The coronavirus pandemic has brought civil liberty groups a lot of concerns— from fever-reading drones, thermal cameras installed at the criminal courthouse in Miami, monitoring cellphone travel data to Google and Apple working on cellphone applications that could inform someone on the other end of a call that they’re speaking with a coronavirus carrier.
Florida’s death toll increases, as 113 coronavirus-related deaths were reported on Tuesday. The increase in deaths has been reported just as the government has started to reopen its economy, allowing some non-essential businesses and public beaches to be open to the public. According to the report released, the state's count of confirmed infections increased by 542 and the total number of fatalities has surpassed 1,500.
May 5, 5:55 p.m.
Things heat up figuratively and literally in New Delhi with new "corona tax" and hot weather. As the government eases lockdown restrictions, officials in Delhi are hoping to decrease large gatherings at stores. Starting on Tuesday, Delhi residents are now being charged a special tax of 70% on all retail liquor purchases. The tax was imposed after hundreds of people crowded liquor shops on Monday when stay-at-home restrictions were eased. “It was unfortunate that chaos was seen at some shops in Delhi,” Arvind Kejriwal, the state’s chief minister, told Reuters. “If we come to know about violations of social distancing and other norms from any area, then we will have to seal the area and revoke the relaxations there.” Video showed tensions rising in the streets of Delhi as police chased away people who were clamoring to buy booze for the first time in 40 days. And tensions were not all that was rising.With an AccuWeather RealFeel of more than 100 F on Tuesday, it was hot in the streets of Delhi, but normal for this time of year.
VIDEO: Police disperse thirsty Indians jostling to buy alcohol for the first time in 40 days as the government eased further the world's biggest coronavirus lockdown pic.twitter.com/pOEsk4Gvpm
As many as 15 children hospitalized in New York City are showing signs of a mysterious syndrome that could be associated with COVID-19,according to The New York Times. Most of the children, whose ages range from 2-15, have shown signs of rare illness known as Kawasaki disease which involves the inflammation of blood vessels, the city's health department said, according to the Times. None of the patients have died, according the health department. The Times also reports that cases of the syndrome have been appearing over the past several weeks in European countries that have the highest number of COVID-19 cases.
New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio addressed the 15 cases on Tuesday, referring to the syndrome as "multi-system inflammatory syndrome," and saying he had an "urgent health alert" for parents and doctors. "We haven’t seen any fatalities yet, but we are very concerned by what we’re seeing," he said. We’re learning more every day about how COVID-19 affects the body. This is a ferocious disease."
A woman adjusts her child's protective mask as they wait in line to be screened for COVID-19 at Gotham Health East New York, Thursday, April 23, 2020, in the Brooklyn borough of New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
The U.S. Army is seeking to fund the development of a wearable COVID-19 detector, Nextgov reported. On Monday, the Army asked for proposals through the Medical Technology Consortium to develop a device that will be able to detect COVID-19 at the very early stages of infection. “Physiologic surveillance for COVID-19 positive individuals that do not yet show clear medical symptoms is an ultimate goal,” the solicitation says, according to Nextgov. The Army also specified that the device should be “minimally invasive” and “should not affect the daily activity of the wearer.” The Defense Department has allocated $25 million for this project. The winning bidders will reportedly have to test their technology in a lab and will then go through FDA approvals, according to the indications in the request.
May 5, 2:06 p.m.
New Zealand and Australia are discussing the possibility of reopening their borders to each other, as they plan to create a “travel bubble.” With the spread of the coronavirus under control, both countries are looking for ways to rebuild their economies. According to The Washington Post, this “travel bubble” would allow people to travel from Australia to New Zealand, and vice versa, which would help boost the tourism industry for each country. “Both our countries’ strong record of fighting the virus has placed us in the enviable position of being able to plan the next stage in our economic rebuild and to include trans-Tasman travel and engagement in our strategy," said New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern. However, it could take months for this plan to take action, as it is still in its early stages.
One of the most famous tourist destinations in Maryland is reopening to the public on May 9. Ocean City, the most popular coastal resort in the state, is expected to reopen the beaches, boardwalk, and parking lots, according to a report by WTTG. While hotels are also open around the town, they will still only be available to essential workers until at least May 22. Those wanting to visit Ocean City will have to remember that social distancing guidelines will still be in effect. Ocean City officials and the governor's office released a statement saying they are reopening the town so that residents have, "more opportunities to get outside and enjoy fresh air, while still adhering to social distancing guidelines and gathering limits." Although, with the pattern in place this weekend, residents may not have the optimal beach weather in place right when the beaches re-open. High temps will be well below normal in Ocean City this weekend, and could stay below average through the middle of May.
The institute said on Monday that it is looking to "update and advance our modeling strategies alongside the world’s rapidly evolving understanding of the pandemic," adding that the crisis is far from over. "We, collectively, are now entering a new phase of the COVID-19 pandemic. More locations are easing previously implemented social distancing policies, and human mobility patterns are trending upward – even in places where distancing measures remain in place," an IHME statement said. "Testing has scaled up in many parts of the world, but such progress has been uneven and is not keeping pace with the growing demand for lifting business and gathering restrictions. Carefully tracking what is happening today as locations move to “re-open” will provide vital information for potential COVID-19 trajectories in the coming weeks and months." The IMHE also noted how COVID-19 epidemic trajectories and corresponding responses are highly variable across the globe, citing Australia and New Zealand as two nations that appear to have successfully mitigated their epidemics.
May 5, 11:30 a.m.
What exactly is the difference between N-95 masks and surgical masks?One of the biggest differences is that, when worn by health care professionals, filtering face-piece respirators (or FFRs) are made to protect the person wearing the mask while surgical masks are designed to protect the patient or those around an individual wearing it. Overall, scientific studies have shown that properly fitted N-95 respirators provide greater protection than surgical masks, which is why it's become such a highly-sought piece of equipment during the pandemic. One of the reasons is that N-95 respirators are designed to reduce a wearer's exposure to airborne particles that can be harmful or carry disease. The CDC also urges Americans to be aware that incomplete or inconsistent use of PPE is commonly reported among health care professionals. This is why it is important to make sure everyone is wearing a face-mask -- and doing so properly.
May 5, 10:56 a.m.
Hand hygiene day is taking on extra-special importance this year as hand-washing is one of the most effective and simple measures people can take to ward off the new coronavirus. So, here's a reminder from your friends at AccuWeather: Don't forget to wash! You can also take the #SafeHands challenge, as its being referred to on social media. And to brush up on your technique, watch the video below. It's one of the most compelling we've found on why proper hand-washing technique is so important. And for answers to all your other practical questions related to the pandemic -- like, what are the 6 new symptoms the CDC says to look out for? -- click here.
May 5, 10:17 a.m.
Pharmaceutical company Pfizer announced Tuesday that the first U.S. participants of a clinical trial of a COVID-19 vaccine have received doses.Pfizer is conducting the research alongside German drugmaker BioNTech and testing of another group of individuals was completed in Germany last week. Pfizer said it is looking to enroll up to 360 individuals into two age groups (18-55 and 65-85). The first stage will include individuals from ages 18-55 before moving onto the older age group. The two companies are conducting a development program that includes four vaccine candidates, while looking to "determine the safety, immunogenicity and optimal dose level of each."
“With our unique and robust clinical study program underway, starting in Europe and now the U.S., we look forward to advancing quickly and collaboratively with our partners at BioNTech and regulatory authorities to bring a safe and efficacious vaccine to the patients who need it most. The short, less than four-month timeframe in which we’ve been able to move from pre-clinical studies to human testing is extraordinary and further demonstrates our commitment to dedicating our best-in-class resources, from the lab to manufacturing and beyond, in the battle against COVID-19,” Pfizer Chairman and CEO Albert Bourla, said in a statement.
(Image/Pfizer)
May 5, 9:35 a.m.
South Korea's baseball season got underway Tuesday, but without fans in attendance.Photos from the game in Incheon, South Korea, between the Hanwha Eagles and SK Wyverns showed a handful of cheerleaders and mascots as the only type of crowd in attendance. In some of the parts of the stadium, the stands were filled with photos of empty fans. The Associated Press reports that both players and umpires were wearing masks while photographers and TV crews worked from the empty seating areas at a safe distance.
For baseball fans in the U.S. missing the Major League Baseball season, they can watch live Korean Baseball Organization games on ESPN.The cable network recently acquired broadcast rights to the league to help satiate its sports-crazed audience, which is now going on nearly two months without a live sporting event.
