The growing death toll in the U.S.

The country’s first 5,000 deaths from the coronavirus occurred in just over a month. The second 5,000 came in less than five days. Our map shows how quickly the numbers have risen.

The New York metro area accounts for more than 40 percent of U.S. deaths, although Gov. Andrew Cuomo said on Monday that death and hospitalization rates in the state had started to stabilize. He again cautioned New Yorkers to maintain distancing measures. Here’s the latest from our Metro desk.

The details: When will New York City reach the peak of the outbreak? Public health officials say it may be soon, or it may be a month away. Here’s what we know.

Watch: It doesn’t take long for mild symptoms to become serious. Our video explains how the virus invades the lungs.

Four benchmarks for a return to normalcy

How do officials know when it’s time to reopen public spaces and start to bring life back to normal? Researchers recently outlined some markers:

1. Hospitals must be able to safely treat all patients requiring hospitalization, without resorting to crisis standards of care. That means having adequate beds, ventilators and staff.