US deaths from the novel coronavirus topped 25,000 on Tuesday, doubling in one week, according to a Reuters tally, as officials debated how to reopen the economy without reigniting the outbreak.
The United States, with the world's third-largest population, has recorded more fatalities from COVID-19 than any other country. There were a total of nearly 597,000 US cases - three times more than any other country - with nearly 2 million reported cases globally.
On Monday, the United States reported about 1,500 new fatalities, far below last week's running tally of roughly 2,000 deaths every 24 hours, according to a Reuters tally. US deaths exceeded 24,400 on Tuesday with many states yet to report.
So far this week, deaths have increased by about 7 per cent per day on average compared with 14 per cent last week and 30 per cent many days in March, according to a Reuters tally. Cases this week are up an average of 5 per cent per day compared with 7.8 per cent last week and 30 per cent per day in March.
Sweeping stay-at-home restrictions to curb the spread of the illness, in place for weeks in many areas of the United States, have taken a painful toll on the economy. With businesses closed and curbs on travel, officials and lawmakers are debating when it might be safe to begin reopening some sectors.
