Coronavirus pandemic in the US

By Meg Wagner, Mike Hayes and Elise Hammond, CNN

Updated 9:02 p.m. ET, May 5, 2020
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12:10 p.m. ET, May 5, 2020

Coronavirus deaths up slightly in New York, governor says

New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo speaks during a media briefing on May 5, in Albany, New York.
New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo speaks during a media briefing on May 5, in Albany, New York. State of New York

New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo said the number of deaths across the state was up slightly yesterday, with 230 new deaths reported.

On Sunday, 226 people died from coronavirus in the state.

"This is always the worst number when we're going through the facts of the day. And it is not good news," Cuomo said, calling the deaths "painful, painful" news.

12:03 p.m. ET, May 5, 2020

Phoenix mayor urges residents to put "public health first" as Arizona begins to reopen

From CNN's Aditi Sangal

Arizona is setting up plans to to ease its restrictions, allowing some retail stores to soon reopen for in-person business under social distancing guidelines. But Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego is urging residents to “practice common sense safety.”

“You, very shortly, will be able to get your nails done here in Arizona. That’s not something I would do or advise my family to do."

While reiterating the safety precautions for the citizens of a key swing state in the election, Gallego encouraged people to “still stay home” if they can.

“We do know that as we reenter the economy, we will see more cases,” she said. 

Responding to the news that President Trump will travel today to tour a Honeywell plant making N95 masks in Phoenix, she said, “I’m not sure that I would be traveling, but I do think it is important to celebrate the workers who are powering this economy.”

States may be reopening due to economic pressures but as residents receive conflicting messages from governments on going out versus staying in, the mayor said every individual knows best about their respective situation.

“I hope that people will err on the side of putting public health first but I understand that there’s enormous pressure on Americans right now.”

11:26 a.m. ET, May 5, 2020

Barack and Michelle Obama will speak at these events for the class of 2020

From CNN's Kevin Liptak

Former U.S. President Barack Obama and his wife Michelle close the Obama Foundation Summit together on the campus of the Illinois Institute of Technology on October 29, in Chicago.
Former U.S. President Barack Obama and his wife Michelle close the Obama Foundation Summit together on the campus of the Illinois Institute of Technology on October 29, in Chicago. Scott Olson/Getty Images

Former President Barack Obama and former first lady Michelle Obama will do various online speeches over the next month or so for graduating seniors.

There had been an online push for former President Obama to do an online commencement.

"Over the past month, President and Mrs. Obama have received dozens of requests from around the globe to address graduating classes whose in-person commencement events have been cancelled due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic," a statement from their office read. "Today, the Obamas are pleased to announce that they will participate in multiple virtual commencement celebrations for students, families and educators."

The Obama's office said they will each speak at YouTube’s “Dear Class of 2020” event on June 6.

Former President Obama will give an address at the “Graduate Together: America Honors the High School Class of 2020” event on May 16, which is XQ Institute, The LeBron James Family Foundation and The Entertainment Industry Foundation.

He'll also share a message at “Show Me Your Walk, HBCU Edition" on May 16, a virtual commencement for historically black colleges and universities.

11:20 a.m. ET, May 5, 2020

More than 69,000 people have died from coronavirus in the US

Workers are seen next to refrigerated tractor trailers that are being used to store bodies of deceased people at a temporary morgue in the Brooklyn borough of New York City, on May 4.
Workers are seen next to refrigerated tractor trailers that are being used to store bodies of deceased people at a temporary morgue in the Brooklyn borough of New York City, on May 4. Brendan McDermid/Reuters

There are at least 1,181,885 cases of coronavirus in the US, and at least 69,079 people have died, according to Johns Hopkins University's tally of cases in the United States.

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

11:06 a.m. ET, May 5, 2020

Trump explains why he's allowing Dr. Fauci to testify before the Senate — and not the House

From CNN's Kevin Liptak

President Donald Trump speaks to members of the media on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, on May 5.
President Donald Trump speaks to members of the media on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, on May 5. Patrick Semansky/AP

President Trump said he was allowing Dr. Anthony Fauci to testify before the Republican-led Senate but not the Democrat-led House, calling the lower chamber a “set up.”

