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Coronavirus US live: first Covid-19 deaths were weeks earlier than originally thought Coronavirus US live: first Covid-19 deaths were weeks earlier than originally thought
(32 minutes later)
Officials now say two people died with the coronavirus in California weeks before the first official reported death from the disease in the USOfficials now say two people died with the coronavirus in California weeks before the first official reported death from the disease in the US
New York governor Andrew Cuomo said he would not allow political pressure to determine the timetable on when to reopen the economy.
“This is not going to be over anytime soon,” Cuomo said of social-distancing restrictions, warning the state risked a surge in coronavirus cases if they became complacent.
Cuomo acknowledged the current situation is “unsustainable,” but he added, “I also know more people will die if we are not smart.”
The governor said that local officials should not shy away from blaming him for the stay-at-home order. “I have no problem with them blaming me,” Cuomo said. “Blame the governor. It’s the truth.”
The governor stressed that New Yorkers cannot get “cocky” now that they are in a better place than they were a few weeks ago. “If you’re not ready for that second wave, that’s the one that’s going to knock you down,” Cuomo said.
New York governor Andrew Cuomo said billionaire Mike Bloomberg has volunteered to help develop the first-ever testing/tracing/isolation program.
Bloomberg, who previously served as mayor of New York, will help build a tracing army to identify new cases of coronavirus and quickly isolate those people to avoid further spread.
Cuomo has previously said reopening New York will depend on expanding testing and tracing capacity to avoid a surge in cases, echoing public health experts.
New York governor Andrew Cuomo referred to the state’s coronavirus crisis as “a profound moment in history,” once again emphasizing that New Yorkers’ actions will “shape our future.”
“If we get reckless today, we’ll suffer the consequences tomorrow,” said Cuomo, who has warned that relaxing social distancing restrictions could cause a surge in coronavirus cases.
New York governor Andrew Cuomo said he had a “very productive” meeting with Trump at the White House yesterday, despite the pair’s recent disagreements.
Cuomo acknowledged the president and his team “don’t like me” politically, noting that Trump has said “very unkind things about me and my brother,” referring to CNN anchor Chris Cuomo.
Despite those past issues, the governor said he and the president were able to have a fruitful conversation about “contentious, unclear issues,” such as expanding testing capacity and securing more funding for states.
“We both have a job to do,” Cuomo said. “Let’s do the job. And that was the spirit of the meeting yesterday”
Cuomo reiterated that Congress must approve more money for states, even though that additional funding was not included in the latest coronavirus relief bill.
New York governor Andrew Cuomo said the state is in a “relatively good place” as coronavirus hospitalizations and intubations continue to decline.
But the governor noted the number of new coronavirus hospitalizations remains “troublingly high,” even as many coronavirus patients are released from the hospital. Cuomo said the rate of new hospitalizations is “better than it was but still problematic.”
The governor announced another 474 New Yorkers died of the coronavirus yesterday, which is nearly identical to Monday’s death toll.
New York governor Andrew Cuomo opened his daily briefing by noting it has been 53 days since the state confirmed its first case of coronavirus.New York governor Andrew Cuomo opened his daily briefing by noting it has been 53 days since the state confirmed its first case of coronavirus.
Cuomo described the 53 days since the first case as a “disorienting period,” but he said it was “nothing” compared to other times of harship for the country, such as the four years of US involvement in World War II. Cuomo described the 53 days since the first case as a “disorienting period,” but he said it was “nothing” compared to other times of harship for the world, such as the six years of World War II.
“But it feels very long, and it’s very stressful,” the governor said.“But it feels very long, and it’s very stressful,” the governor said.
New York governor Andrew Cuomo is scheduled to deliver his daily briefing in about 15 minutes after meeting with Trump at the White House yesterday.New York governor Andrew Cuomo is scheduled to deliver his daily briefing in about 15 minutes after meeting with Trump at the White House yesterday.
Cuomo said the president recognized in the meeting that the federal government had to be involved in procuring vital medical supplies to help states expand coronavirus testing.Cuomo said the president recognized in the meeting that the federal government had to be involved in procuring vital medical supplies to help states expand coronavirus testing.
