Coronavirus: US death toll surpasses 5,000

Live updates for Wednesday, April 1, continue below:

US death toll surpasses 5,000

Update 11:30 p.m. EDT April 1: The US death toll passed 5,000 late Wednesday evening.

New York state’s virus deaths jump to more than 1,900

Update 10:50 p.m. EDT April 1: New York's COVID-19 death count more than doubled in 72 hours to 1,941.

One month after New York discovered its first infection — a health care worker returning from Iran — the state tallied more than 83,000 positive cases. The 1,941 deaths were up from 965 Sunday morning. New York logged its first virus-related death March 13, an 82-year-old woman with emphysema.

With more than 12,000 people hospitalized, New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo said the latest outbreak projections show no respite this month.

“What we’re looking at now is the apex — the top of the curve — roughly at the end of April, which means another month of this,” Cuomo told a state Capitol news briefing.

Los Angeles mayor recommends everyone wear mask

Update 9:30 p.m. EDT April 1: Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti has recommended that the city's 4 million people wear masks when going outside amid the spreading coronavirus.

Garcetti on Wednesday said people in the nation’s second-largest city who are performing essential tasks such as food shopping should wear homemade, non-medical face coverings, or even bandannas, as people in other countries hard-hit by the COVID-19 virus have done.

Garcetti said the look would be “surreal” but people will have to get used to it.

But he also said people still should stay at home as much as possible.

The mayor also said residents shouldn’t use medical-grade masks, which are in short supply and are needed by healthcare workers and first responders.

Michigan virus cases top 9,300

Update 7 p.m. EDT April 1: The number of Michigan residents who have contracted COVID-19 crept toward 10,000 on Wednesday — one of the highest totals in the U.S. — while the state said hundreds of ventilators from the federal government would be quickly put into service, especially in hard-hit Detroit-area hospitals.

Detroit residents make up 26% of the state’s cases and 83 of its 337 coronavirus-related deaths. Mayor Mike Duggan credited an aggressive testing program, including a drive-up station at the former state fairgrounds, and predicted higher numbers each day.

He acknowledged that Detroit has a “serious problem” with infections, but he also said it was “disturbing” to read stories that it might be a hot spot because of poverty. Duggan noted that prosperous areas in Michigan, New York and Massachusetts are also struggling with COVID-19, the disease caused by the virus.

Fountains of Wayne songwriter, Adam Schlesinger, dies at 52 due to virus

Update 7 p.m. EDT April 1: Singer-songwriter, Adam Schlesinger has died due to COVID-19, according to The New York Times and Variety.

Schlesinger had been on a ventilator for two weeks according to the Ivy Twitter account.

Schlesinger played the bass in the band Fountains of Wayne, known for the 2003 hit “Stacy’s Mom." He also wrote the theme song to the Tom Hanks film “That Thing You Do!”

More evidence indicates healthy people can spread virus

Update 6:05 p.m. EDT April 1: Scientists offered more evidence Wednesday that the coronavirus is spread by seemingly healthy people who show no clear symptoms, and the federal government issued new guidance warning that anyone exposed to the disease can be considered a carrier.

A study by researchers in Singapore became the latest to estimate that somewhere around 10% of new infections may be sparked by people who carry the virus but have not yet suffered its flu-like symptoms.

In response to that study and others, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention changed how it defined the risk of infection for Americans. The agency’s new guidance targeted people who have no symptoms but were exposed to others with known or suspected infections. It essentially says that anyone may be a carrier, whether that person has symptoms or not.

Read more here.

Florida governor issues statewide stay-at-home order

Update 5:25 p.m. EDT April 1: Gov. Ron DeSantis announced Wednesday that he will issue a stay-at-home order in Florida due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

The order says “all persons in Florida shall limit their movements and personal interactions outside of their home to only those necessary to obtain or provide essential services or conduct essential activities.”

The order also says “senior citizens and individuals with a significant underlying medical condition should stay at home and take all measures to limit the risk of exposure to COVID-19.”

Only essential services will be allowed to operate and individuals are allowed to participate in “essential activities."

Georgia Gov. orders statewide shelter-in-place, closes schools for rest of school year

Update 4:55 p.m. EDT April 1: Gov. Brian Kemp said Wednesday that he is issuing a statewide shelter-in-place order as the state continues to battle the coronavirus.

During a news conference Wednesday afternoon the governor said he would sign the order on Thursday and it would go into effect on Friday.

