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More than 586,000 people around the world have contracted coronavirus since the global pandemic began in late 2019, according to data updated Friday by Johns Hopkins University. Since the university first shared its real-time map charting cases on Jan. 22, more than 26,860 people have died.
Deaths from the pandemic in the United States topped 1,470 on Friday as the nation worked to slow the spread of the virus, which had infected more than 97,200 people in 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Guam and the US Virgin Islands.
President Donald Trump signed a $2.2 trillion stimulus package to provide economic relief to Americans affected by the virus shortly before the daily press briefing. While it’s set to address the nationwide spike in jobless claims by offering people filing for unemployment an extra $600 per week for up to four months, on top of state benefits. In California, that state contribution is typically 60 to 70 percent of weekly income. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin hopes the federal government can start issuing checks within three weeks.
California surged past 4,000 cases statewide and reported 83 deaths. The Bay Area total cases grew to 1,439 with 252 new cases in its 10 counties on Thursday, with five new deaths pushing its total to 32. In California, that represents a 34% day-over-day increase. Gov. Gavin Newsom today ordered a statewide, temporary ban on evictions through May, as unemployment soars and many renters anticipate a struggle to make next month’s rent.
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