New York Governor Andrew Cuomo took a coronavirus test during his televised briefing, in a bid to encourage more people to take the tests.
"I’m not in pain, I’m not in discomfort," he said after a doctor, dressed in PPE, conducted the test. "Closing my eyes was a moment of relaxation. There is no reason why you should not get the test."
Cuomo urged New Yorkers to get tested if they had symptoms or were exposed to the virus.
He added that the screenings had been expanded to include those people who've returned to work, medical and nursing-home personnel.
"We just don't have enough New Yorkers coming to be tested," Cuomo said, urging more people to get screened as parts of the state reopen some non-essential activities.
So far, New York has registered more than 350,000 cases and over 22,000 deaths.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on Thursday that the United States remains prepared to play a "constructive role" in helping bring an end to the war in Ukraine, following talks with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on the sidelines of an ASEAN gathering in Manila.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Thursday that "fast-track" courts would be set up to prosecute those behind exam paper leaks, his first public response after days of youth protests demanding the resignation of the education minister.
The US House of Representatives narrowly passed its version of a massive defence policy bill, despite Democrats' concerns about its huge price tag, the Iran war and a provision that would boost Pentagon ties to Israel.