Kemp also ordered that all public schools will remain closed for the rest of the school year.

Governor confirms schools will remain closed in California through school year

Update 3:55 p.m. EDT April 1: Gov. Gavin Newsom of California confirmed Wednesday that schools in the state will remain closed through the end of the school year, KRON-TV reported.

Newsom's announcement came one day after California's superintendent sent a letter to school district officials statewide warning them that schools were unlikely to reopen before the end of the school year, KABC-TV reported.

"School is not out for the year," Newsom said during a news conference Wednesday, according to KRON-TV. "In fact, we're asking everyone to accelerate (so) everyone gets a great education."

Students will continue to practice distance learning, officials said.

Nevada governor formalizes statewide stay-at-home order

Update 3:20 p.m. EDT April 1: Gov. Steve Sisolak of Nevada issued a statewide directive telling Nevadans to stay at home, with an exception for essential trips.

The Democratic governor had already asked Nevada residents two weeks ago to stay home and ordered a closure of casinos and non-essential businesses, but on Wednesday he decided to formalize his request that Nevadans stay home with a written order.

Unlike the orders issued by some other governors, Sisolak’s directive does not include a penalty for those who violate it.

The governor’s order doesn’t apply to the homeless or people making essential trips such as to get groceries, receive health care or receive goods or services from businesses that have been allowed to stay open, such as pharmacies, hardware stores and restaurants that offer take-out only.

Justin Bieber cancels 2020 tour

Update 2:45 p.m. EDT April 1: Singer Justin Bieber announced the cancellation Wednesday of his planned "Changes" tour due to the public health crisis caused by COVID-19.

“The health and safety of my fans, team, cast and crew is the most important thing for me,” Bieber wrote in a Twitter post announcing the decision. “The world is a scary place but we will all figure this out together.”

Democrats ready to work with Trump on infrastructure, Pelosi says

Update 2:20 p.m. EDT April 1: A day after President Donald Trump said he would support a $2 trillion infrastructure package as a way to spur economic growth stalled by the outbreak of the coronavirus, House Democratic leaders said they were ready to develop a plan with the White House.

“We are ready,” House Speaker Nancy Pelosi told reporters on a Wednesday morning conference call. “It’s never been partisan.”

Governor delays primary election in West Virginia

Update 2:15 p.m. EDT April 1: Gov. Jim Justice of West Virginia announced Wednesday that the state's primary election will be pushed back until June 9 due to the coronavirus pandemic, WDTV reported.

The election had been scheduled for May 12.

Pence says US food supply ‘very strong’

Update 2 p.m. EDT April 1: Vice President Mike Pence said Wednesday that Americans will have enough food and supplies to get through the coronavirus pandemic as he toured a Virginia distribution center for Walmart, the world's largest retailer.

Shelves at grocery and other stores across the U.S. were picked clean of toilet paper and other essentials at the onset of the pandemic but Pence said Wednesday that America's food supply is "very strong."

Pence toured a chilly warehouse for perishable goods ranging from potatoes to bananas. He had removed his suit jacket and sported a Walmart associate’s badge that said “Mike.”

The vice president told a Walmart truck driver that he and all drivers are considered “critical infrastructure.”

Pence used the intercom to tell all employees they’re on the “front lines” of the pandemic. He thanked them for doing a “great job” and for “keeping food on the table for the American people.”

Florida governor to sign stay-at-home order

Update 1:45 p.m. EDT April 1: Gov. Ron DeSantis of Florida said Wednesday that he will be signing an executive order mandating people stay at-home due to the coronavirus.

The order will "limit movements and personal interactions outside the home," DeSantis said, according to WFTV.

Only essential services will be allowed to operate, WFTV reported. DeSantis said a list of services will be released and some businesses can be added to the list if they are deemed essential.

The order will begin at midnight and last for the next 30 days.

Pennsylvania governor expands stay-at-home order to include entire state

Update 1:40 p.m. EDT April 1: Gov. Tom Wolf of Pennsylvania on Wednesday ordered the entire state to stay at home as officials work to contain the coronavirus pandemic, WPXI reported.

Wolf added 34 counties to his previously issued stay-at-home order, bringing all 67 of the state's counties under the edict, according to WPXI.

With nearly 1,000 new confirmed COVID-19 cases reported in Pennsylvania on Tuesday, Wolf called a statewide quarantine “the most prudent option."

