Coronavirus pandemic in the US

By Meg Wagner and Veronica Rocha, CNN

Updated 8:11 PM ET, Fri May 1, 2020
36 Posts
Sort byDropdown arrow
1:10 p.m. ET, May 1, 2020

Georgia reports nearly 1,000 new Covid-19 cases in the past 24 hours 

From CNN's Tina Burnside

Walmart pharmacists help operate a new mobile COVID-19 drive-through testing site at Diamond Lakes Regional Park on April 23, in Hephzibah, Georgia.
Walmart pharmacists help operate a new mobile COVID-19 drive-through testing site at Diamond Lakes Regional Park on April 23, in Hephzibah, Georgia. Curtis Compton/AJC/AP

The number of coronavirus cases in Georgia has surpassed 27,000 with nearly 1,000 new cases reported in the past 24 hours, according to the state's department of health. 

As of noon on Friday, Georgia Department of Health reported 27,134 cases, up from 26,175 recorded cases on Thursday. 

The majority of the state's cases are in the metro Atlanta area. 

At least 1,147 Georgia residents have died as a result of COVID-19 

1:11 p.m. ET, May 1, 2020

Two major Texas universities plan to return in the fall

From CNN's Melissa Alonso

The University of Texas campus is quiet on March 29, since it was closed due to the coronavirus pandemic.
The University of Texas campus is quiet on March 29, since it was closed due to the coronavirus pandemic. Jay Jenner/Austin American-Statesman/USA Today

Texas A&M University and the University of Texas will reopen and be operational for the fall semester.

"This summer, we’re fully online and enrollment is actually up, a sign that you remain undeterred in pursuing your goals," Texas A&M University President Michael K. Young said in a letter.

Fall enrollment is also up and though online classes "are an option if needed," the university is planning to open its campus for the fall semester, Young said. University faculty and staff are "preparing for all the requirements necessary to do so safely across academics, athletics and campus activities," according to Young. 

The University of Texas (UT) said plans for its campus reopening won't be announced until the end of June, UT President Gregory L. Fenves said in a letter to students. 

"Our goal remains to reopen the Forty Acres in the fall, likely with some courses and activities held in person and others online as dictated by health and safety concerns," Fenves said. 

12:58 p.m. ET, May 1, 2020

Cuomo says he'll ask hospitals to provide more details on new Covid-19 patients

From CNN's Elizabeth Joseph

 

New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo speaks during a press briefing in Albany, New York, on May 1.
New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo speaks during a press briefing in Albany, New York, on May 1. State of New York

Hospitalization numbers across New York state are dropping, and that “is a credit to the community, and the social conscience, and the responsibility of New Yorkers,” Gov. Andrew Cuomo said at a news conference Friday.

Because there are still about 1,000 new coronavirus hospitalizations per day, “which is still a very high infection rate” and a burden on the hospital system, he said the state wants more targeted information on these new patients.

“Let’s drill down on those 1,000 new cases. Where are they coming from, why is the infection rate continuing, who’s getting infected, and let’s get more targeted in our response," Cuomo said. 

The governor said he will be speaking with hospitals this afternoon to ask them to provide more specific information on new Covid-19 cases.

Information requested will include where the patients live and work, how they commute, their age, sex and health status.

Most of the new cases are coming from downstate New York — 17.5% are from Manhattan, Cuomo said.

12:29 p.m. ET, May 1, 2020

Washington, DC, sees large uptick in coronavirus cases

From CNN's Melissa Tapia

 

A healthcare worker takes a test swab of an individual at a drive-thru testing facility at George Washington University in Washington, on April 23.
A healthcare worker takes a test swab of an individual at a drive-thru testing facility at George Washington University in Washington, on April 23. Graeme Sloan/SIPA/AP

Washington, DC, has continued to see an overall rise in coronavirus cases over the last seven weeks. 

As of Thursday, DC tested 21,135 people, with 4,658 total positives. There have been a total of 231 deaths. The number of positive cases took a drastic jump to 335 cases Friday — the biggest rise in a single day.

Friday’s rise in cases coincides with the first day DC has received more than 1,000 test results in a single day.

When broken down by race, 48% of positive Covid-19 cases are African American.

