Updated Mar. 15, 2020 8:07 PM
The new coronavirus, and COVID-19, the disease it causes, took less than three months to travel around the world. After surfacing in late 2019, the virus has spread to more than 100 countries and, on March 13, 2020, the global death toll climbed above 5,000. The same day, President Donald Trump declared a national emergency in the United States.
On March 11, the World Health Organization officially declared the coronavirus outbreak a global pandemic. This is the first pandemic in 11 years, according to the CDC.
The number of cases of COVID-19 outside of China exploded 13-fold over a two-week period covering late February into early March, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said. “Thousands more are fighting for their lives in hospitals. We are deeply concerned both by the alarming levels of spread and severity, and by the alarming levels of inaction.”
Carabineri (Italian paramilitary police officers) patrol an empty St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, Wednesday, March 11, 2020. Pope Francis held his weekly general audience in the privacy of his library as the Vatican implemented Italy’s drastic coronavirus lockdown measures, barring the general public from St. Peter’s Square and taking precautions to limit the spread of infections in the tiny city state.For most people, the new coronavirus causes only mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)
Tedros said that of those infected, most will recover. Over 120,000 cases have been reported worldwide as of Wednesday, March 11, and more than 66,000 patients have recovered, according to data from Johns Hopkins University.
After weeks of spreading through the United States, the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases surpassed 1,700 cases and at least 40 deaths were blamed on the virus.
Weather and its potential impact on how COVID-19 behaves have remained a consistent focus since the outbreak erupted and experts are divided over what impact, if any, warmer weather will have on the spread of the outbreak.
Marc Lipsitch, professor of epidemiology at Harvard’s T.H. Chan School of Public Health, has said that warm weather will "probably not" slow down the spread, at least not significantly.
And Michael Osterholm, the director of Infectious Disease Research and Policy (CIDRAP) echoed that sentiment and cautioned that the world is only in the beginning stages of the outbreak. "This is a coronavirus winter," he cautioned, saying he expects the outbreak to go on for six months or more. Both Lipsitch's and Osterholm's positions came in March and stand in opposition to some previous analysis.
In early February, Hong Kong University pathology professor John Nicholls said that he suspected three factors would potentially kill the virus within six months, according to a leaked transcript of a private conference call in early February.
A couple kiss, at the Barcelona airport, Spain, Thursday, March 12, 2020. President Donald Trump, who had downplayed the coronavirus for weeks, suddenly struck a different tone, announcing strict rules on restricting travel from much of Europe to begin this weekend. For most people, the new coronavirus causes only mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia. (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti)
"Three things the virus does not like: 1. Sunlight, 2. Temperature and 3. Humidity," Nicholls said in remarks that emerged on social media. "The virus can remain intact at 4 degrees Celsius (39 degrees Fahrenheit) or 10 degrees C (50 F). But at 30 degrees C (86 degrees F), then you get inactivation."
The CDC has cautioned that not enough is known about the virus to say for sure that weather will affect the spread, but a spokesperson said, "I’m happy to hope that it [the threat] goes down as the weather warms up."
As experts work toward a better understanding, the world shudders in fear of the unknown, a worry that has rocked global financial markets, leading to daily volatility in the U.S. stock markets.
Here are the latest updates, listed in eastern time, and the most important things you need to know about coronavirus.
March 15, 8:07 p.m.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued a notice on Sunday that stated due to the rapid spread of COVID-19, they recommend no events with more than 50 people be held for the next eight weeks throughout the entire United States. They suggest events be made virtual when possible and only be carried out in person if they are able to follow the guidelines required to protect vulnerable people, practice social distancing and hand hygiene.
March 15, 7:45 p.m.
At least nine states announced the temporary closure of public schools or transition to remote learning on Sunday. This includes:
March 15, 6:45 p.m.
New York has surpassed Washington as the state with the highest amount of confirmed cases of the coronavirus. As of Sunday, New York state tallies 729 cases and Washington state tallies 642.
Commuters pass through Grand Central Terminal, Tuesday, March 10, 2020 in New York. Some people are restricting how much they travel due to the concern for COVID-19. The vast majority of people recover from the new virus.(AP Photo/Mark Lennihan)
March 15, 5:25 p.m.
On Sunday, the U.S. Federal Reserve cut interest rates down to a target range of 0% to .25% as a result of the growing coronavirus pandemic.
"The effects of the coronavirus will weigh on economic activity in the near term and pose risks to the economic outlook. In light of these developments, the Committee decided to lower the target range," the Fed said in a statement.
This target range is expected to last until "the economy has weathered recent events and is on track to achieve its maximum employment and price stability goals."
March 15, 5:15 p.m.
New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced on Sunday that schools in Westchester, Nassau, Suffolk and New York City would close with childcare available for essential workers and food programs.
Schools in New York City will close early this week, and the city government must have a plan for childcare and food in place within 24 hours, according to Cuomo.
Schools in Nassau, Suffolk and Westchester will close Monday.
March 15, 4:48 p.m.
Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine issued an executive order on Sunday to adjust the unemployment laws in the state for the COVID-19 pandemic. He announced the state would be waiving the waiting week to collect unemployment so that those eligible could receive unemployment in their first week.
March 15, 3:40 p.m.
Two more cruise ships have had passengers tested positive for COVID-19, CNN reported. Royal Caribbean’s Silver Shadow and Silver Explorer ships are currently docked at international ports, and have asked their passengers to remain in their cabins in isolation while they determine the next steps with health officials.
March 15, 3:24 p.m.
National health authorities told The Associated Press on Saturday that heath officials recorded 3,497 new COVID-19 cases in Italy within 24 hours– their biggest day-to-day jump in numbers and a nearly 20% increase from the day before. Their death toll rose by 175 within those 24 hours.
The bulk of these cases occurred in Lombardy in the northern region of the country. Next to China and Iran, Italy has been one of the nations hardest hit by COVID-19. By Sunday, their total number of cases was now at 24,747, including those who have recovered.
Italy announced 368 new deaths in the last 24 hours on Sunday. The death toll in the country stands at 1,809 as of Sunday, according to Civil Protection Department Chief Angelo Borrelli.
March 15, 2:59 p.m.
German Interior Minister Horst Seehofer announced Sunday at a press conference that Germany will begin to initiate border controls at borders of surrounding countries. This list includes France, Austria, Switzerland, Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg. According to Seehofer, there will be exceptions for cross-border work commuters and cargo transports.
March 15, 2:17 p.m.
The top landlords in New York City have pledged to halt evictions for three months in light of the COVID-19 outbreak. The pledge was made on Friday and excludes criminal or negligent behavior that puts other residents at risk. Landlords representing more that 150,000 rental units signed the pledge, according to the New York Post.
March 15, 1:54 p.m.
Chef José Andrés, the most famous chef in Washington, D.C. according to The Washingtonian, will be closing his restaurants on Sunday amid the COVID-19 crisis. On March 17, Andrés will transform a few of his 20-plus restaurants into community kitchens that offer lunches to go. The community kitchens are part of his emergency relief organization called World Central Kitchen.
March 15, 1:45 p.m.
The third coronavirus-related death was reported in the state of New York. A 79-year-old woman who had “multiple major underlying health issues” died, New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced.
“New York is the state with the most number of cases,” Cuomo said. As a result, all non-essential State employees in Rockland, Westchester, New York City, and Long Island are asked to stay home and work from home starting Monday, which represents about 50% of workforce in these counties.
March 15, 1:36 p.m.
Miami Beach is taking proactive measures against the spread of COVID-19. Miami Beach Mayor Dan Gelber and City Manager Jimmy Morales have enacted a 5 p.m. curfew for the city's most popular beaches in order to curb the spread of the virus through college students on spring break, the New York Post reported. Police will enforce the curfew. In addition, they have banned restaurants and nightclubs in the city from holding more than 250 people at a time.
March 15, 1:23 p.m.
Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot is enforcing all businesses that sell liquor to have less than half of their regular maximum capacity and requiring any establishments that sell liquor to have a maximum capacity of 100 people to reduce the amount of St. Patrick's Day festivities amid the outbreak, according to CNN.
March 15, 11:55 a.m.
"In cold environments, there is longer virus survival than warm ones." Those are the words of Hong Kong University pathology professor John Nicholls, who has been studying a lab-grown copy of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, which causes COVID-19. Nicholls told AccuWeather exclusively that his team's latest research shows the virus is "highly sensitive to high temperature."
Not all experts in the infectious disease community believe warm weather will slow the spread of COVID-19, however. Some prominent doctors have voiced skepticism in recent days. And Nicholls cautioned that there's more at play than the weather. "Once the virus leaves the body, human factors are more unpredictable," he said.
March 15, 11:11 a.m.
Nike joins a long list of retailers closing their stores, which includes Patagonia, Apple, Urban Outfitters and more. Nike also plans to close other stores in other parts of the world.
March 15, 10:35 a.m.
American immunologist Dr. Fauci was asked by ABC if the U.S. could impose domestic travel restrictions and he said it has been discussed.
“I don’t see that right now in the immediate future but remember, we are very open-minded about whatever it takes to preserve the health of the American public,” Dr. Fauci said.
March 15, 10:15 a.m.
American Airlines announced the company plans to cut 75% of its international flights from the U.S. starting Monday through May 6, the airline said in a statement.
An American Airlines flight was delayed for eight hours after a passenger joked he had coronavirus. The plane turned around about two hours into the flight and returned to Toronto where the passenger was arrested.
March 15, 9:40 a.m.
Following the coronavirus lockdown in Italy, satellite imagery shows pollution has dramatically decreased in that area. Scientists also recorded a reduction in pollution in China, which is believed to be a result of reduced travel during the coronavirus outbreak.
March 15, 8:30 a.m.
The Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games flame handover will take place in an empty Athens stadium, Greece's Olympic Committee said.
