Scientists now say as many as 200,000 americans could die. And dr. Deborah birx adding, thats if we do things perfectly, if we adhere to the guidelines. In some places tonight, checkpoints at state borders. Major cities in the midwest bracing for the worst. Chicago and detroit, and what theyre seeing already. The stories from the front lines. The wellknown neurosurgeon who has died. The miami icu nurse who has died as well. A doctor, a grandfather of six and marathon runner, in intensive care tonight. Anth not just protective gear, masks, and ventilators, but supplies including tylenol. In california, the surge now being seen. Icu visits doubling. And in Washington State tonight, the choir that rehearsed earlier this month, keeping their distance. Now reports tonight, at least 45 members have been diagnosed or are ill. Reports at least two dead. Tonight, cases doubling in louisiana this weekend alone. And inside one louisiana church, more than 1,000 gathering. And in florida, the pastor who urged congregants to attend sunday services now under citis, including dr. Anthony fauci, are now saying. And dr. Jen ashton, right here again tonight, answering your questions. Good evening. Its great to start another week with all of you at home. We begin with the widening toll of coronavirus across the country. President trump saying challenging times are ahead for the next 30 days. Coming after the president reversing course, with the doctors saying even if we do it all perfectly, the social distancing guidelines, 200,000 americans could still die from coronavirus. The numbers soaring. In two weeks time, weve gone from 4,000 to more than 159,000 cases. More than 359 people have died. About 1 in 3 americans now under restrictions in new york Navy Hospital ship comfort has pulled into port with 1,000 beds to help hospitals that are overwhelmed. A Field Hospital is now up in central park. And this grim image in brooklyn, a body loadednto refrigerated truck. New yorks mgovernor saying it beyond staggering. Hospitals in new orleans, detroit, and chicago, stretched to the limit. New questions about Wearing Masks in the country. If americans have one, should they be wearing it . Would it help . What the scientists are now saying, and what the president said moments ago. Well get it to it all tonight. We begin with tom llamas, leading us off. Please stay inside and pray for these people. Reporter tonight, the governor of new york says the i and these images show it, a body loaded into refrigerated truck outside this brooklyn hospital. The city bracing for a mounting death toll. More than 1,200 lives lost. Weve lost over 1,000 new yorkers. To me, were beyond staggering already. Weve reached staggering. Reporter help sailing in today. The Naval Hospital ship comfort pulling into new york harbor. The 1,000bed facility ready to take on extra noncovid patients. We know how to do this. But weve never done it in someplace like this before. Reporter in manhattan, a new Field Hospital specifically for covid19 patients. The group samaritans purse building building it in just days. Starting tomorrow this is going to be a working intensive care unit in the middle of central park. Complete with hospital beds, ventilators, overhead lighting, even a negative pressure tube, sucking all the contaminated air out, making sure the room is sterilized. As new york is pushed to the brink, Health Experts warning the potential u. S. Death toll in the coming weeks could soar as high as 100,000 to 200,000. I think its entirely conceivable that if we do not mitigate to the extent that were trying to do, that you could reach that number. Orr the presi forced to reverse an earlier proposed plan to reopen the county by easter. Now extending social distancing guidelines to april 30th. Dr. Anthony fauci saying the task force argued strongly with the president to extend them and the president listened. Challenging times are ahead for the next 30 days, and this is a very vital 30 days. We are sort of putting it all on the line this 30 days. Reporter tonight were learning one of the latest victims is pediatric neurosurgeon dr. James goodrich from new yorks montefiore medical center. The worldrenowned doctor making medical history when he successfully separated conjoined twin boys during a 27hour surgery. Doctors across the country struggling to help families unable to visit their loved ones in the icu. We make it a point to call families twice a day. But i cant imagine being that person on the other end waiting for the phone call. Never knowing what news youre going to get. Reporter an emotional toll on nurses, who are so often the Critical Link between patient and family. I just came from a patients room. Hes actively dying, positive diagnosis of covid19, and his family cant come, so i had to facetime his family. It was just so heartbreaking. Reporter in new jersey, eight patients dying at one nursing home. And 911 call centers stretched thin as well. In