55,000 vets with only 102 beds. Spikhe va predfe suarketh america shut down, the still on the job inside americas Grocery Stores. What theyre doing to keep workers and you safe. And helping hands. Keeping Health Care Heroes fed while also giving a lifeline to struggling restaurants. This is the cbs evening news with Norah Odonnell reporting from the nations good evening, and thank you for joining us. We begin with breaking news and something unthinkable just weeks ago. Tonight the u. S. Has more confirmed cases of the deadly coronavirus than any other country in the world, surpassing even china and italy. Since we were with you last night, cases nationwide have surged, growing by mor 17,000 in just one day. Sadly, more than 1,000 people in the u. S. Have died. Another Staggering Number nearly 3. 3 million americans filed for unemployment last week. Thats more than the population of chicago. And this graph says it all since 2000ly claims have been in the hundreds of thousands. Last weeks numbers are off the chart. Today should have been opening day for americas favorite pastime, major league baseball. Instead, tonight the president is talking about reopening the economy saying the country, quote, has got to get back to work. The president says he will be giving states new guidelines on social distancing, getting some people back on the job in places that havent been hard hit by the virus. Our team is covering every angle of this crisis, and Mark Strassmann leads us off from just outside atlanta. And mark, is it possible that those jobless numbers could be even higher . Reporter well, heres what you have to consider, norah as grim as those numbers are, the reality is likely worse. Americas latest jobless numbers hit like an overnight gut punch. Candace delong lost both her jobs in los angeles. Scared for the way life is going to be after, yes, if were going to have jobs to come back to, yes. If were going to have incomes to pay for things, yes. Reporter in the last two weeks one million californians have filed for unemployment. Pennsylvania, nevada, massachusetts, and rhode island also bled badly. Ten states reported more than 100,000 new unemployment claims. Hardest hit sectors the hospitality industry, travel and tourism, and retail. Economist diane swonk warns reality dwarfs the official numbers. This is such an unprecedented surge. And those people applying for unemployment insurance, the sites actually froze. Reporter in many states, applying for benefits is a fulltime job. Julie griffith, a laidoff dental hygienist in boulder, colorado. I believe that i had to file five separate times to finally get into the system. Reporter in georgia, Labor Department offices are closed. Its website overwhelmed. 110,000 people tried filing yesterday. Washington, d. C. , tomorrow morning, the house will vote on a 2 trillion stimulus lifeline. Among many provisions, extending unemployment and direct payments up to 1,200 to most americans like marie silkridgeashford. Her onewoman operation, the cheesecake boutique, closed today. Governments direct payment would take at least three weeks. She needs it able to make a plan to move forward because youre not sure where your source of income will be coming from. Need. Norah . Incble. All right, thank you. Now to washington where for the last year the president has presided over an historically low unemployment rate, but the numbers today are the first sign that will no longer be the case. President trump says the jobless numbers are nobodys fault and that he will soon outline new guidelines to get some people back to work. Paula reid reports tonight from the white house. Reporter President Trump today confronted the historic rise in unemployment. I heard it could be six million, could be seven million. Its 3. 3 or 3. 2. But its a lot of jobs. I think well come back very strong. The sooner we get back to work every day we stay out it gets hard to bring it back quickly. Fy hurt his chances of reelection. In a letter to the nations governors, mr. Trump said he will categorize counties as high im concerned about the desire of the president to ignore potentially the science to try to do something that i desire to do. Reporter already theres a dispute within the Auto Industry about when to resume work. Ford announced today it will reopen some of its plants as early as april 6th, while toyota and Fiat Chrysler extended their shutdowns until later next month. In a rare interview, the chairman of the Federal Reserve acknowledged the country may already be in a recession but did say there was reason for hope. If we get the virus spread under control fairly quickly, then Economic Activity can resume. Reporter on saturday, the president will head to norfolk, virginia, to see the u. S. Navy heads potyonavir res thank you. On that note, tonight new yorks governor, andrew cuomo, state upitalizations in the w yorkas nearly half of all