"Following the orders of the Greek State in order to contain the coronavirus pandemic and for the protection of public health no accreditation cards issued will be valid," the country's Olympic Committee said.
March 15, 7:00 a.m.
Confirmed COVID-19 cases in the U.S. neared 3,000 and New York and Washington saw cases swell to more than 600. New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo also announced the state's second death, a 65-year-old man who suffered from underlying health issues, from COVID-19 late Saturday and said two state lawmakers had tested positive. Here's a look at the latest figures from real-time stats kept by researchers at Johns Hopkins University.
• Total confirmed cases: 156,400
• Total deaths: 5,833
• Total recovered: 73,968
March 14, 7:51 p.m.
President Trump tested negative for COVID-19, the White House doctor said. White House physician Sean Conley said President Donald Trump was tested and did not show signs of COVID-19, Politico reported on Saturday. Trump had come in close contact with multiple people who tested positive for the illness in recent days. CNBC reported that Vice President Mike Pence has not been tested yet, but said on Saturday that he plans to.
March 14, 6:40 p.m.
As cities and regions affected by COVID-19 practice the recommended social distancing habits, once active cities now look like ghost towns void of a human presence. A video taken in the main square of Igualada, Spain, demonstrates the newfound silence across the globe.
According to Johns Hopkins University, social distancing can mean canceling large events and shutting down public spaces, as well as smaller steps like avoiding crowds.
March 14, 5:30 p.m.
Turkey has announced that as of Saturday morning people attempting to enter the country from Germany, Spain, France, Austria, Norway, Denmark, Sweden, Belgium, and the Netherlands would not be allowed in.Turkish citizens have the ability to come home until Tuesday, but Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Yavuz Selim Kıran said it is better for them to remain where they are, according to Ahval News.
March 14, 5:12 p.m.
North Carolina has added itself to the growing list of states in the U.S. that are issuing school closures due to COVID-19. Gov. Roy Cooper made the decision to close all k-12 schools for the next two weeks after 23 cases of the virus were confirmed across the state. The closure will begin on March 16.
March 14, 4:38 p.m.
The Utah Jazz announced on Saturday that Rudy Gobert will donate $500,000 to the employee relief fund at Vivint Smart Home Arena and social services relief for Utah, Oklahoma City and France after being the first NBA player to test positive for COVID-19. Gobert’s donation will include $200,000 toward part-time employees of the Utah Jazz’s home arena due to the cancellation and postponement of events that is preventing them from working.
March 14, 4:19 p.m.
COVID-19 concerns have led to the closure of all businesses "not essential to life of the country" in France starting at midnight on Saturday, including bars, restaurants and retail stores. Places considered essential such as pharmacies, grocery stores, gas stations, banks, press offices and tobacco stores are required to remain open. The Eiffel Tower also closed on Friday after the French government banned gatherings of over 100 people, The Local France reported.
March 14, 3:50 p.m.
Communications director for the GOP Michael Ahrens announced on Twitter that GOP Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel had a fever and flu-like symptoms. Test results for strep throat and the flu came back negative, and McDaniel was required to be tested for COVID-19. Ahrens said McDaniel and her family are self-quarantined at home while they await her results.
March 14, 3:20 p.m.
Johns Hopkins University medical professor Marty Makary spoke to Yahoo Finance on Friday, where he warned of the seriousness of the COVID-19 pandemic. In the interview he warned that the numbers of confirmed COVID-19 cases are extremely low compared to a realistic number of cases that exist. For every one confirmed case, there are around 25-50 unconfirmed cases, Makary said. He estimates there are anywhere between 50,000 and 500,000 cases in the United States right now.
“I’m concerned when I hear a neighbor or a friend say that they’re planning to go to a kid’s swim meet in three weeks or going on vacation next week,” Makary said. “No — we’re about to experience the worst public health epidemic since polio.”
March 14, 2:20 p.m.
President Trump was tested for coronavirus and said the test results should be available in a day or two. The president has come into direct and indirect contact with people who have tested positive for the virus.
March 14, 1:30 p.m.
Vice President Mike Pence announced on Saturday the European travel ban will be extended to the United Kingdom and Ireland. The ban originally went into effect for 26 European countries, BBC reported. The U.K. and Ireland now bring the list up to 28. The new limitations go into effect at midnight, eastern time on Monday.
March 14, 1:15 p.m.
New York reported the state’s first coronavirus death who is an 82-year-old woman. She was admitted on March 3 and reportedly had an underlying respiratory illness, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo said.
March 14, 1:00 p.m.
Disney and four more major cruise lines announced they are suspending operations, USA Today said. Carnival, Royal Caribbean, Norwegian and Celebrity are suspending cruises to and from U.S. ports for 30 days.
“CLIA cruise line members are voluntarily and temporarily suspending operations from the U.S. as we work to address this public health crisis,” Kelly Craighead, CLIA president and CEO in a statement. “This is an unprecedented situation."
March 14, 12:35 p.m.
