US deaths cross 31,000 as world grapples with virus
washington — US coronavirus deaths rose above 31,000 on Thursday, according to a Reuters tally, as President Donald Trump prepared to announce guidelines for reopening the economy.
The United States is the world’s worst-affected country with fatalities doubling in just a week and setting a record single-day increase for two days in a row.
The governors of Connecticut, Maryland, New York and Pennsylvania began cautiously preparing Americans for a post-virus life where residents wear face masks as they emerge from isolation in the coming weeks.
New York Governor Andrew Cuomo extended the state’s shutdown order Thursday until May 15, citing data showing conditions were improving but adding that “we have to continue what we are doing.”
“I would like to see that infection rate get down even more,” Cuomo said at his daily briefing, reporting that 606 more people had died in the US Covid-19 epicentre, the lowest daily toll in 10 days.
But North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum issued guidelines for reopening the state as soon as May 1 in a statement issued late on Wednesday, according to a statement from his office.
The state’s commerce department will work with business associations to develop new safety procedures for a gradual, safe reopening, according to a statement issued by his office.
Safety measures could include daily disinfection, mandatory health protocols, and limits on the number of customers who can enter a business.
Earlier, Trump vowed to unveil plans on Thursday to reopen the world’s top economy, following cautious moves in Europe, claiming the US had “passed the peak” of the coronavirus crisis despite a record daily death toll.
Since emerging in China late last
year, the pandemic has turned the world upside down, forcing half of humanity indoors and catapulting the global economy towards a second Great Depression.
The death toll has topped 133,000 with more than two million infected.
But a bullish Trump told reporters his “aggressive strategy” against the virus was working and that “the data suggests that nationwide we have passed the peak on new cases”.
He promised swift “guidelines” on reopening parts of the country, suggesting less-affected states could ease restrictions before May 1.
“We’ll be the comeback kids, all of us,” said Trump.
Leaders around the world are wrestling with the dilemma of how to return to normal and kick-start their shattered economies without risking a devastating second wave of infections.
In Europe’s top economy Germany, Chancellor Angela Merkel urged “extreme caution” as she announced initial steps to reopen some shops and gradually restart school.
Elsewhere in Europe, Denmark began reopening schools for younger children after a monthlong closure and Finland lifted a blockade of Helsinki.
Lithuania said it would allow smaller shops to reopen from Thursday, while hard-hit Iran is set to allow some small businesses to restart operations.
New Zealand could start easing its nationwide lockdown next week, but Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern warned Thursday it would be far from a return to normal.
We have to continue what we are doing Andrew Cuomo New York Governor