Coronavirus: US cases pass 3,000 as New York announces third death

A total of 62 people have now lost their lives to Covid-19 across the United States

The number of confirmed cases of coronavirus in the United States has now passed 3,000 – as authorities in New York state announced a third death.

At least 62 people across the country have now lost their lives to Covid-19.

New York governor Andrew Cuomo revealed the latest fatality was a 79-year-old woman who had "multiple major underlying" health problems. There are now 729 confirmed cases in New York, Mr Cuomo said, making it the state with the most cases.

Louisiana, which has 91 confirmed cases, announced that a second person had died from the virus.

The Centers for Disease Control and Protection and government agencies have listed more than 3,000 cases across the country, affecting all but one state: West Virginia.

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New Jersey governor Phil Murphy has said he's considering a statewide curfew to help prevent the spread of the coronavirus, while New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio said a lockdown in the nation's largest city couldn't be ruled out. "Every option is on the table in a crisis," the Democrat said on CNN.

Travellers returning to the US after the Trump administration imposed a wide-ranging ban on people entering from Europe faced hours-long waits for required medical screenings. Videos and photos on social media showed packed arrival halls and winding lines.

The crowds prompted Illinois governor JB Pritzker to tweet angrily at Donald Trump and Vice President Mike Pence, demanding that their administration get its "s@#t together".

Meanwhile, more than 300 paratroopers from the 82nd Airborne Division have been put into a 14-day quarantine at Fort Bragg in North Carolina after returning from Afghanistan.

The Associated Press contributed to this report