Coronavirus pandemic in the US

Sales of newly built single-family homes plummeted 15.4% in March, totaling just 627,000 last month, according to data from the Census Bureau and the Department of Housing and Urban Development.

The revised rate for home sales in February was 741,000.

Year-over-year sales for March fell 9.5%. The last time that figure was so low was in May 2019.

The coronavirus pandemic is forcing people to shelter in place, and a stalling economy with tens of millions of job losses is leading consumers to avoid big-ticket purchases.

And it's likely to get worse.

Sen. Elizabeth Warren said her oldest brother, Don Reed, died from coronavirus on Tuesday.

She said her brother was an Air Force veteran who spent five and half years off and on in combat in Vietnam.

"He was charming and funny, a natural leader," she wrote on Twitter.

In other tweets, Warren said, "What made him extra special was his smile—quick and crooked, it always seemed to generate its own light, one that lit up everyone around him."

She said she is grateful for the nurses and hospital staff who took care of him.

The House is expected to vote on a new coronavirus relief package today.

Members will begin debating that bill after they finish debate on hour of debate on establishing a select committee on the coronavirus crisis.

Now, inside the chamber, there are about two dozen lawmakers seated. Most of them are wearing masks and face coverings, including House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, who is wearing a white face covering while sitting at the back of the chamber.

She removed it to speak on the floor, then wiped down the lectern after she spoke.

While most members and aides on both sides are wearing masks, there are some exceptions, including GOP Reps. Jim Jordan and James Comer, who aren’t wearing masks.

There are signs on the chairs where members are allowed to sit, ensuring they are spread out on the floor.

The galleries are empty and remain closed to visitors.

New York City Health Commissioner Oxiris Barbot said she thinks the city’s 138,000 positive cases so far is just “the tip of the iceberg.” 

“It wouldn’t surprise me if at this point in time we had close to a million New Yorkers who had been exposed to Covid-19,” she said in a press conference with Mayor Bill de Blasio this morning.

De Blasio criticized the "liberate" states movement, saying that opening a city too early, “could set us back months and months.”

“If we don’t protect people’s health, we’re not going to be liberated,” de Blasio said. “They’re actually going to be chaining their people to a painful reality," he added.

The number of hospital admissions for suspected coronavirus cases in New York City are down, the mayor's office said in a press conference Thursday.

On Tuesday, 227 people were admitted to the hospital, down from 252 the day before.

The number of ICU patients in public hospitals has also decreased to 796 on Tuesday, compared to 821 the day before.

The mayor's office also gave a breakdown of the percentage of positive coronavirus tests: The percentage of positive cases citywide decreased from 33% to 32% on Monday, but increased at Public Health Lab to 57%.

Moments ago, the House began an hour of debate on establishing a select committee on the coronavirus crisis.Rules Committee Chair Jim McGovern and Rules Committee ranking member Tom Cole are leading debate for their parties.

About the committee: House Speaker Nancy Pelosi had initially signaled that the committee would focus its oversight on the historic trillions of dollars in spending that Congress has approved to address the pandemic. But the text of the resolution to establish the committee — released by House Democrats on last night — shows that it would have far-reaching power to investigate how money is being spent as well as to examine US preparedness for the crisis, including deliberations within the Trump administration.

After this, the House will have two hours of debate on the small business loans funding bill. 

Votes are expected around 1:30 p.m. ET.

At least 320 people in New York City died from coronavirus yesterday, Mayor Bill de Blasio said during a press conference this morning. 

The city has confirmed an additional 2,519 new positive cases of the virus, he added.

Reopening businesses that “pose very little risk” may be appropriate, Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer said Thursday.

Yesterday, Whitmer announced that she is evaluating the state’s stay-at-home order after receiving the latest data on coronavirus in Michigan.

She did not offer any details on which businesses could be reopened, but said she’s keeping certain questions in mind as she makes the assessment.

Watch:

Myrtle Beach Mayor Brenda Bethune said she agrees with South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster's decision to reopen some non-essential businesses and lift restrictions on beach access.

The process must be done carefully and methodically, however, Bethune told CNN.

Bethune said her city sees between 18 million and 20 million visitors a year, and businesses cannot afford to stay closed long-term.

Despite South Carolina not meeting the White House's reopening guidelines, McMaster announced that some stores would be allowed to open at 20% capacity or five people per 1,000 square feet. Beaches were allowed to reopen on Tuesday.

Bethune did not directly address the guidelines, but said in order to balance reopening the economy with public health, each community needs to access their situation individually.

"I think that we have to look at our individual communities and not the state as a whole because every community, every county is different," Bethune said. "We're looking at what is right for our area, our businesses, and we want to welcome our visitors back, but we want it to be safe when we do," she added.

Watch more: