US reaches 2 million coronavirus cases
Nearly 113,000 people have died across the country.
There are more than 2 million coronavirus cases in the US.
The US now has more than 2 million confirmed cases of COVID-19, according to tracking numbers from the Johns Hopkins University and Medicine Coronavirus Research Center, bringing the country to a somber milestone in the global pandemic. As of early Thursday, there have been nearly 113,000 deaths, more than 533,000 people have recovered and over 21 million have been tested across the nation.
The news comes six weeks after the US reached 1 million cases. 13,000 people have died in the last two weeks.
The novel strain of coronavirus, which can develop into a respiratory illness known as COVID-19, was discovered in Wuhan, China, in late 2019 and has spread worldwide. As of Thursday, more than 7.3 million people have tested positive and over 416,000 have died worldwide and nearly 3.5 million have recovered.
The US has seen the highest number of cases and deaths. Brazil has the second highest number of confirmed cases -- over 772,000 -- while the UK has recorded the second highest number of deaths at more than 41,000. A vaccine may not arrive until 2021.
Read more: Coronavirus test: How long does it take to get COVID-19 results back?
On Sunday, over 136,000 new cases were reported to the WHO (the most in a single day so far), largely driven by outbreaks in the Americas and South Asia. It came as protesters took to the streets across the globe to demand an end to police brutality and systemic racism, following the death of George Floyd on May 25.
Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the WHO's director-general, voiced support for the movement against racism, and urged those protesting "to do so safely."
Read more: How to protect yourself while protesting for Black Lives Matter
In March, the US government shuttered businesses and required residents to stay indoors to slow the virus' spread. In recent weeks, the economy has started to reopen, with many states following a multistage roadmap in relaxing rules that apply to businesses such as movie theaters and hair salons.
If you're concerned that you might have contracted the coronavirus, the CDC has listed symptoms to help you decide whether to get a test. You may have it if you're suffering from coughing or shortness of breath. You could also be infected if you have two of the following symptoms:
- Fever
- Chills
- Repeated shaking with chills
- Muscle pain
- Headache
- Sore throat
- New loss of taste or smell
Here's how to find a coronavirus testing site near you and how the disease can affect children.
Black Lives Matter. Visit blacklivesmatters.carrd.co to learn how to donate, sign petitions and protest safely.
