In this photo taken from video provided by the New York Stock Exchange, NYSE Security Director Gregory Crane rings the opening bell at the NYSE on Wednesday, April 1, 2020. (Photo: AP)

NEW YORK, April 1 (Xinhua) -- U.S. stocks plunged on Wednesday with the Dow down more than 1,000 points in afternoon trading amid heightened fears over the rapid spread of COVID-19 in the country.