The Senate passed a $2 trillion stimulus deal, the mayor of New York said more than half his city could face coronavirus infection, and Britain revealed Wednesday that Prince Charles tested positive for the virus.

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer called the bipartisan deal "the largest rescue package in history." And Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said, "This is a wartime level of investment into our nation."

Now the bill will head to the House for a vote before heading to President Donald Trump's desk. The agreement comes as confirmed cases in America, now over 69,000, have been climbing at an exponential rate. More are expected as the U.S. increases testing.

House Majority Leader, Rep. Steny Hoyer, D-Md., announced the House will vote on the $2 trillion bill Friday, and that they will convene at 9 a.m.

"We expect the bill to pass by voice vote," he said.

The U.S. death toll was at 1,050 early Thursday after eclipsing 600 on Tuesday. Globally, more than 21,200 people have been killed by the virus, according to the Johns Hopkins University data dashboard.

Our live blog is being updated throughout the day. Refresh for the latest news. More headlines:

Senate passes historic emergency aid package to curb coronavirus impact

The Senate approved its largest emergency aid package in modern history that will offer $2 trillion to help Americans, hospitals and businesses weather the effects of the coronavirus. The vote late Wednesday night was 96-0.

Among the provisions offered in the measure are one-time $1,200 checks to individuals, $367 billion in loans and grants to small businesses, over $130 billion for hospitals and community health centers and financial help to airlines and other industries hit hard by the virus.

The massive package aims to offer a financial lifeline to Americans and businesses that are hurting while also offering reassurance to the markets, which have seen some of its worst days in decades due to the virus’ impacts on the economy.

The emergency aid package is the third Congress has taken up to offset the effects of the virus. Wednesday’s vote capped off days of tense, round-the-clock negotiations between the Trump administration and leaders of the House and Senate.

– Christal Hayes

NBA star Stephen Curry, Anthony Fauci to talk coronavirus on Instagram

NBA superstar Stephen Curry is joining the effort to confront the coronavirus by moderating an Instagram discussion with Anthony Fauci on Thursday at 1 p.m. EDT.

Fauci, the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, has been the leading voice for science and medicine in the Trump administration's response to the pandemic. He will answer fans' questions about the virus.

Curry missed most of the now-suspended NBA season with a fractured hand, but the two-time league MVP and three-time champion remains one of the league's most popular players.

WHO calls for six measures to halt worldwide spread of coronavirus

In a press briefing Wednesday evening, World Health Organization director general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus called for countries to adopt six measures to aggressively attack the spread of the coronavirus pandemic.

The measures ask countries to expand, train and deploy healthcare workers; implement a system to find every suspected case “at the community level”; ramp up production and availability of testing; equip and adapt facilities to isolate and treat patients; develop plans and protocols to quarantine; and refocus the whole of government to suppress and control COVID-19.

“These measures are the best way to suppress and stop transmission, so that when restrictions are lifted, the virus doesn’t re-surge,” Tedros said. “The last thing any country needs is to open schools and businesses, only to be forced to close them again because of a resurgence.”

Tedros also welcomed the call made Monday by United Nations secretary general António Guterres for a global ceasefire so that governments can wholly focus on eradicating the virus.

– Lorenzo Reyes

Mayor Bill de Blasio: Half of New York City will be infected by coronavirus

More than half of New York City's population can expect to be infected by the coronavirus, Mayor Bill de Blasio said. Most will suffer only a "mild experience," but many will become very sick, and "we are going to lose some people," he said.

April will be tough and May tougher before the virus crisis eases, he said. The city has seen 192 deaths so far, and there are more than 17,000 confirmed cases of the virus.

"The world we knew is gone," de Blasio said in a social media post. "And it's not coming back, not for the next few months. That's the blunt truth."

Protesters block US-Mexico border amid fears of spreading coronavirus

Protesters on the Mexican side of the border blocked the Mexico-bound lanes in the twin border cities of Ambos Nogales for several hours Wednesday to express their displeasure with the Mexican government's response to the coronavirus pandemic.

The protesters demanded greater controls and screenings on southbound traffic at the U.S.-Mexico border out of concern that travelers from the U.S. could import new cases of the coronavirus into Mexico.

Less than a dozen people wearing face masks and carrying signs used two of their vehicles for a blockade of the two southbound lanes at the DeConcini crossing, several hundred feet into the Mexican side of the border, video taken by Mexican media showed.

Some of the signs asked U.S. residents to "stay at home." Others called on Mexico President Andrés Manuel López Obrador to step up controls and restrictions along the U.S.-Mexico border to contain the spread of COVID-19.

