The United States and Latin American countries continue to work on ways to improve COVID-19 testing schemes as part of the efforts to treat those infected and to control the devastating spread of the coronavirus.
Los Angeles Expands Testing
Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti announced on Monday that rideshare drivers and delivery drivers won't have to pay for COVID-19 testing as part of the efforts to relieve transportation workers of medical-related bills, CNBC reported.
Among the transportation workers covered by free coronavirus testing are Lyft and Uber drivers, as well as taxi and delivery drivers. Whether they have symptoms or not, testing will be available for them on Tuesday, Garcetti revealed.
Los Angeles is just one of the states in the U.S. that offers free COVID-19 testing for workers in different segments such as those in critical care, regardless if they are asymptomatic or not.
As of Monday, Los Angeles recorded 20,417 confirmed coronavirus cases.
NYC to Start 'Self-Swab' Tests This Week
New York City mayor Bill de Blasio said on Monday that "self-swab" tests will be made available for residents of the hard-hit city. The tests will be administered across public hospital systems, de Blasio said.
According to the New York Post, de Blasio further revealed that eight sites in the Big Apple will be allocated as locations where patients can submit their self-swab samples under medical supervision.
For de Blasio, self-swab COVID-19 testing is the "easier way" and the "safer way" to carry out tests among potential infected patients. The tests are expected to start rolling out sometime this week.
New York remains the hardest-hit state in the U.S. The state logged 288,045 confirmed coronavirus cases and 22,269 deaths as of Monday.
Murphy Outs Six-Point Quarantine Easing amid Decline in Cases
New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy on Monday unveiled a six-point strategy that he is expecting the state to meet so gradual easing of quarantine measures can be achieved, nj.com reported.
The news came amid 2,146 new confirmed COVID-19 cases in the second hardest-hit state in the country. There were also 106 new deaths added to the state's total number of fatalities.
Despite new additions to the national tally, New Jersey has experienced a decline for six days straight in new coronavirus cases. As of Monday, the state registered 109,038 confirmed cases and 5,983 deaths.
Massachusetts Deaths Pass 3,000 Mark
Massachusetts on Monday passed the 3,000-mark in coronavirus-related deaths, despite an apparent decline in fatalities linked to the COVID-19 strain, FOX affiliate WFXT reported.
Following Monday's figures, Boston mayor Marty Walsh revealed during an afternoon media briefing that the city will "not reopen on May 4th." The stay-at-home order was supposed to end Monday next week.
Massachusetts is the third hardest-hit state in the U.S. As of Monday, the state recorded 56, 462 confirmed COVID-19 cases and 3,003 deaths.
Brazil Reports Over 4,000 New Cases
Brazil's coronavirus figures spiked on Monday, with 4,613 new COVID-19 cases and 338 new deaths from the highly-infectious strain.
According to The Brazilian Report, São Paulo is still the hardest-hit area in all of Brazil, with a total of 21,696 infected patients. Officials have since set up blockades along Radial Leste avenue.
With São Paulo being the most populated state in Brazil, state officials are also mulling the possibility of closing down main highways and streets to further implement social isolation and distancing.
As of Monday, Brazil registered 66,501 confirmed COVID-19 cases and 4,543 deaths.
Argentina Bans all Flights through September
Argentina on Monday announced the ban of all domestic and international commercial flights until September 1 due to rising concerns about imported coronavirus cases and community spreading, BBC reported.
However, the Argentinian government's decision was met with criticism as aviation industry leaders expressed dismay. They noted that thousands of people will lose their jobs due to the strictest travel ban that the country has implemented yet.
Argentina is close to reaching the 4,000-mark in COVID-19 cases. The country has so far registered 8,892 confirmed cases and 192 deaths.
