May 2 coronavirus news

By Jessie Yeung, Brett McKeehan, Fernando Alfonso III and Amir Vera, CNN

Updated 11:26 p.m. ET, May 2, 2020
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6:18 p.m. ET, May 2, 2020

There are at least 1,126,519 coronavirus cases in US

From CNN's Hollie Silverman

There are at least 1,126,519 cases of coronavirus in the US and at least 66,051 people have died from the virus, 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 U.S. territories, as well as repatriated cases and those in the US military, veterans hospitals and federal prisons.  

CNN has an interactive map tracking coronavirus cases across the country.

7:33 p.m. ET, May 2, 2020

NYC will not rush to reopening, mayor says

From CNN's Kristina Sgueglia

A nearly empty New York City subway station on Saturday, May 2.
A nearly empty New York City subway station on Saturday, May 2. Rob Kim/Getty Images

New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio told CNN's Ana Cabrera that the city is not yet out of the woods and is not going to rush reopening.

Cabrera asked de Blasio if the worst was behind the city with regards to Covid-19 given recent data.

I want to say that, but I want to also acknowledge this is a ferocious disease, never turn your back on this disease never discount it," de Blasio said. "The way we’re going to ensure the worst is behind us is by keeping up these tough rules."

"Of course we all want to restart, but we're not going to restart until we have harder evidence that we’ve turned the corner," de Blasio said.

6:04 p.m. ET, May 2, 2020

NYC Mayor Bill de Blasio on crowds at Central Park: 'We expected this and prepared for this'

From CNN's Kristina Sgueglia

People enjoy a day of sunshine in New York's Central Park on May 2.
People enjoy a day of sunshine in New York's Central Park on May 2. Eduardo Munoz/Reuters

New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio told CNN’s Ana Cabrera Saturday officials expected the crowds at Central Park and were "prepared for this."

"The NYPD is out in force" along with other city agencies, he said.

Enforcement numbers from about an hour ago "looked actually quite good," the mayor said adding "the vast majority of people got the message and that's the story of NYC over these last weeks."

He said its "totally understandable" that folks want to go out get some exercise and fresh air but added the message has been "don’t linger too long, get back home" and "while you’re out there keep that face covering on, keep that social distance."

For anyone who tries to resist these rules or create a public gathering, the NYPD is immediately going to give them a summons, de Blasio said.

If everyone follows the rules that’s great but if not there’s going to be very intense enforcement," de Balsio said.

The mayor said overall in the past few weeks "people are overwhelmingly abiding by that social distancing," adding that more and more people are putting on face coverings. The city is giving them out today for free, he added.

"New Yorkers have been pretty amazing at following rules in a place where it's tough," he said.

6:02 p.m. ET, May 2, 2020

Here's what DC looked like as crowds went to the National Mall to watch flyover

From CNN's Nicole Chavez and Gregory Clary,

Scores of people descended upon the National Mall on Saturday as the US Navy's Blue Angels and the Air Force Thunderbirds performed a flyover to honor first responders on the front lines of the coronavirus pandemic.

The nation's capital is under a stay-at-home order to slow down the spread of the virus but that didn't stop crowds from gathering between the US Capitol and the Washington Monument.

The Blue Angels and Thunderbirds conducted flyovers in Washington, Baltimore and Atlanta on Saturday.

6:01 p.m. ET, May 2, 2020

Arkansas governor to announce guidelines regarding houses of worship and larger venues

From CNN’s Lori Daniel

The pastor of First Baptist Church leads a drive-in church service in West Memphis, Arkansas, on April 5.
The pastor of First Baptist Church leads a drive-in church service in West Memphis, Arkansas, on April 5. Houston Cofield/Bloomberg/Getty Images

Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson said that he would announce more guidelines as the state began lifting restrictions put in place due to the coronavirus pandemic.

“On Monday we will be having an announcement in terms of guidelines in reference to our houses of worship, and some of our larger venues," Hutchinson said.

Hutchinson said the state has sought a measured approach when it comes to reopening the state.

