More than 2,000 people who tested positive for coronavirus died across the US on Friday – the highest number of fatalities seen in a single day anywhere in the world.
According to Johns Hopkins University, the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in the US has now exceeded 500,000.
However, there are signs that Americans are increasingly staying at home to help reduce the number of new coronavirus infections.
Top economic officials in the Trump administration have expressed hope that businesses could start to reopen in May, but America’s top infectious diseases expert has warned against relaxing restrictions prematurely.
“Now is no time to back off,” Dr Anthony Fauci said.
In total, more than 18,600 people in the US have died after testing positive for the coronavirus – narrowly behind Italy, which currently has the highest number of fatalities worldwide.
