News by the Numbers: March 23–29
Stacker distills the week's news from around the world into key facts and figures. Click through to read more about some of the biggest headlines of the last week.
30 million-plus emergency doses of anti-malaria drug approved
On Sunday, the Food and Drug Administration issued emergency-use authorization for 30 million doses of hydroxychloroquine sulfate and 1 million doses of chloroquine phosphate. The two drugs commonly used to treat malaria have shown potential as a COVID-19 treatment, according to the Department of Health and Human Services, but more clinical trials are needed to definitively assess their effectiveness.
3.28 million unemployment insurance claims filed
A record 3.28 million unemployment insurance claims were filed for the week ending March 21, according to a report released on Thursday by the Department of Labor. Claims were up from 282,000 the week prior—an increase of more than 1,063%.
New York City reports 33,768 COVID-19 cases
Governor Andrew Cuomo announced on Sunday that New York City, the site of the largest outbreak in the country, had 33,768 confirmed COVID-19 cases, more than half of the state total 59,513. The state-wide death toll surpassed 1,000 by the end of the weekend.
911 dispatchers in NYC receive over 7,000 calls
On Thursday, 911 dispatchers in New York City received a record 7,000 calls, an increase of 3,000 from the system’s daily average. The increase in call volume, attributed to the coronavirus, is unprecedented even when compared to the response of Sept. 11, 2001, which resulted in 5,500 calls.
Confirmed COVID-19 deaths in the U.S. double in two days
Confirmed COVID-19 deaths in the U.S. doubled from 1,000 to more than 2,000 in two days over the weekend. As of March 30, the death toll in the U.S. is about 3,000 according to the Johns Hopkins Coronavirus Resource Center.
68-bed field hospital constructed in Central Park
On Sunday, a respiratory care facility was set up in Central Park’s East Meadow. The 68-bed field hospital is expected to be fully operational by Tuesday. Like the floating hospital ship Comfort, this Central Park facility will add capacity to the city’s inundated health care system.
30 more days of social distancing
Despite previous comments about relaxing social distancing guidelines by Easter, President Trump announced on Sunday that he is extending the federal guidelines for an additional 30 days, ending April 30.
5-minute coronavirus test
Abbott Laboratories, a healthcare company specializing in medical devices, has developed a portable coronavirus test that can deliver positive results in five minutes. The company plans to ramp up production to the pace of 5 million tests in April.
Best week for the Dow in 82 years
After Congress passed the coronavirus stimulus package last week, the Dow rallied 13%, making it its best weekly gain in more than 80 years.
