Coronavirus pandemic in the US

By Meg Wagner, Elise Hammond and Mike Hayes, CNN

Updated 10:54 p.m. ET, April 30, 2020
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10:57 a.m. ET, April 30, 2020

More than 61,000 people have died due to coronavirus in the US

There has been at least 1,042,874 cases of coronavirus in the US, according to a tally by Johns Hopkins University.

At least 61,123 people have died from the virus so far.

On Thursday, Johns Hopkins has reported 2,965 new cases and 157 reported deaths. 

The totals includes cases from all 50 states, the District of Columbia and other US territories, as well as repatriated cases.

10:41 a.m. ET, April 30, 2020

Mike Pence is visiting a GM ventilator facility today

Vice President Mike Pence speaks about reopening the country, during a roundtable with industry executives, in the State Dinning Room of the White House, Wednesday, April 29, in Washington.
Vice President Mike Pence speaks about reopening the country, during a roundtable with industry executives, in the State Dinning Room of the White House, Wednesday, April 29, in Washington. Alex Brandon/AP

Vice President Pence is scheduled to leave Washington, DC, soon en route Indiana.

While there, he’ll tour a GM ventilator facility in Kokomo.

Earlier this week, Pence faced widespread criticism for not wearing a mask during a visit to the Mayo Clinic, which has a policy that everyone must wear masks.

Today, his wife, Karen Pence, claimed he only found out the Mayo Clinic’s policy after leaving – although it was reported his staff was aware. 

12:44 p.m. ET, April 30, 2020

These state's stay-at-home orders are expiring today

From CNN's Elise Hammond

People walk through a farmers market in Gilbert, Arizona, on April 25.
People walk through a farmers market in Gilbert, Arizona, on April 25. Matt York/AP

The majority of the US population has been under some kind of stay-at-home directive as state leaders work to prevent the spread of coronavirus.

But, some states are starting to make moves to reopen their economies. President Trump indicated many states can reopen by tomorrow, May 1, and shared federal guidelines for restarting the economy with governors.

Here are the states whose stay-home orders are expiring today:

  • Florida: Florida will reopen certain businesses throughout much of the state on May 4, except in the counties of Broward, Miami-Dade and Palm Beach, according to Gov. Ron DeSantis.
  • Idaho: Gov. Brad Little issued an "Order to Self-Isolate" which was amended on April 15 to allow for some businesses and facilities to reopen for curbside pickup, drive-in and drive-thru service. The order will expire today unless extended.
  • Iowa: Gov. Kim Reynolds issued a State of Public Health Disaster Emergency on March 17 that ordered all nonessential businesses to close until April 30. On Monday, Reynolds announced restaurants, fitness centers, retail stores and enclosed malls can reopen on May 1. Counties where Covid-19 activity is higher will have their closures extended through May 15.
  • Pennsylvania: Stay-at-home orders across the state will end today and golf courses, marinas, guided fishing trips and privately owned campgrounds could reopen statewide on May 1.
  • Texas: As stay-at-home order end today, Gov. Greg Abbott, announced all retail stores, restaurants, movie theaters, malls, museums, and libraries are permitted to reopen on Friday, May 1.

These state's stay-at-home orders will end tomorrow, May 1:

  • Indiana: Gov. Eric Holcomb extended the order through May 1 on April 17.
  • Ohio: Gov. Mike DeWine said the state will start to reopen after the stay-at-home ends on May 1.
  • Georgia: Gov. Brian Kemp is expected to make an announcement today about how restrictions will be relaxed as the state's shelter-in-place order expires May 1.

Other states either did not impose a stay-at-home order, or are leaving it in place while opening some parts of their economy on May 1:

  • Arizona: Gov. Doug Ducey has extended the stay-at-home order until May 15. Earlier, he announced that elective surgeries can resume tomorrow.
  • Oklahoma: Restaurants, dining rooms, movie theaters, sporting venues and gyms will reopen if they maintain "strict social distancing and sanitation protocols."
  • Oregon: Hospitals, surgical centers, medical offices, and dental offices that meet requirements for Covid-19 safety and preparedness will be able to resume non-urgent procedures on May 1.
  • North Dakota: Gov. Doug Burgum signed an executive order Wednesday allowing many businesses to open after 8 a.m. on May 1.
  • Utah: Gov. Gary Herbert extended the state's "Stay Safe, Stay Home" directive through May 1, although Utah has not issued a stay-at-home mandate. The state will allow restaurants to let customers dine in again “with extreme precaution” starting tomorrow.

Go here to see where your state stands on reopening.

CORRECTION: This post has been updated to reflect that Arizona extended its stay-at-home order until May 15.

9:39 a.m. ET, April 30, 2020

US stocks open lower after another bleak unemployment report

From CNN’s Anneken Tappe

US stocks opened lower on the last trading day of the month.

Some more bleak jobs data weighed on market sentiment, as another 3.8 million Americans filed for initial unemployment benefits last week. The total of first-time claims climbed above 30 million over the past six weeks.

Meanwhile in Europe, the European Central Bank said it would take no more action on its key policies, although it did inject some more stimulus into the European economy.

Here's what happened at the opening:

  • The Dow opened 1.1% or 280 points, lower
  • The S&P 500 kicked off 0.7% lower.
  • The Nasdaq Composite opened down 0.1%.

More context: Despite more bleak economic data hinting at the disruption the coronavirus pandemic is causing the economy, it was a historically good month for stocks.

The S&P 500 is on track for its best month since October 1974, and the Dow is looking at its best month since January 1987.

The Nasdaq is on track for its best monthly performance since June 2000.

You can follow live updates on the markets here.

