New York: The number of confirmed cases in the United States reached 54,916 on Wednesday morning, making it the third-highest in the world.
More than 700 people have died of the infection in the US so far.
New York, home to 15 million people, has become the epicentre of the virus with 15,000 confirmed cases and 157 deaths.
The virus has spread to all 50 states of the world’s biggest economy. The authorities are imposing social distancing and quarantine measures.
President Donald Trump is insisting on relaxing the lockdown by mid-April, stating that these measures would “destroy” the country and lead to suicides.
Many health experts, however, warn against lifting the measures which would result in overloading of hospitals amid a shortage of ventilators and protective gear.