“We appreciate the shared sacrifice of all 12.8 million Pennsylvanians; we are in this together,” Wolf said in a statement.

Fewer single-day deaths reported in Italy

Update 1:35 p.m. EDT April 1: Health officials in Italy recorded 727 new fatal coronavirus cases Wednesday, the smallest number of single-day COVID-19 deaths reported in the country in the last week, according to The Guardian.

The cases reported Wednesday brought the death toll associated with the coronavirus to 13,155 in Italy. Officials also reported 4,782 new coronavirus infections, raising the country’s number of reported cases to 110,574. But the rate of new infections continued its leveling off, and Lombardy officials reported continued easing of the pressure on intensive care units, where the numbers have fluctuated from 1,328 patients on Sunday to 1,342 on Wednesday.

Local officials and statisticians, however, have noted that Lombardy’s ICU numbers might not be rising because ICU are full and because many elderly people aren’t being brought to hospitals and are dying at home or in nursing homes where their deaths might not even be recorded as COVID-19 because they were never tested.

But if the trend of fewer hospital admissions continues and more ICU beds free up, “probably we’ll be able to admit patients who are being treated at home, because we can treat them at home, but just not in optimal safety” said Dr. Guido Marinoni, president of the order of doctors in hard-hit Bergamo.

Spring breakers who went to Nashville, Alabama beach test positive for COVID-19

Update 1:15 p.m. EDT April 1: University of Wisconsin-Madison officials have announced that a cluster of students who went to Nashville and Gulf Shores, Alabama, over spring break have tested positive for COVID-19.

WKOW in Madison reported that UW-Madison's Health Services issued a statement Friday.

“University Health Services (UHS) and Public Health Madison & Dane County (PHMDC) recently became aware of a cluster of COVID-19 cases associated with a spring break trip organized by seniors,” the announcement said.

NY Gov. Andrew Cuomo says brother Chris Cuomo’s COVID-19 diagnosis shows ‘anyone can get this disease’

Update 1:05 p.m. EDT April 1: Gov. Andrew Cuomo of New York said Wednesday that the COVID-19 diagnosis handed down one day earlier to his brother, CNN reporter Chris Cuomo, emphasized that no one is immune to the 2019 novel coronavirus.

The governor said the case illustrated that “anyone can get this disease -- relatively young people, strong people, people who take a lot of vitamin pills, people who go to the gym a lot.”

“There is no superhero who is immune to this disease,” he said. “I couldn’t protect my own brother. With all he knows and as smart as he is, he couldn’t protect himself. So, anyone can get it and everyone has to be protected.”

Chris Cuomo announced Tuesday that he’s self-isolating in his basement after he tested positive for COVID-19. He continues to work and on Tuesday anchored his CNN show from quarantine.

“What a gutsy, courageous thing to do,” Andrew Cuomo said Wednesday during a news conference. “We talked about it and in some ways this can be very instructive, I think, for many people because everyone wants to know, well, what happens when you get coronavirus?”

He said he was frightened for his brother “on a fundamental level,” but he said he’s confident Chris Cuomo will recover.

“He’s going to be OK,” Andrew Cuomo said. “I believe that.”

Over 83,000 coronavirus infections reported in New York

Update 12:35 p.m. EDT April 1: Gov. Andrew Cuomo of New York said officials in the state have identified 83,712 cases of COVID-19 as of Wednesday, up 7,918 from the number of cases reported one day earlier.

The numbers include 12,226 cases that required patients to be hospitalized. Cuomo said 3,022 patients have been admitted to intensive care units while 6,142 have recovered and been discharged.

At least 1,941 fatal coronavirus cases have been reported in New York, including 391 who have died in the last 24 hours.

“That number will continue to go up,” Cuomo said.

The governor said models show the state will likely reach the apex of the coronavirus outbreak near the end of April.

Pence: ‘The next two weeks, the next 30 days are vital’

Update 12:25 p.m. EDT April 1: Vice President Mike Pence said Wednesday that the coming days will be vital to containing the spread of the coronavirus.

"The next two weeks, the next 30 days are vital and we're calling on every American to do their part," Pence said during an interview with CNN. "The future is in our hands."

Nearly 1,000 new coronavirus infections reported in Pennsylvania

Update 12:20 p.m. EDT April 1: Officials in Pennsylvania reported 962 new coronavirus infections on Wednesday, raising the state's total to 5,805, WPXI reported.

