US sets record as coronavirus cases top 5 million

09 August 2020 - 06:30 By Reuters
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A group of attendees who had not been wearing protective face masks put on and wear masks provided to them by the White House because of the coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic as they wait to watch US President Donald Trump hold a news conference at his golf resort in Bedminster, New Jersey, US, August 7, 2020.
A group of attendees who had not been wearing protective face masks put on and wear masks provided to them by the White House because of the coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic as they wait to watch US President Donald Trump hold a news conference at his golf resort in Bedminster, New Jersey, US, August 7, 2020.
Image: REUTERS/Joshua Roberts

The US set a record for coronavirus cases on Saturday, with more than 5 million people now infected, according to a Reuters tally, as the country's top infectious diseases official offered hope earlier this week that an effective vaccine might be available by year-end.

With one out of every 66 residents infected, the US leads the world in Covid-19 cases, according to a Reuters analysis. The country has recorded more than 160,000 deaths, nearly a quarter of the world's total.

The grim milestone comes as President Donald Trump signed executive orders intended to provide economic relief to Americans hurt by the coronavirus pandemic after the White House failed to reach a deal with Congress.

On Friday, the US Labor Department reported that US employment growth slowed considerably in July, underscoring an urgent need for additional government aid.

Dr. Anthony Fauci told Reuters on Wednesday there could be at least one vaccine that works and is safe by year-end. But Trump offered a more optimistic view, saying it was possible the US would have a coronavirus vaccine by the time of the Nov. 3 presidential election.  


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