Rolling updates on the latest developments and headlines from around the world on the Covid-19 pandemic.
By Gina Lee and Peter Nurse
(10:06 PM ET) U.S. unemployment rate hits 16%
The U.S.’s unemployment rate jumped to 16% as 3.169 million Americans claimed unemployment benefits last week. Analyst forecasts prepared by Investing.com predicted 3 million claims.
Over 31 million people have been laid off in the U.S. since late March.
Meanwhile, one of U.S. President Donald Trump’s valets has tested positive for COVID-19 on Wednesday. Both Trump and Vice President Mile Pence have since tested negative for the virus and “remain in good health”.
Both Trump and Pence will undergo daily tests.
(9:58 PM ET) Fujifilm develops PCR reagent for COVID-19 testing
Fujifilm Holdings has developed a testing reagent that will automate PCR testing and reduce the time to get test results for the COVID-19 virus.
The reagent, which eliminates the need for diagnostic specialists, will shorten the test time from four-six hours to 75 minutes.
Meanwhile, a drug used to treat rheumatoid arthritis appeared to improve lung function in hospitalized COVID-19 patients.
The patients experienced reduced respiratory symptoms after treatment with anakinra, sold as Kineret by Swedish Orphan Biovitrum AB, which was also associated with a 90% survival rate in an observational study of 29 patients published overnight in the Lancet Rheumatology journal.
(9:50 PM ET) FDA pulls Approval of Chinese N-95 face masks
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration pulled its emergency use authorization for N-95 face masks made in China after they failed quality checks by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health.
The FDA issued the authorization on April 3 to address the shortages of personal protective equipment but stipulated their effectiveness had to be verified by independent labs.
(9:46 PM ET) Telsa suspends production at Shanghai plant
Tesla suspended production at its Shanghai plant, bringing the company’s global vehicle manufacturing to a halt.
The reasons for the shutdown were not immediately clear.