Washington could face 60,000 cases unless Trump acts soon, as administration blames slow response on China ‘cover-up’
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Coronavirus cases continue to rapidly increase in the US with 1,135 confirmed across the country and at least 37 deaths, and the World Health Organisation has officially declared it a pandemic.
President Trump and his administration faced backlash for its slow response to the novel virus. But one member of the administration, National Security Adviser Robert O'Brien, claims China initially "covered up" the outbreak, which cost global communities "two months" to respond.
In an attempt to curb fears, Trump is working with lawmakers on a stimulus package to address economic fallout from the virus. Also under consideration is delaying the 15 April tax deadline. House Democrats are revealing their own relief package on Wednesday without consulting lawmakers across the aisle.
Trump called an emergency meeting with health officials to address the growing number of cases. Dr Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, says the pandemic "will get worse". Now the president will be addressing the nation later on Wednesday evening about the coronavirus and what his administration intends to do to combat the spread.
But state officials are taking matters into their own hands when dealing with their individual states. Governor Jay Inslee announced he would be prohibiting any large gatherings of more than 250 people in the Seattle area. Seattle Public Schools also announced it would close starting on Thursday for at least two weeks. Washington state made these decisions over concerns coronavirus cases could rise to 60,000 by mid-May.
Other states have reacted to the coronavirus outbreak by cancelling their own large gatherings. St Patrick's Day parades were cancelled in Chicago, New York City, Philadelphia, and Dallas. Also, Washington DC, which announced a state of emergency on Wednesday, released a health advisory imploring the public to avoid large gatherings of 1,000 people or more.
The stock market plummeted again over concerns of the coronavirus pandemic. The Dow closed the day with a 1,500-point loss, ending its 11-year streak in a bull market.
Italy has made drastic measures in an attempt to curb its own coronavirus outbreak by shuttering all shops besides grocery stores and pharmacies. The country made the decision after it experienced its largest single day jump in cases with 12,462 confirmed and 827 deaths.
Hello and welcome to The Independent's live blog covering the coronavirus outbreak in the United States.
Health officials say epidemic is 'perfect killing machine' for elderly
American Health Care Association President Mark Parkinson has asked relatives and friends to avoid visiting patients in nursing and assisted living facilities amid the coronavirus outbreak.
"We are encouraging all people, including family members and loved ones, to not visit nursing homes and assisted living facilities," he said Tuesday.
Alternative ways to communicate with patients were encouraged, including calling over the phone, texting, or using FaceTime.
"The grim reality is that, for the elderly, COVID-19 is almost a perfect killing machine," Mr Parkinson said.
Stock market tumbles over coronavirus
The DOW dropped more than 800 points on Wednesday, showing the violative stock market these last couple weeks might be here to stay.
On Monday, the stock market experienced its worst loss since 2008 over fears the coronavirus could push the economy into another recession. Dropping oil stocks also influenced the market. But then stocks were able to rally on Tuesday with the DOW reporting gains of 1,167 points.
Trump met with Republican lawmakers on Tuesday to work on a package that would address economic fallout from the coronavirus, but it failed to curb fears from investors when the market opened Wednesday.
Officials schedule emergency meeting at White House to address pandemic
Trump called an emergency meeting among health officials on Wednesday morning to address the growing coronavirus outbreak in the US.
His emergency meeting cut a congressional meeting short on Capitol Hill in Washington DC because the witnesses at the hearing were needed at the White House.
"This morning we were informed that President Trump and Vice President Pence have called our witnesses to an emergency meeting at the White House. We don't know the details, just that it's extremely urgent," Representative Carolyn Maloney, chairwoman of the House Oversight and Reform Committee.
Officials called to the White House include Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, CDC Director Robert Redfield, and Terry Rauch, director of the defense medical research and development program for the National Institute of Health.
Top health official says it's 'going to get worse'
Dr. Anthony Fauci, who was testifying in from of the House Oversight and Reform Committee, told Chairwoman Carolyn Maloney that the country should expect things to get worse.
“Is the worst yet to come Dr. Fauci?” Ms Maloney asked.
Dr Fauci responded: “Yes it is... Things will get worse...The bottom line it’s going to get worse.”
The director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases was called to the White House on Wednesday with other health officials to address the rapid increase of coronavirus cases in the US.
Chicago cancels its St Patrick's Day parade
The city of Chicago has cancelled its St Patrick's Day parade this weekend, which is one of the largest in the US.
Originally, the parade was scheduled for Saturday afternoon and would involve dyeing the river green. Hundreds of thousands of people typically flood the downtown area for the event.
The city is now postponing its annual tradition "out of an abundance of caution," Mayor Lori Lightfoot said.
"The health and safety of Chicago's residents will always be our highest priority and like many other cities across the nation and globe, we are postponing this year's parades as a precautionary measure to prevent any additional spread of COVID-19," Ms Lightfoot said. "I want everyone to rest assured that your City and State continue to work around the clock to stay ahead of this issue and ensure everyone remains protected, informed, and safe."
Illinois has 19 confirmed coronavirus cases.
Trump administration to consider postponing tax deadline
The Trump administration is considering postponing the 15 April tax deadline while the nation works to combat the coronavirus spread.
For the last couple of days, the idea has floated around the White House as a potential option. If it went into place, the IRS would set a new deadline for filling and waive any late fees, according to sources. Experts think extending the deadline could help halt any economic fallout from the coronavirus.
United States Secretary of the Treasury Steve Mnuchin said last week the US was not considering this option.
Three California TSA agents test positive for coronavirus
Three San Jose, California, airport security screeners are being treated for the coronavirus and are quarantined at home after working at Mineta San Jose International Airport.
Employees who worked with the three people were also placed in quarantine and areas of the airport were disinfected.
"We have identified their coworkers that have sustained contact with them within the last 14 days and placed those individuals on weather and safety leave until the 14 day window closes," Transportation Security Administration Administrator David Pekoske said in a statement.
TSA is encouraging people to wash their hands before and after going through security. They also recommend placing personal items in one's own bag instead of in the provided bins.
Trump schedules campaign rally in Wisconsin amid virus outbreak
Despite his own administration advising people to avoid events with large crowds to help stop the spread of coronavirus, President Donald Trump has announced he'll hold a campaign event in Wisconsin.
Trump will attend a "Catholics for Trump" event in Milwaukee, Wisconsin on 19 March. The event is apparently not a typical campaign rally, so the number of expected attendees is not yet known. Just an hour before, the White House held a briefing from the coronavirus task force which included a recommendation that people "avoid crowding."
Trump announced these rallies just hours after Senator Bernie Sanders and vice president Joe Biden cancelled duelling campaign rallies in Cleveland, Ohio. Three cases of coronavirus were confirmed in Cuyahoga County, Ohio, and Governor Mike DeWine declares a state of emergency on Monday.
Grieg Graziosi with the full story:
Top health officials warn against fans for NBA games, as New York morning shows halt live audiences
Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, told the House Oversight committee on Wednesday he would not recommend NBA games to continue with fans in the crowd.
“We would recommend there not be large crowds, if that means not having any people in the audience when the NBA plays, so be it,” he said.
The NBA sent around a memo last Friday informing players that games might continue without fans. But basketball stars like LeBron James said he would rather not play if there were no fans. The franchise might also employ regular temperature check for players and team employees.
This recommendation comes after New York City talks shows like The View, Live with Kelly and Ryan, and the Tamron Hall Show announced they will continue without a studio audience for the time being.
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