The Pennsylvania Department of Health also reported 11 more fatal COVID-19 cases. As of Wednesday, 74 people have died of the novel coronavirus in the state.

Georgia officials report 4,638 COVID-19 cases statewide

Update 12:05 p.m. EDT April 1: Health officials in Georgia announced that 4,638 cases of COVID-19 have been reported statewide as of Wednesday, WSB-TV reported.

The cases include 952 which were serious enough to require hospitalization, according to WSB-TV. Officials said 139 people have died of coronavirus infections in Georgia.

2nd federal inmate dies at Louisiana prison after contracting COVID-19

Update 11:45 a.m. EDT April 1: The Bureau of Prisons said Wednesday that a second inmate has died at a federal prison complex in Louisiana from the new coronavirus.

A Bureau of Prisons spokeswoman confirmed the death at FCC Oakdale to The Associated Press. The agency said it could not provide additional information pending notification of next of kin.

Another inmate died at the same facility last week.

The death comes the same day the Bureau of Prisons is enacting a new policy to slow the spread of the coronavirus. The agency said all inmates at its 122 correctional facilities will be locked in their cells for 14 days in an effort to slow the spread of the virus.

So far, 29 inmates and 30 staff members in the federal prison system have tested positive for COVID-19.

Georgia mayor cancels city’s social distancing order amid pushback from residents

Update 11:30 a.m. EDT April 1: The mayor of Cumming, Georgia, said that he's canceling a social distancing order scheduled to go into effect Wednesday during the coronavirus pandemic, WSB-TV reported.

In a post on the city's Facebook page, Mayor Troy Brumbalow said he decided to walk back the order after it became "obvious that a large portion of our public doesn't want government mandating the recommendations of public health officials."

“While I think the intent of the order was for the health of our citizens, the delivery was bad,” Brumbalow wrote. “I own that and take full responsibility.”

Wimbledon tennis tournament canceled

Update 11:10 a.m. April 1: Organizers on Wednesday announced the cancellation of The Championships, Wimbledon 2020 due to concerns over the health risk posed by the 2019 novel coronavirus.

“This is a decision that we have not taken lightly, and we have done so with the highest regard for public health and the well-being of all those who come together to make Wimbledon happen," Ian Hewitt, chairman of the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, said Wednesday in a statement.

“It has weighed heavily on our minds that the staging of The Championships has only been interrupted previously by World Wars but, following thorough and extensive consideration of all scenarios, we believe that it is a measure of this global crisis that it is ultimately the right decision to cancel this year’s Championships, and instead concentrate on how we can use the breadth of Wimbledon’s resources to help those in our local communities and beyond.”

Organizers said the 134th Championships will be held from June 28 to July 11, 2021.

Carnival Cruises cancels planned sailings due to COVID-19

Update 10:50 a.m. EDT April 1: Officials with Carnival Cruise Line announced Wednesday a further cancellation of its planned sailings due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

More than 1,400 NYPD officers test positive for coronavirus

Update 10:35 a.m. EDT April 1: More than 1,400 members of the New York City Police Department have been diagnosed with coronavirus infections, CNN reported Wednesday morning.

Citing an unidentified source, the news network reported 6,172 uniformed officers, or about 17% of the department, were out sick as of Wednesday.

"We are scrambling, but that shouldn't have a negative connotation," NYPD Commissioner Dermot Shea told CNN. "We are able to handle many, many different tasks here. We're still fighting crime."

New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo said Wednesday that 43,139 coronavirus infections have been reported in New York City. Just under 90,000 COVID-19 tests had been administered in the city.

Nearly 2,000 COVID-19 cases reported in Maryland

Update 10:25 a.m. EDT April 1: Health officials in Maryland said Wednesday that 1,985 coronavirus infections have been reported in the state.

Officials said 31 people have died in Maryland due to COVID-19 while 69 people have recovered and been released from isolation. Medical personnel in the state have tested more than 17,000 people for COVID-19.

Over 17,000 coronavirus infections reported in Switzerland

Update 10 a.m. EDT April 1: Officials in Switzerland said that as of Wednesday, 17,139 COVID-19 cases have been reported in the country.

Authorities said 378 people have died of coronavirus infections.

Global stock markets skid as coronavirus infections soar

Update 9:50 a.m. EDT April 1: Wall Street is again in a selling mood as the coronavirus crisis deepens.