The House of Representatives passed a bill guaranteeing free coronavirus testing and emergency paid sick leave. The bill will now head to the Senate for final approval.
March 14, 11:55 a.m.
On Saturday, North Carolina health officials announced eight new positive coronavirus tests. The new cases bring the coronavirus total in the state to 23.
March 14, 11:00 a.m.
Publix Supermarkets announced they will be closing at 8 p.m. starting Saturday until further notice.
“To better serve our customers, give our store teams time to conduct additional preventive sanitation and restock product on shelves, beginning Saturday, March 14, Publix will adjust store and pharmacy hours companywide to close at 8 p.m. until further notice,” Publix headquarters said in a release.
March 14, 10:15 a.m.
The Ukrainian government will close its borders for foreign citizens until to prevent the spread of coronavirus.
"In two weeks, depending on how the situation develops, we will make further decisions at the NSDC meeting," Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council (NSDC) of Ukraine Oleksiy Danilov said.
March 14, 9:20 a.m.
Spain declared a state of emergency for the second time in recent history as the cases rise by 1,500 in a day. Spain is the worst affected country in Europe after Italy.
March 14, 8:30 a.m.
A newborn baby has tested positive for coronavirus in the U.K. The infant’s mother, who has the virus, was rushed to a London hospital days earlier before the birth with suspected pneumonia.
March 13, 9:30 p.m.
Ivanka Trump worked from home on Friday after coming into close contact with the Australian Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton, though she will not go into self-quarantine. On Friday, Dutton confirmed he had been tested positive for COVID-19 and had gone into self-isolation. The announcement comes after the home affairs minister had met with senior Trump administration officials, including Ivanka Trump and U.S. Attorney-General William Barr, who also worked from home on Friday.
“The White House is aware that Mr. Dutton tested positive for Covid-19,” the White House said in a statement. “He was asymptomatic during the interaction. Exposures from the case were assessed and the White House Medical United confirmed, in accordance with CDC guidance, that Ivanka is exhibiting no symptoms and does not need to self-quarantine.”
March 13, 8:20 p.m.
Assurance Scientific Labs opened two drive-thru testing centers in Birmingham, Alabama, on Friday. A long line formed outside the facility, stretching for blocks.
Trump announced earlier in the day Friday that through partnership with public and private companies, more drive-thru testing sites would become available across the country.
March 13, 7:06 p.m.
Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi announced the U.S. House was passing the Families First Coronavirus Response Act on Friday evening. The three main parts of the bill include:
- Free coronavirus testing for everyone who needs a test, including the uninsured
- Two weeks of paid sick leave and up to three months of paid family and medical leave for those affected by the virus
- Strengthening unemployment insurance to help protect workers’ economic security
March 13, 6:38 p.m.
After the COVID-19 pandemic was declared a national emergency by President Donald Trump, the Dow Jones Industrial Average spiked by 2,000 points, making it its biggest point gain in history and its largest percent gain since 2008. Previous to the spike on Friday, Wall Street had its worst day in 30 years.
Despite the jump, the stock market still experienced its second-worst week in 10 years, according to The Associated Press. All the gains from 2019 — one of the best years in decades — were lost.
March 13, 6:20 p.m.
Four days after attending an event with a Brazilian official who tested positive for COVID-19, Miami Mayor Francis Suarez has also tested positive for the virus. Suarez told The Miami Herald of his positive test results on Friday. The event he attended with Brazilian officials was on Monday.
March 13, 6:05 p.m.
So far, at least 12 states have closed down schools k-12 statewide to slow the spread of COVID-19. The states that have closed their schools so far are:
Washington, D.C., has also closed their school districts. Duration and details of school closures vary by state, and people should check with their state governor or school officials for important details.
Additionally, Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear has not mandated school closures, but has recommended them.
March 13, 5:25 p.m.
The first COVID-19 related death in Colorado has been reported, state Gov. Jared Polis announced. According to TIME, Colorado currently has 45 COVID-19 cases.
The same day Polis announced the state’s first death, the first drive-thru testing center in the state was shut down in Denver due to snowy weather conditions, The Denver Post reported. Testing is expected to resume on Saturday.
March 13, 5:09 p.m.
Washington state Gov. Jay Inslee announced that due to the COVID-19 outbreak that is “evolving quickly,” he will be closing all k-12 schools in the state for more than a month. The closure will begin on March 17 and continue through April 24, “at least.” Students will not be able to return to school until April 27 at the earliest, according to KIRO 7 News. He also announced that he is restricting activity at all colleges and technical schools in the state. Washington state has been the epicenter for new cases in the U.S., with 568 cases and 37 deaths.
March 13, 3:45 p.m.
President Trump declared a national emergency in a news conference on Friday, responding to the global COVID-19 pandemic. The declaration will open up aid and provide more tests. He also called on all states to open emergency facilities to address diagnostics.
President Donald Trump speaks during a news conference about the coronavirus in the Rose Garden of the White House, Friday, March 13, 2020, in Washington. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar, right, and Vice President Mike Pence listen. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
March 13, 3:30 p.m.
The World Heath Organization’s Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus declared on Friday that Europe has become the new epicenter for COVID-19, as the continent has more reported cases and deaths than the rest of the world combined, excluding China. More cases are now being reported in Europe every day than in China at the country’s peak. “Any country that looks at the experience of other countries with large epidemics and thinks ‘that won’t happen to us' is making a deadly mistake,” Tedros said.
March 13, 3:26 p.m.
Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf has announced that all grade schools in the state will be closed for 10 business days, starting March 16, due to the growing spread of COVID-19. In a statement, Wolf said his administration will assess the situation to determine if the closures need to continue.
March 13, 3:08 p.m.
Jack Ma, China’s richest man, has declared the Jack Ma Foundation and Alibaba Foundation will supply 500,000 COVID-19 testing kits and 1 million face masks to the United States. Previously, Ma’s foundations have worked to provide supplies to Japan, Korea, Italy, Iran and Spain.
March 13, 2:18 p.m.
New York state Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced the opening of New York's first drive-thru COVID-19 testing center on Friday. The center is located in New Rochelle, which CNN reported is America's first containment zone for the pandemic. Cuomo said the drive-thru center is able to test 200 people on its first day open and will be able to test 500 people in the days following.
March 13, 2:02 p.m.
Los Angeles Unified School District, the nation's second-largest school district, is set to close all schools after a vote on Friday, putting 670,000 children and adults out of school and work. The Los Angeles Times reported the closure will be in effect for at least two weeks while the COVID-19 situation is being evaluated.
March 13, 12:35 p.m.
Louisiana has postponed the state’s Democratic primary due to the coronavirus. The primary was originally scheduled for April 4, but has been moved to June 20 and July 25, according to CNBC. This is the first state to alter its primary process due to COVID-19.
March 13, 11:52 a.m.
The COVID-19 outbreak reached a grim milestone as the global death toll eclipsed 5,000 on Friday, according to numbers tracked by researchers at Johns Hopkins University. More than 3,000 of the total number of deaths have been reported from China and more than 1,000 from Italy.
March 13, 11:03 a.m.
The medical experts advising President Donald Trump are reportedly optimistic that warmer weather will slow the spread of coronavirus. According to a report by Bloomberg, the president issued restrictions on travel to some places in Europe based on the guidance of his medical advisers -- and in opposition to counsel from his economic advisers. Experts have been divided over how weather's role impacts the behavior of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. Some are skeptical that the warmth will curb it. Others have said sun and warmer temperatures could shut it down.
March 13, 10 a.m.
The tallest mountain on Earth will go an entire year without a single human visiting the summit in after Nepal announced that it is closing its access to Mount Everest. This decision comes one day after China made a similar announcement to shut down the country's access to the mountain. Not only does Mount Everest fall under this closure, but all of the major mountains in the Himalayas. “Climbing this season has been closed,” Bhattarai told Reuters. “It is as a precaution for that,” he added, when asked it its was because of the coronavirus.
March 13, 9:33 a.m.
Tom Hanks has provided an update about he and his wife Rita Wilson, who both tested positive for COVID-19 while in Australia and are in isolation. “Rita Wilson and I want to thank everyone here Down Under who are taking such good care of us ... We are taking it one-day-at-a-time. There are things we can all do to get through this by following the advice of experts and taking care of ourselves and each other, no? Remember, despite all the current events, there is no crying in Baseball.”
Rita Wilson and Tom Hanks. (Twitter / Tom Hanks)
March 13, 9:10 a.m.
Justin Trudeau, the Prime Minister of Canada, is in self-isolation after his wife Sophie tested positive for COVID-19. “Her symptoms remain mild and she is taking care of herself and following the advice of our doctor,” Trudeau said on Thursday night. “I am feeling fine & I’m not exhibiting any symptoms of the virus, but I will also be following the advice of our doctor and I will continue to self-isolate for now.”
March 13, 8:25 a.m.
Just hours after the PGA announced that events would go on as scheduled, but without fans, the organization decided to cancel all upcoming golf events in the near future. “It is with regret that we are announcing the cancellation of THE PLAYERS Championship. We have also decided to cancel all PGA TOUR events – across all of our Tours – in the coming weeks, through the Valero Texas Open,” the PGA announced. “But at this point – and as the situation continues to rapidly change – the right thing to do for our players and our fans is to pause.”
The XFL has also decided to put a halt on their season. “The XFL will not be playing its regular season games. However, all players will be paid their base bay and benefits for the 2020 regular season,” the league stated.
The 2020 Boston Marathon has also been postponed amid the growing concerns of the coronavirus. The race, which was scheduled for April 20, is likely to be rescheduled for later in the year, but a new date has not been set.
March 13, 7:55 a.m.
Disney has announced the closure of several theme parks around the globe due to the spread of COVID-19. These closures will go into effect over the weekend and continue through the end of the month. “Disneyland Resort will work with guests who wish to change or cancel their visits, and will provide refunds to those who have hotel bookings during this closer period,” the company said on Twitter. The suspension of operations includes:
- Walt Disney World Resort in Florida
- Disneyland Park in California
- Disney Cruise Line
- Disneyland Paris Resort
March 13, 7:30 a.m.
Confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the U.S. climbed over 1,700 overnight with the death toll reaching 40. More than 75 percent of the fatalities in the U.S. have occurred in Washington. Here’s a look at what’s happening with the spread of the virus worldwide, according to the latest numbers from Johns Hopkins University:
- Total confirmed cases: 134,700
- Total deaths: 4,977
- Total recovered: 69,642
March 12, 10 p.m.
Sophia Grégoire Trudeau, wife of Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, has tested positive for the coronavirus, according to the Associated Press.
March 12, 9:45 p.m.
A group in Canada is currently in the testing stages for a coronavirus vaccine. However, it could still take a year to complete.
The University of Saskatchewan’s Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organization-International Vaccine Centre (VIDO-InterVac) has moved into the testing stages of a vaccine after having received nearly $1 million as a part of a $26.7 million research package from the Canadian federal government.
March 12, 8:45 p.m.
With the panic and fear of running out of supplies, tensions have risen in grocery stores across the U.S. Disinfecting wipes, toilet paper and hand sanitizer have been among the main products to sell out or have a purchasing limit placed on them.
In one Costco in Brooklyn, New York, the tension snapped as customers started yelling at each other while waiting in line.
“As people, as human beings, we’ve got to to come together in a time like this. So I need you guys to calm down,” one employee called out in the chaos. “As human beings, let’s get together.”
March 12, 7:55 p.m.
Canada's Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced he and his wife, Sophie Grégoire, would go into self-isolation as Grégoire undergoes testing for the coronavirus. She had recently returned from a speaking engagement in the United Kingdom and had been experiencing "mild flu-like symptoms."
"Out of an abundance of caution, I too will be self-isolating & self-monitoring until we get Sophie's results back," Trudeau said over Twitter, also announcing his plans to work from home.
March 12, 6:41 p.m.
Ohio Gov. Mike Dewine has ordered the closure of all grade schools in the state between the end of the school day on March 16 to April 3 in response to growing concerns surrounding COVID-19. This closure does not include childcare facilities.
Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan has also taken preventative measures against the spread of COVID-19 by prohibiting mass gatherings of over 250 people and closing all schools throughout the state, beginning on March 16 and continuing through March 27. The Port of Baltimore will also be closed.
March 12, 6:05 p.m.
In the midst of primary season, politics have been disrupted by the growing COVID-19 concerns. Various polling locations in the U.S. are struggling to find volunteers to work at sites, as polling volunteers are typically elderly, CNBC reported.
After Jorge Ramos came in direct contact with someone who tested positive for COVID-19, he was removed by NBC as a moderator for Sunday's Democratic primary debate and will be replaced by Ilia Calderón. The location of the debate has also been moved from Phoenix to Washington, D.C., in order to avoid cross-country travel.
March 12, 5:14 p.m.
For the first time in 80 years, there won't be a March Madness tournament. A day after NCAA basketball tournament organizers said March Madness would be played in empty arenas, the NCAA president and board of governors decided to pull the plug altogether and cancel the iconic tournament. Both the men's and women's tournaments were called off. The men's tournament has been played annually since 1939.
March 12, 5:03 p.m.
Freefall on Wall Street continues unabated. U.S. stocks plunged again Thursday, making for the worst day since 1987's Black Monday crash, according to The Associated Press. The Dow tumbled another 10% and the S&P 500 fell 9.5% as travel restrictions between the U.S. and Europe were set to go into effect, and nearly every walk of life in America was disrupted.
March 12, 4:07 p.m.
The head of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Robert Redfield said the vast majority of new COVID-19 cases are now being linked in Europe rather than China.
A couple kiss, at the Barcelona airport, Spain, Thursday, March 12, 2020. President Donald Trump, who had downplayed the coronavirus for weeks, suddenly struck a different tone, announcing strict rules on restricting travel from much of Europe to begin this weekend. For most people, the new coronavirus causes only mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia. (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti)
The death toll in Italy, which is the second most infected country next to China, has surpassed 1,000, with more than 15,000 people testing positive, The Associated Press reports.
According to Spain’s health ministry, the country’s death toll jumped from 47 to 84 on Wednesday, and the number of cases rose in the hundreds from 2,140 to 2,968, Reuters reported.
March 12, 3:47 p.m.
The coronavirus outbreak is impacting every facet of life around the world. It seems people can't look anywhere without seeing signs of the outbreak's impact. For instance, the abundance of empty seats on this flight headed from Salt Lake City to Orlando is a chilling reminder of how much social distancing is happening in the U.S. right now. Meanwhile, coronavirus fears are so inescapable, even a casual glance up at the blue summer sky over Sydney, Australia, included a ubiquitous sign of the times. "Wash hands," a skywriter reminded those who looked up.
March 12, 3:38 p.m.
