narvikk/iStock(NEW YORK) — More than two million have been infected with the novel coronavirus worldwide as the pandemic continues to affect every aspect of people’s lives.
The global death toll stands at more than 137,000 people, according to data compiled by the Center for Systems Science and Engineering at Johns Hopkins University. The actual numbers are believed to be much higher due to a number of deaths in which a person is not tested for the virus.
Many municipalities have begun counting probable deaths caused by COVID-19, including New York City, the epicenter of the disease in the United States.
The U.S. has more deaths and cases than any country in the world, with more than 639,000 diagnosed cases and at least 30,985 deaths.
Here’s how the news is developing Thursday. All times Eastern:
8:20 a.m.: 17 bodies found at NJ nursing home hit by virus
The state of New Jersey will begin investigating the Andover Rehabilitation nursing home in Sussex County after a number of bodies were removed this week.
According to police, the first clue was a request for 25 body bags.
Investigators initially discovered five bodies in the facility’s holding area.
In subsequent days they were tipped off to a body being stored in a shed. No bodies were seen in the shed but investigators then found another 12 bodies in the holding area.
6:38 a.m.: CDC to tour processing plant where hundreds tested positive
South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem announced that Centers for Disease Control and Prevention officials are on the ground in Sioux Falls and will tour a Smithfield Foods plant Thursday “in partnership with state and local officials,” Noem said.
There’s been 518 Smithfield employees who have tested positive for novel coronavirus as well as 126 cases of nonemployees that became infected due to an employee, according to the South Dakota Department of Health.
Noem said the state is “aggressively testing” employees and those they have come into contact with “and as soon as possible getting them into isolation.”
The governor added she’s working with federal officials and Smithfield leaders “on a plan to safely reopen the plant to get it back online to bring some relief not only to our egg producers, but to make sure we’re continuing to secure our nation’s food supply.”
5:01 a.m.: Trump to discuss coronavirus with G-7 leaders
President Donald Trump is set to discuss the coronavirus pandemic with G-7 leaders in a conference call on Thursday morning.
He will be joined by the leaders of the U.K., France, Germany, Italy, Canada and Japan.
Trump last spoke with the group as a whole on a conference call on March 16. Much has changed in the world since then, when fewer than 100 people had died in the U.S.
The U.S. was set to host this year’s G-7, which was to be held at Camp David in June, before Trump canceled the gathering three days after that last videoconference in March.
3:55 a.m.: Harry, Meghan help at LA nonprofit
Duchess Meghan and Prince Harry spent a second day helping out at Project Angel Food, a charity in Los Angeles that feeds people too sick to do so themselves.
Those facing a hard time during the coronavirus pandemic are being helped with food by the nonprofit.
The nonprofit was founded by former presidential candidate Marianne Williamson originally to deal with helping those with HIV/AIDS.
Meghan decided to help on Easter Sunday, and then again on Wednesday, after her mom, Doria Ragland, said the group was in need of volunteers.
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