Maryland agency receives more than 100 disinfectant use calls
More than 890,000 people have been infected in the U.S.
A pandemic of the novel coronavirus has now killed more than 195,000 people worldwide.
Over 2.7 million people across the globe have been diagnosed with COVID-19, the disease caused by the new respiratory virus, according to data compiled by the Center for Systems Science and Engineering at Johns Hopkins University. The actual numbers are believed to be much higher due to testing shortages, many unreported cases and suspicions that some governments are hiding the scope of their nations' outbreaks.
Since the first cases were detected in China in December, the United States has become the worst-affected country, with more than 890,000 diagnosed cases and at least 51,017 deaths.
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Today's biggest developments:
Here's how the news is developing today. All times Eastern. Please refresh this page for updates.
9 p.m.: Massachusetts blames lab error for large increase in cases, deaths
The Massachusetts Department of Health has announced that a reporting error made by Quest Diagnostics is to blame for a dramatic increase in the number of coronavirus cases reported by the state.
"Today's data reflects a correction of a reporting error made by Quest, a national commercial laboratory, which affected case counts in multiple states including Massachusetts. The Massachusetts Department of Public Health received a backlog this week of almost 10,000 patient results (both positive and negative) from Quest dating back to April 13. These cases are included for the first time in today’s data," state officials announced late Friday.
Over the last 24 hours, there were 2,877 new positive COVID-19 cases in Massachusetts, and 10,897 new tests completed.
However, the state is reporting a total of 4,946 "new" cases, and 20,137 "newly" completed tests, since their last report released yesterday. These numbers include a backlog of nearly 10,000 tests administered since April 13.
With the new tests, Massachusetts has now surpassed 50,000 positive cases statewide and now has totaled 2,556 deaths.
5:08 p.m.: Virginia postpones election, encourages absentee voting
Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam announced he is postponing the state's general and special election two weeks, from May 5 to May 19.
The June primary was also moved from June 9 to June 23.
But Northam wasn't happy about the overall decision not to move the May elections to November, as he previously suggested, but which would take approval by the state legislature.
"Virginians should never have to choose between casting a ballot and risking their health," Northam said in a statement. "I am grateful to the House of Delegates for taking action to move our upcoming elections, but unfortunately the Senate failed to make the same commonsense decision. While we strongly encourage every Virginian who can vote by mail to do so, we will also take every necessary step to conduct these elections in a way that ensures in-person voting is done safely and responsibly."
Officials in Wisconsin have identified at least 19 cases of COVID-19 connected to in-person voting in that state's primary election on April 7.
4:23 p.m.: New Jersey to allow renters to use security deposits
New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy has signed an executive order allowing renters to use their security deposit to pay for rent.
Murphy made the announcement during his daily briefing. He said the deposit could be used to pay rent in its entirety or partially with other funds.
"Remember, now, this is money that had been paid up front to secure a lease. And during this emergency, renters should have the ability to tap this deposit to help them secure their place in their home," the governor said.
Murphy also gave an update on the cases in the state, saying the curve is flattening, but asked, "don't take your foot off the gas, please."
The total number of cases is now at least 102,196, after 3,047 new cases were reported in the last 24 hours, according to Murphy. The death toll rose to 5,617 after 253 new deaths, he said.
3:57 p.m.: 73 deaths at Holyoke Soldiers' Home
An additional five veterans have died in the last 24 hours at the Soldiers' Home in Holyoke, Massachusetts, putting the total number of fatalities at 73, according to the state's Office of Health and Human Services.
Of those who died, 62 tested positive for COVID-19, nine tested negative, one result is pending and one was unknown, according to the office.
The state-run health care facility for veterans is under both a federal investigation and an independent investigation ordered by Gov. Charlie Baker over its handling of containing the virus's spread in the facility.
There are now 85 veteran residents who have tested positive and 60 who have tested negative, according to state officials. Eight residents still have pending tests and 81 employees have tested positive.
The Office of Health and Human Services said in a statement that the home "continues its focus on supporting staff on appropriate PPE (personal protective equipment) usage and ensuring monitoring and compliance for PPE best practices."
Employees from the Baystate Medical System will be onsite to help ensure that best practices for PPE are being followed. Officials are continuing to respond to the outbreak at the facility while bringing in additional support for staff, according to the Office of Health and Human Services.
2:11 p.m.: Maryland warns residents not to ingest disinfectant after receiving more than 100 calls
Maryland sent out an emergency alert after receiving more than 100 calls on consuming disinfectant as a possible treatment to COVID-19, according to the governor's office.
The calls came after President Donald Trump suggested using a disinfectant.
"I see the disinfectant that knocks it out in a minute, one minute. And is there a way we can do something like that by injection inside or almost a cleaning? As you see, it gets in the lungs, it does a tremendous number on the lungs, so it would be interesting to check that," Trump said Thursday at the White House briefing.
By Friday, he said that he was "sarcastically" asking a question.
Some Maryland residents, however, still dialed the Maryland Emergency Management Agency to ask about disinfectant use.
"This is a reminder that under no circumstances should any disinfectant product be administered into the body through injection, ingestion or any other route," the agency tweeted.
Doctors also say that no one should consume disinfectant.
Mike Ricci, the communications director for Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan, said the state "decided to take the step of posting this alert after receiving more than 100 calls to our hotline."
1:46 p.m.: Florida tops 30,000 cases, 1,000 deaths
There are now at least 30,174 confirmed cases and at least 1,012 deaths, Florida's Department of Health said Friday.
The counties of Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach are the most impacted; however, Miami-Dade County, the most populous county in Florida, has by far the most cases with at least 10,701. Broward County has at least 4,570 cases.
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