More than 10,000 people have died of coronavirus complications in the United States since the outbreak began in late January, Johns Hopkins University said Monday.
The Baltimore-based school, which has been keeping a running tally of global coronavirus numbers, said there are at least 347,003 confirmed infections in the US with 10,335 deaths.
The world's leading economy is one of the worst-hit countries, trailing only Italy (15,877) and Spain (13,055) in numbers killed by the deadly pandemic.
Workers direct people queueing up in theirs cars waiting to be tested for coronavirus COVID-19 at the drive-in test site in New York. Source: AAP
The number of daily deaths is falling in some of the worst-affected European countries, but the US has yet to reach its peak of the crisis.
Since the middle of last week, the US has recorded more than 1,000 new deaths every day, with containment measures of varying degrees being enforced on a state-by-state basis.
New York is the main focus of the American outbreak, with more than 4,750 deaths statewide and 130,000 cases, more than half of them in New York City.
Authorities have warned that between 100,000 and 240,000 people could die from COVID-19 in the US, even in a best-case scenario with social distancing guidelines being observed.
New York is still considered the epicentre of the coronavirus outbreak in the US and people are still being asked to stay home to stop the spread. Source: AAP
The pandemic has killed more than 70,000 worldwide since the emergence of the new coronavirus in December in China, according to an AFP tally compiled from official sources.
New York shutdown extended
New York Governor Andrew Cuomo on Monday extended a shutdown in the epicenter of America's deadly coronavirus pandemic until near the end of the month.
Mr Cuomo said the COVID-19 death rate in the state was "effectively flat" for the past two days but announced that schools and non-essential businesses must stay shut until April 29.
"Now is not the time to be lax," he told reporters, adding that fines for violating social distancing guidelines would be increased from $500 to $1,000.
The outbreak has killed 4,758 people in New York state as of Monday morning, Mr Cuomo said, an increase of 599 from Sunday.
On Saturday, New York announced 630 deaths in one day - it's highest daily total of the epidemic so far.
Mr Cuomo said the number of daily deaths had been levelling off since, suggesting the state may be at the peak of its crisis.
"It is hopeful but it is also inconclusive," he said, warning that the death rate could increase again.
He said it would be a "mistake" to relax restrictions on movement too early.
"If the curve is turning it's because the rate of infection is going down, if the rate of infection is going down it's because social distancing is working.
"If we are plateauing then we are plateauing at a very high level and there's tremendous stress on the health care system," Mr Cuomo added.
People in Australia must stay at least 1.5 metres away from others and gatherings are limited to two people unless you are with your family or household.
If you believe you may have contracted the virus, call your doctor (don’t visit) or contact the national Coronavirus Health Information Hotline on 1800 020 080. If you are struggling to breathe or experiencing a medical emergency, call 000.
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