Following the lead of the NBA and the NHL, Major League Baseball is delaying Opening Day by at least two weeks and suspending Spring Training as of 4 p.m. on Thursday. "This action is being taken in the interests of the safety and well-being of our players, clubs and our millions of loyal fans," MLB said in a statement. The 2020 season was set to begin on March 26 and would've been the league's earliest open in its history. Weather was a key factor in how the league arranged the schedule, along with the 2020 presidential election, a spokesperson told AccuWeather last year.
March 12, 3:32 p.m.
As COVID-19 spreads further throughout the state, Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf announced on Twitter that he is taking additional measures in Montgomery county, which currently has the most cases in Pennsylvania at 13. Starting March 13, he has ordered the closure of the following:
- schools, including private and pre-k
- day cares
- community centers
- gyms
- entertainment venues
- YMCAs
- theaters
- sporting events
- concerts
- “nonessential” retail facilities
He is also ordering that the following remain open:
- health care facilities
- government
- grocery stores
- gas stations
- utility
- public safety
- correctional facilities
- mass transportation
Wolf has also announced mass gatherings with over 250 attendees should not be held and effective immediately he asks that people refrain from non-essential out-of-state and international travel.
March 12, 2:59 p.m.
Gov. Ralph Northam declared a state of emergency in Virginia on Thursday after COVID-19 cases rose to 17 in the state. Northham additionally announced that he is prohibiting out-of-state travel for state employees for at least 30 days, and said Virginia plans to develop their own testing kits that could be used in a testing drive-thru, ABC 8 News reports.
March 12, 2:35 p.m.
New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced that starting at 5 p.m. on Friday, New York City will not permit gatherings of 500 people or more. Broadway theaters will face the regulation starting at 5 p.m. on Thursday. Cuomo said the theaters have been informed and agree to the regulations. The governor also announced that any facilities that hold fewer than 500 people at maximum occupancy, the legal capacity will be reduced by 50%. New York City has 95 confirmed cases of COVID-19, and the Empire State has a total of 328.
Concerns in the city are so widespread that they've gone meta. A conference on doing business amid coronavirus fears that was scheduled for Friday has now been canceled due to all of the fears swirling about the spread of coronavirus, The New York Post reported.
March 12, 1:57 p.m.
The NHL has suspended operations due to the coronavirus. “After consulting with medical experts and convening a conference call of the Board of Governors, the National Hockey League is announcing today that it will pause the 2019‑20 season beginning with tonight’s games,” the NHL announced.
Meanwhile, NASCAR will still hold races as planned at Atlanta Motor Speedway this weekend and Homestead-Miami Speedway next weekend, but with no fans in attendance. “These events will be restricted to competitors, crews, officials and other necessary personnel to conduct the race. We will work with public health officials as we determine future scheduling beyond these events,” NASCAR said in a statement.
March 12, 1:19 p.m.
Mount Everest may go a whole year without a human stepping foot on the summit as fears of the coronavirus are shutting down the mountain. There are two routes that climbers can take when attempting to summit the tallest mountain in the world: From China along the mountain’s northern face, and from Nepal on the mountain’s southern face.
On Thursday, Chinese mountaineering officials announced that they will not allow anyone to attempt to summit Everest from their side of the mountain this spring due to the coronavirus. Nepal has yet to announce any restrictions or closures for springtime climbers, but many people have been canceling their trips to Everest, according to The Associated Press. “This season is not very encouraging for the mountaineering industry in Nepal,” said Surendra Thapa, the director at Nepal’s Department of Tourism.
On Thursday, Chinese mountaineering officials announced that they will not allow anyone to attempt to summit Everest from their side of the mountain this spring due to the coronavirus. Nepal has yet to announce any restrictions or closures for springtime climbers, but many people have been canceling their trips to Everest, according to The Associated Press. “This season is not very encouraging for the mountaineering industry in Nepal,” said Surendra Thapa, the director at Nepal’s Department of Tourism.
March 12, 12:53 p.m.
Many college-level basketball tournaments are being canceled or adjusting spectator policies due to COVID-19 concerns. "The main priority of the Big Ten Conference continues to be the health, safety and wellness of our student-athletes, coaches, administrators, fans and media as we continue to monitor all developing and relevant information on the COVID-19 virus," Big Ten said.
The following tournaments have issued statements announcing cancellations or adjustment to their spectator policies:
- Big Ten
- Big 12
- ACC
- AAC
- Pac-12
- SEC
- Atlantic 10
- Big East
March 12, 12:16 p.m.
President Donald Trump and Vice President Mike Pence standing next to Fabio Wajngarten (right, wearing the hat) on Sunday, March 8. Wajngarten is the communication secretary for Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro and has reportedly tested positive for COVID-19. (Instagram/Fabio Wajngerten)
Fabio Wajngarten, the press secretary for Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro, has tested positive for COVID-19, according to the Brazilian newspaper O Globo. Wajngarten and Bolsonaro appeared at President Donald Trump's Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida over the weekend where they rubbed elbows not only with the president but also Vice President Mike Pence and first daughter and White House adviser Ivanka Trump.
