U.S. now tops number of global coronavirus cases; G20 holds emergency coronavirus video-conference

WASHINGTON – On Thursday, the New York Times reported that, according to their compiled statistics, the U.S. topped the global number of confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus COVID-19. With a population of over 300 million, the U.S. has surpassed China and Italy in total recorded cases, although there remain questions about the truthfulness of Chinese government statistics.

Although the administration of President Donald Trump seems reluctant to take large-scale action to curb the outbreak of COVID-19 – and has even indicated they may attempt to ease what measures they can to boost the economy – the response of state-level authorities in California, New York, and other hard-hit regions have begun exerting tremendous efforts to contain the spread of the novel coronavirus.

President Trump, in a press conference, doubted the numbers of coronavirus cases announced by China and stated that the reason behind the increased numbers of COVID-19 cases in the U.S. is due to “a large number of people are being tested.”

The U.S. State Department said via its official website that the U.S. encourages all medical staff, especially anti-coronavirus staff, to come into its territory, promising to grant them a work visa or a visit visa.

The U.S. army is no longer providing any detailed data of coronavirus cases among its ranks fearing the use of such information by its adversaries.

In related news, leaders of the G20 an emergency video-conference summit to discuss the COVID-19 pandemic on Thursday. During the summit, potential solutions to the vast negative effects the pandemic is having on the economy were discussed. The need to avoid a wider economic collapse was stressed by all parties. It was determined that $ 5 trillion will be pumped into the global economy.

World leaders expressed their deep concerns about the risks presented to vulnerable countries as well as the refugees by the novel coronavirus. Steps to sure up systems of global financial guarantee networks and national health systems were discussed.

Potential trade restrictions were a point of concern and all members expressed their eagerness to resume a normal flow of goods as soon as possible.

The G20 leaders pledged to apply the response plan of the World Health Organization (WHO) and strengthen the organization’s mandate in addition to increasing the manufacture of medical supplies, enhancing infectious disease response, and exchanging health data.