Welcome to the daily rundown of coronavirus news.
There are over 1.7 million cases of coronavirus in the United States, and over 101,000 deaths, according to Johns Hopkins University.
And another 2.1 million Americans filed for jobless benefits.
President Trump acknowledged the grim 100,000 death milestone in a tweet this morning, but has been largely silent on the numbers otherwise, aside from defending himself online and saying there haven’t been the millions of deaths some models predicted.
Here’s what to know today.
In the Trump administration
- President Trump Thursday morning tweeted that the United States had reached a “very sad milestone” in exceeding 100,000 deaths due to the novel coronavirus, expressing sympathy for those who have lost loved ones. Read more from Morgan Chalfant.
- President Trump is feeling “perfect” after taking hydroxychloroquine and would take the drug again if he felt he were exposed to coronavirus, White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany said. Morgan Chalfant reports.
- The White House will not release an updated round of economic projections this summer, breaking from precedent as the U.S. faces its deepest downturn since the Great Depression, citing fluctuations in the data amid the coronavirus crisis. Sylvan Lane and Morgan have the rest here.
- Coronavirus guideline pamphlets that were sent to every American in March cost the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) $28 million. Kaelan Deese reports.
- Watchdog groups want Trump’s new coronavirus vaccine czar to disclose all of his ties to drug companies. Nathaniel Weixel has more.
- The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has almost completely stopped prescribing an anti-malaria drug touted by President Trump to veterans with COVID-19 after studies questioned its efficacy in treating the disease. Jessie Hellmann has more.
In Congress
- Sen. Tim Kaine (D-Va.) said on Thursday that he and his wife tested positive for COVID-19 antibodies, an indication they had the disease, though Kaine said he had mild symptoms. Jordain Carney reports.
- The House passed bipartisan legislation to provide struggling small businesses with more flexibility while using loans provided through the Paycheck Protection Program, in the latest effort by lawmakers to help limit the economic impact of coronavirus. Cristina Marcos reports.
In the states
- Roughly 2.1 million more Americans filed new claims for jobless benefits as President Trump and governors push some states to loosen coronavirus-related restrictions, according to data released by the Labor Department. Sylvan Lane reports.
- The Boston Marathon will now be held virtually following orders from Mayor Martin Walsh (D) to cancel the event for the first time in its 124 year history, due to the coronavirus outbreak. Kaelan Deese reports.
- North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper (D) said Republican officials have not submitted the proposal his office has requested detailing how they plan to handle health risks at the planned Aug. 24 national convention, raising questions about whether President Trump will go through with his threat to pull the convention out of the state. Jonathan Easley reports.
Other news
- Scientists looking for new ways to identify potential coronavirus outbreaks are turning their attention to what could be an early warning sign: sewage. New studies increasingly show that the coronavirus’s genetic code can be detected in the remnants of fecal matter that flows through sewers. Reid Wilson reports.
- CVS will reach its goal of opening 1,000 coronavirus testing sites across 30 states and DC on Friday, the drug store chain announced. Peter Sullivan reports.
- Child care is emerging as a central obstacle to reopening the economy as the school year ends and camps and summer programs remain on hold due to coronavirus. Niv Elis reports.