The US has now recorded the highest number of coronavirus cases in the world.
The country has confirmed 85,500 positive cases, overtaking China with 81,782 cases and Italy with 80,589 cases.
The latest figures collated by Johns Hopkins University however show that fatalities in the US lags behind China which has recorded 8,291 deaths and Italy which has recorded 8,215 deaths.
At a White House briefing President Donald Trump attributed the increased number of cases to the intensified testing.
Figures available indicate that the US has conducted 552,000 tests nationwide.
President Trump has however indicated in a letter to state governors that there will be more federal social distancing guidelines that to loosen restrictions.
Mr Trump wrote of a “long battle ahead” and said “robust” testing protocols might allow some counties to lift their safeguards against the coronavirus.
“The new guidelines would create low, medium and high risk zones that would allow the government to advise on maintaining, increasing, or relaxing social distancing and other mitigation measures they have put in place” he said.
The Trump administration has set Easter Sunday, April 12 date for reopening the country.
3.3 million Americans have been laid off because of the virus.
Source: Africafeeds.com