Trump has previously shrugged off that responsibility, insisting it was up to the states to expand testing capacity. Cuomo agreed the states should take the lead on the issue, but the governor has said at his recent briefings that the federal government must still play a role.Trump has previously shrugged off that responsibility, insisting it was up to the states to expand testing capacity. Cuomo agreed the states should take the lead on the issue, but the governor has said at his recent briefings that the federal government must still play a role.
“The national manufacturers say they have supply-chain issues,” Cuomo said Monday. “I’d like the federal government to help on those supply-chain issues.”“The national manufacturers say they have supply-chain issues,” Cuomo said Monday. “I’d like the federal government to help on those supply-chain issues.”
Cuomo said Trump also agreed states needed more funding to address the crisis, and the president indicated yesterday that state funding would be included in the next coronavirus relief bill.Cuomo said Trump also agreed states needed more funding to address the crisis, and the president indicated yesterday that state funding would be included in the next coronavirus relief bill.
The House rules committee will meet at 5 pm ET today to discuss the measure that would temporarily allow members to vote by proxy.The House rules committee will meet at 5 pm ET today to discuss the measure that would temporarily allow members to vote by proxy.
The panel will gather in Room 1100 of the Longworth House office building to mark up the proposal, which has been endorsed by Democratic leadership.The panel will gather in Room 1100 of the Longworth House office building to mark up the proposal, which has been endorsed by Democratic leadership.
House Republicans have signaled they will oppose the measure, which is expected to come up for a full House vote tomorrow, but Democrats will almost certainly have enough support on their side of the aisle to get the proposal approved.House Republicans have signaled they will oppose the measure, which is expected to come up for a full House vote tomorrow, but Democrats will almost certainly have enough support on their side of the aisle to get the proposal approved.
If the measure is approved, members will be allowed to designate a proxy (another member) who can cast votes on their behalf as long as the current crisis lasts.If the measure is approved, members will be allowed to designate a proxy (another member) who can cast votes on their behalf as long as the current crisis lasts.
Joe Biden said he would name his advisory panel to help him select a running mate, which will consist of three or four people, by May 1.Joe Biden said he would name his advisory panel to help him select a running mate, which will consist of three or four people, by May 1.
Biden told last night James Corden on “The Late Late Show” that the panel would interview the final contenders for the VP slot after the list has been narrowed down to “somewhere between two and five people.”Biden told last night James Corden on “The Late Late Show” that the panel would interview the final contenders for the VP slot after the list has been narrowed down to “somewhere between two and five people.”
Biden jokingly suggested he would choose Julia Louis Dreyfus as his running mate, referencing the actor’s starring role in the television show “Veep,” which focuses on a vice president and her staff.Biden jokingly suggested he would choose Julia Louis Dreyfus as his running mate, referencing the actor’s starring role in the television show “Veep,” which focuses on a vice president and her staff.
The former vice president said he did not yet know who he would choose but reiterated that the person would have to be able to fill the role of president if he had to step aside for any reason.The former vice president said he did not yet know who he would choose but reiterated that the person would have to be able to fill the role of president if he had to step aside for any reason.
“The first, the most important quality is someone who — if I walked away immediately from the office for whatever reason — that they can be president,” Biden said.“The first, the most important quality is someone who — if I walked away immediately from the office for whatever reason — that they can be president,” Biden said.
Biden has already said the running mate will definitely be a woman, and senators Elizabeth Warren, Kamala Harris and Amy Klobuchar, among others, have been listed as possibilities.Biden has already said the running mate will definitely be a woman, and senators Elizabeth Warren, Kamala Harris and Amy Klobuchar, among others, have been listed as possibilities.
Jay Inslee, the governor of Washington state and a former Democratic presidential candidate, has endorsed Joe Biden.Jay Inslee, the governor of Washington state and a former Democratic presidential candidate, has endorsed Joe Biden.
Inslee told Biden in an interview for the presumptive nominee’s podcast, “I’m proud to endorse you for being the next president of the United States for many reasons. I know that you have a willingness to follow science and really help us get us out of the COVID-19 crisis. ... You’re going to be honest with us, which we don’t have right now in the White House.”Inslee told Biden in an interview for the presumptive nominee’s podcast, “I’m proud to endorse you for being the next president of the United States for many reasons. I know that you have a willingness to follow science and really help us get us out of the COVID-19 crisis. ... You’re going to be honest with us, which we don’t have right now in the White House.”
