May 4 coronavirus news

By Ben Westcott and Adam Renton, CNN

Updated 9:19 p.m. ET, May 4, 2020
17 Posts
Sort byDropdown arrow
11:35 p.m. ET, May 3, 2020

Trump again shifts estimated US coronavirus death toll

From CNN's Paul LeBlanc and Jason Hoffman

US President Donald Trump said Sunday that the US coronavirus death toll could reach 80,000 to 90,000, a considerable upward shift from his previous estimates last month.

While praising the US response to the outbreak during a Fox News town hall, Trump said, "That's one of the reasons we're successful, if you call losing 80 or 90,000 people successful."

"But it's one of the reasons we're not at the high end of that plane as opposed to the low end of the plane," the President continued.

When pressed on his shifting estimate, Trump conceded, "I used to say 65,000 and now I'm saying 80 or 90 and it goes up and it goes up rapidly."

"But it's still going to be, no matter how you look at it, at the very lower end of the plane if we did the shutdown," he said.

Read more:

11:18 p.m. ET, May 3, 2020

New Zealand reports no new cases for first time in 7 weeks

From CNN’s Julia Hollingsworth in Wellington, New Zealand and Sol Han

Director-General of Health Dr. Ashley Bloomfield speaks to media during a news conference at Parliament in Wellington, New Zealand on May 4.
Director-General of Health Dr. Ashley Bloomfield speaks to media during a news conference at Parliament in Wellington, New Zealand on May 4. Hagen Hopkins/Getty Images

New Zealand reported no new cases of Covid-19 today, according to the country's Director-General of Health Dr. Ashley Bloomfield -- the first time zero new infections have been found since the country went into lockdown on March 25.

Speaking at a news conference today, Bloomfield said one previously counted probable case has been reclassified as a confirmed case, keeping the number of total probable and confirmed cases at 1,487.

In total, 1,276 patients have recovered, Bloomfield said.

The last time New Zealand reported no new confirmed cases was March 16.

Last Tuesday, the country lowered its national alert level, from it's strictest level 4 to level 3. New Zealand spent almost five weeks under a level 4 lockdown.

Around 400,000 more New Zealanders have gone back to work and 75% of its economy is operating, according to Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern.

10:59 p.m. ET, May 3, 2020

It's just past 11 p.m. in Washington and midday in Tokyo. Here's the latest on the pandemic

In this May 3, 2020 photo, light shines from inside the US Capitol dome at dusk on Capitol Hill in Washington.
In this May 3, 2020 photo, light shines from inside the US Capitol dome at dusk on Capitol Hill in Washington. Patrick Semansky/AP

Covid-19 has infected more than 3.5 million people globally and killed at least 247,000. If you're just joining us now, here are the latest developments:

  • Mike Pompeo points finger at China: The US secretary of State on Sunday stepped up administration claims that China mounted efforts to hide the extent of the coronavirus spread, including concealing the severity while stockpiling medical supplies.
  • US death toll could rise to 90,000: US President Donald Trump has raised his estimation of the possible death toll in the country, saying between 80,000 and 90,000 people could die. When pressed on why he had previously said 65,000 people would die, Trump said "it goes up rapidly." The US death toll stands at 67,680, according to Johns Hopkins University.
  • Abe expected to extend state of emergency: Japan's Prime Minister will make an announcement today on the lockdown measures designed to slow the spread of the virus. According to Japan's public broadcaster NHK, Abe is likely to extend the state of emergency until May 31.
  • Italy to cautiously reopen: From Monday, Italy has announced it will loosen some restrictions as the number of new infections continues to drop, including allowing funerals with up to 15 attendees. Italy has been one of the worst-affected countries by the pandemic, with more than 210,000 infections, according to Johns Hopkins.
  • Brazil infections rise above 100,000: At least 101,147 infections have been recorded in Brazil -- the most cases of any country in South America. More than 7,000 people have died of the virus in the country.
10:36 p.m. ET, May 3, 2020

Pompeo claims China intentionally concealed the severity of the coronavirus

From CNN's Kylie Atwood, Stephen Collinson and Kevin Bohn

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo speaks at a news conference at the State Department on April 29.
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo speaks at a news conference at the State Department on April 29. Andrew Harnik/Pool/AFP/Getty Images

US secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Sunday stepped up administration claims that China mounted efforts to hide the extent of the coronavirus spread, including concealing the severity while stockpiling medical supplies.

