Coronavirus Updates: Total Cases, Deaths, Recoveries; Celebs Pitch In And Businesses Continue To Close

The coronavirus COVID-19 has swept billions into their homes as nations across the world struggle to fight against the pandemic. Businesses have shut down, celebrities are pitching in, and the number of deaths and infections continue to rise each day.

All 50 states of the U.S. currently have confirmed cases of the coronavirus, with nearly 70,000 infections and 1,041 deaths as of late Wednesday. New York currently holds the highest number of confirmed cases with over  20,000 cases and 280 deaths. Over a quarter of all deaths in the country have happened in the city, according to Fox News. Worldwide, there have been 21,000 deaths caused by the disease and a total of 471,538 cases around the globe. On the bright side, 114,694 people have recovered after contracting coronavirus.

Many celebs have also contracted the disease. Some of the current cases include Idris Elba, Tom Hanks, Kevin Durant, Donovan Mitchell, Rudy Gobert, and disgraced former film producer Harvey Weinstein. Unfortunately, Tony award-winning playwright Terrence McNally, Top Chef Masters winner Floyd Cardoz and other celebs have also passed away after contracting the virus.

Millions have lost their jobs amid mass business closures due to the outbreak. Most restaurants and grocery stores have remained open for communities to access food. However, some chains like Waffle House have temporarily shut down hundreds of its locations. CNN reports the breakfast restaurant has temporarily shut down 420 of its stores. “With so few customers visiting our restaurants, we are rapidly losing the ability to offer enough work hours for our associates to earn money needed to live their lives and pay their bills,” the company said in a statement. “Waffle House is striving to keep as many stores open for as long as we can in order to support as many associates as possible.”

However, all hope isn’t lost; many people of affluence have taken a stand to help fight the pandemic. The Michael Jackson estate donated $300,000 to three different organizations within the entertainment industry to help financially support employees. On Wednesday, the estate announced it would be $100,000 apiece to Broadway Cares, the food bank Three Square in Nevada and MusiCares. “This virus, this pandemic, affects all of us obviously, so we wanted to start in our own communities. This is personal for us,” said John Branca, the estate’s co-executor, told The Associated Press. Kylie Jenner has also played a part. The reality star donated $1 million to her OB-GYN, which will help pay for thousands of masks, face shields, and other protective items.

“I am speechless, my eyes are filled with tears of joy, and my heart is overwhelmed with gratitude,” Dr. Thaïs Aliabadi said in a post-Wednesday on Instagram. “I made a wish to the Universe to gather protective masks for our brave healthcare workers, and today my dream came true.”