COVID-19 cases in U.S. exceeds 18,500, over 220 deaths

The number of COVID-19 cases in the United States topped 18,500 as of 7:00 p.m. local time on Friday (2300 GMT), according to the Center for Systems Science and Engineering (CSSE) at Johns Hopkins University.

Washington, New York, and California topped the chart with 74, 42 and 19 deaths reported respectively, the CSSE said.

On Friday, the U.S. announced restrictions to non-essential travel across the U.S.- Mexico border, except for trade, to curb the spread of COVID-19.

A member of the U.S. vice president’s staff has tested positive, according to Mike Pence’s press secretary, adding that the person did not have close contact with Pence or U.S. President Donald Trump.

Trump said a national lockdown was unnecessary at this stage. However New York， California, Illinois and Connecticut have ordered residents to stay indoors except for essential activities.