What you need to know today about the virus outbreak

America's coronavirus infections have surged to the most in the world, reaching 100,000 cases Friday with New York still the worst hit in the country. Troubling new outbreaks are bubbling in other cities including Chicago, Detroit and New Orleans, which is rushing to build a makeshift hospital in its convention center.

The U.S. House Friday approved a $2.2 trillion rescue package that was immediately signed by President Trump in a shared effort to shore up a U.S. economy and health care system left flailing by the coronavirus pandemic.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson became the first leader of a major country to test positive and Italy has shut down its industry. Masses of unemployed Indian laborers were getting food handouts and South Africa has begun a three-week lockdown.

Here are some of AP's top stories Friday on the world's coronavirus pandemic. Follow APNews.com/VirusOutbreak for updates through the day and APNews.com/UnderstandingtheOutbreak for stories explaining some of its complexities.

WHAT'S HAPPENING TODAY:

— New Orleans’ sprawling convention center along the Mississippi River is being converted into a massive hospital as officials prepare for thousands more patients than they can accommodate. The preparations are conjuring images of another disaster, Hurricane Katrina in 2005, when the convention center became a squalid shelter of last resort.

— President Donald Trump has issued an order that seeks to force General Motors to produce ventilators for coronavirus patients under the Defense Production Act. Trump had previously been reluctant to use the act to force businesses to contribute to the coronavirus fight.

— Spiritual leaders the world over are facing a conundrum as the death toll from the coronavirus mounts, leaving the faithful in...