Coronavirus death toll in US hits 1,000

Over 1,000 people have died of coronavirus in the US.

This is as the country records 68,489 cases of the disease — according to Worldometer, a website that provides updates on the virus globally.

According to the website, the US has recorded 1,032 deaths while 394 persons have recovered from the disease in the country.

Globally, there are 471,820 coronavirus cases with 21,297 deaths.

US President Donald Trump had announced several measures to curb the spread of the disease.

On March 12, Trump announced a suspension of travel from Europe to the US in a bid to fight the spread of coronavirus.

On March 13, when the country recorded 41 deaths from the disease, Trump declared a state of emergency in the US and a $50 billion intervention fund for states, territories and localities to fight the virus.

The president had also declared Sunday a national day of prayer in the country as a result of the disease.

Although Trump had alleged that the US Food and Drug Administration approved chloroquine, a drug used to treat malaria and severe arthritis, for coronavirus treatment, the agency denied the claim.

Stephen Hahn, FDA commissioner, had said the agency was still working to examine all possibilities.