US: Death toll from coronavirus rises to 69

By Beyza Binnur Donmez

ANKARA (AA) - The death toll from novel coronavirus in the U.S. has climbed to 69, according to Johns Hopkins University in Maryland.

Total confirmed cases is around 3,800, while most deaths from the deadly virus accrued in Washington state, where also the virus was seen first.

Deaths are reported in a total of 12 states, however, except Washington, the tally remains in a single digit.

The university reported that 12 people having COVID-19 recovered from the disease so far.

Meanwhile, coronavirus vaccine's clinical trial starts Monday, according to a government official cited by the Associated Press.

The Trump administration will set drive-through and walk-through testing sites this week in states hit hardest by the coronavirus, the White House said in a press release on Sunday.

Each of these pod-based units will be able to screen 2,000 to 4,000 individuals daily, with priority given to health care workers, first responders and those aged 65 and older who have a respiratory symptom and a fever of 37.5 C.

The administration has been blasted for the unavailability of test kits, with several states saying federal authorities should allow them to develop their own test kits.

President Donald Trump declared a national emergency Friday in an attempt to thwart the spread of virus in the U.S.

Taking the action, Trump said, it will allow him to "unleash the full power of the federal government,” including freeing up to $50 billion to assist state and local efforts.

He added that his government is taking necessary steps "to make sure that those who need a test can get a test very safely, quickly and conveniently."

The worldwide death toll now numbers around 6,500, with some 165,000 confirmed cases, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), which declared the outbreak a pandemic.