THE HOUSE of Representatives on Friday passed the $2.2 trillion coronavirus stimulus/rescue package and sent it to President Trump. Above is Nancy Pelosi, Speaker of the House (Wikipedia photo).

UPDATE: President Donald Trump on Friday signed into law the $2.2 trillion economic stimulus/rescue package passed by Congress, clearing the House of Representatives on a voice vote. Also on Friday, he invoked the Defense Production Act to spur the manufacture of ventilators for the treatment of those suffering from the coronavirus outbreak.

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The House of Representatives on Friday (today) passed a $2.2 trillion economic stimulus and rescue bill and sent it on to President Donald Trump for his signature.

On a voice vote, the House approved the sweeping legislation, aimed at alleviating the impact of the coronavirus on the nation.

Although the bill has many facets including loans, grants and tax breaks, the most immediate effects on Americans will be payments of $1200 to individuals and “unemployment insurance on steroids,” which will extend benefits to many previously not eligible and add $600 per week to their payments for four weeks.

The president has stated he would sign the bill immediately. The bill has already been approved by the Senate.

BORIS JOHNSON, UK prime minister.

British prime minister tests positive for virus

Boris Johnson, prime minister of Great Britain, has tested positive for the coronavirus. Johnson said that after showing some mild symptoms – a high temperature and a cough – he was tested on Thursday.

“I’ve taken a test, that’s come out positive,” said Johnson in a video posted on his Twitter account. “So I am working from home, I am self-isolating and that’s entirely the right thing to do.”
Also reporting positive for COVID-19 is Matt Hancock, British health secretary. Chief Medical Officer Chris Whitty said in a tweet that he had “symptoms compatible” with the virus and would be self-isolating for a week.

Corona case count up to 585,000 worldwide

The number of confirmed cases of coronavirus worldwide has now risen on Friday past 585,000, according to the count compiled by Johns Hopkins University. The U.S. leads with 97,000 cases, followed by 86,498 in Italy, 81,897 in China, 64,059 in Spain and 50,178 in Germany.

This feature is updated throughout the day, so check back for developing news stories.