of the conversation centered on the lack of transparency and chronic mismanagement of the pandemic by the WHO."The White House said the G-7 "leaders called for a thorough review and reform process."Readouts from other countries dispute the White House account.A readout from Germany said Chancellor Angela Merkel "expressed her full support for the WHO."The U.K's readout of the call made no mention of the WHO.A Downing Street spokesperson said, "Leaders discussed the particular risk coronavirus poses to developing nations and agreed on the need to fight coronavirus in every country."Trump said Tuesday that his administration was halting funding to the WHO, accusing it of "severely mismanaging and covering up the spread of the coronavirus" and said the organization even "pushed China’s misinformation about the virus."President Donald Trump speaks during the daily briefing on the novel coronavirus, COVID-19, in the Rose Garden at the White House on April 15, 2020, in Washington.President Donald Trump speaks during the daily briefing on the novel coronavirus, COVID-19, in the Rose Garden at the White House on April 15, 2020, in Washington.Mandel Ngan/AFP via Getty Images
"With the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, we have deep concerns whether America’s generosity has been put to the best use possible," Trump said.WHO Director General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said Wednesday, "The United States has been a longstanding and generous friend to WHO, and we hope it will continue to be so ... We regret the decision of the president of the United States to order a halt in funding to WHO."12:30 p.m.: UK will stay on lockdown for next 3 weeks
The United Kingdom will stay on lockdown for the next three weeks, Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab announced Thursday, explaining that relaxing measures at this stage would be a risk to the public.A woman passes a closed shop in Central London, Britain, April 16, 2020.A woman passes a closed shop in Central London, Britain, April 16, 2020.Will Oliver/EPA via Shutterstock
The U.K.'s lockdown has been in place since March 23. Schools, restaurants and most shops are closed, and people are allowed to leave home only for essential errands or exercise.Over 13,000 people have died in the U.K.Raab said five steps must be accomplished before it's safe to change the current measure: the National Health Service must be able to cope; there must be a sustained and consistent fall in the daily death rate; there must be a falling rate of infection across the board; need to have more PPE and testing; and need to be certain that a second peak will not happen.12:05 p.m.: New York shutdown extended to May 15
In hard-hit New York state, 606 lives were lost on Wednesday.A makeshift morgue is set up outside Lenox Hill Hospital during the coronavirus pandemic, on April 15, 2020, in New York City.A makeshift morgue is set up outside Lenox Hill Hospital during the coronavirus pandemic, on April 15, 2020, in New York City.Cindy Ord/Getty Images
However, intubations are down, the hospitalization rate is down and ICU admissions are down, Gov. Andrew Cuomo said on Thursday."It means we can control the virus," he said. "We did not know for sure we could do that."Cuomo said New York's shutdown -- in coordination with other Northeast states -- will be extended to May 15.Timeline: Government's evolving guidance on when Americans can return to work
"I don't want to project beyond that period," Cuomo said.A man wearing a face mask walks by a pizzeria near the Brooklyn Hospital Center with a sign of support for doctors and nurses, on April 15, 2020, in New York City, amid the novel coronavirus outbreak.A man wearing a face mask walks by a pizzeria near the Brooklyn Hospital Center with a sign of support for doctors and nurses, on April 15, 2020, in New York City, amid the novel coronavirus outbreak.Angela Weiss/AFP via Getty Images
"The close down has worked," he said, "however, we're not there yet."Cuomo announced Monday that seven Northeast states -- New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Rhode Island and Massachusetts -- were joining forces to create a reopening plan.A woman and child wear protective masks during the coronavirus pandemic, on April 15, 2020, in New York City.A woman and child wear protective masks during the coronavirus pandemic, on April 15, 2020, in New York City.Cindy Ord/Getty Images
Cuomo said Thursday he needs a "coordinated action plan" with the other states.Going forward, the phased return to the "new normal" will involve determining how essential a business is and how risky it is for spreading the virus, Cuomo said.A sign posted on a door reads 'for safety of staff a mask or scarf is required to enter office' on April 15, 2020, in New York City.A sign posted on a door reads 'for safety of staff a mask or scarf is required to enter office' on April 15, 2020, in New York City.Cindy Ord/Getty Images
Businesses must have new practices when they reopen, he said, like making sure employees can get to work safely and ensuring the workplace is designed to include social distancing measures.The governor called testing the "single-best tool to inform decisions."Cuomo said New York -- home to 19 million people -- conducted 500,000 tests in 30 days, which he said was more than California, Florida and Michigan combined.10:30 a.m.: NYC expected to lose $7.4 billion in tax revenue
