Coronavirus Update: U.S. braces for 'saddest week,' worldwide cases now over 1.2 million

The coronavirus pandemic in the U.S. enters what is projected to be its most critical week – with the number of deaths expected to peak and a top U.S. health official warning Americans to stay home, including no nonessential trips to the grocery store.

The number of reported coronavirus cases in the U.S. is now at 337,600, and the number of virus-related deaths is 9,600, according to the Johns Hopkins Coronavirus Resource Center.

“The next two weeks are extraordinarily important,” White House coronavirus task force Dr. Deborah Birx said Saturday at a press conference. “This is the moment to not be going to the grocery store, not going to the pharmacy, but doing everything you can to keep your family and your friends safe.”

New York remains the hardest-hit U.S. city with 3,048 deaths. Other U.S. cities and states projected to have their highest number of virus-related deaths include New Orleans, Illinois and Michigan.

On Sunday, U.S. Surgeon General Jerome Adams warned Americans about the coming week. 

“This is going to be the hardest and the saddest week of most Americans’ lives,” Adams said on “Fox News Sunday."

The number of worldwide deaths is now at 1,286,409.