Confirmed COVID-19 cases worldwide top 1 million
In this March 13, 2020, file photo, a nurse at a drive up COVID-19 coronavirus testing station, set up by the University of Washington Medical Center, holds a swab used to take a sample from the nose of a person in their car in Seattle. The federal government is rushing protective equipment to states for medical workers who will be on the front lines of the growing coronavirus pandemic. Washington state has received at least two shipments and needs more. At least in two other states, promised deliveries are falling far short of requests and even include expired items.[AP/ Ted S. Warren]
The number of confirmed coronavirus cases worldwide passed the 1 million threshold Thursday as the pandemic swept across the globe.
Johns Hopkins University’s website showed the milestone was hit Thursday afternoon. The count represents confirmed cases, but the true numbers are believed to be much higher.
Nearly 51,500 people have died from the virus.
KSTP’s full COVID-19 pandemic coverage
The United States accounts for about 236,000 of the confirmed cases — more than any other country, according to the tally.
The milestone came on the same day that figures showed more than 6.6 million Americans applied for unemployment benefits last week in the latest indication that the pandemic is ravaging global economies.
This is a developing story. KSTP is working to confirm more information at this time.