DC’s stay-at-home order is set to expire on May 15.

12:14 p.m. ET, May 1, 2020

World Health Organization: The "pandemic is not finished"

The World Health Organization said it still considers the coronavirus pandemic a public health emergency of international concern, WHO's highest level of alarm for the world.

"Covid-19 pandemic is not finished," committee member Dr. Didier Houssin said during a media briefing on Friday. 

Houssin added that there is still much to learn about the transmission of the coronavirus.Currently, there is no vaccine nor licensed therapeutics for the treatment of Covid-19.

Assessing the response: On Thursday, WHO reconvened the committee of independent international experts to assess the state of the coronavirus pandemic and review WHO's recommendations on how to respond.

Officials said the committee would meet again in 90 days, or sooner, if needed.

12:17 p.m. ET, May 1, 2020

Trump administration again postpones hearings for migrants waiting in Mexico

From CNN's Geneva Sands and Priscilla Alvarez

 

Migrants in the Migrant Protection Protocols program wait to enter the Paso del Norte International Bridge on April 6, in Ciudad Juarez in the state of Chihuahua, Mexico.
Migrants in the Migrant Protection Protocols program wait to enter the Paso del Norte International Bridge on April 6, in Ciudad Juarez in the state of Chihuahua, Mexico. Paul Ratje/AFP/Getty Images

The Trump administration is again postponing hearings for migrants in Mexico awaiting their US court dates, the Departments of Homeland Security and Justice announced Thursday.

All migrants will be required to present at a port of entry to receive new notices with rescheduled hearing dates. Hearings for the Migrant Protection Protocols program scheduled through and including June 1 will be rescheduled. 

Some context: The Trump administration first postponed all hearings in March related to the administration's controversial policy of returning migrants to Mexico until their court date in the US as a result of the coronavirus.

The so-called "Remain in Mexico" policy requires migrants — many of whom are from Central America — to wait in Mexico for the duration of their immigration hearings. It has resulted in the creation of make-shift camps where hundreds of migrants have waited for weeks.

12:08 p.m. ET, May 1, 2020

New York governor: Mental health services will be free for essential workers

New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo speaks during a press briefing in Albany, New York, on May 1.
New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo speaks during a press briefing in Albany, New York, on May 1. State of New York

New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo said he will direct insurers to waive copays and deductibles on mental health services for essential workers.

"The mental health services will be free for front-line workers," he said. "There is no cost to get mental health services."

The state is partnering with Kate Spade New York Foundation and Crisis Text Line to provide emotional support services for “frontline healthcare heroes,” he said.

Watch:

12:22 p.m. ET, May 1, 2020

New York schools will remain closed for the rest of the academic year, governor says

From CNN's Adrienne Vogt

A public school stands closed on April 14, in Brooklyn, New York City.
A public school stands closed on April 14, in Brooklyn, New York City. Spencer Platt/Getty Images

New York schools will remain closed for the remainder of the academic year, Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced.

The schools – kindergarten through high school as well as college facilities — will continue to provide distance learning.

Summer school programming plans will be announced by the end of the month, Cuomo said.

"In the meantime, meal programs will continue, the child care services for essential workers will continue," Cuomo said.

"And then we want schools to start now developing a plan to reopen, and the plan has to have protocols in place that incorporate everything that we are now doing in society and everything that we learned."

Cuomo said those plans for schools and colleges will be approved by the state.

The New York City school system is the largest in the country. According to Cuomo, there are 4.2 million students in the entire state — including those at 4,800 public schools, 1,800 private schools, 89 SUNY and CUNY college campuses and additional private colleges.

Watch:

12:02 p.m. ET, May 1, 2020

New York governor: Death rate is "lower than it has been but still tragic and terrible"

New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo said 289 people across New York died from coronavirus yesterday, That's down from the 306 deaths reported on Wednesday.

"Lower than it has been but still tragic and terrible, and all the good numbers, all the good news, for me, every day, this number just wipes that all away," Cuomo said of the death toll.

Cuomo said the hospitalization rate is plateauing, with about 1,000 new hospitalizations each day for the past three or four days.

"1000 new cases every day is still a very high infection rate," he said.

Watch: