'Resurrection Day Nightmare' 550,000 COVID-19 Patients in the US

Economic Activity Resumption Timing, Death Toll Surpasses 20,000
Trump Also Attends Virtual Worship
Discussions on Resuming Economic Activities Emerge

A church in Washington DC, USA, is holding an Easter mass online.
[Image source=EPA Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy New York=Correspondent Baek Jong-min] The number of confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) in the United States surpassed 550,000 on Easter Sunday, the 12th (local time). However, signs of a slowdown in the spread of infection have been observed, and discussions about reopening the economy are gradually spreading.

Johns Hopkins University in the U.S. reported 550,016 confirmed COVID-19 cases in the United States as of 6 p.m. (Eastern Time) on that day. The death toll reached 21,733.

The United States has become the country with the highest number of deaths worldwide following the highest number of infections. The U.S. recorded over 20,000 deaths, surpassing Italy, which previously had the highest death toll. Originally, Easter was the time President Donald Trump hoped to resume economic activities, but it is expected to be recorded as the peak of the COVID-19 crisis instead.

The slowdown in the increase of confirmed cases and remarks from key officials about reopening economic activities are seen as positive signs.

Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) under the National Institutes of Health, who was known to have strongly opposed President Trump’s intention to resume economic activities on Easter, said in an interview with CNN on the same day that he is "cautiously optimistic."

He stated that the various regulatory measures currently in place cannot be lifted all at once, and that the country’s reopening will be gradual and region-specific.

Hope is also being sensed in New York, the largest outbreak area in the U.S. Governor Andrew Cuomo announced that more than 700 deaths occurred on the day but also mentioned reopening New York State’s economy.

He said, "It is important for businesses, stores, and schools to open simultaneously," and added, "We will cooperate with neighboring states such as Connecticut and New Jersey to open schools at the same time." This differs from New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio’s earlier claim to keep New York City schools closed until the new school term begins in September. Cuomo particularly mentioned, "There is still plenty of time until June," which has been interpreted as suggesting the possibility of reopening economic activities in June.

Governor Cuomo also mentioned that some ventilators have been returned. This is interpreted as confidence that there is now a surplus in ventilator usage, which had previously been in shortage due to the rapid increase in confirmed cases.

Meanwhile, on Easter Sunday, gatherings and assemblies were banned nationwide in the U.S., and most churches conducted services online.

President Donald Trump, who had attended Easter services every year since his inauguration, watched the service via video at the White House instead of going to church. In the Easter message distributed by the White House, President Trump said, "The coronavirus will not stop Easter," and added, "The light of Christ, who conquered death, will help us overcome the trials and hardships we face."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.