the Coronavirus Infections here in the u. S. 911 operators in new york city say theyre on pace to receive as many as 7,000 calls just today. A hospital in the borough of queens is now the center of the crisis. And mola lenghi is there. Mola . Reporter well, in just 24 hours in new york city, 100 people have died due to the virus. Across the state, 1,200 people are currently in icu. Medical staff from doctors to nurses to emts, theyre struggling to keep up with the influx of patients. And nowhere is that illustrated more than this hospital here. Today the crush of patients at elmhurst hospital was so overwhelming that 50 additional workers were sent there to help. [ siren ] some of the sick are being transported elsewhere. This after 13 people died in worker ahony alm rothe pectof being is there, the equipment is not. They all have covid reporter this video posted by the New York Times illustrates the bleak picture. E media. I want people to know that this is bad. People are dying. We dont have the tools that we need in the Emergency Department and in the hospital to take care of them. Reporter makeshift morgues are being set up at city hospitals. Across the country, more than 1,000 have already died. A review by the Washington Post found that 65 were over n in michigan, this emergency nurse sounded the alarm. I didnt choose nursing or the Health Care Field to not help people, and thats exactly what the choices are that rng u tn ng u che pe th in chicago, a blunt warning from the mayor we could be expecting upwards of 40,000 hospitalizations in the coming weeks. Reporter in miami, more than a dozen crew members were escorted off this cruise ship by people wearing protective gear. Back in new york, Health Care Workers are continuing to express their concerns over worsening conditions. Were on the front lines of this, doing it to the point of exhaustion. Were going to run out of masks unless we get an emergency supply. Reporter testing here at elmhurst hospital will continue in the tents that you see behind me. That will pick back up tomorrow morning. That concern that you heard in that emts voice, thats real. Their union tells us that 400 of their uniformed members have been diagnosed with covid19. That is 10 of their work force, norah. Thank you. Joining us is someone who knows what our medical providers are facing on the front lines. Dr. Megan ranney is an Emergency Room Physician at brown university. Doctor, thank you. Thank you, norah. You know, we know our Health Care Workers are like soldiers. Whats it like to work under these circumstances . We are scared, we are stressed, and were worried about what comes next and about our ability to take care of our patients and our communities, as well as our ability to take care of ourselves. Doctor, this is a difficult question, but what are some of the doctors and nurses and colleagues that you work with doing to prepare for the case that they may themselves catch covid19 . Norah, i already have dozens, literally dozens of friends in emergency medicine across the country who have been infected by covid19. A couple of them have been hospitalized. A couple are in intensive care. My friends and colleagues are doing things like recording videos for their kids, writing letters to their spouses or their kids or their grandkids, making sure that their wills are in order because we know that if we end up getting admitted to the hospital, we, like everyone else with covid19, would be isolated from our family and friends and may not have the chance to say goodbye in person. Thats hard to hear that. It is unbelievably difficult. You know, as Health Care Providers, we run toward disaster, we are trained and ready to help anyone who needs it. Were not used to our helping putting us at such risk. What are you seeing at your hospital in terms of covid19 patients and supplies . My hospital, like every other hospital across the y,ing dricia patiith sympms teith co we are also seeing dropping numbers of supplies. A lot of the supplies that were intended for hospitals like mine have been diverted to new york. What is something that people at home can do to help their local Health Care Providers . So the first and biggest thing that people at home can do is truly to stay home. I know how difficult social distancing is, but if you can stay home, you can stop the spread of this virus and allow us in health care to better help you. Well, doctor, we cant say everyo is cang for americans and all around the world. Ank you. Thank you, norah. Tonight the nations Largest Health care system, the department of veterans affairs, is seeing an onslaught of coronavirus patients. The va cares for millions of elderly veterans, and it has confirmed nearly 500 cases. A 60 spike since tuesday. The retired rear admiral who runs the va center in philadelphia spoke with our jim axelrod about the urgent need for beds and ventilators. We are looking