We've lifted some of the restrictions with very careful approach and is phased in, so it doesn't all happen on the same time frame. And I think this is a very cautious approach that our state is taking," Hutchinson said.
5:55 p.m. ET, May 2, 2020

Federal judge dismisses New York's largest nurses’ union PPE suit against Montefiore Medical Center

From CNN’s Evan Simko-Bednarski

Montefiore Medical Center nurses petition for N95 masks and other critical PPE in the Bronx on April 1.
Montefiore Medical Center nurses petition for N95 masks and other critical PPE in the Bronx on April 1. Bryan R. Smith/AFP/Getty Images

A federal judge in the Southern District of New York dismissed the New York State Nurses Association's request for an injunction that would've forced Montefiore Medical Center to provide more personal protective equipment, court documents show.

The union alleged shortcomings like inadequate personal protective equipment (PPE), a lack of training for registered nurses redeployed from hospital units to meet the staffing needed to treat the high number of Covid-19 patients, and unsafe working conditions for high-risk employees.

The union filed similar suits against Westchester Medical Center and the New York State Department of Health.

Writing Friday, Judge Jesse Furman wrote that the court did not have the authority to enforce an injunction against Montefiore, and that under the union's collective bargaining agreement, the dispute could only be resolved through arbitration.

"It would 'unduly interfere' with the hospital’s ability to make business decisions' at a time when the judicial interference could be particularly problematic," Furman wrote, citing legal precedent. "The tragic fact that, between now and the conclusion of the arbitration proceedings, nurses at Montefiore may well (indeed, are likely to) contract Covid-19 does not alter that conclusion."

Furman wrote "...given the measures that Montefiore has been taking, under extraordinary circumstances, to protect its staff and provide patient care," adding "the Court cannot say that the likelihood of infection (let alone death) in the absence of an injunction is so great as to render the arbitral process meaningless."

"That is not to say that Montefiore cannot or should not do more to protect its nurses than it is," Furman wrote, "it is merely to say that, under the parties' collective bargaining agreement, that is an issue for the arbitrator, not this Court, to decide."

5:44 p.m. ET, May 2, 2020

Here's what Central Park in New York looks like

From CNN's Kristina Sgueglia

CNN’s Ramon Escobar captured photos of people in Central Park on a sunny Saturday while the state remains under a stay-at-home order.

Signs instructed park visitors on how far apart they must remain from others.

Signs encourage social distancing at Central Park in New York City.
Signs encourage social distancing at Central Park in New York City. Scott Marwin

Central Park was full of people Saturday, May 2, 2020.
Central Park was full of people Saturday, May 2, 2020. Scott Marwin

New York Police Commissioner Dermot Shea asked community partners Friday night to spread a singular message: "Now is not the time to relax."

Several tweets Saturday from the NYPD's press Twitter accounts and the chief of department reinforced that the department is aware that people are heading outside to "soak up the sun and enjoy the fresh air," but also reminded the public that social distancing rules are in place.

Officers who patrolled an Upper East Side park Saturday were pleased to report proper PPE and social distancing observed. There were no tweets about Central Park specifically.

The NYPD had no information on whether or not citations have been issued Saturday when reached by CNN.

4:40 p.m. ET, May 2, 2020

Daily number of deaths from coronavirus in France continue to decline

From CNN’s Pierre Buet and Robert Iddiols

Nurses wearing protective gear walk in a hallway at a hospital in Ajaccio, France, on April 23.
Nurses wearing protective gear walk in a hallway at a hospital in Ajaccio, France, on April 23. Pascal Pochard-Casabianca/AFP/Getty Images

A total of 24,760 people in France have died after contracting Covid-19, an increase of 166 since Friday, the Health Ministry announced Saturday.

The number of patients in intensive care continues to decline with 3,827 receiving treatment, a decrease of 51 in 24 hours.

In total, 25,827 patients are currently receiving hospital treatment in France for coronavirus.

4:20 p.m. ET, May 2, 2020

China has sent 149 medical experts to 16 countries for Covid-19 prevention and control work

From CNN’s Radina Gigova

Members of a Chinese medical team visit a clinic in Belgrade, Serbia, on April 11.
Members of a Chinese medical team visit a clinic in Belgrade, Serbia, on April 11. Chinese medical expert team to Serbia/Xinhua/Getty Images

China has sent 149 medical experts to 16 countries for Covid-19 prevention and control work, according to Mi Feng, China’s National Health Commission spokesperson.

Mi made the statement Saturday, according to Chinese state-run media China Global Television Network (CGTN). 

Mi said China is willing to continue to work with the international community to combat the pandemic.

China's National Health Commission (NHC) reported a single new case of novel coronavirus and no deaths for the fourth consecutive day, according to a statement published on Saturday.