A woman holds her smartphone in front of the spectators' seating which are covered with pictures of fans, before a start of baseball game between the Hanwha Eagles and SK Wyverns in Incheon, South Korea, Tuesday, May 5, 2020. (AP Photo/Lee Jin-man)
May 5, 8:55 a.m.
Scientists say new coronavirus was in France as early as 2019. Evidence uncovered by French doctors suggests that the coronavirus has been in France since December, nearly a month before the government confirmed the first cases in the country. Yves Cohen, head of resuscitation at the Avicenne and Jean Verdier hospitals in the suburbs of Paris, said that scientists made this discovery as they retested samples from 24 patients who had tested negative for the flu in December and January, Reuters reported. “Of the 24, we had one who was positive for COVID-19 on Dec. 27,” Cohen told BFM TV. "He was sick for 15 days and infected his two children, but not his wife, who works in a supermarket," Cohen said. According to Cohen, knowing who the first person to contract the coronavirus was is the best way to understand the spread of the virus. However, he said that it is still too early to know if this patient was actually patient zero in France, but scientists will use this new data to trace back to the first contamination.
May 5, 8:21 a.m.
The U.K. now has the highest COVID-19 death toll in Europe, according to new data released on Tuesday by the country's Office of National Statistics. According to Reuters, 29,648 deaths had taken place as of April 24 in England and Wales, but when additional deaths were included from Scotland and Northern Ireland, the number of fatalities topped 30,000. Italy has the second-highest death toll in Europe with over 29,000, according to Johns Hopkins University.
May 5, 6:20 a.m.
Here are the latest updated totals from around the world, according to researchers from Johns Hopkins University:
Total confirmed cases: 3,598,324
Total deaths: 251,832
Total recovered: 1,171,569
As countries continue to gradually ease restrictions, the world topped another sad milestone with the global death toll now passing 250,000. Just one month ago, the worldwide death toll was nearing 70,000.
California may begin reopening some retail businesses as early as this week if data shows the coronavirus pandemic is not worsening, Governor Gavin Newsom said https://t.co/VPXZ4liXawpic.twitter.com/8YDqEJNQAD
Pandemic isn't slowing down the "Naked Cowboy" -- but it is making him wear a little more than he usually does. Despite a lack of tourists and New Yorkers, for the most part, staying home, Robert Burck, AKA the “Naked Cowboy,” continues to roam Times Square in his undies -- but now is wearing a mask.Despite stay-at-home orders, Burck has continued to perform with his guitar in Times Square, and told Reuters he never misses a day. “My message is -- get out every day, do the most you can to keep up your passions and your instincts and the things you want to accomplish,” Burck said.
Carnival Cruise Line has announced that it will sail again on Aug. 1, one week after the “no-sail” order from the CDC is set to expire.The Cruise Line made the announcement on Monday and also shared that they will be offering tickets starting at $28 a day, to encourage their customers to return. At this time, the company is working to ensure the safety of future passengers. “We will use this additional time to continue to engage experts, government officials and stakeholders on additional protocols and procedures to protect the health and safety of our guests, crew and the communities we serve,” the company said.
A pork processing plant in South Dakota is working toward reopening following a coronavirus outbreak that infected over 800 employees. The plant, operated by Smithfield Foods, has been closed for two weeks following the outbreak, but two departments reopened on Monday, according to The Associated Press. Employees coming back to work were screened for symptoms of the virus in a tent. Lydia Toby returned to work in the seasoned ground beef department of the plant on Monday. She told the AP that the company installed dividers between the employees working on the production line and required everyone to wear a mask. “I think it’s going to be OK,” Toby said. The company is now offering COVID-19 testing to all of its employees, and told them to report to a local high school to receive the test.
Monday marked the first time in nearly 50 days that there were no new cases of COVID-19 in New Zealand. The last time that occurred was on March 16, according to Radio New Zealand. "Clearly these are encouraging figures today, but it is just one moment in time,” Director-General of Health Dr Ashley Bloomfield said. "The real test is later this week when we factor in the incubation period for the virus and the time it takes for people to display symptoms which is generally five to six days after exposure.” New Zealand has tested more than 152,000 people for COVID-19 with 1,137 people testing positive. Out of those positive cases, only 20 patients have died.
Is it safe to fly again? Southwest Airlines Chairman and CEO Gary Kelly says yes. “We’re doing everything possible to encourage people to come out and fly,” he told CBS News' "Face the Nation" on Sunday. “We’re cleaning airplanes, we're requiring masks of our employees and our customers… we won’t be booking airplanes full so people can spread out.” The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) still recommends staying home “as much as possible” and avoiding non-essential trips. The CDC said germs do not spread easily on flights due to the way air circulates on airplanes, but a crowded flight could pose as a risk if someone on board is infected with COVID-19. If you must travel, the CDC recommends washing hands frequently, avoid touching your face, wear a face covering in public, avoid close contact with others, cover coughs and sneezes and to only pick up food from drive-thrus. Even in states where it isn't prohibited to dine in, the CDC advises against it.
May 4, 12:51 p.m.
A government study has shown that the Gilead Sciences drug, Remdesivir, has taken as much as four days off recovery time from some patients hospitalized with coronavirus. In an interview with CBS News' "Face the Nation" on Sunday, Gilead Sciences CEO Daniel O'Day said they've also donated the entire supply within their supply chain, enough for up to 200,000 patients, because of the urgent human need. The medicine is taken through an I.V. but O'Day says it may one day become a pill that can be taken at home. However, he added that the medicine is, "right now for the most severe patients in the hospital," and is not suitable for oral dosage yet due to the way it's metabolized. The drug was given an emergency use authorization by the Food and Drug Administration this past Friday.
May 4, 12:20 p.m.
Reporter's Grim Reaper interview on Florida beach went viral. When Miramar Beach in Florida, located on the panhandle about 60 miles east of Pensacola, opened Friday, WMBB reporter Faith Graham was on the scene to cover the controversial decision to open up beaches to the public during the coronavirus pandemic. The sun was shining and beachgoers could be seen behind Graham soaking up some rays. But Graham interviewed a local lawyer, Daniel Uhlfelder, who opposed the beaches being reopened. He was dressed in full Grim Reaper garb, he said, to symbolize the lethal force of the coronavirus and draw attention to his recommendation for continued social distancing. Walton County, where Miramar Beach is located, has reported 50 cases and one fatality from COVDI-19. Not surprisingly, the video has racked up nearly 10 million views on Twitter and counting. Graham was surprised at the response to the interview. "Never thought I’d ever have a 'viral' moment like this," she said on Twitter. Watch it below.
Meet @FaithGrahamTV, the intrepid Florida reporter who finally interviewed the subject we’ve been waiting for: The Grim Reaper. https://t.co/iEogdOUXCu
A mask is being projected onto the Christ the Redeemer statue in Rio de Janeiro to encourage people to continue covering their faces. The hashtag under the big heart on the statue, #MascaraSalva, says “Masks Save Lives.” This is part of a growing trend of statues wearing masks around the world as the pandemic has shifted everybody into a new normal. Brazil has over 100,000 confirmed cases of coronavirus and more than 7,000 deaths. Last month, the Christ the Redeemer statue had projected a doctors coat and thanked the health care workers in Brazil to support those working on the frontlines of the pandemic.
New York City will be distributing 7.5 million face coverings free of charge, according to Freddi Goldstein, a spokesperson for the city's mayor, Bill de Blasio. The masks will be distributed throughout the city including at parks, grocery stores and Grab & Go meal sites and several other locations. The city is also expected to create and maintain a 90-day stockpile of PPE and supplies in case of a future spike in COVID-19 cases. New York City's COVID-19 death toll is approaching 19,000 and over 174,000 confirmed cases have been reported in the city.
May 4, 10:26 a.m.
South Koreans flocking to shopping malls. According to a report from Reuters, people have been heading to stores in droves since the country began easing coronavirus restrictions last month. Reuters cited "early-summer weather" as one factor which is helping residents practice "bobok sobi" or revenge shopping. Kim Soo-yeon, 29, who was out shopping in downtown Seoul, told Reuters weather was a big factor in her decision to engage in some retail therapy for the first time in months. “I’m out shopping for the first time since the Lunar New Year holiday." “It’s so warm and so good to be out finally,” she said.
May 4, 9:31 a.m.
Italy's nationwide lockdown began to ease Monday as over 4 million residents returned to work, The Associated Press reported. The country has been one of the hardest hit by the COVID-19 pandemic, with nearly 29,000 deaths and over 210,000 cases. It had been under the longest lockdown across Europe which stretched back to early March. Politicians across the country were also reportedly looking to increase funding for a vaccine, the AP reported.
