Donald Trumps backs away from New York quarantine as cases soar in the region

Donald Trump has backed away from putting New York state and neighbouring areas under quarantine.

But millions of residents in its three neighbouring states have been urged to avoid non-essential travel in a region that has become the deadliest hotspot of the outbreak in the US.

So far more than 800 people have died and  52 thousand cases have been reported in New York state alone.