WASHINGTON, April 9 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The United States recorded nearly 2,000 novel coronavirus deaths for a second day in a row, according to a tally by Johns Hopkins University as of 8:30 pm Wednesday.
The record-breaking figure of 1,973 deaths (slightly higher than the previous day’s toll of 1,939) brings the total number of US fatalities to 14,695.
The US death toll now exceeds that of Spain, which has suffered 14,555 deaths, but has not surpassed Italy, whose toll stands at 17,669.
Separately, New York state on Wednesday reported the most coronavirus cases in the world, overtaking Spain.
New York state has 149,316 reported cases compared with Spain at 146,690. Italy is now in third place with 139,422 cases reported on Wednesday.
However, Governor Andrew Cuomo says, New York is “undoubtedly flattening the curve”.
“We are flattening the curve because we are being rigorous about social distancing,” Cuomo says. “It’s not a time to get complacent.”
Cuomo notes that black and Hispanic people in New York are disproportionately likely to die of the virus. “The poorest people pay the highest price,” he says. “Why? Let’s figure it out, let’s do the work.”
All of New York’s flags will be flown at half-mast, in honour of those who have died of Covid-19. Cuomo notes that New York lost 2,753 lives on the Sept 11 attacks, while 6,268 New Yorkers have already died of the virus.
As the disease continues to pummel the eastern state, Cuomo has promised an additional $600 to those who have filed for unemployment.
“I don’t think we return to normal,” Cuomo says. “If we’re smart, we achieve a new normal.” — NNN-AGENCIES
