19 states set single-day case records this week

The novel coronavirus pandemic has now killed more than 600,000 people worldwide.

Over 14.2 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 or downplaying the scope of their nations' outbreaks.

The United States has become the worst-affected country, with more than 3.6 million diagnosed cases and at least 139,960 deaths.

Saturday's headlines

Here is how the news developed on Saturday. All times Eastern. Check back for updates.

8:41 p.m.: 19 states set single-day high this week

Nineteen states set single-day records for the most cases this week, according to The COVID Tracking Project.

The states that set records this week were Alaska, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Iowa, Kansas, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Washington and Wisconsin.

Three states set a record today.

There were 65,180 cases reported on Saturday, down more than 5,000 from the daily record set yesterday. The death toll was also down today (872) versus a day prior (951).

More than 5,000 people died in the U.S. this week, according to the project.

5:51 p.m.: 'Dangerous times,' Kentucky governor says

Kentucky reported 583 new cases, the state's second-highest single-day total, as 22,184 overall now have been recorded.

"That means this is a dangerous time, and it can't be explained away by our increase in tests," Gov. Andy Beshear said in a statement. "We've got to be careful. We've got to make sure that we are wearing our facial coverings, because today's cases are a reflection of 14 days ago before we mandated those. This is what it's going to take if we want to save our economy and save lives and get our kids back in school, it's really that simple."

Kentucky reported nine more deaths, including a 93-year-old Jefferson County woman, and now has lost at least 667 to the virus.

At least 529,481 tests have been administered and 6,824 people have recovered, according to state health officials.