US sets record as coronavirus cases top 5 million
- US figure reached as President Donald Trump signed executive actions extending economic help in the world’s worst-hit nation
- Tolls continue to rise across the world, with global fatalities having now soared past 723,000
The United States has reached another grim coronavirus milestone with more than 5 million people now infected, according to Johns Hopkins University tally, after the country’s top infectious diseases official offered hope that an effective vaccine might be available by year-end.
With one out of every 66 residents infected, the United States leads the world in Covid-19 cases. The country has recorded more than 160,000 deaths, nearly a quarter of the world’s total.
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There may never be a 'silver bullet' for coronavirus, WHO chief says
On Friday, the US Labour Department reported that US employment growth slowed considerably in July, underscoring an urgent need for additional government aid.
Dr Anthony Fauci on Wednesday said there could be at least one vaccine that works and is safe by year-end. But Trump offered a more optimistic view, saying it was possible the United States would have a coronavirus vaccine by the time of the November 3 presidential election.
Tolls continue to rise across the world, with global fatalities having now soared past 723,000.
