THE WORLDWIDE count of coronavirus cases has topped a half-million cases, according to John Hopkins University (Shutterstock).

UPDATE: The United States now leads the world in confirmed cases of the coronavirus cases as of Thursday, according to John Hopkins University. The U.S. has over 82,000, with China at 81,000 and Italy at 80,000. Italy is the leader in deaths at over 8,000. Over 1,000 deaths have been confirmed in the U.S.A.

The exact count as of Thursday afternoon was 82, 404 (U.S.), 81,782 (China), 80,589 (Italy), 56,347 (Spain), 43,646 (Germany), and 29,406 (Iran).

Of the estimated 1,000 deaths in the United States, 281 were in New York City and another 63 in nearby New Jersey. In Washington state’s King County, the toll is reported at 100.

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Over half a million cases of coronavirus infections have been confirmed worldwide, according to a report released Thursday (today) by Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore.

According to the Associated Press, the number was pushed up – in part – by a surge of 6,153 new cases reported in Italy.

So far, China has had the most confirmed cases – 81,251 – with 3,281 deaths. However, 73,671 are reported as recovered.

In second is Italy with 74,386 cases, 7,503 deaths and 9,362 recovered. In third is the United States with 62,009 cases, 868 deaths and 361 recovered. Spain (fourth) is in a crisis condition with 49,515 cases, 3,647 deaths and 5,367 recovered. The nation with the fifth-most cases is Germany, with 37,323, with 206 deaths and 3,547 recovered.

Jobless claims skyrocket, so do stocks

Claims for unemployment rose by almost 3.3 million people last week, the Department of Labor announced on Thursday.  That beats the old record set in 1982 by five times. Sharp drops in employment often trigger recessions.

However, the stock market continues to recover, buoyed by hopes that the $2.2 trillion economic stimulus bill passed by Congress will have a significant positive effect.

The Standard and Poor 500 has risen by 17 percent so far this week, and overall the major indexes rose more than 6 percent on Thursday.  However the S&P remains far below its high for 2020.

Indy 500 postponed until August

Another sports tradition event will be delayed, as the sponsors of the Indianapolis 500 – held annually on Memorial Day weekend – announced that the auto race will be postponed and rescheduled to Aug. 23. The original date was May 24.

It’s the first time the race has been postponed since 1946. The race was not held 1917-18 and 1941-45 because of the World Wars.