US coronavirus death toll tops 2,000

By Servet Gunerigok

WASHINGTON - The death toll from the new coronavirus in the U.S. pushed past the 2,000 mark Saturday, according to data by Johns Hopkins University.

The number of infected cases rose to 121,117 as 961 have recovered from the virus.

Most of the deaths were reported in New York state that had 626, with New York City the epicenter where 517 have been recorded.

The first U.S. death was Feb. 29 in Washington state. A total of 136 people have died there, followed by New Jersey with 86.

The Maryland-based university's data showed worldwide infections neared the 660,000 mark with more than 30,000 deaths. Nearly 138,000 have recovered from infections.

After first appearing in Wuhan, China in December, the virus known as COVID-19, has spread to at least 177 countries and regions.