The S&P 500 and the Dow Jones Industrial Average fell more than 3% Wednesday as the market moves on from its worst quarter since the 2008 financial crisis. President Donald Trump is warning Americans to expect “dark days” ahead.

A survey of manufacturers in Japan showed deteriorating sentiment. Investors sought safety in bonds and the yield on the 10-year Treasury fell to 0.61%. Stock markets in Asia and Europe also fell. The Nikkei fell 4.5% and markets in Germany and France are down around 4%.

Hawaii orders travelers to self-quarantine after inter-island trips

Update 9:35 a.m. EDT April 1: Gov. David Ige of Hawaii has signed a proclamation ordering people who travel between the state's islands to self-quarantine for 14 days.

The order went into effect Wednesday morning. Ige had earlier ordered all people who enter Hawaii to self-quarantine. As of Tuesday, the governor said 230 cases of COVID-19 had been reported in the state.

In his proclamation, Ige provided few exceptions to the new rule. He said people who are travelling between islands for “medical or health care” would not be subject to the proclamation, so long as they wear protective gear and social distance themselves.

People who violate quarantining rules could face misdemeanor charges and be fined as much as $5,000 or imprisoned for as long as one year, according to the proclamation.

UK officials report 563 new fatal coronavirus cases

Update 9:20 a.m. EDT April 1: Officials in the United Kingdom recorded 563 new fatal COVID-19 cases on Wednesday, raising the country's coronavirus death toll to 2,352.

Authorities with the British Department of Health and Social Care also announced 4,324 newly confirmed COVID-19 cases. In all, officials said 29,474 people have been diagnosed with coronavirus infections in the U.K.

Surgeon General: People who wear masks should still practice social distancing 

Update 9 a.m. EDT April 1: Surgeon General Dr. Jerome Adams Wednesday said officials are considering whether to recommend people wear face masks in public, though he noted that the best thing Americans can do to stymie the spread of the coronavirus is to stay home.

In February, Adams urged the public not to buy face masks to protect against COVID-19 because he said they were not effective.

"We've learned about this disease, and we've always said we're going to learn more, we're going to adjust," Adams told ABC's "Good Morning America" during an interview Wednesday.

“We’ve learned that there’s a fair amount of asymptomatic spread and so we’ve asked the CDC to take another look at whether or not having more people wear masks will prevent transmission of the disease to other people.”

He emphasized, however, that the best thing people can do to slow the spread of COVID-19 is to continue social distancing.

“Here’s the most important thing: Even if you do wear a mask, it can’t be at the expense of social distancing,” Adams said. “We don’t want people to think, 'Hey I’m going to be wearing a face covering, so it’s appropriate to go out around other people. ... The most important thing right now to do is for people to stay at home.”

Global coronavirus deaths top 43K, worldwide cases approach 875K

Update 7:17 a.m. EDT April 1: The global death toll attributed to the novel coronavirus hit 43,291 early Wednesday, according to a Johns Hopkins University tally.

In the three months since the virus was first identified in Wuhan, China, it has infected at least 874,081 people worldwide.

• The United States has reported 189,633 cases, resulting in 4,081 deaths.

• Italy has confirmed 105,792 cases, resulting in 12,428 deaths.

• Spain has reported 102,136 infections, resulting in 9,053 deaths.

• China has recorded 82,308 cases, resulting in 3,316 deaths.

• Germany has reported 72,383 cases, resulting in 788 deaths.

• France has confirmed 52,837 infections, resulting in 3,532 deaths.

• Iran has recorded 47,593 cases, resulting in 3,036 deaths.

• The United Kingdom has reported 25,504 cases, resulting in 1,793 deaths.

• Switzerland has confirmed 16,605 cases, resulting in 433 deaths.

• Belgium has recorded 13,964 cases, resulting in 828 deaths.

28 University of Texas spring breakers test positive for coronavirus

Update 6:52 a.m. EDT April 1: Austin Public Health officials have confirmed that 28 students from the University of Texas have tested positive for the novel coronavirus following a spring break trek to Mexico.

According to the health department, about 70 students chartered a plane to Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, in late March despite global health warnings surrounding the coronavirus pandemic.

Read more here.

2-week coronavirus quarantine begins today for US federal prisoners

Update 6:26 a.m. EDT April 1: Beginning today, inmates in the U.S. federal prison system will be confined to their cells for two full weeks, a lockdown measure intended to contain the spread of the novel coronavirus.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Prisons, a few exceptions will be made, including continued access to mental-health treatment and some educational opportunities.

