Coronavirus updates: US has highest national death toll, surpassing Italy

While many countries around the world and cities in the U.S. are pointing toward positive signs that social distancing might be finally flattening the curve, the novel coronavirus death toll continues to be staggering.
In the U.S., more than 500,000 people have been diagnosed with COVID-19, the disease caused by the new respiratory virus, according to data compiled by the Center for Systems Science and Engineering at Johns Hopkins University. At least 19,701 people in the U.S. have died, the highest out of any country.
Across the globe, at least 102,800 people have died from the coronavirus
Worldwide, more than 1.7 million people have been diagnosed since the virus emerged in China in December. The actual numbers are believed to be much higher due to testing shortages, many unreported cases and suspicions that some governments are hiding the scope of their nations' outbreaks.
Today's biggest developments:

US death toll highest in world, cases now over half a million

Michael Avenatti granted release from prison due to COVID-19

Global death toll tops 100,000.        

The majority of residents at a nursing home in Aurora, Colorado, have tested positive for COVID-19 and eight people have died, according to the state's Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE).
Five of the eight deaths at Juniper Village were confirmed as COVID-19 related, according to a statement from the department. The coroner is considering the remaining three deaths as probable cases of COVID-19.
Out of the 46 residents, 33 tested positive, along with 16 of the 25 staff members, according to the statement.
"We know that the populations in these facilities are among the most vulnerable and are at highest risk of severe illness from this virus," Rachel Herlihy, state epidemiologist at the Colorado Dept. of Public Health and Environment, said in a statement. "The department is doing everything we can to be as transparent as possible regarding reported outbreaks to keep people safe while protecting patient privacy."
Testing began at the facility after state officials learned that several staff had tested positive. The testing was done through a private lab.
An investigation at Juniper Village began on March 27 after epidemiologists from Tri-County Health Department notified CDPHE that their local investigations of positive COVID-19 cases included several health care workers from the facility. Since then, infection preventionists and epidemiologists from both departments have conducted virtual consultations with Juniper Village, including assessing the facility’s current practices.
A team from CDPHE's Health Facilities Division conducted an on-site visit on April 2 after receiving a formal complaint about the home's infection prevention practices.
The investigation remains ongoing and could take several months.