In New York City -- hit the hardest by the pandemic in the U.S. -- 386 people suspected of having coronavirus were admitted to hospitals on Tuesday, which was up from 370 on Monday.Medical worker on the night shift outside of a special coronavirus intake area at Maimonides Medical Center, on April 15, 2020, in the Borough Park neighborhood of the Brooklyn, New York.Medical worker on the night shift outside of a special coronavirus intake area at Maimonides Medical Center, on April 15, 2020, in the Borough Park neighborhood of the Brooklyn, New York.Spencer Platt/Getty Images
The city's ICUs had 887 patients on Tuesday, up from 868 Monday, Mayor Bill de Blasio said.And of the New Yorkers tested for the coronavirus on Tuesday, 55% were positive -- up from 53% on Monday.De Blasio warned Thursday that New York City is expected to lose $7.4 billion in tax revenue over the current and next fiscal year.Medical worker on the night shift outside of a special coronavirus intake area at Maimonides Medical Center, on April 15, 2020, in the Borough Park neighborhood of the Brooklyn, New York.Medical worker on the night shift outside of a special coronavirus intake area at Maimonides Medical Center, on April 15, 2020, in the Borough Park neighborhood of the Brooklyn, New York.Spencer Platt/Getty Images
De Blasio urged President Trump to help New York City get "back on our feet" by providing funds through the next government stimulus."If you lead, the Senate will follow," de Blasio said in a message to Trump.Workers organize food to be donated by City Harvest Mobile Market Food Distribution Center, during the outbreak of the coronavirus disease in the Brooklyn borough of New York, April 15, 2020.Workers organize food to be donated by City Harvest Mobile Market Food Distribution Center, during the outbreak of the coronavirus disease in the Brooklyn borough of New York, April 15, 2020.Eduardo Munoz/Reuters
Meanwhile, the mayor said 11,000 free hotel rooms are being provided for New Yorkers who need to quarantine.The rooms will be open to health care workers, the homeless and some living in overcrowded households who cannot socially distance.Referrals will begin on April 22 through hospitals and community health providers.9 a.m.: Japan declares nationwide state of emergency
Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on Thursday expanded a state of emergency from seven prefectures to all 47 prefectures in the nation in an attempt to prevent COVID-19 from spreading further.People commute to work despite a state of emergency in Japan at Shinagawa station in Tokyo, April 16, 2020.People commute to work despite a state of emergency in Japan at Shinagawa station in Tokyo, April 16, 2020.Charly Triballeau/AFP/Getty Images
Tokyo, Osaka, and five other prefectures had been under a state of emergency since April 7.Japanese authorities plan to ease restrictions on May 6.Japan has 8,626 diagnosed COVID-19 cases and 178 fatalities, according to data compiled by Johns Hopkins. This includes figures from the Diamond Princess cruise ship, which was forced to dock in Japan when an outbreak on the ship spread.What to know about coronavirus: How it started and how to protect yourself: Coronavirus explained What to do if you have symptoms: Coronavirus symptoms Tracking the spread in the U.S. and worldwide: Coronavirus map 6:38 a.m.: CDC to tour processing plant where hundreds tested positive
South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem announced that Centers for Disease Control and Prevention officials are on the ground in Sioux Falls and will tour a Smithfield Foods plant Thursday "in partnership with state and local officials," Noem said.MORE: Scientist behind saliva test breakthrough sees bridge to nationwide coronavirus screening
There's been 518 Smithfield employees who have tested positive for novel coronavirus as well as 126 cases of nonemployees that became infected due to an employee, according to the South Dakota Department of Health.Noem said the state is "aggressively testing" employees and those they have come into contact with "and as soon as possible getting them into isolation."The governor added she's working with federal officials and Smithfield leaders "on a plan to safely reopen the plant to get it back online to bring some relief not only to our egg producers, but to make sure we're continuing to secure our nation's food supply."3:55 a.m.: Harry, Meghan help at LA nonprofit
Duchess Meghan and Prince Harry spent a second day helping out at Project Angel Food, a charity in Los Angeles that feeds people too sick to do so themselves.Those facing a hard time during the coronavirus pandemic are being helped with food by the nonprofit.The nonprofit was founded by former presidential candidate Marianne Williamson originally to deal with helping those with HIV/AIDS.Meghan decided to help on Easter Sunday, and then again on Wednesday, after her mom, Doria Ragland, said the group was in need of volunteers.ABC News' Mary Kathryn Burke, Ben Gittleson, Aaron Katersky, Whitney Lloyd, Jordyn Phelps, Kirit Radia, Joe Simonetti, Dimitrije Stejic and Christine Theodorou contributed to this report.
Source : abcnews.go.com
Source : abcnews.go.com