‘Lord of the Rings’ dialect coach, ‘Star Wars’ actor Andrew Jack dies from coronavirus

Update 6:08 a.m. EDT April 1: Longtime actor and dialect coach to the stars Andrew Jack died Tuesday morning from COVID-19 complications, his agent Jill McCullough confirmed in a statement.

Jack died at St. Peter's Hospital just outside London, while his wife remained quarantined in Australia.

“She was unable to see or talk to him at the end of his life and there is a chance a funeral may not be held,” McCullough said.

British boy, 13, dies from coronavirus

Update 5:47 a.m. EDT April 1: French officials have set aside $16.5 million in vouchers to help homeless people survive the novel coronavirus pandemic.

French Minister of Housing Julien Denormandie told Ouest-France on Wednesday that the government is working in tandem with civil organizations and community leaders to identify the areas with the greatest needs.

“We believe half of the 60,000 beneficiaries of these new service vouchers are in the greater Paris region,” Denormandie told the French publication.

Specifically, the voucher program – intended to serve an estimated 60,000 – will provide about $7.68 per day per person toward basic necessities such as food and hygiene items.

To date, France has confirmed 52,837 COVID-19 infections, resulting in 3,532 deaths.

British boy, 13, dies from coronavirus

Update 5:30 a.m. EDT April 1: The United Kingdom has confirmed its youngest novel coronavirus victim to date, a 13-year-old boy.

According to the BBC, Ismail Mohamed Abdulwahab was admitted to South London's King's College Hospital after exhibiting COVID-19 symptoms. Despite being placed in a medically induced coma and on a ventilator, hospital officials confirmed the child died Monday.

Taiwan donating 10 million face masks to countries fighting coronavirus

Update 5:21 a.m. EDT April 1: In a speech delivered Wednesday, Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen said the country is prepared to donate 10 million face masks to other countries battling the spread of the novel coronavirus.

“Over the past months, we have seen countless acts of bravery and sacrifice from medical workers around the world. It is our duty as global citizens to give them our full support,” Tsai said.

According to Taiwan's Ministry of Economic Affairs, the island is currently producing about 13 million masks per day, or roughly four times the amount manufactured one month ago, CNN reported.

USS Theodore Roosevelt sailors who test negative for coronavirus to be quarantined in Guam hotels

Update 5:11 a.m. EDT April 1: U.S. sailors aboard the USS Theodore Roosevelt who test negative for the novel coronavirus will be allowed to dock in Guam but are subject to a 14-day quarantine, according to the island's governor.

During a Wednesday news conference Gov. Lou Leon Guerrero said vacant hotel rooms will be offered to the quarantined sailors.

Hyundai converts training institutes into treatment centers amid South Korea coronavirus outbreak

Update 4:37 a.m. EDT April 1: Two of Hyundai Motor Group's training institutes in South Korea will soon house novel coronavirus patients exhibiting mild symptoms.

The South Korean automaker also donated $4.1 million to the Korea Disaster Relief Association to assist ongoing efforts to control the virus’ spread, while Hyundai Motor America announced plans to donate $2 million to 10 hospitals with drive-through coronavirus testing facilities.

Meanwhile, Hyundai Motor India has ordered coronavirus diagnostic kits from South Korea for 25,000 people and plans to deliver them to hospitals in India, CNN reported.

UK races to convert convention hall into country's biggest ICU to handle coronavirus overflow

Update 4:21 a.m. EDT April 1: The NHS Nightingale will open its doors this week on London's East End in a bid to ease the United Kingdom's anticipated ICU bed shortage.

In less than one week, the UK’s National Health Service will have converted the ExCel Center into a 4,000-bed field hospital to handle coronavirus overflow from overtaxed hospitals.

To date, the UK has confirmed 25,481 COVID-19 infections, resulting in 1,793 deaths nationwide.

Illinois governor says he’s ‘purchasing every ventilator that I can find’ amid coronavirus surge

Update 4:05 a.m. EDT April 1: After receiving barely 10 percent of the ventilators he requested to meet rising demand, Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker said he is personally scouring all available sources in the absence of federal assistance as the novel coronavirus sweeps his state.

