April 9 coronavirus news

Detroit health officials reported 249 new Covid-19 cases in the city Thursday, a slight decline from days prior, according to the city's health website. 

There were 525 cases reported in the city on April 4, the highest for a single day there so far. Since then, daily reported cases have showed a steady but slow decline, Detroit's health department curve shows.  

The latest data reflects 84 fewer cases than were recorded the day prior, staying in line with the slight decline of new daily cases.  

Some context: Detroit still remains one of the hot spots for coronavirus in the US with 6,083 coronavirus cases and 272 related deaths, according to the city's health department. 

Detroit's mayor and Michigan's governor are expected to hold their briefings, respectively, Thursday afternoon.

Sweden has reported a rise in the daily death rate from coronavirus of at least 100 for two days in a row, taking the total number of dead to 792, according to data released by the Swedish Public Health Agency. 

The total number of cases across the country has increased to 9,141 with 719 in intensive care. 

Stockholm, the capital, is the epicenter of the outbreak.

Sweden has not implemented a nationwide lockdown like other European countries. Instead they are asking those aged 70 and over to stay at home and for other to observe respected levels of social distancing, but public meeting places such as bars and restaurants are open. 

Gov. Phil Murphy called the slowing rate of infection in New Jersey a sign of "progress" today during a press conference.

Social distancing is “beginning to slow the rate at which the numbers of folks are getting infected," Murphy added.

The state of New Jersey is reporting an additional 3,748 cases over the last 24 hours, bringing the statewide total to 51,027.

There has also been an additional 198 deaths in the past 24 hours.

The statewide death toll is now 1,700, according to Gov. Phil Murphy.

This is "well north now of two times the fatalities – blessed fatalities — that we suffered in New Jersey on 9/11," he said.

British Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab has not spoken to Prime Minister Boris Johnson since taking over his duties.

Johnson has been in intensive care since Monday – one day after being admitted to St. Thomas hospital — and the government has insisted his condition continues to improve and he is in “good spirits.”

CORRECTION: This post has been updated to reflect that Johnson was admitted to the hospital on Sunday, and entered intensive care on Monday.

The number of people who have died of Covid-19 in the United Kingdom hospitals has increased to 7,978, British Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said Thursday – an increase of 881 since Wednesday’s update.

The total number of confirmed coronavirus cases has reached 65,077, an increase of 4,304. 

In the past three weeks, eight United States Capitol Police (USCP) personnel have informed the department that they have tested positive for coronavirus. 

The USCP has adapted what they are calling a “progressive staffing posture” aimed at preserving employee health. 

They have issued personal protective equipment (PPE) to all police officers, have enhanced agency-wide telework capabilities and are providing the option of temporary lodging for on-duty officers and civilian employees to address concerns about the potential of community transmission to family members.  

The department is also delivering daily box lunches to on-duty officers and civilian employees to help employees practice responsible social distancing while on duty.  

In addition, USCP sworn personnel who are exhibiting symptoms of Covid-19 may receive priority testing. 

Maine's Department of Education is distributing WiFi-enabled tablets to students without internet for remote learning, according to a release from the department. 

Maine schools will continue virtual learning for the remainder of the academic year, the DOE said on its website. 

Roughly 20% of the NYPD is out sick, according to a law enforcement official.

As of today, there are 7,155 uniformed members out sick, which accounts for 19.8% of the force.

At least 243 members have returned to work after being out sick.

Overall, there have been 3,119 members who have tested positive for coronavirus. Of those, 508 have returned to work.