Coronavirus updates April 9 2020

The situation is constantly evolving as COVID-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus, rapidly spreads. 

Coronavirus updates April 9

Another 6.6 million new jobless claims in the US

The latest figures for seasonally adjusted initial unemployment claims in the US grew at an unprecedented rate for the third week in a row. A total of 6,601,000 Americans applied for unemployment insurance in the week ending April 4, according to the US Department of Labor. The department also reported that the previous week's claims were revised upward from from 6,648,000 to 6,867,000. 

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Altogether in the past three weeks, nearly 17 million Americans have applied for unemployment insurance. Before the coronavirus pandemic crippled the US economy, about 210,000 Americans were filing new claims each week for unemployment insurance.

Those figures were released as US coronavirus cases topped 432,000 and deaths surpassed 14,800.

Death projections in US

Dr. Anthony Fauci, a member of the White House coronavirus task force, reiterated to CBS This Morning that social distancing may be flattening the curve of infections. One new model based on the current high levels of social distancing now projects 60,000 deaths in the US, compared with last week's estimates of 100,000 to 240,000 deaths.

Coronavirus updates April 8

Pompeo: 50,000 Americans repatriated back to the US

During a White House coronavirus task force briefing on Wednesday, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said the State Department has brought home 50,000 US citizens from abroad since Jan. 29. He said they were stranded in countries, including Nepal, Honduras and Peru, because of the coronavirus outbreak. The Americans were evacuated from 90 countries in total, Pompeo said. And there are still more people the State Department is trying to bring back. "We still have several thousand people," Pompeo said. "We're working on it, we chip on that number every day."

Thousands of ventilators and masks being shipped to US states 

President Donald Trump said on Wednesday that thousands of ventilators from the national stockpile will be sent to states in need. To date, the federal government has shipped out more than 8,000 ventilators, he said, and an additional 10,000 are reportedly "ready to go." The president said another 2,200 ventilators will become available on Monday.

The federal government has also ordered 500 million masks to ship to US states, Trump said. He explained that there were two orders, one of 200 million and another of 300 million, and the shipments are scheduled to begin in May and go through June.

More than 400,000 coronavirus cases in the US

Vice President Mike Pence gave a summary on Wednesday of how many people have been infected and killed by the coronavirus in the US. Of the 1.9 million tests that have been administered, Pence said, more than 400,000 people have tested positive for the virus and more than 14,000 people have died. "It's been a tough week for many of us," he said, adding that New York, New Jersey and Louisiana have seen the worst of it.

Coronavirus updates April 7

Trump: 'This will be a painful week'

President Trump on Tuesday encouraged Americans to do their part to help slow the spread of COVID-19 but warned that "this will be a painful week" for the country. 

During a briefing at the White House, the president and other officials talked about efforts to provide medical equipment to health care workers. Trump said 110,000 ventilators are headed to states and cities with the most need in the coming months. 

Trump also said he'll be asking Congress for an additional $250 billion to fund the Paycheck Protection Program, which lets small businesses get loans. The program is part of the broader $2 trillion economic relief package and was originally set to have $350 billion.

During the briefing, the president also criticized the World Health Organization's response to the pandemic and said he would consider ending funding to the group. 

White House and CDC push 30 days to slow spread

After the previous guidance pushing "15 days to slow the spread," the White House, CDC and Department of Health have released a new video titled "30 days to slow the spread." The video advises avoiding crowds of more than 10 people; avoiding travel like "non-essential trips and social visits;" disinfecting surfaces including phones, doorknobs, tables and handrails; and self-isolating and working from home.

China reportedly ends Wuhan lockdown

The Chinese city of Wuhan, where the coronavirus first emerged, was reopened on Wednesday after being sealed off since January, reported The New York Times. The lockdown ended as only three new cases were reported in the city in the past three weeks, according to the Times. People are now reportedly allowed to leave the city after showing authorities, using a government-sanctioned phone app, that they aren't a contagion risk.

Tough restrictions on individuals and businesses are still in place in Wuhan, according to the Times, and schools remain closed. Officials also reportedly continue to urge everyone to stay home as much as possible.

Pompeo: 45,000 Americans evacuated from other countries

During a press briefing Tuesday, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said the State Department has helped more than 45,000 citizens return to the US amid the coronavirus outbreak. Americans have been evacuated from 75 countries on more than 460 flights, Pompeo said, adding that some of the efforts "could be pulled from a Hollywood script."

UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson is reportedly stable

UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson remained in stable condition overnight, according to the BBC, which cited a Downing Street spokesperson. Johnson is said to be in good spirits after going into intensive care on Monday. He's getting "standard" oxygen treatment and hasn't been diagnosed with pneumonia.