Global Coronavirus Cases Surpass 3 Million, U.S. States Begin to Reopen

Globally, there are now more than Three million confirmed cases, according to Johns Hopkins University.

Authorities in 211 countries and territories have reported more than 3,050,000 novel coronavirus cases worldwide since China reported its first cases to the World Health Organization (WHO) in December.

Nearly a third of all infections have been recorded in the United States, the university reported.

At least 987,022 cases of coronavirus have been recorded in the United States, including 56,144 deaths, according to Johns Hopkins University’s tally of cases.

On Monday, Johns Hopkins reported at least 19,658 new cases and 1,071 deaths.

The totals include cases from all 50 states, the District of Columbia and other US territories, as well as repatriated cases.

Spain follows the US as the nation with the second highest count of Covid-19 cases, with a total of 229,422, according to Johns Hopkins.

Italy, with 199,414 coronavirus infections and 26,977 deaths is third on the list, while France with 164,589 cases and 23,293 deaths is in fourth position.

The U.S. coronavirus death toll surpassed 55,000 Monday, with more than 985,000 confirmed cases, according to NBC News' tally.

The grim milestones comes as the White House coronavirus task force coordinator Dr. Deborah Birx warned that many of the social distancing measures that have upended American life will be a fixture through the summer.

President Donald Trump said during an address in the Rose Garden Monday that the number of tests performed across the country spiked after his administration gave a list of laboratory facilities to governors. But the COVID Tracking Project data did not show any "skyrocket" in testing.

On the state level, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott announced that the state's stay-at-home order will expire on Thursday and many businesses will be allowed to open on Friday. Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine laid out strict guidelines for the resumption of retail business in May, including requirements for both employees and shoppers to wear face coverings.

Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker is seeking to overturn a ruling by a judge who issued a restraining order against the extension of his stay-at-home order. Similarly, Attorney General William Barr directed the nation's federal prosecutors to look for stay-at-home orders that could be unconstitutional.

Meanwhile in Italy, Europe's hardest hit country, the prime minister laid out plans for a phased end to restrictions, including the opening of restaurants and libraries in mid-May.

April 28, 2020