US Jolted By Highest Deaths In 1 Day

Americans urged to wear masks as nearly 1,500 die in 24 hrs; global toll at 60,000

China paid homage on Saturday to victims of the coronavirus in the place where the global pandemic began, as Americans were warned to wear masks amid fears the disease can be spread by breathing.

The advice came as America logged another huge rise in its death toll — almost 1,500 in one day — and as new infections continued unabated. Since COVID-19 emerged late last year, around 1.1 million people have fallen ill. Almost 60,000 people have died.

China, which appears to be over the worst of its outbreak, on Saturday held a national day of mourning for its dead — well over 3,000 people have died since the virus emerged there late last year. While there are signs of normality returning in some parts of China, large swathes of the world remain in dire straits. Europe accounts for the lion's share of the dead, with Italy and Spain bearing the brunt.

ROCKETING INFECTION RATE