Americans are bracing for another deadly week brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic as the number of deaths from the novel coronavirus neared 10,000 with infections surpassing 337,000, according to data collected by Johns Hopkins University.

Meanwhile, the country's top infectious disease expert, Dr. Anthony Fauci told Americans on Sunday that the coronavirus outbreak in the U.S. was "going to get bad, and we need to be prepared for that."

Here is your COVID-19 update for Monday, April 6, 2020:

Number of Deaths in U.S. Nears 10,000, As Officials Prepare Americans for Tough Week Ahead

President Donald Trump on Sunday acknowledged that the next two weeks would be "very difficult" for Americans as the novel coronavirus continued to spread throughout the country.

"We all have to reach a certain point and that point is going to be a horrific point in terms of death," Trump said.

U.S. Surgeon General Jerome Adams told MSNBC's Meet the Press on Sunday that this was the country's "Pearl Harbor moment."

"It's going to be the hardest moment for many Americans in their entire lives," Adams said Sunday. "And we really need to understand that if we want to flatten that curve and get through the other side, everyone needs to do their part."

Adams went on to call on governors for states that have not issued lockdown orders to do so and follow the administration's guidelines on social distancing and travel.

"Ninety percent of Americans are doing their part, even in the states where they haven't had a shelter-in-place. But if you can't give us 30 days, governors, give us a week, give us what you can so that we don't overwhelm our health care systems over this next week, and then let's reassess."

That warning was echoed by Admiral Brett Giroir, the assistant secretary for health at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, who told ABC News chief anchor George Stephanopoulos on "Good Morning America," Monday that this week would be the "peak week" of the COVID-19 outbreak, particularly in states like New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, and Detroit.

"It's going to be the peak hospitalization, peak ICU week and, unfortunately, peak death week," Giroir said. "But that doesn't mean we're over this week. There are other parts of the country that will peak a little bit later, like New Orleans. So we have to be very, very serious about what's happening this week, next week, the following weeks - do the physical distancing, wear the masks, that's how we're going to defeat this virus."

In an interview later on NBC's "TODAY" show, Giroir added that experts believe some areas are "turning a corner because of all the physical distancing that we're doing." However, he cautioned that many areas and cities like New Orleans would see their peak infections unfold over the next few weeks and warned the situation could worsen if people took their "foot off the gas."

Japan to Declare Public Health Emergency as Number of Coronavirus Cases Spike

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe told reporters on Monday that he will declare a state of emergency for Tokyo and six other prefectures as early as Tuesday as the number of coranavirus cases continues to climb in the country. However, no hard lockdowns will be ordered in those areas.

The announcement could come as early as Tuesday, Abe said and could last for about a month. A task force set up by the government recommended that Abe declare a state of emergency as the number of COVID-19 cases continued to increase. The state of emergency will cover areas including Tokyo, Osaka, Fukuoka, and four other prefectures that have seen a spike in cases. The measure is intended to promote social distancing as well as slow the spread of the outbreak by keeping social and economic activities to a minimum.

The number of cases in Japan surpassed 3,600 on Monday with at least 85 deaths from COVID-19 reported in the country.

Abe also said his government was also working on a 108 trillion yen ($1 trillion) stimulus package to help cushion the economic blow dealt by the pandemic.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson Admitted to Hospital After Suffering From Persistent Coronavirus Symptoms

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson was hospitalized with "persistent symptoms" of COVID-19 Sunday as part of a precautionary step, a statement from the British government said. Johnson was admitted to undergo several routine tests on the advice of his doctor after he

“On the advice of his doctor, the Prime Minister has tonight been admitted to hospital for tests,” a Downing Street spokesperson said. “This is a precautionary step, as the Prime Minister continues to have persistent symptoms of coronavirus ten days after testing positive for the virus.”

“The Prime Minister thanks NHS [National Health Service] staff for all of their incredible hard work and urges the public to continue to follow the Government’s advice to stay at home, protect the NHS and save lives,” they added.

Johnson provided an additional update on his condition Monday, writing that he was in "good spirits."

"Last night, on the advice of my doctor, I went into hospital for some routine tests as I’m still experiencing coronavirus symptoms," Johnson wrote on Twitter. "I’m in good spirits and keeping in touch with my team, as we work together to fight this virus and keep everyone safe."

Housing Secretary Robert Jenrick told the BBC that Johnson was still "very much in charge of the government.

"I'm sure this is very frustrating for him, for somebody like Boris who wants to be hands [on] running the government from the front," Jenrick said.

While Johnson will continue to lead the government, Dominic Raab, the Foreign Secretary, will stand in for Johnson if the prime minister finds himself too sick to work.

National News

102.5 KNIX · Today's Best Country & All Time Favorites