new york, a record 6,000 calls in one day. First responders also hit hard. Over 5,000 members of the nypd are out sick. More than 900 officers and 260 firefighters testing positive. And now in new york city, a 500 fine for ignoring social distancing rules. The police and all our agencies are authorized to use fines. Weve given enough warning. Reporter tougher penalties in maryland as well, where cases surged 400 in just the last week. 66 residents infected at one nursing home. Th to stay at home or risk up to a 5,000 fine or jail time. This region is about to be hit with the virus in the same way that some other major metropolitan areas have been. Reporter in louisiana, Officials Say they need 14,000 ventilators and fear they could run out next week. If the metros and rural areas dont take care now, by the time you see it, it has penetrated your Community Pretty significantly. Reporter cases spiking in cities like chicago and detroit. This Convention Center in beho and in philadelphia this arena at Temple University transformed into an overflow hospital after cases there top 1,000. Tonight in los angeles, the Naval Hospital the mercy already taking on extra patients to ease pressure on hospital that image from los angeles, we also took note of the image behind you today in new york city. Tom is in front of the comfort tonight. We know this will be for other patients, as the hospitals in the city try to deal with the patients with coronavirus. When will the ship be able to take some patients . Reporter im told it will start tomorrow. Its a massive ship, it got here earlier than expected. One more note, you said more than 250 people died in new york. And every six minutes, someone in new york right now is dying of covid19. David . Just impossible to fathom. Our thanks to you, tom, tonight. The surge in cases is being seen across the country, not just in new york city. In california, chicago, to detroit, to new orleans. And the growing death toll for the health care workers. The wellknown neurosurgeon, and the longtime icu nurse, both dying from the coronavirus. And hospitals in need of masks, ventilators, now even tylenol. And the church choir who thought they were keeping a safe distance. At least 45 sickened, and at least 2 reported dead. Heres matt gutman. Reporter tonight, the virus striking frontline doctors and nurses. Miami icu nurse Araceli Buendia ilagan, whod treated thousands of patients over three decades, on friday dying with alarming speed. Shed mentored her niece johanna, also an icu nurse in england. How do you feel going back to work . What does it make you think about . Well, to be honest, im im terrified for my life. Especially what happened to my aunt. Reporter doctor arnold weg believes he contracted the virus when a patient coughed on him. My father is truly in the fight for his life. Reporter the 63yearold grandfather of six and marathon runner, hes now in intensive care for the first time as a patient. Yesterday was my parents 38th wedding anniversary and it was the first time they couldnt spend it together. Reporter hospitals now reporting drastic shortages of masks and protective gear. Doctors saying they have a single mask for an entire week. A National Survey found 88 percent of cities do not have an adequate supply of ppe. I have nurses that call me on a daily basis to tell me that theyre scared. To tell me they dont know what to do. Nsign up for this. Reporter Mary Mcdonald saying its not just supplies, its basic medication. Were out of tylenol. I dont know what i can do to save people anymore. Reporter tonight, california officials warning theyre on the verge of a massive spike. The state with at least 5,700 cases and rising. Where is the surge in los angeles . Its all over. The highest number of icu patients doubled. Reporter its taking seven days to get results. We have over 60,000 tests waiting for results. Reporter one doctor on the front lines of fake. Jared burks, social distancing from his own 1yearold son, zeke. And then on saturday, an ef3 tornado family home. I like the house lifted up and slammed not rdy to cky, i guess be im still here. Reporter north of seattle, the latest example of how infectious the virus can be. A choir meeting on march 10th. Tonight, 45 of the 60 who attended are sickened, at least 2 have died. This will lead to more questions about the droplets in the air. And matt, officials are telling you theyre ramping up the number of tests, and trying to improve the speed of getting results . Reporter thats right, david. Last week, the city of l. A. Had zero tests. This week, theyre doing about 2,000 a day. Next week, they hope to get it up to 10,000 a day. The medical director told us ra uppointless outhtnk su. Can get the lag timd this evening as well, cases spiking in the newest hot spots. We took note of what we heard from dr. Deborah birx, warning that no state will remain untouched. Heres marcus moore from new orleans. Reporter tonight, for the