9:54 a.m. ET, April 30, 2020

Georgia governor expected to ease social distancing restrictions

From CNN’s Nick Valencia

 

Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp speaks at a press conference inside the Georgia State Capitol in Atlanta on April 27.
Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp speaks at a press conference inside the Georgia State Capitol in Atlanta on April 27. Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

Georgia Governor Brian Kemp is poised to make an announcement to ease social distancing restrictions, his spokesperson told CNN this morning. 

“We will announce more later today,” Candice Broce said when asked by CNN about a shelter-at-home-order set to expire at midnight.

Broce declined to give more details including the time of an official announcement.

“No additional information to announce at this time. That’s all I’ve got for now,” she said.

About Georgia: Last Friday, Kemp allowed for the reopening of hair and nail salons, barber shops, massage businesses and gyms under new safety standards. He allowed restaurants and theaters to reopen with new restrictions Monday.

But Georgia is projected to see its number of daily Covid-19 deaths nearly double by early August, according to a model shared by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 

9:36 a.m. ET, April 30, 2020

Karen Pence explains why her husband didn't wear a mask during hospital visit

From CNN's Nicky Robertson and Betsy Klein

Second lady Karen Pence and Vice President Mike Pence are pictured at the White House on September 20, 2019.
Second lady Karen Pence and Vice President Mike Pence are pictured at the White House on September 20, 2019. Zach Gibson/Getty Images

Second lady Karen Pence defended her husband, Vice President Mike Pence, who faced widespread criticism for not wearing a mask during a visit to the Mayo Clinic earlier this week. 

She was asked about the visit during an appearance on "Fox and Friends."

“That's a great question, I’m glad that you asked me. First of all, it was a great visit to Mayo. They are doing amazing research with blood from recovered Covid-19 patients, and as our medical experts have told us wearing a mask prevents you from spreading the disease. And knowing that he doesn't have Covid-19, he didn't wear one,” she said.

She claimed that Pence only found out the Mayo Clinic’s policy after leaving – although it was reported his staff was aware. 

 “It was actually after he left Mayo Clinic that he found out that they had a policy of asking everyone to wear a mask. So you know, someone has worked on this whole task force for over two months is not someone who would have done anything to offend anyone or hurt anyone or scare anyone. I'm glad that you gave me the opportunity to talk about that,” she said. 

The Vice President is expected to travel to a GM plant in Kokomo, Indiana, later today. It remains to be seen if he will wear a mask this time – though his wife’s comments suggest it’s unlikely.

9:31 a.m. ET, April 30, 2020

Pelosi says key to reopening economy is testing

From CNN's Adrienne Vogt

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi speaks on April 29 during a news conference on Capitol Hill.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi speaks on April 29 during a news conference on Capitol Hill. Patrick Semansky/AP

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi reacted to the latest unemployment numbers, as the total number of first-time claims rose to 30.3 million over the past six weeks, saying that the US economy won’t rebound until there is widespread coronavirus testing. 

“I myself think the path to our re-entering the economy is testing, testing, testing. It all comes back to science and the health and well-being of the American people,” Pelosi said in an interview on CNN’s “New Day.” 

“You cannot turn the economy around without the scientific leadership on it,” Pelosi added.

She called Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell’s suggestion that states should declare bankruptcy “an excuse.”

“He's making it look like there’s some blue state-red state thing here … It only has to do with the coronavirus. And the governors are united, Democrats and Republicans,” Pelosi said.

Pelosi also said that she wants to get federal stimulus funds to states and also directly to municipalities, and that money will be given for a years-long distribution period. 

“We're not going to be able to cover all of it. But we'll be able to enable them to have sustainability,” she said. 

Watch more:

9:27 a.m. ET, April 30, 2020

FEMA and HHS preparing transition plans for coronavirus response

From CNN's Priscilla Alvarez

The Federal Emergency Management Agency, which has been leading federal operations response since mid-March, is working with the Health and Human Services Department to develop transition plans, according to a FEMA spokesperson.

“Planning is underway to sustain Federal COVID-19 response operations in support of states, tribes, and territories. HHS and FEMA staff are closely coordinating to develop transition plans, which will likely involve transitioning certain functions and staff back to HHS,” the spokesperson said in a statement.

Decisions on what adjustments will be made, or when, have not been made yet, the spokesperson added, noting that FEMA Administrator Pete Gaynor “coordinates closely with senior HHS officials daily on operations and will do so on transition plans.”

FEMA said it will remain leading the "operational coordination for the COVID-19 response until directed differently by President Trump and the White House Coronavirus Task Force."

CNN has previously reported that FEMA is also looking ahead to natural disasters, like hurricane season, and preparing their response for those events.

Bloomberg first reported FEMA’s transition plans.

9:04 a.m. ET, April 30, 2020

Nearly 4,000 inmates in Ohio prisons have tested positive for coronavirus

From CNN's Joe Sutton

Thousands of inmates in Ohio prisons have been diagnosed with coronavirus.

As testing in facilities around the state continues, the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction (ODRC) is now reporting at least 3,890 prisoners have tested positive as of April 29. At least 5,676 have been tested total.

The total inmate population as of Tuesday was 47,820, the ODRC spokeswoman tells CNN. 

“The reason that you are seeing numbers out of our prisons, that are much, much higher than other places is because we made a decision to go test everybody. And when we've got a hotspot we move in and we’ve surged testing in,” Gov. Mike DeWine said during a press briefing yesterday.  

There have been 27 confirmed Covid-19 related inmate deaths. 

"Because we are testing everyone – including those who are not showing symptoms – we are getting positive test results on individuals who otherwise would have never been tested because they were asymptomatic," JoEllen Smith, a spokesperson for the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction, said.

"Approximately 95% of the positive cases are asymptomatic,” Smith added.

According to the data, 419 prison employees also have tested positive and two died due to the virus.