"You've got the facts just about right," Pompeo told ABC's "This Week" when asked if China intentionally stockpiled medical supplies in early January while it concealed the severity of Covid-19.

"We can confirm that the Chinese Communist Party did all that it could to make sure that the world didn't learn in a timely fashion about what was taking place."

Pompeo's comments come as the Trump administration is formulating a long-term plan to punish China on multiple fronts for the coronavirus pandemic, injecting a rancorous new element into a critical relationship already on a steep downward slide.

Multiple sources inside the administration say that there is an appetite to use various tools, including sanctions, canceling US debt obligations and drawing up new trade policies, to make clear to China, and to everyone else, where they feel the responsibility lies.

While there are serious questions about China's transparency, the Trump administration has escalated its effort to blame China for the global spread of the virus as criticism of its own handling of the pandemic has increased.

Read more:

3:00 a.m. ET, May 4, 2020

US report alleges China concealed severity of Covid-19 while it stockpiled imports and decreased exports

From CNN's Geneva Sands

Employees produce face masks on a production line at a workshop of Hangzhou Yijia Textile Co., Ltd in Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province of China on April 23.
Employees produce face masks on a production line at a workshop of Hangzhou Yijia Textile Co., Ltd in Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province of China on April 23. Wang Gang/China News Service/Getty Images

The Chinese government intentionally concealed the severity of Covid-19 from the international community while it stockpiled imports and decreased exports, a Department of Homeland Security report found, according to an administration official familiar with the report.

"China likely cut its exports of medical supplies prior to its January WHO (World Health Organization) notification that COVID-19 is a contagion," the report reads, according to the source. 

The report, which assessed export and import data earlier this year, was circulated within the federal government on Friday, the source said.

The DHS assessment also says, "in its communications, China intentionally concealed its trade activity by publicly denying it has ever imposed an export ban on masks and other medical supplies," according to the source. 

The findings were assessed at "moderate confidence," the source told CNN, pointing out that the report does not conclude whether the actions of the Chinese government were nefarious. It is reasonable to conclude that based on the outbreak, before it was declared a pandemic, that China would recognize key measurements in determining requirements for the need of personal protective equipment, said the source. 

The US needs "to be mindful about, 'what do you do about it?'" said the source. "Is this a trigger that propels industry here? Will there be enough in the stockpile" going forward? questioned the source. 

China has access to a wide array of raw materials that are necessary in establishing a production line of goods that are necessary in response to the Covid-19 pandemic, said the source, whether it’s surgical gowns, masks, or goggles.

"They have a robust manufacturing capability and workforce that can quickly ramp up manufacturing," said the source. 

ABC first reported the existence of the report.

10:06 p.m. ET, May 3, 2020

Trump says origination of the coronavirus was "a horrible mistake"

From CNN's Kevin Bohn

US President Donald Trump speaks during a Fox News virtual town hall from the Lincoln Memorial on Sunday in Washington.
US President Donald Trump speaks during a Fox News virtual town hall from the Lincoln Memorial on Sunday in Washington. Evan Vucci/AP

When asked about whether he thought the origination of the coronavirus was nefarious or a mistake on Sunday, US President Donald Trump said he believes it was “a horrible mistake.” 

During a town hall on Fox News Sunday, Trump added that China “didn’t want to admit it,” and that China was embarrassed by the problem and was unable to “put the fire out.”

Both Trump and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo have said they believe the virus had its origins in a lab in Wuhan, China, and not at a market in the city, but neither provided evidence.

Earlier in the week, Trump implied that China knowingly let the virus spread around the globe.

