More than 82,000 people in the United States have tested positive for COVID-19, making it the country with the maximum number of infections globally.
The US has gone past Italy, which till yesterday had the maximum number of infections with global cases crossing 500,000. The US has also recorded over 1100 deaths, while the global death toll has gone past 23,000.
"We are waging war on this virus using every financial, scientific, medical, pharmaceutical and military resource, to halt its spread and protect our citizens," US President Donald Trump said, encouraging citizens to practice social distancing.
New York the hardest hit
As New York becomes the epicentre of the virus outbreak in the US, the city is reportedly struggling to try and increase the number of available hospital beds.
"Almost any scenario that is realistic will overwhelm the capacity of the current healthcare system," Governor Andrew Cuomo warned.
According to media reports, first responders in New York are receiving more than 6,000 calls to the 911 emergency line a day, breaking the record set during the September 11, 2001 terror attacks.
Rising unemployment in the US
The US Labour Department reported that 3.3 million people applied for unemployment benefits last week – the highest number ever recorded.
Media reports indicated that jobs have been cut in various sectors, including food services, retail and transportation with the US shutting down all "non-essential" businesses.
G20 leaders pledge money
Leaders from the Group of 20 major economies held crisis talks via video link on Thursday, pledging a "united front" to fight the outbreak.
"We are injecting over USD 5 trillion into the global economy, as part of targeted fiscal policy, economic measures, and guarantee schemes to counteract the social, economic and financial impacts of the pandemic," said a statement.