"It will be a new page that we will all have to write together, with confidence and responsibility," Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte said in a Facebook post on Sunday. "Like never before, the future of the country will be in our hands. We will need even more collaboration, civic sense and respect for the rules from everyone."
People practice social distancing while enjoying the nice weather at Central Park's Sheep Meadow, Saturday, May 2, 2020, in New York. New York City police dispatched 1,000 officers this weekend to enforce social distancing as warmer weather tempted New Yorkers to come out of quarantine. (AP Photo/Ronald Blum
May 4, 7:24 a.m.
President Donald Trump said the United States death toll from COVID-19 could hit 100,000. Speaking on a Fox News virtual town hall, he said fatalities could total anywhere from "75, 80 to 100,000 people." The new estimate came less than a week after he speculated during a White House briefing that 60,000 to 70,000 could die from COVID-19.
"Traditionally, Belgians eat fries once a week, and it's always a festive moment. Now, we are asking them to eat frozen fries twice a week at home,” Romain Cools, the Belgapom secretary general, told ABC.
May 3, 7:06 p.m.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has given emergency approval to drug company Roche for a COVID-19 antibody test.The test will determine if a person has ever been infected with the virus, and therefore has the antibodies. The company plans to manufacture 100 million tests a month by the end of the year, double what they are currently producing, according to Reuters. The company said their test is 99.8% effective. It is not yet clear if someone can become infected with the virus more than once, but Roche’s head of diagnostics Thomas Schinecker said testing people “is key to seeing whether or not people really have developed immunity.”
Connecticut state parks were closed on Saturday after warmer weather drew in large crowds.The state’s Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) announced the closure was due to crowds surpassing the limit in which social distancing guidelines could be followed. The parks were reopened the next morning, however, a spokesperson for DEEP said if a lack of social distancing persists they will consider closing them indefinitely, CNN reported. "We want to keep them open during this public health crisis, but we want to do it as safe as possible,” spokesperson Will Healey said.
May 3, 3:57 p.m.
A new program aims to determine if dogs can sniff out COVID-19 in patients. The program is being conducted out of The University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine. The dogs will go through a training period, and then be provided samples from people who have tested positive and negative for the virus to see if they can smell a difference. If effective, the dogs will not replace a COVID-19 test, rather they would be “complementary” to the test.
"It might be that a company wants to bring their workers back, but don't want to bring anybody that might be positive. So we might have them walk by the dogs and the dog would let us know if there was somebody that was positive," Dr. Cynthia Otto told ABC News.
May 3, 2:55 p.m.
As protests continue across the state,Michigan holds the highest COVID-19 fatality rate in the U.S.The state has over 43,000 confirmed cases and over 4,000 deaths, according to Johns Hopkins University. The fatality rate currently stands at 9.13%. Most of the fatalities have been recorded in and around Detroit, with the surrounding counties holding 81% of the state’s reported deaths, The New York Post reported.
May 3, 2 p.m.
To avoid a 14-day quarantine requirement for visitors, the Vienna airport will begin offering on-site COVID-19 testing on Monday to passengers. Reuters reported that the passengers will be able to receive their results within two to three hours. Previously, people entering Austria through the airport had to either enter a 14-day quarantine or provide proof of a negative COVID-19 test that is less than four days old. The on-site test costs 109 euros, or $209.
May 3, 12:58 p.m.
Baking flour joins the list of things hard to find in stores amid the coronavirus outbreak.The reason could be simply that people are baking more, Carey Underwood, who is director of mission-driven partnerships and programs at King Arthur Flour, said. "People who were baking monthly are now baking weekly, and people who were baking weekly are baking daily," Underwood said. "We expect this increase in baking to continue for the foreseeable future as trends show more in-home eating compared to dining out and people choosing to bake the food staples they cannot find in their grocery stores." Underwood clarified the shortage in grocery stores is because of the spike in demand for flour, not because there is a shortage of wheat. "The demand for all signature flours, but especially all-purpose and bread flours, is simply unprecedented and is outpacing the inventory in our warehouses," she said. Super markets have also noticed the higher demand for flour. “On average, since the middle of March, we have seen nearly triple the demand for products such as flour, sugar and baking ingredients like yeast," Dwight Richmond, Director of Center Store Merchandising for The Fresh Market, said.
Protesters rally against Illinois stay-at-home order outside the Thompson Center in downtown Chicago, Friday, May 1, 2020. The Friday demonstration is the latest in a series of protests around the country against stay-at-home orders designed to slow the spread of the coronavirus. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
“In that effort to insure the safety of others, we now have to weigh the safety of store owners and employees to threats of violence,” Joyce said, according to a press release. “We cannot, in clear conscience, put our local business community in harm’s way, nor can the police be everywhere.”
“Risk communication messaging from government officials should incorporate the concept that this pandemic will not be over soon, and that people need to be prepared for possible periodic resurgences of disease over the next two years," the report said.
May 2, 4:29 p.m.
A state-wide survey in New York showed that 12.3% of all residents in the state have tested positive for COVID-19 antibodies, New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced on Saturday. The sample size for the survey was 15,000 people. New York City had a higher amount than the rest of the state, with 19.9% of residents testing positive for the antibodies, with the majority coming from the Bronx. On Friday, Cuomo announced that all schools k-12 and colleges in the state will remain closed for the remainder of the school year.
People view the U.S. Navy Blue Angels and U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds as they fly over the National Mall in Washington, Saturday, May 2, 2020. The flyover was in salute to first responders in the fight against the coronavirus pandemic. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky)
As the coronavirus pandemic takes its toll on restaurants and potato prices plunge, farmers in Idaho have had to dump extreme surpluses of the crop. When Idaho resident Molly Page caught sight of the mountains of potatoes left to rot, she leapt into action.Page gathered a crew of volunteers and worked with local leaders and farmers to “rescue” the spuds, then redistribute them to the community for those who needed the food.“It was heartbreaking to see, you know just seeing this huge pile of potatoes that, you know, they didn’t have a market for. So that compelled me and a group of people here to act,” Page told AccuWeather in a Skype interview. On their rescue mission, they filled seven pickup trucks, two SUVs and a dump truck. They have scheduled another rescue effort for this weekend.
Reporting by Lauren Fox, John Murphy, Brian Lada, Mark Puleo, Maria Antonieta Valery Gil, Kevin Byrne, Chaffin Mitchell, Adriana Navarro, John Roach,Dexter Henry, Bill Wadell, Jonathan Petramala, and Monica Danielle
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News / Weather News
Previous coronavirus daily briefing updates, May 2-5
Published May 7, 2020 1:30 PM EDT
Current daily briefings on the coronavirus can be found here. Scroll below to read precious reports, listed in eastern time.
May 5, 9:54 p.m.
Colorado Gov. Jared Polis issued a “safer at home” executive order that outlines what the gradual reopening phase of some businesses in the state will look like in the weeks ahead. Following the safer at home order, Denver Mayor Michael Hancock said businesses are allowed to begin reopening Saturday. Retailers, offices and personal services such as hair salons can open with occupancy and social distancing restrictions. Gatherings of more than 10 people will continue to be prohibited through May 26, Hancock said. Restaurants and bars, stadiums, movie theaters, fitness centers, playgrounds and city recreation centers must remain closed.
May 5, 9 p.m.
Truckers will now have food truck options at select rest stops in Minnesota. Gov. Tim Walz signed an executive order allowing food trucks to operate at certain rest stops in the state. The order permits food trucks to operate at up to six highway rest stops and will go into effect immediately after it's approved by the Minnesota Executive Council. As many restaurants across the country have closed, restrictions pertaining to commercial activity at highway rest areas have restricted fresh food options for truck drivers, Walz's office said. This order aims to provide an additional option for food truck drivers, who play a crucial role in supporting the supply chain and depend on eating meals on the road. "That would be a plus," trucker Doug Sargent told KSTP News. "Fast foods with the drive-thru won't hardly serve us. Trying to find a good warm meal, if it's just something besides a hamburger, there's a big difference." Operators of the food trucks will have to apply for a permit and will only be able to serve truckers for at least the next two weeks while the stay at home order is in place.
May 5, 8:15 p.m.
On Monday, the New York state reported more than 1,700 previously undisclosed deaths at nursing homes. This brings the total coronavirus-related death toll in the state’s nursing homes to at least 4,813 since March 1, according to Gov. Andrew Cuomo. This report comes after Cuomo argued against the reopening of the state's economy, stating that officials needed to consider the human cost before making any decision. With the state surpassing 25,000 COVID-19-related fatalities on Tuesday, this idea of human cost is put into question.
