Trump news - live: New York prepares for 'temporary interment' in parks as US death toll tops 10,000 and president rants about Biden

Chiara Giordano, Alex Woodward
·1 min read
U.S. President Donald Trump speaks about the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak during the daily coronavirus task force briefing at the White House in Washington, U.S., April 5, 2020: Joshua Roberts/Reuters/TPX
U.S. President Donald Trump speaks about the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak during the daily coronavirus task force briefing at the White House in Washington, U.S., April 5, 2020: Joshua Roberts/Reuters/TPX

Donald Trump has said he hopes the US is “starting to see light at the end of the tunnel” after New York, at the epicentre of the country’s coronavirus outbreak, reported a dip in cases.

However, the president said the country will first reach an “horrific point” in terms of death as the virus nears its peak in the US this week after cases topped 330,000 on Sunday.

His optimistic comments came in stark contrast to those of US surgeon general Jerome Adams, who warned Americans to brace for levels of tragedy similar to the September 11 attacks and the bombing of Pearl Harbour in the week ahead.

New York state recorded 594 new coronavirus deaths on Sunday – compared to 630 the day before – but governor Andrew Cuomo said it was too soon to say whether the pandemic had reached its peak.