– Rafael Carranza, Arizona Republic

Two Grand Princess cruise ship passengers die from coronavirus

Two passengers from the Grand Princess, the cruise ship that floated off the California coast for days before being allowed to dock in Oakland, have died from the effects of the coronavirus, the Department of Health and Human Services said.

A statement from HHS to USA TODAY said both passengers had been quarantined at Travis Air Force Base in California after leaving the ship, then were transferred to area medical facilities after developing COVID-19 symptoms. One person died Saturday and the other one Monday.

More than 3,500 people on board the Grand Princess for a San Francisco-to-Hawaii voyage were potentially exposed to the coronavirus, and 21 of them eventually tested positive while on board.

Morgan Hines and Andrea Mandell

New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo touts benefits of social distancing

New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo said social distancing has helped slow the rate of hospitalizations in his state, but that they are still rising above expectations. He said the state will need 140,000 hospital beds, almost three times the existing capacity. He expects the state's curve to hit its apex in two or three weeks.

"We are still on the way up the mountain," he said.

Cuomo also said the state has sufficient masks and other protective equipment to last several days, but that the race to acquire respirators remained critical. He said they will be returned to states who donate them – and that his state will provide expertise on treatment as well.

"We are asking the country to help us," he said. "We will return the favor."

Prince Charles tests positive for coronavirus, displays 'mild symptoms'

Britain's Prince Charles, heir to the throne, has tested positive for the coronavirus, his official royal residence said in a statement. The statement said Prince Charles, 71, has "been displaying mild symptoms but otherwise remains in good health." His wife, the Duchess of Cornwall, does not have the virus, a test showed.

Prince Charles' coronavirus diagnosis:It's a huge deal for Brits, the monarchy. Here's why.

Britain's Queen Elizabeth has canceled a number of diary events "as a sensible precaution" amid the outbreak, but as late as last week she was still holding "audiences" with members of the public. Britain's monarch is 93.

– Kim Hjelmgaard

Gov. Gavin Newsom: 1 million jobless claims in California this month

California Gov. Gavin Newsom said more than a million unemployment insurance claims have been filed in the state this month, a sign of the widespread shutdowns affecting residents because of the coronavirus pandemic.

He called the expected relief from the stimulus package "very helpful and very timely'' but said more such aid will be needed. Newsom also announced at a news conference that several banks have agreed to allow homeowners impacted by the crisis to defer mortgage payments.

The Labor Department will release national unemployment-claim numbers Thursday morning, and analysts are projecting anywhere from 1 million to 4 million claims.

Student loan collection program eased

Many student loan borrowers far behind on their payments will see the federal government easing collection efforts as part of its response to the financial uncertainty as the coronavirus spreads. The federal government will no longer withhold portions of borrowers’ tax returns and Social Security payments, the Education Department said. And borrowers whose paychecks were garnished will be entitled to their full wage. Private collectors working for the government have also been told to stop collection calls and letters.

– Chris Quintana

Texas gets major disaster declaration

Trump issued a major disaster declaration for Texas as the state grapples with a growing number of cases of the coronavirus. Gov. Greg Abbott said in a tweet the declaration will expand the state’s access to federal resources.

A major disaster declaration gives the state access to federal assistance programs for individual and public infrastructure, including funds for emergency and permanent work.

Texas has 1,130 confirmed cases of COVID-19, the 11th largest total in the nation.

– Nicole Cobler, Austin American-Statesman

Innovative chef Floyd Cardoz dead at 59 after bout with coronavirus

Revolutionary chef Floyd Cardoz, who wowed critics and diners alike with his bold cooking at Tabla and Bombay Bread Bar in Manhattan, has died from COVID-19. He was 59.

Cardoz, who co-owned The Bombay Canteen and O Pedro in Mumbai, won the third season of "Top Chef Masters." He had returned from India via Frankfurt on March 8 feeling feverish. He admitted himself to a New York hospital believing he had the flu, according to close friend Lou Palma.

On his Instagram account, Cardoz apologized for worrying anyone about his health. "I am so sorry for causing undue panic," he said.

Esther Davidowitz, Bergen Record

Tony Awards postponed by coronavirus

Nearly two weeks after Broadway went dark due to concerns over the coronavirus, this year's Tony Awards have been postponed. They had been scheduled for June 7 in New York City's Radio City Music Hall.

Officially, Broadway is shut down until April 12, but experts say it's unlikely curtains will rise that soon. The awards show won't be rescheduled until theater productions restart, organizers said.

– Ilana Keller, Asbury Park Press

Italy, Iran see spike in coronavirus deaths; Spain surpasses China

Italy saw a jump in its daily death toll following two straight days of declines, the nation's civil protection chief said Wednesday. Tuesday saw 743 deaths, up from 601 on Monday and 653 on Sunday. More than 6,800 have died since the outbreak swept into Italy last month. In Spain, where an ice rink has been converted into a morgue, 738 more deaths were reported for a total of 3,434 overall, surpassing China's total.

