Coronavirus: Trump extends emergency measures until end of April and says US deaths 'likely to peak in two weeks'

Donald Trump has announced that emergency measures taken to counter coronavirus will remain in place at least until the end of April, as experts expect a peak in deaths over the next two weeks.

As one of his top medical officials said the death toll could reach as many as 100,000 to 200,000 - and possibly many more if the spread is not halted - the president said there was no other option but for social distancing and business closures to remain in place.

Claiming his much-touted claim that businesses would be able to open by Easter was “purely aspirational”, the president claimed if the nation “can hold that down [fatalities] to 100,000...maybe even less” it would show they had done a “good job”.

“We will be extending our guidelines to April 30, to slow the spread. On Tuesday, we will be finalising these plans and providing a summary of our findings, supporting data and strategy to the American people,” he said, speaking in the White House Rose Garden.

“The modelling estimates that the peak in death rate is likely to hit in two weeks, so I will say it again, the peak, highest point of death rates, remember this, is likely to hit in two weeks. Nothing would be worse than declaring victory before the victory is won.”

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