Inslee specifically said he thought Biden would effectively address climate change, even though the two Democrats sparred during the primary over whether Biden’s proposals went far enough to lower carbon emissions.Inslee specifically said he thought Biden would effectively address climate change, even though the two Democrats sparred during the primary over whether Biden’s proposals went far enough to lower carbon emissions.
“You’re going to have a concrete plan for action within the next 10 years to develop a clean energy plan, so we just don’t plan to 2050,” Inslee said in the interview, which was released today for a special Earth Day episode of the podcast. “I know that you have efforts to really do things in the next 10 years and I’m very excited about this.”“You’re going to have a concrete plan for action within the next 10 years to develop a clean energy plan, so we just don’t plan to 2050,” Inslee said in the interview, which was released today for a special Earth Day episode of the podcast. “I know that you have efforts to really do things in the next 10 years and I’m very excited about this.”
Inslee told the New York Times that his endorsement for Biden comes after the two had private conversations about the presumptive nominee’s climate proposals. The Washington governor said he was confident Biden was “willing to aim faster and higher” on climate policy.Inslee told the New York Times that his endorsement for Biden comes after the two had private conversations about the presumptive nominee’s climate proposals. The Washington governor said he was confident Biden was “willing to aim faster and higher” on climate policy.
Trump is expected to sign an executive order today to impose a 60-day ban on immigrants seeking to live and work in the US permanently.Trump is expected to sign an executive order today to impose a 60-day ban on immigrants seeking to live and work in the US permanently.
The president announced the planned executive order yesterday after hinting at the proposal in an unexpected tweet on Monday night. Speaking at his press conference yesterday, Trump noted he may extend the order past 60 days “based on economic conditions at the time”.The president announced the planned executive order yesterday after hinting at the proposal in an unexpected tweet on Monday night. Speaking at his press conference yesterday, Trump noted he may extend the order past 60 days “based on economic conditions at the time”.
Trump said the order would only apply to green card applicants and not temporary workers, leaving many questions about green card applications that are currently being processed.Trump said the order would only apply to green card applicants and not temporary workers, leaving many questions about green card applications that are currently being processed.
“By pausing immigration, we will help put unemployed Americans first in line for jobs as America reopens – so important,” Trump told reporters yesterday. “We want to protect our US workers and I think, as we move forward, we will become more and more protective of them.”“By pausing immigration, we will help put unemployed Americans first in line for jobs as America reopens – so important,” Trump told reporters yesterday. “We want to protect our US workers and I think, as we move forward, we will become more and more protective of them.”
Treasury secretary Steven Mnuchin predicted that “most if not all” of the US economy would reopen later in the summer.Treasury secretary Steven Mnuchin predicted that “most if not all” of the US economy would reopen later in the summer.
“We’re looking forward to by the time we hit later in the summer having most of the economy if not all of the economy open,” Mnuchin told Fox Business Network this morning.“We’re looking forward to by the time we hit later in the summer having most of the economy if not all of the economy open,” Mnuchin told Fox Business Network this morning.
However, the Trump administration has previously been guilty of setting lofty goals for reopening the economy that have not come to fruition.However, the Trump administration has previously been guilty of setting lofty goals for reopening the economy that have not come to fruition.
The president previously said he hoped the economy would be “opened up and just raring to go by Easter” before shifting the reopening target date to May 1, even as a number of states extended their stay-at-home orders well into May.The president previously said he hoped the economy would be “opened up and just raring to go by Easter” before shifting the reopening target date to May 1, even as a number of states extended their stay-at-home orders well into May.
Public health experts have said some level of social distancing will likely be necessary until a coronavirus vaccine is developed, which could take a year or more.Public health experts have said some level of social distancing will likely be necessary until a coronavirus vaccine is developed, which could take a year or more.
House speaker Nancy Pelosi said the chamber would approve the nearly $500 billion coronavirus relief bill tomorrow.House speaker Nancy Pelosi said the chamber would approve the nearly $500 billion coronavirus relief bill tomorrow.