May 5, 7:22 p.m.
The coronavirus pandemic has brought civil liberty groups a lot of concerns — from fever-reading drones, thermal cameras installed at the criminal courthouse in Miami, monitoring cellphone travel data to Google and Apple working on cellphone applications that could inform someone on the other end of a call that they’re speaking with a coronavirus carrier.
Police departments in Daytona Beach, Florida, and Connecticut unveiled drones capable of taking a person’s temperature from 300 feet in the air but quickly backtracked on using the machines to track the virus after backlash from civil liberty groups. “It collects data and information on everybody without guaranteeing it’s accurate,” said Kara Gross, legislative director of the American Civil Liberties Union of Florida. “Not only that, the other people around the person may have COVID. So the information could be bad and inaccurate.”Civil rights advocates fear there could be a looming wave of intrusive technology and constitutionally questionable measures pushed by governments under the mission of protecting a fearful community.
May 5, 6:40 p.m.
Florida’s death toll increases, as 113 coronavirus-related deaths were reported on Tuesday. The increase in deaths has been reported just as the government has started to reopen its economy, allowing some non-essential businesses and public beaches to be open to the public. According to the report released, the state's count of confirmed infections increased by 542 and the total number of fatalities has surpassed 1,500.
May 5, 5:55 p.m.
Things heat up figuratively and literally in New Delhi with new "corona tax" and hot weather. As the government eases lockdown restrictions, officials in Delhi are hoping to decrease large gatherings at stores. Starting on Tuesday, Delhi residents are now being charged a special tax of 70% on all retail liquor purchases. The tax was imposed after hundreds of people crowded liquor shops on Monday when stay-at-home restrictions were eased. “It was unfortunate that chaos was seen at some shops in Delhi,” Arvind Kejriwal, the state’s chief minister, told Reuters. “If we come to know about violations of social distancing and other norms from any area, then we will have to seal the area and revoke the relaxations there.” Video showed tensions rising in the streets of Delhi as police chased away people who were clamoring to buy booze for the first time in 40 days. And tensions were not all that was rising.With an AccuWeather RealFeel of more than 100 F on Tuesday, it was hot in the streets of Delhi, but normal for this time of year.
May 5, 5:15 p.m.
As many as 15 children hospitalized in New York City are showing signs of a mysterious syndrome that could be associated with COVID-19, according to The New York Times. Most of the children, whose ages range from 2-15, have shown signs of rare illness known as Kawasaki disease which involves the inflammation of blood vessels, the city's health department said, according to the Times. None of the patients have died, according the health department. The Times also reports that cases of the syndrome have been appearing over the past several weeks in European countries that have the highest number of COVID-19 cases.
New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio addressed the 15 cases on Tuesday, referring to the syndrome as "multi-system inflammatory syndrome," and saying he had an "urgent health alert" for parents and doctors. "We haven’t seen any fatalities yet, but we are very concerned by what we’re seeing," he said. We’re learning more every day about how COVID-19 affects the body. This is a ferocious disease."
A woman adjusts her child's protective mask as they wait in line to be screened for COVID-19 at Gotham Health East New York, Thursday, April 23, 2020, in the Brooklyn borough of New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
May 5, 4:30 p.m.
While all NFL team facilities remain closed due to the coronavirus pandemic, the Houston Texans are looking into hiring a facility hygiene coordinator, executive vice president of football operations Jack Easterby told Sports Business Journal (SBJ). The new employee will mostly focus on the offices and practice facilities owned by the team by overseeing the team’s custodial staff, but will also contribute to decisions made about the cleanliness of NRG Stadium. This will be the first known case of a major U.S. pro sports team hiring a dedicated industrial hygiene expert, according to SBJ. The team is currently holding its virtual offseason program that is scheduled to go through May 15.
May 5, 3:45 p.m.
The U.S. reached a grim death milestone exceeding 70,000 deaths on Tuesday, according to data compiled by Johns Hopkins University. The U.S. leads the world in COVID-19 deaths and cases. The United Kingdom, Italy, Spain and France report the next highest death tolls. Globally, the number of cases stands at more than 3.6 million, with over 254,000 deaths, Johns Hopkins University data shows.
May 5, 2:50 p.m.
The U.S. Army is seeking to fund the development of a wearable COVID-19 detector, Nextgov reported. On Monday, the Army asked for proposals through the Medical Technology Consortium to develop a device that will be able to detect COVID-19 at the very early stages of infection. “Physiologic surveillance for COVID-19 positive individuals that do not yet show clear medical symptoms is an ultimate goal,” the solicitation says, according to Nextgov. The Army also specified that the device should be “minimally invasive” and “should not affect the daily activity of the wearer.” The Defense Department has allocated $25 million for this project. The winning bidders will reportedly have to test their technology in a lab and will then go through FDA approvals, according to the indications in the request.
May 5, 2:06 p.m.
New Zealand and Australia are discussing the possibility of reopening their borders to each other, as they plan to create a “travel bubble.” With the spread of the coronavirus under control, both countries are looking for ways to rebuild their economies. According to The Washington Post, this “travel bubble” would allow people to travel from Australia to New Zealand, and vice versa, which would help boost the tourism industry for each country. “Both our countries’ strong record of fighting the virus has placed us in the enviable position of being able to plan the next stage in our economic rebuild and to include trans-Tasman travel and engagement in our strategy," said New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern. However, it could take months for this plan to take action, as it is still in its early stages.
May 5, 1:03 p.m.
Why are fewer children being diagnosed with COVID-19 than adults? That is one of the many questions that the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) is trying to answer. A new study is underway that specifically looks at children, both with and without underlying conditions, and how they react when a family member becomes infected. The study is being called Human Epidemiology and Response to SARS-CoV-2, or HEROS for short, and will be conducted over a six month period.
“One interesting feature of this novel coronavirus pandemic is that very few children have become sick with COVID-19 compared to adults,” said NIAID Director Dr. Anthony Fauci, who is also a member of the White House's coronavirus task force. “Is this because children are resistant to infection with SARS-CoV-2, or because they are infected but do not develop symptoms? The HEROS study will help us begin to answer these and other key questions.”
May 5, 12:14 p.m.
One of the most famous tourist destinations in Maryland is reopening to the public on May 9. Ocean City, the most popular coastal resort in the state, is expected to reopen the beaches, boardwalk, and parking lots, according to a report by WTTG. While hotels are also open around the town, they will still only be available to essential workers until at least May 22. Those wanting to visit Ocean City will have to remember that social distancing guidelines will still be in effect. Ocean City officials and the governor's office released a statement saying they are reopening the town so that residents have, "more opportunities to get outside and enjoy fresh air, while still adhering to social distancing guidelines and gathering limits." Although, with the pattern in place this weekend, residents may not have the optimal beach weather in place right when the beaches re-open. High temps will be well below normal in Ocean City this weekend, and could stay below average through the middle of May.
May 5, 11:53 a.m.
As states begin to reopen, The University of Washington's Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME) is now predicting that 134,475 Americans will die of COVID-19 by Aug. 4. The IHME, which has often been sourced by the White House in its ongoing coronavirus response, initially projected 72,433 American deaths. The updated projection came one day after President Trump said during a Fox News virtual hall that the death toll could reach 100,000. IHME director Dr. Christopher Murray told CNN's Wolf Blitzer on Monday that other factors in the new projection "included states adding presumptive coronavirus deaths to their statistics and the rising number of cases in some meatpacking plants in the country."
The institute said on Monday that it is looking to "update and advance our modeling strategies alongside the world’s rapidly evolving understanding of the pandemic," adding that the crisis is far from over. "We, collectively, are now entering a new phase of the COVID-19 pandemic. More locations are easing previously implemented social distancing policies, and human mobility patterns are trending upward – even in places where distancing measures remain in place," an IHME statement said. "Testing has scaled up in many parts of the world, but such progress has been uneven and is not keeping pace with the growing demand for lifting business and gathering restrictions. Carefully tracking what is happening today as locations move to “re-open” will provide vital information for potential COVID-19 trajectories in the coming weeks and months." The IMHE also noted how COVID-19 epidemic trajectories and corresponding responses are highly variable across the globe, citing Australia and New Zealand as two nations that appear to have successfully mitigated their epidemics.
May 5, 11:30 a.m.
