Global Covid-19 deaths surpassed 300,000 on Thursday, as governments continue to relax lockdown restrictions around the world. More than 85,000 of those deaths — almost a third of the global tally — are in the U.S. President Donald Trump continues to tout vaccine research and testing capabilities, reiterating on Thursday that a vaccine could be developed and distributed within a year. Ousted federal vaccine scientist Rick Bright criticized that timeline during testimony before a House health subcommittee, calling it “an aggressive schedule.” Bright filed a whistleblower complaint after he was removed last month as director of the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority. The agency is a key player in federal coordination of vaccine development.
This is CNBC’s live blog covering all the latest news on the coronavirus outbreak. All times below are in Eastern time. This blog will be updated throughout the day as the news breaks.
- Global cases: More than…