Coronavirus Update: Worldwide infection nears 1 million mark, U.S. governors tighten safety orders

The number of people infected worldwide by the coronavirus is nearing the 1 million mark. As of Thursday, 952,171 people have been infected, according to the Johns Hopkins Coronavirus Research Center. 

The U.S. has become the country with the most reported cases – 216,722. The epicenter of the virus in the U.S. remains New York, which has 1,374 deaths.

Another sign of the overwhelming impact of the pandemic on New York City, with an estimated population of more than 8 million, was the announcement Wednesday that a temporary, 350-bed hospital will be built at the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, site of the annual U.S. Open, in Queens. 

Italy has the most reported deaths, 13,155, but officials think the number could be higher because the country’s overburdened health system has yet to record all of the virus-related deaths. 

U.S. governors are taking some austere measures to control the spread of the virus, which is projected to peak in the country over the next two or three weeks. On Wednesday, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis issued a stay-at-home order for the entire state.