What exactly is the difference between N-95 masks and surgical masks? One of the biggest differences is that, when worn by health care professionals, filtering face-piece respirators (or FFRs) are made to protect the person wearing the mask while surgical masks are designed to protect the patient or those around an individual wearing it. Overall, scientific studies have shown that properly fitted N-95 respirators provide greater protection than surgical masks, which is why it's become such a highly-sought piece of equipment during the pandemic. One of the reasons is that N-95 respirators are designed to reduce a wearer's exposure to airborne particles that can be harmful or carry disease. The CDC also urges Americans to be aware that incomplete or inconsistent use of PPE is commonly reported among health care professionals. This is why it is important to make sure everyone is wearing a face-mask -- and doing so properly.
May 5, 10:56 a.m.
Hand hygiene day is taking on extra-special importance this year as hand-washing is one of the most effective and simple measures people can take to ward off the new coronavirus. So, here's a reminder from your friends at AccuWeather: Don't forget to wash! You can also take the #SafeHands challenge, as its being referred to on social media. And to brush up on your technique, watch the video below. It's one of the most compelling we've found on why proper hand-washing technique is so important. And for answers to all your other practical questions related to the pandemic -- like, what are the 6 new symptoms the CDC says to look out for? -- click here.
May 5, 10:17 a.m.
Pharmaceutical company Pfizer announced Tuesday that the first U.S. participants of a clinical trial of a COVID-19 vaccine have received doses. Pfizer is conducting the research alongside German drugmaker BioNTech and testing of another group of individuals was completed in Germany last week. Pfizer said it is looking to enroll up to 360 individuals into two age groups (18-55 and 65-85). The first stage will include individuals from ages 18-55 before moving onto the older age group. The two companies are conducting a development program that includes four vaccine candidates, while looking to "determine the safety, immunogenicity and optimal dose level of each."
“With our unique and robust clinical study program underway, starting in Europe and now the U.S., we look forward to advancing quickly and collaboratively with our partners at BioNTech and regulatory authorities to bring a safe and efficacious vaccine to the patients who need it most. The short, less than four-month timeframe in which we’ve been able to move from pre-clinical studies to human testing is extraordinary and further demonstrates our commitment to dedicating our best-in-class resources, from the lab to manufacturing and beyond, in the battle against COVID-19,” Pfizer Chairman and CEO Albert Bourla, said in a statement.
(Image/Pfizer)
May 5, 9:35 a.m.
South Korea's baseball season got underway Tuesday, but without fans in attendance. Photos from the game in Incheon, South Korea, between the Hanwha Eagles and SK Wyverns showed a handful of cheerleaders and mascots as the only type of crowd in attendance. In some of the parts of the stadium, the stands were filled with photos of empty fans. The Associated Press reports that both players and umpires were wearing masks while photographers and TV crews worked from the empty seating areas at a safe distance.
For baseball fans in the U.S. missing the Major League Baseball season, they can watch live Korean Baseball Organization games on ESPN. The cable network recently acquired broadcast rights to the league to help satiate its sports-crazed audience, which is now going on nearly two months without a live sporting event.
A woman holds her smartphone in front of the spectators' seating which are covered with pictures of fans, before a start of baseball game between the Hanwha Eagles and SK Wyverns in Incheon, South Korea, Tuesday, May 5, 2020. (AP Photo/Lee Jin-man)
May 5, 8:55 a.m.
Scientists say new coronavirus was in France as early as 2019. Evidence uncovered by French doctors suggests that the coronavirus has been in France since December, nearly a month before the government confirmed the first cases in the country. Yves Cohen, head of resuscitation at the Avicenne and Jean Verdier hospitals in the suburbs of Paris, said that scientists made this discovery as they retested samples from 24 patients who had tested negative for the flu in December and January, Reuters reported. “Of the 24, we had one who was positive for COVID-19 on Dec. 27,” Cohen told BFM TV. "He was sick for 15 days and infected his two children, but not his wife, who works in a supermarket," Cohen said. According to Cohen, knowing who the first person to contract the coronavirus was is the best way to understand the spread of the virus. However, he said that it is still too early to know if this patient was actually patient zero in France, but scientists will use this new data to trace back to the first contamination.
May 5, 8:21 a.m.
The U.K. now has the highest COVID-19 death toll in Europe, according to new data released on Tuesday by the country's Office of National Statistics. According to Reuters, 29,648 deaths had taken place as of April 24 in England and Wales, but when additional deaths were included from Scotland and Northern Ireland, the number of fatalities topped 30,000. Italy has the second-highest death toll in Europe with over 29,000, according to Johns Hopkins University.
May 5, 6:20 a.m.
Here are the latest updated totals from around the world, according to researchers from Johns Hopkins University:
Total confirmed cases: 3,598,324
Total deaths: 251,832
Total recovered: 1,171,569
As countries continue to gradually ease restrictions, the world topped another sad milestone with the global death toll now passing 250,000. Just one month ago, the worldwide death toll was nearing 70,000.
May 4, 10 p.m.
California retail businesses may begin reopening as early as this week if data shows the coronavirus pandemic is not worsening, Gov. Gavin Newsom said. Newsom also granted beaches in the cities of Laguna Beach and San Clemente permission to reopen on a limited basis. This decision comes after protesters expressed their disagreement when Newsom ordered a hard closure for all Orange County beaches last week. Laguna Beach’s city beaches will be open on weekday mornings only between the hours of 6 a.m. PDT to 10 a.m. PDT starting on Tuesday, according to a statement from the city. Running, swimming, and surfing is allowed, however lounging on the beach and picnicking is prohibited. “We appreciate the governor’s willingness to work with us to provide a responsible, gradual approach to reopening all beaches in Laguna Beach for active recreation,” Laguna Beach Mayor Bob Whalen said. “This will allow people the opportunity to walk, jog, swim and surf and get some fresh air and exercise on a limited basis, but not congregate or gather in large groups.”
May 4, 9:10 p.m.
Pandemic isn't slowing down the "Naked Cowboy" -- but it is making him wear a little more than he usually does. Despite a lack of tourists and New Yorkers, for the most part, staying home, Robert Burck, AKA the “Naked Cowboy,” continues to roam Times Square in his undies -- but now is wearing a mask.Despite stay-at-home orders, Burck has continued to perform with his guitar in Times Square, and told Reuters he never misses a day. “My message is -- get out every day, do the most you can to keep up your passions and your instincts and the things you want to accomplish,” Burck said.
May 4, 7:30 p.m.
The coronavirus pandemic is affecting physical health as well as mental health. Suicide rates in some areas such as Queens have risen since mid-March compared to 2019. An article in the Journal of the American Medical Association this month cited a number of troubling factors caused by the health crisis: Economic stress, social isolation, lack of access to mental health care and the closure of churches and community centers.
More people died from suicide than the coronavirus in a single Tennessee county in a one week period, Knox County Mayor Glenn Jacobs said. "Last year, our medical examiner performed autopsies for 199 confirmed or suspected suicides from across the region, with 83 of those coming from Knox County. Over the past 48 hours, that office has now examined nine suspected suicides, eight of which are from Knox County alone. For Knox County, that’s almost 10 percent of last year’s total number in the past two days alone,” Jacobs said in a March daily briefing. "Thus far, our reaction to COVID-19 has been to sacrifice the global economy,” said Jacobs. “The truth is: a sick economy produces sick people.”
If you’re struggling with mental health issues during the pandemic, a guide on how to find the right mental health care for you can be found at Mental Health America.
May 4, 6:20 p.m.
Carnival Cruise Line has announced that it will sail again on Aug. 1, one week after the “no-sail” order from the CDC is set to expire. The Cruise Line made the announcement on Monday and also shared that they will be offering tickets starting at $28 a day, to encourage their customers to return. At this time, the company is working to ensure the safety of future passengers. “We will use this additional time to continue to engage experts, government officials and stakeholders on additional protocols and procedures to protect the health and safety of our guests, crew and the communities we serve,” the company said.
May 4, 5:17 p.m.
Many states are beginning to ease preventative measures against COVID-19, but New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo is not ready just yet. Cuomo has issued seven requirements that regions in the state must meet before he allows them to reopen, The New York Times reported. Cumo said some areas of the state will meet the criteria sooner than others, and some areas that are less densely populated have already met five of the seven requirements. In order to reopen, regions must meet the following:
A 14-day decline in hospitalizations, or fewer than 15 hospitalizations a day
A 14-day decline in fatalities, or fewer than five fatalities a day
A hospital bed availability of 30%
An intensive care bed availability of 30%
At least 30 working contact tracers for every 100,000 residents
At least 30 COVID-19 tests for every 1,000 residents a month
May 4, 4:28 p.m.