at Surge Capacity reporter the challenge here in philadelphia is stark, serving a population of 55,000 vets. Theyve got 102 beds. We were able to expand by 50plus beds. Reporter still 152 beds. Is that enough for what you anticipate happening here . Were not sure. Reporter with the average veteran served by the va older than 60, many also have underlying medical conditions. This is a population that is especially vulnerable to respiratory issues from coronavirus. Do you have enough ventilators . We have ventilators on order. Reporter i take that to mean you dont have enough right now. We put an order in in anticipation that, you know, 30 or 40 of the veterans we see made need ventatory support. Reporter are you expecting a crisis . Im not. I certainly can speak for patients, and when they get sick, they get really sick. Reporter what is difre about the population of va patients from the general public . Our typical patient might have Heart Disease and arterial disease. We worry when they need care patiento look oing to after. And some of them really are. Reporter does 150 beds seem like enough for 50,000plus veterans . I hope it is, im worried that its not. Reporter if there is a spare in numbers, the va would have to fulfill another part of its mission. In times of national emergency, taking care of the general public, as well. Jim axelrod, cbs news, philadelphia. As were talking about our military, there are new orders from the pentagon that means all u. S. Overseas military personnel will have to stay put for the next 60 days to slow the spread of coronavirus. 90,000 troops who were scheduled to deploy or come home will be affected. There are currently almost 300 confirmed cases throughout the military. There is still much more news ahead on tonights cbs evening news. Some of americas most vulnerable workers in this whei d kem and you safe from the virus. Later, as we all say were in this together, we have a story about a Community Helping two industries by feeding those Health Care Heroes. Heroes. D thinkorswim . This is totally customizable, so you focus only on what you want. Okay, its got screeners and watchlists. And you can even see how your predictions might affect the value of the stocks youre interested in. Now this is what im talking about. Yeah, itll free up more time for your. Uh, true crime shows . British baking competitions. Hm. Didnt peg you for a crumpet guy. Focus on what matters to you with thinkorswim. Tthe bad news . Our so will this recital. Day. Depend® fitflex underwear offers your best comfort and protection guaranteed. Because, perfect or not, lifes better when youre in it. Be there with depend®. My agerelated Macular Degeneration could lead to so with my doctor,plan which includes preservision. Because he said a multi vitamin alone may not be enough. And its my vision, my morning walk, my sunday drive, my grandsons beautiful face. Only preservision areds2 contains the exact nutrient formula recommended by the National Eye Institute to help reduce the risk of moderate to advanced amd progression. Its how i see my life. Because its my vision. Preservision. I wanted more from my copd medicine thats why ive got the power of 1, 2, 3 medicines with trelegy. The only fdaapproved oncedaily 3in1 copd treatment. Trelegy the power of 1,2,3 trelegy 1,2,3 trelegy man with trelegy and the power of 1, 2, 3, im breathing better. Trelegy works three ways to open airways, keep them open and reduce inflammation, for 24 hours of better breathing. Trelegy wont replace a rescue inhaler for sudden breathing problems. Trelegy is not for asthma. Tell your doctor if you have a heart condition or high Blood Pressure before taking it. Do not take trelegy more than prescribed. Trelegy may increase your risk of thrush, pneumonia, and osteoporosis. Call your doctor if worsened breathing, chest pain, mouth or tongue swelling, problems urinating, vision changes, or eye pain occur. Think your copd medicine is doing enough . Maybe you should think again. Ask your doctor about oncedaily trelegy and the power of 1, 2, 3. Trelegy, 1,2,3 man save at trelegy. Com. Trelegy, 1,2,3 fred would do anything for his daughter get in fred even if it means being the back half of a unicorn. Fear not fred the front half washed his shirt with gain detergent. Thats the scent that puts the giddy in giddy up ahhh. The irresistible scent of gain. For a scent with even more giddy up, try gain scent blast in detergent, fabric softener and scent beads. But when allergies attack,f any the excitement fades. Allegra helps you say yes with the fastest nondrowsy allergy relief and turning a half hearted yes, into an all in yes. Allegra. Live your life, not your allergies. Od youve probably noticed it across america, downtowns have become ghost towns. Streets are mostly empty, but not the aisles at supermarkets where workers are needed now more than ever. A number of them are now testing