“The House is a bunch of Trump-haters,” Trump said as he was departing the White House for Arizona for a tour of a Honeywell plant.

What's this about: The White House issued a memo Monday seeking to limit task force members' hearing appearances after recently blocking Fauci from testifying before a House subcommittee. Fauci is still expected to appear before a Republican-led Senate committee later this month.

Trump admitted the difference in treatment for the House versus the Senate was who controls each chamber. He said the House is rooting for him to fail in combatting coronavirus.

“They frankly want our situation to be unsuccessful, which means death,” he said. “They should be ashamed of themselves.”

He ascribed the difference to political motives.

“They want us to fail so they can win an election, which they’re not going to win,” he said.

11:07 a.m. ET, May 5, 2020

April unemployment could be as high as 20%, senior White House adviser says

CNN's Aditi Sangal

A Pulaski County Sheriff's officer gives out numbers as people wait in line at the Arkansas Workforce Center, in Little Rock, on April 23.
A Pulaski County Sheriff's officer gives out numbers as people wait in line at the Arkansas Workforce Center, in Little Rock, on April 23. Thomas Metthe/Arkansas Democrat-Gazette/AP

The unemployment rate could be as high as 20% in the latest jobs report that will be released this Friday, according to Kevin Hassett, senior economic adviser to President Trump.

“We are looking at probably the worst unemployment rate since the Great Depression. It's a tremendous negative shock," he said.

Just a week ago, Hassett had estimated a 20% unemployment rate for June but he said the latest data received on claims is "worse than expected," which led to the latest forecast revised for April. 

“We've now got 30 million people who have filed, a little bit more, for initial claims for unemployment insurance,” he said. “When you add them all up and think about how many people are employed in the country, then you can estimate the change in unemployment.”

Hassett also said the projections did not include the prospect of tariffs on China as a punishment for a lack of transparency.

WATCH:

10:31 a.m. ET, May 5, 2020

Frontier Airlines will offer empty middle seats starting at $39

From CNN's Pete Muntean 

A Frontier Airlines jetliner taxis to a runway to take off from Denver International Airport on April 23, in Denver.
A Frontier Airlines jetliner taxis to a runway to take off from Denver International Airport on April 23, in Denver. David Zalubowski/AP

Frontier Airlines is allowing passengers to purchase an empty middle seat, as part of a program aimed at “well-being and comfort.”

The airline said there will be 18 “More Room” seats per flight, which include the empty middle seat. The program runs through August 31 and could be extended beyond that.

It comes following the airline’s announcement that all passengers are required to have face coverings in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic.

10:30 a.m. ET, May 5, 2020

Senate officially announces hearing with Dr. Fauci next week

From CNN's Manu Raju and Lauren Fox 

Dr. Anthony Fauci speaks during a meeting in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, on April 29.
Dr. Anthony Fauci speaks during a meeting in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, on April 29. Mandel Ngan/AFP/Getty Images

The Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee officially announced next week's hearing with Dr. Anthony Fauci, a key member of the administration's coronavirus task force.

The hearing will be at 10:00 a.m. ET on Tuesday, according to the announcement.

As CNN has reported, this was expected and comes as the White House is blocking Dr. Fauci from testifying before the Democratic-led House next week. 

Here is the full list of witnesses:

  • Dr. Anthony Fauci— NIH
  • Dr. Robert Redfield — CDC
  • Dr. Brett Giroir — HHS
  • Dr. Stephen Hahn — FDA

10:24 a.m. ET, May 5, 2020

New York City will offer antibody tests for 140,000 health care workers and first responders

From CNN's Elizabeth Joseph

New York City, in partnership with the US Department of Health and Human Services and the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, will offer antibody test for 140,000 healthcare workers and first responders starting next week, Mayor Bill de Blasio said in a press conference this morning.

The tests, which will identify likely past coronavirus infections, will be offered at city hospitals, firehouses, police stations and corrections facilities, he said.