Iran reported 122 deaths, bringing the total there to more than 2,000. United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet warned that U.S. sanctions are impeding Iran’s efforts to fight coronavirus – and are putting the entire world in danger. "In a context of global pandemic, impeding medical efforts in one country heightens the risk for all of us," Bachelet said.

First immigration detainee tests positive for coronavirus in New Jersey

A federal immigration detainee in New Jersey is the first to test positive for the coronavirus, spurring renewed warnings from advocates about the safety of those being held. People held in detention centers are "sitting ducks," said Andrea Flores, a deputy director of policy at the ACLU. Flores urged U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement to set more detainees free.

The jail in Bergen County — the epicenter of the New Jersey outbreak —was put under lock down after the positive test. A spokesman for ICE, which pays Bergen and other county jails to house those accused of immigration violations, said the agency has been working with local officials to determine whether any detainees require additional testing.

– Monsy Alvarado and Steve Janoski, Bergen Record

US, Asian stocks leap after Dow Jones' historic surge

U.S. stocks raced higher again Wednesday, a day after the Dow Jones Industrial Average's biggest surge since 1933. Global markets also soared, with Japan's Nikkei 225 index jumping 5.3%, Hong Kong adding 3% and Sydney climbing 3.6%. Tokyo share prices were also boosted by the decision to postpone the 2020 Olympics to 2021 in view of the coronavirus pandemic.

All that followed a stunning 11.4% surge Tuesday in the Dow. The S&P 500 index leaped 9.4% as a wave of buying around the world interrupted what has been a brutal month of nearly nonstop selling.

Mike Pompeo blasts China, calls COVID-19 ‘Wuhan virus’

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo repeatedly used the term “Wuhan virus” to refer to the coronavirus, despite warnings from health experts that the term risks stigmatizing Asian-Americans and concerns the label has incited racist attacks in the U.S.

In a 15-minute news conference, Pompeo never used the official medical term – COVID-19 – for the disease. Pompeo also lashed out at China again for its handling of the initial outbreak, which began in Wuhan.

“They were the first country to know about the risk to the world from this virus," Pompeo told a handful of reporters gathered for Wednesday’s briefing. "They repeatedly delayed sharing.”

– Deirdre Shesgreen

Hundreds of Waffle House restaurants go dark amid coronavirus outbreak

Waffle House, known for weathering many a natural disaster, said it's closing 418 of its restaurants. The chain posted a map on social media showing the closed restaurants, while another 1,574 across the southeastern U.S. remained open. The posts also featured the hashtag "#WaffleHouseIndexRed.

The initial Facebook post drew almost 1,000 comments, most of them reflecting alarm, such as "Oh geez, now we can worry" and "It's getting real sir."

The chain has its own "Waffle House Index" used during natural disasters to assess damage. If a store is closed, it's likely in an area with significant damage.

Fever charting shows social distancing is slowing the spread of coronavirus

Early evidence suggests closing bars, restaurants and other businesses to keep people apart in places including New York City, has slowed the incidence of fevers that are an early indicator of coronavirus, according to a new analysis of fevers and symptoms across the U.S.

Data from health technology company Kinsa, which did the analysis using its digital thermometers, show the number of people with flu-like illness – atypical fever and symptoms – began dropping almost immediately after mandatory social distancing measures were implemented in some areas. The company downloads fever readings from more than 1 million thermometers in use around the U.S.

"When you shut down schools and businesses, you are breaking the chain of infections," said Kinsa CEO Inder Singh. "The data are showing it is working."

– Jayne O'Donnell

More coronavirus news, tips and information from USA TODAY:

• Need a refund on those tickets to NBA, NHL or baseball games? Hold that thought.

• Coronavirus lockdowns: These states are ordering residents to stay home or shelter in place.

• There's a new symptom of coronavirus, doctors say:Sudden loss of smell or taste

If you get coronavirus, this is everything to know about the infection process.

• Stores are running low on diapers.Here's where you can still get them.

• Grocery stores like Walmart, Albertsons and Kroger are adding sneeze guards in stores.

• Fact check: COVID-19 crisis has not created decreased long-term human environmental impact

•Sen. Rand Paul explains why he did not self-quarantine.

• The US is confronting coronavirus without the CDC. It's 'like fighting with one hand tied behind your back,' ex-director says.

• Greta Thunberg thinks she had coronavirus.She urged the public to stay at home.

• You order, they deliver:Here's a list of food delivery services you can use now.

We want to help. Gannett launches website to help local small businesses.

Contributing: The Associated Press.