Live news about the coronavirus: Dr. Fauci cannot testify on the American response News from the world

Hello and welcome to our continued global coverage of the pandemic.

• The global number of infections exceeds 3.33 million and at least 237,943 have died worldwide since the pandemic began, according to Johns Hopkins University researchers.
• Senior US Health Official USA Dr. Anthony Fauci may not testify before a committee of Congress. Examining the Trump administration’s response to the pandemic next week, the White House said. The Trump administration said it would be “counterproductive” for the people involved in the response to testify.
• Donald Trump is offering an increasingly gloomy picture, recounting a White House event: “Hopefully, we will enter below 100,000 lives lost, which is a horrible number, however. “
• In the United States, drugs remdesivir has been approved for emergency use to treat patients with viruses. FDA Commissioner Stephen Hahn clarifies that the drug has been specifically approved for emergency use in hospitalized patients.
• Trump’s threats to revive the U.S.-China trade war in reaction to the pandemic trigger a sell-off in global financial markets, as the economic costs of the pandemic continue to rise. In a context of growing tension between the world’s two largest economic superpowers, stock prices are falling again, with the FTSE 100 falling 144 points, or 2.5%, in London.
• Movement restrictions will continue for several more weeks in Ireland, Although those over 70 can now leave their homes to exercise. Taoiseach Leo Varadkar says most restrictions will remain in place until May 18 to “further weaken the virus so that it does not return.”
• The UK reports 739 more deaths, bringing the total number of deaths in the country to 27,510. Health Secretary Matt Hancock says 177,454 people tested positive – an increase of 6,201 since Thursday’s update. Of these, 15,111 patients are hospitalized, says Hancock.
• India has extended its blockade – the largest in the world by population, for two more weeks, but with a certain reduction in restrictions in areas with few cases. The Home Office says that in light of “significant gains in the Covid-19 situation,” there will be “considerable relaxation” in areas with few or no cases.
• In South Africa, some industries may reopen after five weeks of restrictions in Africa’s most industrialized nation, which was already struggling with low growth and high debt when the shutdown began on March 27. Its relief comes after the S&P rating agency downgraded the country’s credit rating to junk on Wednesday.