First Time Since hurricane katrina, the new orleans Convention Center transformed to deal with an unfolding catastrophe. The yiesusually vibrant city is bracing. This is the historic french quarter. It is shut down tonight. Health officials fear mardi gras which brought thousands of people here to bourbon street may have helped to spread the highly contagious virus. Over the weekend, cases in louisiana jumping from roughly 2,700 on friday to just over 4,000 today. We still have an awful lot of work to do to try to flatten the curve. Reporter but that didnt stop hundreds from flocking to they were all spread out, probably, you know, 1,200 or so. Reporter some of the churchs neighbors, outraged. Yall need to shut that church down. Reporter in tampa, one megachurch pastor also defying stay at home orders. People have gone totally crazy. As the president said, he wants to get everybody back worshipping god come easter sunday. Ater, the president changed his tune. And tonight, that pastor under arrest. His reckless disregard for human life put hundreds of people in his congregation at risk and thousands of residents who may interact with them this week in danger. Reporter david, the governor of louisiana said its grossly irresponsible to ignore the state at home order. Saying that it makes it more likely that the virus will spread. Marcus, thank you. And what about masks . If americans have them, should they be wearing them . Would eyhelp aun onmasks. Muty doesnt but what thesaying if you have. And what President Trump said about this just moments ago. Heres steve osunsami. In asia, where the numbers of covid19 cases are improving, say that americans have it all wrong with face masks. The head of the Chinese Center is that people arent Wearing Masks. Many people have asymptomatic or presymptomatic infections. If they are wearing face masks, it can prevent droplets that carry the virus from escaping and infecting others. They believe that even masks made of simple fabrics are helpful. Jeremy howard, a Research Scientist at the university of san francisco, has looked at data from south korea, hong kong, and taiwan. And they all tell the same story, which is that wearing a mask can decrease transmission by up to 50 . Reporter in geneva today, the World Health Organization came out and said the exact opposite. We dont generally recommend the wearing of masks in public. Says part of tggling with a sho masks, authorities might recommend them for everyone. Were starting to reexamine the possibility that if there are enough masks, should everyone be Wearing Masks . Reporter the president just spoke on this issue, and he said hes open to that idea, too. His Administration May recommend that all americans wear masks all the time for a short period of time. Steve, thank you. And in a moment, dr. Jen ashton with your questions. Word of a new combination of drugs now approved by the fda to fight this virus. And remembering a Country Singer who has now died from the virus. Especially now, doing Everything Possible to keep you connected. Through the resilience of our network and people. We can keep learning, keep sharing, keep watching, and most of all, keep together. Its the job weve always done. It is the job we will always when they bundle home and auto with progressive. Wow, thats. And now the progressive commercial halftime show, featuring smash mouth. 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The 1,000bed ship, here to relieve pressure on the citys overwhelmed hospitals. So many watching the comfort come in. Charlene nickloan waving the american flag. Actor hugh jackman watching from his window, with this message. Wow. Look at this. This is history. To all the doctors, all the nurses, and everyone involved with the navy, thank you, thank you, thank you. You guys are amazing. Keep up the amazing work. Reporter and every night in new york city, for the past several nights at 7 00 p. M. Eastern, this. [ applause ] applause from so many buildings lives to save others. While back in new york harbor, the usns comfort getting ready for a city in need, a city grateful. And i know so many of you have questions about the virus. We have a live special tonight, 9 00 p. M. Eastern. Ill see you then. Good night. Now, your health, your safety, this is abc7 news. You should definitely plan to stay at home and this process, and what were doing here will continue until at least may 1st. Yes, may 1st it is. Get ready for more empty parking lots and streets. Health officials are set to announce the extent of the bay area shelter in place. Thanks for joining us. The stay at home order for the bay area is expected to be extended until may 1. Officials say it could happen tomorrow. The number of confirmed cases in california is just skyrocketing. Entering the weekend, there were just over 4600, today there are 6300 today. Today, the dow jones picked up 691 points, but its still down over 4,000 points from the beginning of the month