US coronavirus cases top 500,000, death toll rises to 18,600

The US has recorded more than 2,000 fatalities due to the novel coronavirus in a single day, becoming the first country to do so.

According to the latest data, 2,108 people deaths have died in the last 24 hours, taking the tally to 18,671, and the number of infections crossing more than half a million. 

It comes as experts on the White House COVID-19 task force confirmed that the outbreak was stabilising, but hadn't peaked.

Researchers predict that the death toll would hit its peak on Friday and then gradually begin to decline.

Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump ordered his administration to help Italy in fighting the coronavirus by providing medical supplies, humanitarian relief and other assistance.