U.S. deaths top 8,500 as Trump warns of “toughest week” ahead


U.S. deaths top 8,500 as Trump warns of "toughest week" ahead

The number of people who have been killed by the coronavirus is now at least 8,503, a stark increase that comes as the country braces for what is likely to be the deadliest week of the pandemic in the U.S. thus far.

There have been at least 312,245 confirmed cases in the U.S., according to data collected by Johns Hopkins University. 

More than a quarter of deaths have been in New York state, the epicenter of the outbreak, where 4,159 people have died. Governor Andrew Cuomo said Sunday that New York could be “very near the apex” but more data will be needed in the coming days.

President Trump warned Saturday that the country could be headed into its toughest weeks, but also said he’s eager to get it reopened and its stalled economy back on track.

“This will probably be the toughest week, between this week and next week. And there will be a lot of death, unfortunately,” the president said in a somber start to his daily briefing on the pandemic on Saturday. “There will be death.”

Read the latest:

Detailed information from the CDC on coronavirus treatment and prevention.

Mobile Morgues Set Up Outside Brooklyn Hospital As Coronavirus Outbreak Hits New York
Medical workers stand outside a refrigerator truck being used as a morgue outside of Brooklyn Hospital Center on April 3, 2020 in New York City.

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The Associated Press contributed to this report.


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