“We’ll pass it tomorrow in the House,” Pelosi told MSNBC this morning, adding that it was “absolutely urgent” for Trump to sign the legislation.“We’ll pass it tomorrow in the House,” Pelosi told MSNBC this morning, adding that it was “absolutely urgent” for Trump to sign the legislation.
Pelosi and Senate minority leader Chuck Schumer released a statement yesterday saying they were “proud” of the work they had done to get $100 billion for hospitals and testing included in the bill.Pelosi and Senate minority leader Chuck Schumer released a statement yesterday saying they were “proud” of the work they had done to get $100 billion for hospitals and testing included in the bill.
The original proposal from Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell was focused solely on allocating more money to the Paycheck Protection Program for small businesses, which ran out of funding last week.The original proposal from Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell was focused solely on allocating more money to the Paycheck Protection Program for small businesses, which ran out of funding last week.
Pelosi and Schumer said in their statement, “Democrats flipped this emergency package from an insufficient Republican plan that left behind hospitals and health and frontline workers and did nothing to aid the survival of the most vulnerable small businesses on Main Street.”Pelosi and Schumer said in their statement, “Democrats flipped this emergency package from an insufficient Republican plan that left behind hospitals and health and frontline workers and did nothing to aid the survival of the most vulnerable small businesses on Main Street.”
The House is also expected to vote tomorrow on a proposal that would allow members to vote by proxy, even as the Senate remains steadfastly opposed to the idea of remote voting.The House is also expected to vote tomorrow on a proposal that would allow members to vote by proxy, even as the Senate remains steadfastly opposed to the idea of remote voting.
The House measure will allow members who cannot travel to Washington amid the pandemic to designate a proxy (another member) to cast their vote on proposed legislation.The House measure will allow members who cannot travel to Washington amid the pandemic to designate a proxy (another member) to cast their vote on proposed legislation.
House Democratic leaders have emphasized that this will be a temporary measure meant to address concerns about lawmakers, particularly those who are at high-risk of developing serious illness from the virus, risking their health to travel to Washington for votes.House Democratic leaders have emphasized that this will be a temporary measure meant to address concerns about lawmakers, particularly those who are at high-risk of developing serious illness from the virus, risking their health to travel to Washington for votes.
“We want to be able to do the people’s work, notwithstanding the directions to remain at distance,” House majority leader Steny Hoyer told reporters yesterday.“We want to be able to do the people’s work, notwithstanding the directions to remain at distance,” House majority leader Steny Hoyer told reporters yesterday.
House Republicans are opposed to the idea and may vote against the measure en masse, but Democrats will almost certainly have enough support on their side to get the measure approved.House Republicans are opposed to the idea and may vote against the measure en masse, but Democrats will almost certainly have enough support on their side to get the measure approved.
If it is approved, it will mark an historic moment for the tradition-bound Congress that has been generally resistant to change -- another unprecedented shift for an unprecedented era.If it is approved, it will mark an historic moment for the tradition-bound Congress that has been generally resistant to change -- another unprecedented shift for an unprecedented era.
This is Joan Greve in Washington, taking over for Jo Walters.This is Joan Greve in Washington, taking over for Jo Walters.
The House is expected to take up the next coronavirus relief bill tomorrow, after the nearly $500 billion legislation passed the Senate yesterday by voice vote. Trump has already indicated he would sign the bill.The House is expected to take up the next coronavirus relief bill tomorrow, after the nearly $500 billion legislation passed the Senate yesterday by voice vote. Trump has already indicated he would sign the bill.
House majority leader Steny Hoyer has advised members to return to Washington tomorrow morning to vote on the legislation, and Democratic leadership has expressed approval of the bill now that it includes $100 billion for hospitals and testing, as well as more funding for small business loans.House majority leader Steny Hoyer has advised members to return to Washington tomorrow morning to vote on the legislation, and Democratic leadership has expressed approval of the bill now that it includes $100 billion for hospitals and testing, as well as more funding for small business loans.
The rapid turnaround means that the Paycheck Protection Program, which was created by the stimulus package and ran out of money last week, could receive $320 billion in additional funding by Friday.The rapid turnaround means that the Paycheck Protection Program, which was created by the stimulus package and ran out of money last week, could receive $320 billion in additional funding by Friday.
Donald Trump has hopped onto Twitter. As the debate rages over where, when and how to reopen the US economy amid the coronavirus pandemic, the president once again appears to be jumping the gun.Donald Trump has hopped onto Twitter. As the debate rages over where, when and how to reopen the US economy amid the coronavirus pandemic, the president once again appears to be jumping the gun.
His tweet moments ago speaks for itself.His tweet moments ago speaks for itself.
At the White House last night, coronavirus task force resource coordinator Deborah Birx said that Americans should prepare to see more deaths from the coronavirus pandemic, particularly in cities, as the outbreak in the United States moves past its peak and infection rates decline.At the White House last night, coronavirus task force resource coordinator Deborah Birx said that Americans should prepare to see more deaths from the coronavirus pandemic, particularly in cities, as the outbreak in the United States moves past its peak and infection rates decline.
Deaths generally lag behind other aspects of the outbreak, CNBC reported.Deaths generally lag behind other aspects of the outbreak, CNBC reported.
“We really need to continue to unite and really, really support our health-care providers who are still on the frontline,” she said.“We really need to continue to unite and really, really support our health-care providers who are still on the frontline,” she said.
Birx declined to comment on Georgia planning to reopen many businesses by the end of this week, only saying that federal health officials were “very clear” with states on guidelines to protect Americans from the virus.Birx declined to comment on Georgia planning to reopen many businesses by the end of this week, only saying that federal health officials were “very clear” with states on guidelines to protect Americans from the virus.
On a different tweet tack, the president has made a military announcement, as tension builds in the Middle East over renewed harassment of shipping by the Iranian military.On a different tweet tack, the president has made a military announcement, as tension builds in the Middle East over renewed harassment of shipping by the Iranian military.
As my Guardian colleague Julian Borger reported just a few days ago: Iranian navy vessels have been coming within 10 yards of American warships in the Persian Gulf in what the US navy described as a series of “dangerous and harassing approaches”.As my Guardian colleague Julian Borger reported just a few days ago: Iranian navy vessels have been coming within 10 yards of American warships in the Persian Gulf in what the US navy described as a series of “dangerous and harassing approaches”.
Good day to our US live blog readers, another lively day in store for politics and coronavirus news.Good day to our US live blog readers, another lively day in store for politics and coronavirus news.
Health officials now say that two people died with the coronavirus in California weeks before the first official reported death from the disease in the US.Health officials now say that two people died with the coronavirus in California weeks before the first official reported death from the disease in the US.
Santa Clara County officials, near San Francisco, said late last night that the people died at home on 6 February and 17 February.Santa Clara County officials, near San Francisco, said late last night that the people died at home on 6 February and 17 February.
Before this, the first US death from the virus had been reported on 29 February in Kirkland, Washington.Before this, the first US death from the virus had been reported on 29 February in Kirkland, Washington.
The medical examiner-coroner received confirmation that tissue samples sent to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention tested positive for the virus, officials said.The medical examiner-coroner received confirmation that tissue samples sent to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention tested positive for the virus, officials said.
The latest coronavirus statistics for the US are 825,306 confirmed cases and 45,075 deaths.The latest coronavirus statistics for the US are 825,306 confirmed cases and 45,075 deaths.
Today Donald Trump is expected to sign an executive order further limiting immigration to the United States, declaring a 60-day ban on immigrants seeking to live and work here permanently – ie green card applicants.Today Donald Trump is expected to sign an executive order further limiting immigration to the United States, declaring a 60-day ban on immigrants seeking to live and work here permanently – ie green card applicants.
Much of the immigration system is already shut down. We await further details.Much of the immigration system is already shut down. We await further details.
The House of Representatives will be preparing today so they can vote early tomorrow on the latest $500m financial rescue package passed by the Senate yesterday.The House of Representatives will be preparing today so they can vote early tomorrow on the latest $500m financial rescue package passed by the Senate yesterday.
It includes more money to prop up small businesses clobbered by the quarantine orders and funding for hospitals and greater testing for the virus and those developing anti-bodies.It includes more money to prop up small businesses clobbered by the quarantine orders and funding for hospitals and greater testing for the virus and those developing anti-bodies.
Stay tuned.Stay tuned.