The United States on Friday become the first country to record more than 2,000 coronavirus deaths in one day, with 2,108 fatalities in the past 24 hours, according to the Johns Hopkins University tally.
The US has now recorded 18,586 deaths and is closing in on the toll of 18,849 dead in Italy, which has seen the most fatalities so far in the global pandemic.
The US is also approaching half a million confirmed cases of COVID-19, with 496,535 as of 8:30 pm (0030 GMT Saturday), an increase of 35,098 in the past 24 hours.
The global coronavirus death toll also topped 100,000 Friday as Easter celebrations around the world kicked off in near-empty churches with billions of people stuck indoors to halt the pandemic's deadly march.
It came as the World Health Organization issued a dire warning that prematurely lifting lockdown restrictions - affecting more than half the planet's population - .
Extraordinary measures from New York to Naples to New Delhi have seen businesses and schools closed in a desperate bid to halt the virus's spread, and the IMF has said the world now faces the worst downturn since the Great Depression of the 1930s.
More than 1.6 million people have been infected globally and the death toll hit 100,859 on Friday - with nearly 70 percent of fatal cases in hard-hit Europe.
Officials in the US and Europe nevertheless expressed some hope the curve could be starting to flatten.
Donald Trump delivers remarks on the COVID-19 pandemic at the White House in Washington, D.C. on Tuesday April 6, 2020 Source: AP
US President Donald Trump said that with his country's infection trajectory "near the peak" and social distancing working well, he was considering ways to open up the world's biggest economy "as soon as possible".
"Without question it's the biggest decision I've ever had to make," Mr Trump said.
He acknowledged the risk of increased death tolls if shuttered businesses re-open too soon.
"But you know what? Staying at home leads to death also," Mr Trump said, highlighting the massive economic cost to millions of Americans.
Easter celebrations that would normally see churches packed with parishioners were replaced by an eerie emptiness Friday.
Even such hallowed traditions as the pope's Easter message are being revamped - Pope Francis will livestream from the seclusion of his private library.
"We have to respond to our confinement with all our creativity," the pontiff said. "We can either get depressed and alienated... or we can get creative."
Worshippers in Germany embraced social distancing orders to celebrate Good Friday at a drive-in service in Dusseldorf.
In some countries, glimmers of hope may be emerging.
Spain, the third hardest-hit country, saw its lowest 24-hour toll in 17 days, after Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said the "fire started by the pandemic is starting to come under control".
France reported nearly 1,000 new deaths Friday, but the number of patients in intensive care fell for the second straight day.
Italy's toll neared 19,000 Friday, the highest in the world, but daily rises in new infections have slowed dramatically.
Still, the government said it would extend lockdown orders until 3 May.
Police officers patrol an empty St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, Friday, April 10, 2020. Source: AP
Britain's toll climbed too, with 980 new deaths, and the government resisted calls to ease lockdown measures.
But spirits were lifted there Friday when virus-stricken Prime Minister Boris Johnson showed signs of recovery after three days in intensive care.
"The Prime Minister has been able to do short walks, between periods of rest," a Downing Street spokesman said.
People in Australia must stay at least 1.5 metres away from others and gatherings are limited to two people unless you are with your family or household.
If you believe you may have contracted the virus, call your doctor (don’t visit) or contact the national Coronavirus Health Information Hotline on 1800 020 080. If you are struggling to breathe or experiencing a medical emergency, call 000.
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