Studios in atlanta. And this is cnn newsroom. Thank you so much for joining us. Of course our top story, the latest from the coronavirus. The u. S. Is grappling with multiple grim milestones. Confirmed cases crossed the 500,000 mark friday according to Johns Hopkins university. And daily reported deaths topped 2,000 for the first time. That brings americas total death toll to well over 18,000 as you see there. But there is hope. Those daily figures may start declining. And updated model says that friday was the peak for daily deaths in the u. S. As a whole. Still, the researchers also warn some states still may not hit their peaks for weeks to come. Meantime americas epicenter, new york, is trying to manage the bodies of virus victims that are going unclaimed. A very grim picture right there. Some are being buried in newly dug mass graves on an island in new york city. Cnn has correspondents around the world reporting on this pandemic. Lets zero in on the u. S. Erica hill has the lates
Times, and the warning comes as the president wants to reopen the country in his words as soon as possible, perhaps even by may 1st. So, when asked about the projection of a spike in cases, trump today claimed to not know anything about that. His top Infectious Disease expert also said he hadnt seen the projection but added this dont let anyone get any false ideas that when we decide at a proper time when were going to be relaxing some of the restrictions theres no doubt youre going to see cases. I would be so surprised if we did not see cases. The question is how you respond to them. I think thats what they were referring to. No doubt, youll see cases. It is a new reality that we will all be facing for a long time to reopen the country as soon as possible, major cities are already extending some stayathome orders now beyond may 1st. Los angeles county, of course, the second largest in this country extending its stayathome order until may 18th. It comes as Trumps Coronavirus Task force