The Blue Angels will be one again taking to the sky to thank those working hard in the battle against the coronavirus. On Wednesday, the jets will fly in formation over Dallas, Fort Worth, Houston and New Orleans. “We salute and thank all healthcare workers, first responders, and other essential personnel serving on the front lines of the fight against COVID-19,” the Blue Angels wrote on Twitter. Unlike the flights over the eastern U.S., the Thunderbirds will not be joining the blue Angels for these flights.
Cloud-free conditions are in the forecast for Houston and the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex on Wednesday, which should lead to a stunning flyover. Those in New Orleans may have to contend with some clouds, as well as the risk of a shower or thunderstorm, which could interfere with some people planning to watch the flyover.
May 4, 3:33 p.m.
People looking for a reason to get out of the house during quarantine will have a rare opportunity on Monday night to step out and see one of the best meteor showers of the year. Upwards of 40 shooting stars per hour could be seen in the Southern Hemisphere and 10-30 per hour in the Northern Hemisphere during the peak of the Eta Aquarids. No special equipment is needed to watch a meteor shower, although some stargazers might have a better view than others due to cloud cover.
May 4, 2:38 p.m.
A pork processing plant in South Dakota is working toward reopening following a coronavirus outbreak that infected over 800 employees. The plant, operated by Smithfield Foods, has been closed for two weeks following the outbreak, but two departments reopened on Monday, according to The Associated Press. Employees coming back to work were screened for symptoms of the virus in a tent. Lydia Toby returned to work in the seasoned ground beef department of the plant on Monday. She told the AP that the company installed dividers between the employees working on the production line and required everyone to wear a mask. “I think it’s going to be OK,” Toby said. The company is now offering COVID-19 testing to all of its employees, and told them to report to a local high school to receive the test.
May 4, 2:22 p.m.
Regardless of symptoms, starting Monday some New Jersey residents will be able to be tested for COVID-19. Appointment-based tests will be conducted in Jersey City and Bergenfield, ABC 7 reported. Antibody testing will also be available, and Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop said they will begin by conducting 2,100 antibody tests free of charge each week. “This is part of our initiatives around broader testing for our residents so that we can get the city functioning again,” Fulop said.
Meanwhile, none of the ramped up testing is meant to be a substitute for social distancing, Gov. Phil Murphy has warned. Social distancing will be easier for students across the Garden State with Murphy announcing on Monday that all schools will remain closed through the balance of the academic year for in-person instruction. Murphy has repeatedly told people in New Jersey: "Don't be a knucklehead," and has had the slogan put on highway signs as a way of reminding motorists in the Garden State about social distancing -- but at least one government official says the signs are "disrespectful" and offensive.
May 4, 2:07 p.m.
Monday marked the first time in nearly 50 days that there were no new cases of COVID-19 in New Zealand. The last time that occurred was on March 16, according to Radio New Zealand. "Clearly these are encouraging figures today, but it is just one moment in time,” Director-General of Health Dr Ashley Bloomfield said. "The real test is later this week when we factor in the incubation period for the virus and the time it takes for people to display symptoms which is generally five to six days after exposure.” New Zealand has tested more than 152,000 people for COVID-19 with 1,137 people testing positive. Out of those positive cases, only 20 patients have died.
May 4, 1:28 p.m.
After a steady rise this past week, the number of people receiving COVID-19 tests has plateaued at around 230,000 tests per day. Some experts say 500,000 tests need to be administered daily in order for the U.S. to return to normalcy in a safe way, Axios reported. The U.S. is currently testing 1.5 to 2 million people weekly, but Dr. Anthony Fauci, the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, said more tests need to be done. "We probably should get up to twice that as we get into the next several weeks, and I think we will,” Fauci said on Saturday.
May 4, 1:14 p.m.
Is it safe to fly again? Southwest Airlines Chairman and CEO Gary Kelly says yes. “We’re doing everything possible to encourage people to come out and fly,” he told CBS News' "Face the Nation" on Sunday. “We’re cleaning airplanes, we're requiring masks of our employees and our customers… we won’t be booking airplanes full so people can spread out.” The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) still recommends staying home “as much as possible” and avoiding non-essential trips. The CDC said germs do not spread easily on flights due to the way air circulates on airplanes, but a crowded flight could pose as a risk if someone on board is infected with COVID-19. If you must travel, the CDC recommends washing hands frequently, avoid touching your face, wear a face covering in public, avoid close contact with others, cover coughs and sneezes and to only pick up food from drive-thrus. Even in states where it isn't prohibited to dine in, the CDC advises against it.
May 4, 12:51 p.m.
A government study has shown that the Gilead Sciences drug, Remdesivir, has taken as much as four days off recovery time from some patients hospitalized with coronavirus. In an interview with CBS News' "Face the Nation" on Sunday, Gilead Sciences CEO Daniel O'Day said they've also donated the entire supply within their supply chain, enough for up to 200,000 patients, because of the urgent human need. The medicine is taken through an I.V. but O'Day says it may one day become a pill that can be taken at home. However, he added that the medicine is, "right now for the most severe patients in the hospital," and is not suitable for oral dosage yet due to the way it's metabolized. The drug was given an emergency use authorization by the Food and Drug Administration this past Friday.
May 4, 12:20 p.m.
Reporter's Grim Reaper interview on Florida beach went viral. When Miramar Beach in Florida, located on the panhandle about 60 miles east of Pensacola, opened Friday, WMBB reporter Faith Graham was on the scene to cover the controversial decision to open up beaches to the public during the coronavirus pandemic. The sun was shining and beachgoers could be seen behind Graham soaking up some rays. But Graham interviewed a local lawyer, Daniel Uhlfelder, who opposed the beaches being reopened. He was dressed in full Grim Reaper garb, he said, to symbolize the lethal force of the coronavirus and draw attention to his recommendation for continued social distancing. Walton County, where Miramar Beach is located, has reported 50 cases and one fatality from COVDI-19. Not surprisingly, the video has racked up nearly 10 million views on Twitter and counting. Graham was surprised at the response to the interview. "Never thought I’d ever have a 'viral' moment like this," she said on Twitter. Watch it below.
May 4, 11:56 a.m.
A mask is being projected onto the Christ the Redeemer statue in Rio de Janeiro to encourage people to continue covering their faces. The hashtag under the big heart on the statue, #MascaraSalva, says “Masks Save Lives.” This is part of a growing trend of statues wearing masks around the world as the pandemic has shifted everybody into a new normal. Brazil has over 100,000 confirmed cases of coronavirus and more than 7,000 deaths. Last month, the Christ the Redeemer statue had projected a doctors coat and thanked the health care workers in Brazil to support those working on the frontlines of the pandemic.
May 4, 11:40 a.m.
At 107 years old, Rudi Heider may be the oldest person to contract COVID-19 and survive. In his lifetime, Heider has seen not only the current pandemic, but both world wars and the Spanish flu pandemic of 1918. The last few years, however, have thrown a series of health struggles at Heider. At age 100 he had a stroke. He then broke two vertebrae while learning how to ballroom dance. Heider’s 107th birthday was on Wednesday, which also served as a celebration of his full recovery just a few days prior. “He has lived quite a life out here, and that's just retirement," his son Robert told KSDK. Heider joins a growing list of centenarians that have overcome a bout with the deadly disease.
May 4, 11:34 a.m.
New York City will be distributing 7.5 million face coverings free of charge, according to Freddi Goldstein, a spokesperson for the city's mayor, Bill de Blasio. The masks will be distributed throughout the city including at parks, grocery stores and Grab & Go meal sites and several other locations. The city is also expected to create and maintain a 90-day stockpile of PPE and supplies in case of a future spike in COVID-19 cases. New York City's COVID-19 death toll is approaching 19,000 and over 174,000 confirmed cases have been reported in the city.
May 4, 10:26 a.m.
South Koreans flocking to shopping malls. According to a report from Reuters, people have been heading to stores in droves since the country began easing coronavirus restrictions last month. Reuters cited "early-summer weather" as one factor which is helping residents practice "bobok sobi" or revenge shopping. Kim Soo-yeon, 29, who was out shopping in downtown Seoul, told Reuters weather was a big factor in her decision to engage in some retail therapy for the first time in months. “I’m out shopping for the first time since the Lunar New Year holiday." “It’s so warm and so good to be out finally,” she said.
May 4, 9:31 a.m.
