Immune To COVID? New Study Suggests Why

The COVID-19 pandemic reached a somber benchmark Thursday as the number of worldwide infections rose above 1 million. The number of deaths climbed above 52,000.

About one in every four confirmed cases is in the United States where there were 242,182 infections Thursday evening, according to data compiled by Johns Hopkins University. The number of deaths in the U.S. was 5,850.

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-The Trump administration is set to recommend that people cover their nose and mouth when out in public, The Associated Press reported. The guidelines will call for using non-medical masks, T-shirts or bandannas as face coverings when outside the home in places like the grocery store. The recommendations could apply to everyone, or just those living in areas hard-hit by coronavirus. New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio made a similar recommendation for residents of his city, where more than 51.000 people are infected with COVID-19 and at least 1,397 have died.

-At least 6.6 million people filed claims for unemployment benefits last week. It was the largest number of initial claims filed in history, surpassing last week’s 3.3 million claims. Economists say the actual number of people out work is likely even higher because a lot of newly unemployed Americans haven’t been able to fill out a claim yet. “We’ve never seen anything like this,” Aaron Sojourner, a labor economist at the University of Minnesota, told the Washington Post. “The scale of the job losses in the past two weeks is on par with what we saw in two years during the Great Recession."

-Two Holland America cruise ships, the Zaandam and the Rotterdam, docked at Port Everglades Thursday afternoon after Broward County Commissioners and other state and local officials approved a plan that would allow passengers to disembark at the port near Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Four people died and nine people tested positive aboard the Zaandam. Another 200 people reported flu-like symptoms. Passengers who didn't have symptoms will be taken off the ships and driven to the airport where chartered flights will take them to their homes. Floridians will be driven to their homes. No more than 10 passengers who need critical care will be taken to a local hospital, the Sun Sentinel reported, while about 45 who have a mild illness, will remain on the ship.

-The Coral Princess cruise ship, which is due to arrive at Port Everglades on Saturday, has 12 positive cases of the coronavirus on board, Princess Cruises said Thursday. All passengers had already been asked to stay in their rooms Tuesday after a “higher-than-normal number” of people reported flu-like symptoms. The ship is carrying 1,020 guests and 878 crew members. Seven guests and five crew members have tested positive for the coronavirus.

-Federal Emergency Management Agency officials have told members of Congress there are just 9,500 ventilators in the national stockpile, with just 3,200 more expected by the week of April 13, and most of the 100,000 ventilators that President Donald Trump promised won't be available until June, Politico reported.

-"The food supply remains safe for both people and animals. There is no — and I emphasize no — evidence of food or food packaging being associated with the transmission of COVID-19," Frank Yiannas, deputy commissioner for food policy and response at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, said during a call with reporters. He said it's "much more likely that an infected person will spread the virus through person-to-person transmission than from contaminated food or food packaging," according to CNN. Yiannas said he doesn't sanitize the exterior of food packages when he takes them home.

-About 3,000 sailors aboard the U.S. aircraft carrier Theodore Roosevelt will be taken off the ship by Friday, Navy officials said. Fewer than 100 of the nearly 5,000 sailors assigned to the carrier now docked in Guam have tested positive for the virus, but the Navy is moving sailors into various facilities and probably will begin using hotel rooms in the coming days, The Associated Press reported. Navy leaders are talking with government officials in the U.S. territory to identify rooms for the crew members.

-The Democratic National Convention in Milwaukee has been moved to Aug. 17, the week before the Republican Party’s convention, Politico, citing an unnamed Democratic official, reported. The delay from July 13 came after likely nominee Joe Biden publicly called for the convention to be rescheduled in response to the coronavirus pandemic.

-Texans have been ordered to stay home for the next month. Gov. Greg Abbott said his executive order that took effect at midnight Wednesday "requires all Texans to stay home unless you’re performing an essential service or activity," such as going to the grocery store.

-In Laredo, Texas, everyone over the age of 5 must wear something that covers their nose and mouth when they’re out in public during the coronavirus outbreak or face a fine of up to $1,000. The City Council issued the mandate Tuesday. The coverings can be a homemade mask, scarf, bandanna or handkerchief. Residents will also have to cover their mouth and nose when using public transportation, taxis, ride shares or when pumping gas.

-Security for Dr. Anthony Fauci, the nation's top infectious diseases expert and a key member of the Trump administration's coronavirus response team, has been increased because of threats to his safety, the Washington Post reported.

-The Federal Emergency Management Agency has requested 100,000 human remains pouches, commonly known as body bags, according to Air Force Lt. Col. Michael Andrews. The request is being fulfilled by the Defense Logistics Agency.

Worldwide

-U.K. Prime Minister Boris Johnson "continues to have mild symptoms" almost a week after announced he had been infected by the new coronavirus, his spokesman James Slack said.

-Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced the government will pay for one month of child care for every family in the country. The plan will cost almost $1 billion (U.S.).

-Spain’s confirmed coronavirus death toll surpassed 10,000 on Thursday, with 950 new fatalities within 24 hours, marking the deadliest day in the outbreak.

For the latest coronavirus information in your county and a full list of important resources to help you make the smartest decisions regarding the disease, check out our dedicated COVID-19 page.

The Weather Company’s primary journalistic mission is to report on breaking weather news, the environment and the importance of science to our lives. This story does not necessarily represent the position of our parent company, IBM.