Cindy Ord / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP
The US has surpassed the national tally of China with coronavirus cases standing at over 85,000.
It comes as over 519,000 tests were administered across many states, with the death toll rising beyond 1,200.
New York, New Orleans and other cities have seen an increase in hospitalisations, with many centres reporting shortages of supplies, staff and sick beds.
It comes President Donald Trump set up a "Easter deadline" for the country to return to work.
Meanwhile, China has recorded more than 81,000 cases, with Italy next on the tally with 80,589 cases.
The global tally has crossed 500,000, with more than 124,000 recoveries and over 24,000 deaths.
India is inspecting facilities of spice makers MDH and Everest for compliance with quality standards after sales of some of their products were halted in Hong Kong and Singapore for allegedly containing high levels of a cancer-causing pesticide.
Israel is poised to send troops into Rafah, the Gazan city it sees as the last bastion of Hamas, Israeli media reported on Wednesday, saying preparations were under way to evacuate war-displaced Palestinian civilians who have been sheltering there.
A Russian court on Wednesday ordered one of Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu's deputies be kept in custody on suspicion of taking bribes, the highest-profile corruption case since President Vladimir Putin sent troops into Ukraine in 2022.
Former Japanese Prime Minister Taro Aso, a senior figure in the country's ruling party, met with Donald Trump on Tuesday, becoming the latest US ally seeking to establish ties with the Republican presidential candidate.
India inspects spice makers over alleged contamination
Israeli media predict offensive in Gaza's Rafah soon
Russia detains ally of Defence Minister Shoigu for corruption
Trump meets with Japan's former prime minister Aso
