Christians around the world observed a Good Friday like no other, at home watching livestreams instead of at church, as pressure mounted on governments to restart some industries and fend off further economic devastation from the coronavirus.
Worldwide, the death toll closed in on 100,000, with the confirmed number of infected topping 1.6 million, according to Johns Hopkins University. The true numbers are believed to be much higher because of limited testing, different rules for counting the dead and cover-ups by some governments.
In addition to the lives lost, the pandemic has slammed economies around the world. The head of the International Monetary Fund has warned that the global economy is headed for the worst recession since the Depression. The U.N. labor organization said 195 million full-time jobs could be lost in the second quarter alone.
Here's an update on all developments. Scroll or swipe further for in-depth coverage.
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- The top U.S. infectious disease official says coronavirus antibody tests are just days away. Dr. Anthony Fauci says the people responsible for developing, validating and disseminating the tests were saying “a rather large number of tests” will be available within a week.
- New York state reported a record-breaking number of dead for a third straight day Thursday, 799. More than 7,000 people have died there, accounting for almost half the U.S. death toll of more than 16,500.
- President Donald Trump is warning without evidence that expanding mail-in voting will increase voter fraud. But several GOP state officials are forging ahead to do just that, undermining one of Trump’s arguments about how elections should be conducted amid the coronavirus outbreak.
- Boris Johnson’s father says the British prime minister needs time to recover from the new coronavirus and is unlikely to be back at work imminently.
- France’s only aircraft carrier has confirmed 50 cases of the virus aboard and is heading back to port.
- Trump brushed off fears the U.S. economy won’t quickly rebound, saying he had a “strong feeling” that “the economy is going to do very well.”
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For more summaries and full reports, please select from the articles below. Scroll further for some festive ideas for entertaining a virtual crowd, the latest interactive maps and more.
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With technology platforms like Zoom, Skype, FaceTime and more, those used to opening their doors to friends and family have embraced the art of imaginative forms of group entertaining. Take a look at 10 technology-enabled ways to keep those you care about connected and entertained.
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