"They either didn't do it and, you know, they couldn't do it from a competence standpoint, or they let it spread. And I -- you know, I would say probably it was -- got -- it got out of control," Trump said.
“They are a very brilliant nation, scientifically and otherwise. It got loose, let's say, and they could have capped it, they could have stopped it, but they didn't,” he added.

During the town hall, Trump also seemed to indicate that he will make public a “strong report on exactly what we think happened” in regards to the origin of the virus, and that the report will be “very conclusive.”

9:57 p.m. ET, May 3, 2020

Pence says he should have worn a mask at the Mayo Clinic

From CNN’s Nicky Robertson

US Vice President Mike Pence chose not to wear a mask during his visit to the Mayo Clinic on Tuesday, April 28.
US Vice President Mike Pence chose not to wear a mask during his visit to the Mayo Clinic on Tuesday, April 28. Jim Mone/AP

US Vice President Mike Pence has admitted during a Fox News town hall that he should have worn a mask on his visit to the Mayo Clinic last week.

Pence said he originally “didn’t think it was necessary” because he is tested for the coronavirus frequently, but went on to say, “I should have worn a mask at the Mayo Clinic.” 

A person involved in planning the visit previously told CNN that Mayo Clinic staff briefed Pence's team about the clinic's policy requiring face masks.  

Another source familiar with discussions said it was clear that despite what Pence originally said in defending himself and not wearing a mask, that Pence's staff understood it was a mistake.

However, the next day a VP spokesperson told CNN’s Jim Acosta, “We don’t feel it was a mistake.”

9:47 p.m. ET, May 3, 2020

New cases slow to a trickle in China as domestic tourism surges

China's National Health Commission reported three new cases of the novel coronavirus today, as domestic tourism surged during the Labor Day "golden week" holiday.

The new cases were all imported -- two in Shanghai and one in Shandong province, according to the commission. There were no new deaths from the virus on Sunday.

As of today, mainland China has officially recorded 82,880 cases -- 481 of which remain active.

In addition, 13 new asymptomatic cases were also reported. Some 962 asymptomatic patients are still under medical observation. The death toll remains at 4,633.

People visit the promenade on The Bund along the Huangpu River in Shanghai on May 1.
People visit the promenade on The Bund along the Huangpu River in Shanghai on May 1. Hector Retamal/AFP/Getty Images

May Day holiday: Millions of Chinese citizens took advantage of their post-lockdown freedom to travel during the Labor Day "golden week" holiday.

The total number of domestic tourists reached almost 85 million for the first three days of the holiday, according to state-run news agency Xinhua.

9:32 p.m. ET, May 3, 2020

Some businesses in Spain will reopen on Monday

From CNN's Abel Alvarado and Ingrid Formanek

A pedestrian walks past closed stores in Barcelona, Spain, on April 30.
A pedestrian walks past closed stores in Barcelona, Spain, on April 30. Angel Garcia/Bloomberg/Getty Images

Some businesses will start to reopen in Spain on Monday as the country starts "Phase Zero" of loosening coronavirus restrictions.

Following eight weeks of strict confinement since a countrywide state of emergency was declared on March 14, the process of transition in Spain will be gradual. 

The four phases will be determined by a “series of indicators, such as the strategic capacities available in the health care system," officials say.

Some of these indicators include being able to test and identify sources of contagion and the ability to isolate and control those sources.

Spain's health ministry said another key to reopening the economy is the availability of hospital beds.

For every 10,000 residents, hospitals have to be able to add between 1.5 to 2 intensive care unit beds, and between 37 to 40 beds for severely ill patients, as outlined by the ministry.

Across Spain, masks will be mandatory on public transport as of Monday.

Here are some of the reopening guidelines for businesses:

  • Hotel and restaurant terraces will be able to operate at 50% of capacity, but will have to clean and disinfect tables, chairs, and other surfaces, between clients.
  • Small retail and commercial businesses will be open to the public at 30% capacity, and will offer priority service to people over 65.
  • Clothing stores will be required to disinfect fitting areas, and "hygiene any garment before other clients have access to it."
  • Businesses are responsible for providing personal protective equipment to their employees.