More than 30,000 people have been killed around the world as the amount of novel coronavirus cases continues to skyrocket with the number of diagnosed COVID-19 cases around the world surpassing 664,000 so far.
It was just Thursday that the globe reached 500,000 cases, which was double the number of coronavirus cases from the week before.
The U.S. surpassed 124,000 diagnosed coronavirus cases Saturday, according to data compiled by the Center for Systems Science and Engineering at Johns Hopkins University. There are at least 2,190 deaths in the country.
At least 140,000 people have recovered from the virus during this pandemic.
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Here’s how the news is developing. All times Eastern.
U.K. lockdown will last ‘an extended period’ in the U.K., senior minister says
Speaking on Sunday morning TV shows, Michael Gove, a senior U.K. Cabinet Minister, speaking for the government while the Prime Minister and Health Minister self isolate due to testing positive for COVID-19 last week, refused to give a precise timetable for how long the country would be on lock down.
Asked how long the U.K.’s lockdown will last, he said “I can’t make an accurate prediction, but everyone does have to prepare for an extended period.”
He added that the U.K.’s peak is “not a fixed point” in the calendar and timing depends how closely people follow the rules.
After Boris Johnson and a number of other MPs tested positive for the virus, Mr. Gove insisted the government had been doing everything to observe the social distancing advice.
“We’ve been doing everything we can to observe the advice. Within the House of Commons we’ve been trying to observe that advice.”
5:25 a.m.: King County, Washington, health officer warns patients could be detained if they defy isolation orders
Dr. Jeff Duchin, Health Officer for Public Health – Seattle & King County has signed an order and directive on March 28 making it mandatory for people with a positive COVID-19 test to follow isolation protocols at home or at a recovery facility. The directive requires everyone with COVID-19 symptoms (fever, cough, and/or difficulty breathing) who has a test pending to stay quarantined.
Said Dr. Duchin: “Many steps we are taking as a community are helping to decrease the number of people who get sick, need hospital care and who die. However, we cannot stop the outbreak completely and our community will likely remain at risk for months to come. Through my health order and directive today, I am re-emphasizing the requirement for people who are infected with COVID-19 to follow our existing recommendations to prevent the spread of COVID-19 to others in the community by staying isolated from others while ill, and to stay quarantined with symptoms while test results are pending. Each of us need to do whatever we can to prevent others from becoming ill. Everyone—young and old, whether you have been diagnosed with COVID-19 or not—should stay home and avoid all non-essential contact with others.”
To protect the public, if an individual with active COVID-19 is not voluntarily remaining isolated, or if an individual who has COVID-19 symptoms with a test pending is not remaining self-quarantined, they may be subject to enforcement actions, which could include legal actions for involuntary detention.
4:25 a.m. Former MLB star Jim Edmonds went to the hospital for coronavirus testing
Former All-Star outfielder Jim Edmonds announced on his Instagram page that he went to the hospital to be tested for the coronavirus after displaying some symptoms.
The 49-year-old Edmonds sent a video update Saturday night on his Instagram Story saying he was back home after testing positive for pneumonia for the first time in his life, but was awaiting results of tests for the coronavirus.
“I’m just trying to rest up and get better,” Edmonds said, adding that he’d provide an update when he heard from doctors.
Earlier Saturday, Edmonds posted a photo of himself in a hospital room with a facemask covering his nose and mouth.
“Held off as long as I could,” he wrote on the post. “I thought I was tough enough to get through. This virus is no joke. #gethealthy.”
He said he was feeling “super sick” and added that he wasn’t “taking any chances because it’s so hard to get tested by the rules of the CDC.”
Edmonds played 17 seasons in the majors, mostly with the Los Angeles Angels and St. Louis Cardinals. He won eight Gold Glove awards, and finished with a .284 career batting average with 393 home runs and 1,199 RBIs. Edmonds also helped the Cardinals win the World Series in 2006. He also played for the San Diego Padres, Chicago Cubs, Milwaukee Brewers and Cincinnati Reds late in his career before retiring in 2011.
2:05 a.m.: Louisiana governor announces passing of 33-year-old staffer
Governor John Bel Edwards announced the passing of 33-year old April Dunn who succumbed to complications from COVID-19. April was a dedicated staff member who served in the Governor’s Office of Disability Affairs and a tireless advocate for people with disabilities.
Gov. Edwards issued the following statement:
“On behalf of Donna and my entire administration, it is with heavy hearts that we mourn the loss of our dear April,” said Gov. Edwards. “She brightened everyone’s day with her smile, was a tremendous asset to our team and an inspiration to everyone who met her. She lived her life to the fullest and improved the lives of countless Louisianans with disabilities. April worked hard as an advocate for herself and other members of the disability community. She served as the chair of the Louisiana Developmental Disabilities Council, and when I created the State As A Model Employer Taskforce, April told me how much she wanted to be part of it because of her struggles to find meaningful employment. I was proud to have an advocate like April on the task force and on my staff. She set a great example for how other businesses could make their workforce more inclusive. I ask the entire state to join us in prayer for April’s mother Joanette and her grandmother Gloria.”
11:22 p.m.: Zaandam will pass through Panama Canal
After initially being restricted from passing through the Panama Canal, the country has changed its tune and the cruise ship MS Zaandam will be allowed through.
There are more than 130 people on the ship suffering from “flu-like symptoms,” as well as two people who have tested positive for COVID-19 and four elderly passengers who have died.
The MS Rotterdam, owned by Holland America, like the Zaandam, was also waiting to transit the canal.
“We are aware of reported permission for both Zaandam and Rotterdam to transit the Panama Canal in the near future,” Holland American said in a statement at 11 p.m. Eastern time. “We greatly appreciate this consideration in the humanitarian interest of our guests and crew. This remains a dynamic situation, and we continue to work with the Panamanian authorities to finalize details.”
11:02 p.m.: 1st inmate dies in federal prison of COVID-19
An inmate has died from COVID-19 at FCI Oakdale in Oakdale, Louisiana, two sources told ABC News.
This is the first known death inside the Bureau of Prisons.
Patrick Jones, 49, was sentenced to 324 months in prison for or possession of 425 grams of crack cocaine with intent to sell within 1,000 feet of a junior college, the BOP said in a press release.
Jones was the first inmate inside the BOP to test positive on March 19. He was placed on a ventilator one day later and he died Saturday.
Officials said he had preexisting conditions that contributed to his death.
10:15 p.m.: Knicks, Rangers owner tests positive
Madison Square Garden Company CEO James Dolan has tested positive for coronavirus, according to a spokesperson.
Dolan, 64, took over as CEO of Cablevision, the powerhouse cable company, from his father, Charles, but is most known in New York City for being owner of the NBA’s New York Knicks and NHL’s New York Rangers.
As chairman of The Madison Square Garden Company, he oversees those teams as well as television station MSG Network and owns the world famous Madison Square Garden in Manhattan.
Cablevision was sold in 2016 upon which time he left as CEO.