positive for the coronavirus. Errol barnett looks at whats being done to keep them and you safe. Thank you for all youre doing. Reporter joe colalilo is ceo of wakefern, a Grocery Store cooperative of nearly 80,000 workers, including ones who tested positive for coronavirus. Our associates take seriously the role to feed people. Thats what we do. Thats the business were in. Reporter with staffers working alongside the public every day, he says keeping employees and customers safe is their top priority. We do regular cleaning all the time, all day long, to protect the environment. Reporter its sobering business for the entire supermarket industry. Frequenteze ancingalco the norm. Some stores even offering rubber gloves. I was not about to just grab that basket with my bare hands. Reporter employees are working overtime. In some ways jeopardizing their own health to keep shelves stocked as quickly as they can. Grocers like Gristedes John Catsimatidis says there is no shortage. For how long should you have . Enough merchandise for a week or two, you shouldnt be buying three months or four months. Reporter assistant manager eddie ortiz calls his staff frontline war the yeas are. Theyre courageous people. They didnt hesitate for one minute to stay and meeth weve been saying here at cbs were all in this together, and we found a great example of that right here in washington. The community has come together p wos different industries. The idea came to Elena Tompkins at 3 00 in the morning. I called a few friends in the Restaurant Business and said, hey, what do you think about providing some meals for hospitals. Reporter tompkins was worried about restaurants in her community so she began raising money for large food orders and thought who better to receive them than those on the front lines. In a week we have provided over 700 meals to our local hospitals and medical centers. Reporter 700 meals. Yes. Reporter in a week . Reporter what has the response been from the hospital workers, nurses, doctors . Its been overwhelming. There have been a lot of tears, happy tears. A little bit of disbelief. Thank you so much. Reporter and gratitude. Alexis white is a nurse at sibley memorial hospital. Like i just literally called and said somebodys delivering coffee and pastries. Theyre like, what, to me, to us . Why . And theyre so thankful. Overwhelmed with gratitude. Reporter so far feed the fight has delivered to 17 different medical sites across the d. C. Area. And tompkins says theyll keep going as long as theyre needed. People are hurting, and any relief that they can get is so appreciated. Absolutely. And the fact that they know that theres a whole community surrounding them and throwing arms around them when were not allowed to actually throw our arms around them, and doing anything they can, i think its whats keeping people going. Feed the fight has supported 16 restaurants here in the Washington Area including my husbands. And groups in other states have started similar programs all with one goal supporting our Community Restaurants and feeding our local heroes. Well be right back. This portion of the cbs evening news is sponsored by by introducing the capital one walmart rewards card. Well. You said you wanted a new chair. Earn unlimited 5 back on everything you buy at walmart online, including things for your new puppy. No no no no. We need a mop and bleach. When you want all that, you need the capital one walmart rewards card. Earn unlimited 5 back at walmart online whats in your wallet . But when allergies attack,f any the excitement fades. E allegra helps you say yes wi allergy relief and turning a half hearted yes, inttthe bad news . S. Our so will this recital. Day. Depend® fitflex underwear offers your best comfort and protection guaranteed. Because, perfect or not, lifes better when youre in it. Be there with depend®. You try to stay ahead of the mess. But scrubbing still takes time. Now theres new powerwash dish spray. Its the faster way to clean as you go. Just spray, wipe and rinse. It cleans grease five times faster. New dawn powerwash. From anyone else. So why accept it from your allergy pills . Flonase relieves your worst symptoms which most pills dont. Get allinone allergy relief for 24 hours, with flonase. And sometimes, you can find yourself heading in a new direction. But when youre with fidelity, a partner who makes sure every step is clear, theres nothing to stop you from moving forward. On tomorrows cbs evening news, Steve Hartman started Something Big this week teaching kids across the country about kindness through an online class. Tomorrow professor hartman as were calling him now will bring us the lessons we can all learn from our littlest students. And if you cant watch us live, dont forget to set your dvr so you can watch us later. That is tonights cbs evening news. Im Norah Odonnell in washington. Well see you back here tomorrow