Italy's nationwide lockdown began to ease Monday as over 4 million residents returned to work, The Associated Press reported. The country has been one of the hardest hit by the COVID-19 pandemic, with nearly 29,000 deaths and over 210,000 cases. It had been under the longest lockdown across Europe which stretched back to early March. Politicians across the country were also reportedly looking to increase funding for a vaccine, the AP reported.
"It will be a new page that we will all have to write together, with confidence and responsibility," Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte said in a Facebook post on Sunday. "Like never before, the future of the country will be in our hands. We will need even more collaboration, civic sense and respect for the rules from everyone."
May 4, 9:17 a.m.
After an unusually chilly April for New York City, the temperature jumped up to 80 degrees Fahrenheit on Sunday, over 10 degrees higher than the historical average for that day. This is the first time Central Park reached 80 degrees this year after not reaching 70 for all of April. The warmth drew large crowds of people out of their homes to enjoy the sunshine, despite efforts from the city to maintain social distancing guidelines. Throughout the day, the New York Police Department sent out multiple reminders for residents to adhere to the guidelines set in place, and thanked those who followed them.
People practice social distancing while enjoying the nice weather at Central Park's Sheep Meadow, Saturday, May 2, 2020, in New York. New York City police dispatched 1,000 officers this weekend to enforce social distancing as warmer weather tempted New Yorkers to come out of quarantine. (AP Photo/Ronald Blum
May 4, 7:24 a.m.
President Donald Trump said the United States death toll from COVID-19 could hit 100,000. Speaking on a Fox News virtual town hall, he said fatalities could total anywhere from "75, 80 to 100,000 people." The new estimate came less than a week after he speculated during a White House briefing that 60,000 to 70,000 could die from COVID-19.
The United States currently stands at 67,686 deaths and has has seen nearly 100,00 new confirmed cases since May 1, according to Johns Hopkins University. No other country has reported over 30,000 deaths and only four other nations have reported over 10,000.
May 4, 6:39 a.m.
Here are the latest updated totals from around the world on Monday morning, compiled by researchers from Johns Hopkins University:
Total confirmed cases: 3,522,593
Total deaths: 247,744
Total recovered: 1,130,386
May 3, 7:59 p.m.
To help the suffering potato industry, Belgium, which claims to be the true birthplace of french fries, is asking its citizens to eat frozen french fries twice a week. The potato industry has been struggling in the U.S. and farmers have been forced to dump their potatoes due to the lack of demand from the restaurant industry amid stay at home orders. Now, the industry is taking a hit in Belgium as well. The Belgium potato industry could lose 125 million euros, or $125 million in the U.S., if they are unable to sell.
"Traditionally, Belgians eat fries once a week, and it's always a festive moment. Now, we are asking them to eat frozen fries twice a week at home,” Romain Cools, the Belgapom secretary general, told ABC.
May 3, 7:06 p.m.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has given emergency approval to drug company Roche for a COVID-19 antibody test. The test will determine if a person has ever been infected with the virus, and therefore has the antibodies. The company plans to manufacture 100 million tests a month by the end of the year, double what they are currently producing, according to Reuters. The company said their test is 99.8% effective. It is not yet clear if someone can become infected with the virus more than once, but Roche’s head of diagnostics Thomas Schinecker said testing people “is key to seeing whether or not people really have developed immunity.”
May 3, 6:06 p.m.
Several states in the Northeast have teamed up to form a consortium to purchase personal protective equipment (PPE), COVID-19 tests, ventilators and medical equipment. New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Delaware, Rhode Island and Massachusetts are all involved in the consortium, New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo said. “States are stronger when we work together,” Cuomo said. He also announced on Sunday that all New York hospitals will be required to keep a 90-day supply of PPE on hand large enough to sustain the rate of use during the pandemic’s worst point.
May 3, 5:02 p.m.
Connecticut state parks were closed on Saturday after warmer weather drew in large crowds. The state’s Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) announced the closure was due to crowds surpassing the limit in which social distancing guidelines could be followed. The parks were reopened the next morning, however, a spokesperson for DEEP said if a lack of social distancing persists they will consider closing them indefinitely, CNN reported. "We want to keep them open during this public health crisis, but we want to do it as safe as possible,” spokesperson Will Healey said.
May 3, 3:57 p.m.
A new program aims to determine if dogs can sniff out COVID-19 in patients. The program is being conducted out of The University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine. The dogs will go through a training period, and then be provided samples from people who have tested positive and negative for the virus to see if they can smell a difference. If effective, the dogs will not replace a COVID-19 test, rather they would be “complementary” to the test.
"It might be that a company wants to bring their workers back, but don't want to bring anybody that might be positive. So we might have them walk by the dogs and the dog would let us know if there was somebody that was positive," Dr. Cynthia Otto told ABC News.
May 3, 2:55 p.m.
As protests continue across the state, Michigan holds the highest COVID-19 fatality rate in the U.S. The state has over 43,000 confirmed cases and over 4,000 deaths, according to Johns Hopkins University. The fatality rate currently stands at 9.13%. Most of the fatalities have been recorded in and around Detroit, with the surrounding counties holding 81% of the state’s reported deaths, The New York Post reported.
May 3, 2 p.m.
To avoid a 14-day quarantine requirement for visitors, the Vienna airport will begin offering on-site COVID-19 testing on Monday to passengers. Reuters reported that the passengers will be able to receive their results within two to three hours. Previously, people entering Austria through the airport had to either enter a 14-day quarantine or provide proof of a negative COVID-19 test that is less than four days old. The on-site test costs 109 euros, or $209.
May 3, 12:58 p.m.
Baking flour joins the list of things hard to find in stores amid the coronavirus outbreak. The reason could be simply that people are baking more, Carey Underwood, who is director of mission-driven partnerships and programs at King Arthur Flour, said. "People who were baking monthly are now baking weekly, and people who were baking weekly are baking daily," Underwood said. "We expect this increase in baking to continue for the foreseeable future as trends show more in-home eating compared to dining out and people choosing to bake the food staples they cannot find in their grocery stores." Underwood clarified the shortage in grocery stores is because of the spike in demand for flour, not because there is a shortage of wheat. "The demand for all signature flours, but especially all-purpose and bread flours, is simply unprecedented and is outpacing the inventory in our warehouses," she said. Super markets have also noticed the higher demand for flour. “On average, since the middle of March, we have seen nearly triple the demand for products such as flour, sugar and baking ingredients like yeast," Dwight Richmond, Director of Center Store Merchandising for The Fresh Market, said.
May 3, 11:55 a.m.
Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot said that police will issue citations and possibly arrest residents who fail to follow stay-at-home orders. "We will shut you down, we will cite you, and if we need to, we will arrest you and we will take you to jail," she said Saturday during a press conference. As of Saturday afternoon, Illinois had the fourth most coronavirus cases in the U.S. with more than 56,000 and the sixth most deaths with nearly 2,500, according to 1010 WCSI. "If you host a party, promote a party, or go to a party, we are not playing games. We mean business, and we will shut this down one way or another," she said, NBC Chicago reported.
Protesters rally against Illinois stay-at-home order outside the Thompson Center in downtown Chicago, Friday, May 1, 2020. The Friday demonstration is the latest in a series of protests around the country against stay-at-home orders designed to slow the spread of the coronavirus. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
May 3, 10:50 a.m.
A Florida man was enjoying the quarantine period while trespassing on Walt Disney World’s abandoned Discovery Island, or as he put it, a “tropical paradise.” A search was sparked for the man when security saw him camping. Deputies searched for McGuire on foot, by helicopter, and by boat using a loudspeaker before making contact with him, according to The Associated Press. The man, Richard McGuire, told authorities he didn’t hear them because he was sleeping inside one of the buildings on the island. McGuire told deputies he was not aware that the property was off-limits and that he planned to stay for about a week, according to an arrest report. McGuire was arrested and charged with trespassing and was also ordered not to return to any additional Walt Disney World properties, according to The Associated Press.
May 3, 9:35 a.m.
While the U.S. has seen mass layoffs across the hospitality industry, there has been a surge in jobs for pharmacies, online retailers, teleworking communications and shipping companies since people are staying home. Major corporations like CVS, Amazon and Walmart have all announced new positions amid the outbreak as their industries need more employees than before. Hilton is working to find temporary jobs for tens of thousands of displaced hotel team members through its newly created workforce resource center website, ABC News confirmed. They have partnered with companies including Albertsons, Amazon, CVS, Lidl, Sunrise Senior Living and Walgreens.
May 3, 8:45 a.m.
