The Deseret News is tracking news related to the pandemic across the United States and around the world. Refresh this feed for live updates throughout the day.
The $1,200 question: How do you to sign up for a stimulus payment?
1 p.m.
After much promise, the Internal Revenue Service’s “Get My Payment” website is now live, allowing individuals to track their digital or physical checks. The website can provide details on payment status, payment type and whether the federal government needs more information — like direct deposit details. Because the website has been busy, it may be running slow.
The website can be found here: IRS Get My Payment Website
Taxpayers will need the following information to check the payment’s status:
- Social Security or individual tax ID number
- Date of birth
- Street address
- Zip code
A copy of 2019 or 2018’s tax return will have that information.
Millions of American taxpayers have already begun to receive coronavirus impact payments directly to their bank accounts. The first round is being deposited into the accounts of 2019 or 2018 taxpayers who filed direct deposit information with the IRS.
Deseret News has previously reported on when taxpayers could expect to receive their coronavirus impact payments and and how much money to expect.
WHO director responds to Trump’s funding freeze, offers lesson on unity
11:15 p.m.
Amidst a global pandemic that has killed more than 128,000 people, President Donald Trump announced Tuesday the United States would suspend funding for the World Health Organization.
At a news conference Wednesday, the WHO’s director-general said he regretted Trump’s decision, ABC News reported.
“WHO is not only fighting COVID-19. We are also working to address polio, measles, malaria, Ebola, HIV, tuberculosis, malnutrition, cancer, diabetes, mental health and many other diseases and conditions,” said director-general Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
At more than $400 million annually, the U.S. is the global public health organization’s largest contributor.
Tedros said the WHO would turn to its other partners for additional financial support and would review its response to the global pandemic.
“This is a time for all of us to be united in our common struggle against a common threat. A dangerous enemy,” he said. “When we’re divided the virus exploits the cracks between us.”
COVID-19’s toll reaches 2 million cases
8:45 a.m.
The global coronavirus pandemic reached another horrifying milestone Wednesday morning. More than 2 million people in 185 countries have now tested positive for COVID-19, according to the Johns Hopkins tally.
The death toll has climbed over 128,000.
The United States has more than 601,000 confirmed cases, with more than 24,429 deaths. Upwards of 2,400 people have tested positive for the virus in Utah, where 19 people have died, according to the Utah Department of Health.
Health care workers make up 10%-20% of the confirmed cases in the U.S., The Associated Press reported Tuesday..
Johns Hopkins University and Medicine reports that more than a half-million people have recovered.