By Meg Wagner, Mike Hayes and Angela Dewan, CNN
From CNN's Chris Boyette
Illinois Department of Public Health Director Dr. Ngozi Ezike announced at a news conference Wednesday that the state has seen 2,270 new coronavirus cases over the past 24 hours and 136 additional deaths.
This brings the total state count to 68,232 cases and 2,974 deaths, Ezike said.
From CNN's Nikki Carvajal
President Trump affirmed that he believes the number of reported US deaths from coronavirus is correct, but says he doesn’t believe the numbers being reported by “other countries."
During a meeting with the governor of Iowa, Trump was asked if he believes the reported death toll in the United States.
“It is what it is,” Trump answered. “Do I believe them? Yeah.”
Trump went on to say that he doesn't believe the figures out of China and doesn't "believe them from other countries, where I see you know, a very tiny number of people died, but you’re watching the news and you see what’s going on."
Trump conceded that “it’s a big number” being reported, “but it’s also a number… that’s at the very lower scale of any number that was predicted.”
“Now it’s time to open up our country. We’ve got to open up our country,” Trump said.
From CNN's Nikki Carvajal
President Trump said Drs. Anthony Fauci and Deborah Birx will remain in their current roles on the coronavirus task force, the same day he announced it would continue “indefinitely.”
The President was asked what Fauci’s role will be moving forward during a meeting with Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds.
“Same as it is,” the President answered. “He’s been doing a very good job, we’re very happy with Dr. Fauci, and he’ll be doing the same. And Deborah will be doing the same,” he added.
“I know you’ll be staying,” he said to Birx, who was in the room. “I hope you’ll be staying. We’ll miss you otherwise. She’s done a fantastic job. Both, both. Same thing.”
Trump said that the White House would be “adding some names” to the group and “may take off a couple that frankly, their expertise no longer applies.” He didn’t want to say who was being considered for the task force, “because some people aren’t going to make it.”
“People want to be on the task force. They want to be on everything. You know, I’ve never seen anything like this, anything having to do with this, they want to help,” he said.
“That’s all I do, I get calls from people, the biggest people they want to be on,” Trump continued. “Enemies of mine. People that don’t like me want to be on the committees. I say, ‘that’s strange.’”
The President said that in this case, they’re looking at very “professional” names, not just people who want the status of being on the task force.
“We don’t need status,” he said, “we need results.”
From CNN's Gregory Wallace
Interior Secretary David Bernhardt asked people to practice social distancing in a tweet today, while sharing photographs of himself neither social distancing nor wearing a mask.
Asked about the photos, here's what the Interior Department said:
“Secretary Bernhardt is going to work alongside the Department’s employees and assist in their valiant efforts to make our public lands accessible to all people. Nothing beats the sun on your back and the wind in your face at a park. Yesterday, Secretary was outdoors at Great Smoky Mountains National Park conducting a site inspection as the park prepares to once again welcome the public in a couple of days.”
Oklahoma is on track for phase two of the plan to reopen the state on May 15, according to Gov. Kevin Stitt.
Oklahoma's phase two includes resuming nonessential travel and some organized sports activities. However, residents over 65 years old must follow the state's stay-at-home order, Stitt said.
The governor said Oklahoma is "doing a fantastic job flattening the curve."
Stitt went on to say that they "will continue to make decisions based on the data in Oklahoma" and officials can extend phases or "back up" if they see any changes.
"Like I said back in April the better we do with social distancing the quicker we would get back to normal and that remains true today," he said.
From CNN's Rob Frehse
Indiana Health Commissioner Dr. Kristina Box announced 862 additional confirmed coronavirus cases Wednesday, bringing the statewide total to 21,870 since the start of the pandemic.
There have been 51 additional deaths reported in the past day, making the statewide total death toll 1,264. That figure does not include 113 deaths that the state suspects were from Covid-19 based on symptoms and X-ray evidence.
The state opened 20 testing locations today as part of a statewide effort to ramp up testing.
Most of the press conference focused on showcasing efforts of two regional chambers of commerce to prepare businesses for phased reopenings.
Dr. Kristen Dauss, chief medical officer of the Indiana Department of Corrections, acknowledged a hot spot in Hendricks County correctional facilities, which constituted 68 of the new cases reported today.
From CNN’s Will Brown
Rhode Island Gov. Gina Raimondo said she anticipates letting her statewide stay-at-home order expire on Friday, but she still asked that Rhode Islanders not “race to see mom” on Sunday.
“Mother’s Day is going to have to be different,” Raimondo warned at her Wednesday press conference. “If we start planning now we can figure out a way to love, cherish, respect, and treat our moms.”
By the numbers: Rhode Island has 10,205 total positive COVID-19 cases and 370 deaths.
From CNN’s Rebekah Riess
Maryland Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Karen Salmon announced today that schools will be closed to in-person learning for the remainder of the academic school year.
“After an extensive discussion with the Maryland Board of Education, the Maryland Health Department, and additional health experts advising the governor, I am convinced this is the appropriate decision in order to continue to protect the health and safety of our students, educators, staff, and all members of school communities throughout Maryland,” Salmon said.
According to Salmon, online and distance learning opportunities will continue to guide school systems. The State Department of Education is also releasing a comprehensive plan for long-term recovery from the coronavirus pandemic.
From CNN's Nikki Carvajal
As he honored nurses in the Oval Office Tuesday, President Trump also seemed to get irritated with one nurse who called supplies of personal protective gear around the country, “sporadic.”
A reporter asked nurses in attendance for a National Nurse Day event if their PPE supplies are where they need to be, and many of them nodded in agreement or answered affirmatively.
“I think it’s sporadic,” one nurse answered. “I mean, I talk to my colleagues around the country, certainly there are pockets around the country where PPE is not ideal, but this is an unprecedented time,” she said.
“The infection control measures that we learned back when we went to school, one gown and one mask for one patient per day — this is a different time,” she continued, adding that she has been reusing a single N95 mask for “a few weeks now.”
The nurse said she works at a community health center in New Orleans, and that her youngest Covid-19 patient was a four-day-old infant.
“PPE has been sporadic, but it’s been manageable. And we do what we have to do,” she said. “We are nurses and we learn to adapt and do whatever we can do for our patients to get the job done and the care provided, and that's what we will continue to do as Covid-19 continues.”
“Sporadic for you but not sporadic for a lot of other people,” the President told her.
“Oh no, I agree, Mr. President,” she answered.
“Because I’ve heard the opposite,” Trump said. “I have heard that they are loaded up with gallons now. We had empty shelves and empty nothing because it wasn't put there by the last administration.”
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