The global COVID-19 total easily passed 700,000 cases today, just 1 day after passing the 600,000-case mark, fueled by steep rises in Europe and the United States, where President Donald Trump said today that social (physical) distancing guidelines will be extended through the end of April.In other developments, countries such as Russia took new steps to curb the first wave of pandemic activity, while others, such as South Korea, ordered new measures to prevent a second wave.
The global total has now reached 718,685 cases, with the US total at 139,675, according to the Johns Hopkins online dashboard.Trump extends social distancing planThe United States reported about 20,000 cases and 520 deaths yesterday and appears to be on track to equal