"I'm purchasing every ventilator that I can find," Pritzker told CNN's Chris Cuomo on Tuesday, adding, "But we're buying them in 100 lots and 200 lots. Frankly, I'm taking them 50, 20, 10, wherever I can get them."

Pritzker told Cuomo Illinois requested 4,000 additional ventilators but has received only about 450 to date.

“We are going to run out of ventilators, and the federal government really isn’t helping at all,” Pritzker said.

Captain of embattled aircraft carrier requests Navy evacuation as coronavirus infects sailors

Update 3:17 a.m. EDT April 1: In a letter dated March 30, U.S. Navy Capt. Brett Crozier requested the military evacuation of 90 percent of the 4,000-member crew aboard the USS Theodore Roosevelt, besieged by the novel coronavirus.

Specifically, Crozier asked that the evacuees be moved into isolation on Guam, The Washington Post reported.

“Decisive action is required. Removing the majority of personnel from a deployed U.S. nuclear aircraft carrier and isolating them for two weeks may seem like an extraordinary measure,” Crozier wrote, adding, “We are not at war. Sailors do not need to die. If we do not act now, we are failing to properly take care of our most trusted asset — our sailors.”

Read more here.

China announces 1,367 asymptomatic coronavirus cases

Update 3:03 a.m. EDT April 1: China's National Health Commission confirmed on Wednesday it is monitoring a total of 1,367 asymptomatic novel coronavirus infections.

According to the commission, 130 of those total cases were diagnosed on Tuesday, alone, while 302 were released from quarantine.

To date, China has confirmed a total 82,294 cases nationwide, but it was not immediately clear if that figure includes the asymptomatic cases.

Kroger announces $2-per-hour ‘hero bonus’ for employees on coronavirus front lines

Update 2:44 a.m. EDT April 1: U.S. supermarket chain Kroger announced early Wednesday it will pay staff members still working amid the worsening novel coronavirus outbreak an additional $2-per-hour "hero bonus."

“Our associates have displayed the true actions of a hero, working tirelessly on the front lines to ensure everyone has access to affordable, fresh food and essentials during this national emergency,” Rodney McMullen, Kroger’s chairman and chief executive officer, said in a statement announcing the bonuses.

The pay bump – benefitting all front-line grocery, supply chain, manufacturing, pharmacy and call center staff – applies to all hours worked between March 29 and April 18.

UN Secretary-General: Coronavirus ‘attacking societies at their core’

Update 2:21 a.m. EDT April 1: Citing the "human crisis" created by the novel coronavirus pandemic, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called the collective global response the "greatest test" since World War II.

Guterres' insights were published in a new report released Tuesday.

"COVID-19 is the greatest test that we have faced together since the formation of the United Nations," Guterres stated in the report, adding, "This human crisis demands coordinated, decisive, inclusive and innovative policy action from the world's leading economies – and maximum financial and technical support for the poorest and most vulnerable people and countries. But this is much more than a health crisis. It is a human crisis. The coronavirus disease is attacking societies at their core."

Read the full report here.

US coronavirus deaths hit 4,076, total cases top 189K

Update 12:31 a.m. EDT April 1: By early Wednesday morning, the number of novel coronavirus cases in the United States neared 200,000 across all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Guam and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

According to researchers at Johns Hopkins University, there are at least 189,510 confirmed U.S. cases of the virus, which have resulted in at least 4,076 deaths. U.S. cases now outnumber those in any other nation by wide margins, including the 105,792 reported in Italy and the 95,923 confirmed in Spain.

Of the confirmed U.S. deaths, 1,550 – or nearly half of the nationwide total – have occurred in New York, 267 in New Jersey and 259 in Michigan.

In terms of diagnosed cases, New York remains the hardest hit with at least 75,795 confirmed cases – or roughly four times the next-closest state – followed by New Jersey with 18,696 and Michigan with 7,615.

Three other states have now confirmed at least 6,000 novel coronavirus cases each, including:

• California: 6,932, including 150 deaths

• Florida: 6,732, including 84 deaths

• Massachusetts: 6,220, including 89 deaths

Meanwhile, Illinois, Louisiana and Washington state each has confirmed at least 5,000 novel coronavirus infections; Pennsylvania and Georgia each has confirmed at least 4,000 cases; Texas and Connecticut each has confirmed at least 3,000 cases; and Colorado, Tennessee, Ohio and Indiana each has confirmed at least 2,000 cases.

Click here to see CNN's complete state-by-state breakdown.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.