/Coronavirus live updates: Global coronavirus cases near 2 million

Coronavirus live updates: Global coronavirus cases near 2 million

99-year-old British man raises more than $1 million for health service

A 99-year-old British man has helped raise more than 1 million pounds, or $1.2 million, for the National Health Service by walking lengths of his back yard to help him keep fit during the lockdown.

World War II veteran Tom Moore, who broke his hip 18-months ago, started walking after accepting a challenge from his daughter. She promised to donate money for every length he walked and then started a JustGiving page with the goal of raising 1,000 pounds ($1,254). After local media picked up the story, donations skyrocketed.

“I am amazed and floored and so grateful to the generosity of the great British public and we can’t thank them enough,” said Moore, who is set to hit his goal of walking 100 lengths on Thursday.

India extends world’s largest lockdown to May 3

India on Tuesday extended until May 3 a nationwide lockdown for its 1.3 billion people as the number of coronavirus cases crossed 10,000 despite a three-week shutdown.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in a televised address to the nation, said the challenge was to stop the virus from spreading to new parts of the country, but held out hope that some restrictions could be eased next week in the least-affected areas to allow essential activities.

Though the number of coronavirus infections and deaths in India are small compared to the United States, Italy and Spain, health experts fear that is because of India’s low levels of testing, and actual levels of infection could be far higher.

African experts are using Ebola lessons to fight COVID-19

Staff members of the Congolese Ministry of Health perform a COVID-19 test at a private residence in Goma, northeastern Democratic Republic of Congo, in March.Alexis Huguet / AFP – Getty Images

African countries previously hit by deadly Ebola outbreaks are using the lessons they learned to fight the coronavirus pandemic, experts say, because they know how to rapidly track down, screen and quarantine potential patients.

“When a certain outbreak is over, you have a capacity left behind that you can build on or adapt. It could be for COVID-19 or something else tomorrow,” said Dr. Mary Stephen, a technical officer for the World Health Organization at its regional office in Brazzaville, Republic of Congo.

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How to shop for groceries, where to find masks

During the coronavirus crisis, TODAY is gathering solutions to some common problems:

How to safely shop for groceries 

Experts share tips for stocking up on food and supplies while minimizing the risk of being exposed to the coronavirus and other germs.

Where can you buy a mask?

Here are places to buy face masks while also giving back.

How do you make your own mask?

You don’t need a sewing machine to make a mask to wear in public.

Do kids need masks?

The CDC says yes. Here’s how to get them to wear them.

For more answers to your frequently asked questions, see this FAQ on TODAY.

Social distancing may be necessary for up to year, Florida surgeon general warns

Florida’s surgeon general warned Monday that until there is a vaccine, which may be a year away, for the coronavirus illness COVID-19, social distancing and other measures to slow its spread will remain necessary.

“As long as we’re going to have COVID in the environment, and this is a tough virus, we’re going to have to practice these measures so that we are all protected,” Dr. Scott A. Rivkees said.

That raises the prospect that the changes in daily life — like sneeze guards and other measures at grocery stores and staying 6 feet away from others — may be necessary until there is a vaccine.

Many states have imposed stay-at-home orders to slow the spread of the virus. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis ordered one April 1. He had been criticized for failing to issue a statewide order sooner.

Florida has had more than 21,000 COVID-19 cases, including almost 500 deaths, according to an NBC News count of reports. 

International soccer games may not return till 2021, FIFA VP says

Most international soccer might not be played until 2021 due to coronavirus pandemic travel restrictions and the need to give club competitions the chance to resume, a FIFA vice president said Monday.

Victor Montagliani, a Canadian who is president of the governing body for North and Central America and the Caribbean, has been heading a FIFA working group formulating plans to deal with the implications of the world’s biggest sport being largely shut down since last month.

FIFA already has called off matches between countries that were due to be played in March and June. Montagliani, CONCACAF’s president, believes the September, October and November windows for national team matches could be scrapped.

“I personally think that might be a bit of a challenge, not so much because of just the health issues around the world and the various degrees of preparedness, but also committing to international travel as soon as we come back,” Montagliani said in an interview with The Associated Press. “I think that domestic football is a priority. September is still in the books, but I would garner to say that I’m not sure it’s there on solid ground the way things are trending right now.”

The return of fans into packed stadiums could be dependent on a vaccine for the COVID-19 disease being ready — and that might not be until 2021.

Coronavirus cases near 2 million worldwide

The number of coronavirus cases around the world neared 2 million on Monday, according to a tally by Johns Hopkins University.

The university revised its figure late Monday after previously reporting the number had topped 2 million. 

The United States has more cases than any other country, according to the university, with 682,619 confirmed infections. Spain, with roughly 170,000 cases, is second.

China, where the outbreak began, has recorded 82,000 cases, according to the tally.

Nearly 120,000 people have been killed by COVID-19, the disease caused by the virus.

Italy surpasses 20,000 deaths

Italy reached a grim milestone on Monday, with the total number of coronavirus deaths topping 20,000. Only U.S. has a greater death toll, now standing at 22,673. 

Health officials said 20,465 have died from the virus so far, an increase of 566 compared to the day before. On Sunday, the single-day death toll was 431, the lowest since March 19.

Italy, the hardest-hit country in Europe, has been in lockdown since March 10 to help stop the spread of the virus.  So far, nearly 160,000 confirmed coronavirus cases have been reported. 

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