WASHINGTON (AP) — Siding with public health experts' dire projections, President Donald Trump on Monday defended his decision to extend restrictive social distancing guidelines through the end of April, while bracing the nation for a coronavirus death toll that could exceed 100,000 people.

"Challenging times are ahead for the next 30 days," Trump said during a Rose Garden press conference. He called refraining from public outings "our shared patriotic duty" during the outbreak.

The comments came a day after Trump made a dramatic course reversal and announced that he would not be moving to ease...