Oregon Gov. Kate Brown signed an executive order extending the state of emergency to July 6 in response to the coronavirus outbreak. The original declaration was signed roughly two months ago on March 8. The state, which ranks 40 on the state coronavirus list, has had 2,635 cases and 109 deaths.
May 3, 7:30 a.m.
Here are the latest updated totals from around the world, according to researchers from Johns Hopkins University:
Total confirmed cases: 3,446,291
Total deaths: 244,084
Total recovered: 1,099,866
May 2, 7:42 p.m.
After many employees were threatened with physical violence by people who refused to cover their faces, Stillwater, Oklahoma, has amended its emergency proclamation that required people wear face coverings in stores and restaurants. The proclamation only lasted less than a day before Mayor Will Joyce made the decision to amend it. Restaurants and stores are now asked that they encourage, but do not require, that patrons wear face coverings inside their businesses.
“In that effort to insure the safety of others, we now have to weigh the safety of store owners and employees to threats of violence,” Joyce said, according to a press release. “We cannot, in clear conscience, put our local business community in harm’s way, nor can the police be everywhere.”
May 2, 6:30 p.m.
The New York Police Department has sent out officers across the city on Saturday to ensure residents are maintaining proper social distancing measures, despite the surge of warmer weather that drew people outside. The high in New York city was 72 degrees Fahrenheit, with an even higher AccuWeather RealFeel® temperature of 82 degrees Fahrenheit. Officers also handed out masks to New Yorkers who didn’t have one while they took in the fresh air.
May 2, 5:20 p.m.
The COVID-19 pandemic could carry on for two years, according to a new report. In the report published by a range of experts in disease and public health, the virus will not be able to be contained until two thirds of the global population has immunity and it may be harder to contain than influenza, due to the ability to spread it without symptoms. They predict the virus will persist in waves, Bloomberg reported.
“Risk communication messaging from government officials should incorporate the concept that this pandemic will not be over soon, and that people need to be prepared for possible periodic resurgences of disease over the next two years," the report said.
May 2, 4:29 p.m.
A state-wide survey in New York showed that 12.3% of all residents in the state have tested positive for COVID-19 antibodies, New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced on Saturday. The sample size for the survey was 15,000 people. New York City had a higher amount than the rest of the state, with 19.9% of residents testing positive for the antibodies, with the majority coming from the Bronx. On Friday, Cuomo announced that all schools k-12 and colleges in the state will remain closed for the remainder of the school year.
May 2, 3:25 p.m.
The US Navy Blue Angels and US Air Force Thunderbirds flew over Baltimore, Washington, DC, and Atlanta on Saturday to honor healthcare workers and first responders working on the frontlines of the COVID-19 pandemic. “This is an extraordinary and unprecedented time but we will get through this. We are all in this together," Cmdr. Brian Kesselring, the Blue Angels commanding officer and flight leader for the flyover, said, according to CNN. Photos on the National Mall during the fly over showed crowds of people gathering to watch.
People view the U.S. Navy Blue Angels and U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds as they fly over the National Mall in Washington, Saturday, May 2, 2020. The flyover was in salute to first responders in the fight against the coronavirus pandemic. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky)
May 2, 2:30 p.m.
COVID-19 may last on clothes for up to 24 hours. A report in the New England Journal of Medicine approximated that the virus can live on cardboard surfaces for 24 hours, which Forbes reported could mean the virus can live on clothes for just as long, because of the absorbency of both materials and their similar abilities to trap moisture. Considering buttons and zippers being made of a different material than fabric, the virus could last up to two to three days, the length of time estimated the virus lasts on plastic and stainless steel. They report that it is best to change clothes after you suspect they have become contaminated, and take measures to ensure they do not contaminate anything else.
May 2, 1 p.m.
Virtual healthcare visits have become the new norm amid the COVID-19 pandemic, and projections suggest 1 billion medical consultations will occur virtually by the end of the year. Teleheath has previously held vital roles in natural disasters such as Hurricane Maria, AccuWeather’s Monica Danielle reported. Telehelath could further provide a way for people to access medical care during severe weather, heavy snow or icy roads that would otherwise prohibit them from seeing a doctor. The use of telehealth during this pandemic could “forever change the way consumers seek and receive health care... This moment will have a lasting effect on the adoption of virtual care and accelerate the shift from in-person care to virtual first engagement for multiple conditions and use cases,”Arielle Trzcinski, a senior analyst at Forrester, told ComputerWorld.
May 2, 12:20 p.m.
102-year-old Italian woman survives Spanish Flu, cancer, and now coronavirus.Angelina Sciales, 102, was born during the Spanish Flu pandemic of 1918 and has survived miscarriages, cancer, sepsis and two pandemics in her lifetime. “She is not human. She has super human DNA,” Sciales daughter said, according to Fox 8. Sciales lives in a nursing home in Westchester. “I don’t know what her secret is, but I know she is a free and independent woman,” her nephew told CNN. “She loves life, dancing and music.”
May 2, 11:35 a.m.
Residents in Spain emerge to exercise for the first time after seven weeks in coronavirus lockdown. The lockdown was eased for children a week ago, yet the amount of outdoor exercise time remains limited for all. There are now permitted times for exercise for different age groups. Adults are allowed to exercise between 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. as well as 8 p.m. to 11 p.m. The time period for children is midday until 7 p.m. Spain has been on lockdown since March 14, meaning people have only been allowed to leave the house to buy food or medicine, to go to work if working from home was not possible, or to briefly walk the dog.
May 2, 10:20 a.m.
Cell phone data shows the share of Americans staying close to home has steadily shrunk. As the weather gets warmer and the duration of the stay-at-home orders drag on, fewer people are remaining at home according to data aggregated from anonymous cell phone location information from 15 million people provided by a New York City data analysis firm. The data reports that New Jersey and Pennsylvania have some of the largest amounts of people obeying stay-at-home orders. The percentage traveling between one and 10 miles per week grew from 29% to 31%, according to Inquirer.
May 2, 9:15 a.m.
As the coronavirus pandemic takes its toll on restaurants and potato prices plunge, farmers in Idaho have had to dump extreme surpluses of the crop. When Idaho resident Molly Page caught sight of the mountains of potatoes left to rot, she leapt into action. Page gathered a crew of volunteers and worked with local leaders and farmers to “rescue” the spuds, then redistribute them to the community for those who needed the food. “It was heartbreaking to see, you know just seeing this huge pile of potatoes that, you know, they didn’t have a market for. So that compelled me and a group of people here to act,” Page told AccuWeather in a Skype interview. On their rescue mission, they filled seven pickup trucks, two SUVs and a dump truck. They have scheduled another rescue effort for this weekend.
May 2, 8 a.m.
Wild animals have been spotted in uncommon places over the past week as fewer people are traveling due to COVID-19. On Wednesday, a heard of deer was seen trotting down an empty road just outside of Pittsburgh. The next day, a lone seal was found lounging on a beach in Hoboken, New Jersey, with the New York City skyline visible in the distance. On the opposite side of the globe, kangaroos have occasionally been spotted hopping around empty city streets of Australia, something that was rarely seen before lockdown began.
May 2, 7 a.m.
Here are the latest updated totals from around the world, according to researchers from Johns Hopkins University:
Total confirmed cases: 3,359,055
Total deaths: 238,999
Total recovered: 1,059,275
Previous coverage:
Click here for previous daily briefings on the coronavirus outbreak from April 28 - May 1
Click here for previous daily briefings on the coronavirus outbreak from April 25-27
Click here for previous daily briefings on the coronavirus outbreak from April 22-24
Click here for previous daily briefings on the coronavirus outbreak from April 18-21
Click here for previous daily briefings on the coronavirus outbreak from April 12-15
Click here for previous daily briefings on the coronavirus outbreak from April 12-14
Click here for previous daily briefings on the coronavirus outbreak from April 8-11
Click here for previous daily briefings on the coronavirus outbreak from April 5-7
Click here for previous daily briefings on the coronavirus outbreak from April 1-4
Click here for previous daily briefings on the coronavirus outbreak from March 29-31.
Click here for previous daily briefings on the coronavirus outbreak from March 26-28.
Click here for previous daily briefings on the coronavirus outbreak.
Reporting by Lauren Fox, John Murphy, Brian Lada, Mark Puleo, Maria Antonieta Valery Gil, Kevin Byrne, Chaffin Mitchell, Adriana Navarro, John Roach, Dexter Henry, Bill Wadell, Jonathan Petramala, and Monica Danielle
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