The coronavirus death toll in the U.S. now stands at 16,527 and total cases neared half a million at 460,967, according to an NBC News tally as of Thursday night.

Meanwhile, the number of confirmed coronavirus cases in New York state has reached 159,937 — outpacing any country except the United States as a whole.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo said Thursday that New York was bringing in additional funeral directors "to deal with the number of people who have passed."

Lockdowns appear set to remain in place in many European countries amid rising death tolls, as governments from Britain to France decide whether to extend restrictions aimed at reducing the spread of the virus.

In the U.K., Prime Minister Boris Johnson was moved out the intensive care unit at a St. Thomas' Hospital as he continues to recover from COVID-19, the disease associated with coronavirus.

"Saturday Night Live" announced Thursday that it would be back on air this weekend, using remotely produced content. The sketch show tweeted a photo of its stars, including Kenan Thompson and Kate McKinnon, together on a video conference.

The Japanese government announced it is making the emergency influenza treatment Avigan (favipiravir) available to 30 countries which have requested supplies to treat COVID-19. This follows reports from China that the antiviral drug had reduced the length of time patients with the infection needed to stay in hospital.

In 2014 – 2016 Avigan was tested in a 111 patient clinical trial in treating another coronavirus infection, Ebola, in epidemic in West Africa. The study, which was jointly funded by the EU Horizon 2020 R&D programme and the French government, failed to show a positive effect.