Wajngarten posted a photo on Instagram of himself posing with Trump and Pence. Bolsonaro is also reportedly being tested for COVID-19, and, according to the report from O Globo, Wajngarten is awaiting results of a second test for further confirmation. Bloomberg reported on Thursday that Trump was "not concerned" by the development. "We did nothing very unusual, we sat next to each other for a period of time," he told reporters on Thursday. Earlier this week, officials said Trump hadn't been tested for COVID-19. It's unclear if that is still the case.
March 12, 11:47 a.m.
After President Trump’s Thursday announcement that all travel from Europe to the U.S. would be restricted for the next 30 days, with the exception of travel from the United Kingdom, Homeland Security clarified that the suspension of travel is limited to certain European countries, referred to as the Schengen Area. France, Germany, Austria and Spain are among the countries listed in the area.
"Protecting the American people from threats to their safety is the most important job of the President of the United States. The actions President Trump is taking to deny entry to foreign nationals who have been in affected areas will keep Americans safe and save American lives. I applaud the president for making this tough but necessary decision. While these new travel restrictions will be disruptive to some travelers, this decisive action is needed to protect the American public from further exposure to the potentially deadly coronavirus,” Homeland Security Acting Director Chad F. Wolf said in a statement.
The State Department followed Trump’s Presidential Proclamation by issuing a Global Level 3 Health Advisory, urging American citizens to reconsider travel abroad amid the global COVID-19 pandemic.
March 12, 11:19 a.m.
U.S. stocks plummeted on Thursday morning with the opening of the New York Stock Exchange, triggering a “circuit breaker” that halts all trading for 15 minutes. This is the second time this week that stocks triggered the circuit breaker on fears of the spreading coronavirus and the virus’ impact on the global economy.
By 11 a.m. EDT, the Dow was trading 7% below where it was when it closed on Wednesday, reaching a new 52-week low. It was also 26% lower than one month ago when the Dow reached an all-time record high.
By 11 a.m. EDT, the Dow was trading 7% below where it was when it closed on Wednesday, reaching a new 52-week low. It was also 26% lower than one month ago when the Dow reached an all-time record high.
March 12, 10:16 a.m.
Coronavirus fears are gripping the nation's capital. Congress announced that it is closing the U.S. Capitol, House and Senate office buildings to the public until April 1, The Associated Press reported. The decision comes a day after Washington, D.C., Mayor Muriel Bowser declared a state of emergency and President Donald Trump announced travel restrictions with European countries that will go into effect Friday and last for 30 days.
March 12, 10 a.m.
New York City’s St. Patrick’s Day parade has been postponed for the first time in its 258-year history due to the “evolving coronavirus situation,” NYC Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced on Twitter. “We believe postponing the parade is in the best interest of public health.”
The annual parade, which began in 1762, usually draws in 2 million spectators, according to Fox News. This is the latest in a long line of St. Patrick’s Day parades that have been postponed or canceled due to the coronavirus
The annual parade, which began in 1762, usually draws in 2 million spectators, according to Fox News. This is the latest in a long line of St. Patrick’s Day parades that have been postponed or canceled due to the coronavirus
March 12, 9:10 a.m.
The NHL is expected to make an announcement on Thursday announcing the status of the season. "The National Hockey League is aware of the NBA's decision tonight to indefinitely suspend its season due to a player testing positive for the coronavirus," the League said in a statement. "The NHL is continuing to consult with medical experts and is evaluating the options."
The first NHL game to be played without fans in attendance is scheduled for Thursday night when the Columbus Blue Jackets host the Pittsburgh Penguins. “The League is going to have the best interest of the players and the fans and everyone involved in making this league what it is,” Winnipeg Jets captain Blake Wheeler said. “You just trust that the information they're getting is going to be relayed and take the proper steps to make sure [of] the safety of everyone."
March 12, 8:22 a.m.
Some leading infectious disease specialists are skeptical that warm weather will help slow the spread of COVID-19, and SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes it. Marc Lipsitch, professor of epidemiology at Harvard’s T.H. Chan School of Public Health, and Michael Osterholm, the director of Infectious Disease Research and Policy (CIDRAP), weighed in this week and advised that the world should not wait for warmer weather to curb the outbreak.
Lipsitch said the warmer weather ahead would "probably not" cause anything more than a modest decline in the spread of COVID-19. Osterholm offered a similar take and suggested people brace for a long haul. "This is a coronavirus winter," he said, adding, "This is going to be challenging, but we are going to get through it."
March 12, 7:00 a.m.
Confirmed cases of COVID-19 climbed above 1,300 overnight in the U.S. and the death toll rose to 38. Here's a look at what's happening with the spread of the disease worldwide, according to the latest numbers from researchers at Johns Hopkins University.
• Total confirmed cases: 120,944
• Total deaths: 4,365
• Total recovered: 65,972
Additional reporting by Lauren Fox and Maria Antonieta Valery Gil.
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