The coronavirus death toll in the U.S. neared 5,000 early Thursday, according to NBC News’ tally, and there were more than 240,000 confirmed cases. Globally, more than 47,000 people have died from COVID-19, according to Johns Hopkins University.
Officials across the country have continued tightening restrictions to try and slow the spread of the virus. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis issued a stay-at-home order for the entire state after refusing to implement statewide social distancing guidelines, and the mayor of Los Angeles told everyone to start wearing masks.
In Spain, which has the world’s third-highest confirmed infection rate, the death toll topped 10,000 on Thursday.
WHO says 95 percent of Europe’s dead are over 60 years of age, but young not immune
More than 95 percent of those who have died of coronavirus in Europe have been over 60, but young people should not be complacent, the head of the World Health Organization’s Europe office said in an online press conference on Thursday.
Dr. Hans Kluge — noting the most affected countries in Europe are Italy, Spain and France — said age is not the only risk factor for getting a severe case of COVID-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus.
“The very notion that COVID-19 only affects older people is factually wrong,” Dr. Hans Kluge . “Young people are not invincible.” “All of us, at all ages, need to act in solitary to prevent the further community spread of the virus,” he said.
