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.
House to vote on coronavirus relief package
House Majority Leader Nancy Pelosi announced on Wednesday a coronavirus relief package will be voted on by the House of Representatives on Thursday.
The relief package, which will be drafted by Democrats, would address paid sick leave, unemployment insurance, and food assistance during the pandemic. Lawmakers on the other side of the aisle have not contributed to the package.
More details about the package will be released later on Wednesday, but it is not expected to pass into law. Instead, it will show the House Democrats' willingness to address the economic fallout of the coronavirus on Americans.
United States Secretary of the Treasury Steve Mnuchin proposal for a payroll tax cut will not be included in the relief package, Ms Pelosi said.
World's biggest gaming conference cancelled over coronavirus
E3, the world's biggest gaming conference, is cancelled.
The decision was made to help protect the "health and safety" of the gaming industry amid the outbreak of coronavirus, organisers the Entertainment Software Association said.
Andrew Griffin reports:
Top US doctors say next month is critical to fight the coronavirus
Two top US doctors met with the House Oversight Committee to discuss the coronavirus response on Wednesday.
When speaking, they said the next month will be critical when handling the rapid increase of cases.
“It is critical because we must be much more serious as a county about what we might expect ... A couple of cases today are going to be many, many cases tomorrow,” said Dr Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases.
Dr Robert Redfield, director of the CDC, was in agreement it was time for everyone to get "engaged" in combating the spread. “This is a time for everyone to get engaged," he told the committee. "This is not just a response for the government and public health system. It's a response for all of America.”
Cases stand at more than 1,016 and 31 deaths in the US, as of Wednesday morning.
Coronavirus declared pandemic by World Health Organisation
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has officially declared that coronavirus is a pandemic.
“In the past two weeks, the number of cases of #COVID19 outside China has increased 13-fold and the number of affected countries has tripled,” Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the WHO director-general, said on Wednesday.
“There are now more than 118,000 cases in 114 countries, and 4,291 people have lost their lives.”
He added: “In the days and weeks ahead, we expect to see the number of #COVID19 cases, the number of deaths, and the number of affected countries climb even higher.
“WHO has been assessing this outbreak around the clock and we are deeply concerned both by the alarming levels of spread and severity, and by the alarming levels of inaction.
“We have therefore made the assessment that #COVID19 can be characterised as a pandemic”
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Trump administration claims China initially covered up coronavirus outbreak
National Security Adviser Robert O'Brien said on Wednesday that China "covered up" coronavirus outbreak, while reiterating the virus did not originate in the US.
"Unfortunately, rather than using best practices, this outbreak in Wuhan was covered up," Mr O'Brien said. "There's lots of open-source reporting from China, from Chinese nationals, that the doctors involved were either silenced or put in isolation or that sort of thing, so that the word of this virus could not get out."
He claims the slow response from China cost global communities "two months" to respond to the outbreak.
"I think we could have dramatically curtailed what happened, both in China and what's now happening across the world," Mr O'Brien added.
Health officials ask for all 'nonessential mass gatherings' to be postponed in Washington DC
Department of Health officials are taking bigger steps to curb the spread of the coronavirus in Washington DC.
They are asking for "nonessential mass gatherings, including conferences and conventions" to be postponed or cancelled. This recommendation will go in effect through 31 March.
"Mass gatherings are defined as events where 1,000 or more people congregate in a specific location," a health advisory said. "We also recommend that any social, cultural, or entertainment events where large crowds are anticipated be reconsidered by the organizer."
The St Patricks Day parade scheduled for Sunday was rescheduled for a later date. The public school district also announced it would close on Monday in preparation of the growing outbreak.
Washington DC Mayor Muriel Bowser said she was considering declaring a state of emergency on Monday.
Michelle Obama's voter rally cancelled over coronavirus concerns
The former first lady was scheduled to attend a voter participation rally in Detroit, Michigan.
The ticketed event, scheduled for 27 March, was cancelled on Wednesday "out of an abundance of caution for the health and safety of attendees and individuals traveling to Detroit," a statement from When We All Vote read.
In Michigan, only two people have tested positive for the coronavirus of the 77 people tested. But results are pending for another 18 people.
New Jersey announces eight new cases of the coronavirus
New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy announced there were eight new coronavirus cases, bringing the state's total number to at least 23. One person has died from the virus.
None of the cases involve children, the governor said, but he would not reveal the ages of any of the 23 individuals.
At least 1,050 people have tested positive for the coronavirus in the US and 31 people have died.
San Francisco mayor bans all larger gatherings of 1,000 people or more
Mayor London Breed and health officials to issue directive on Wednesday that will ban large events of a 1,000 people or more to slow spread of coronavirus. This includes NBA basketball games for the Golden State Warriors.
There are 14 confirmed cases of coronavirus in San Francisco, and nearly 85 more in the Bay Area surrounding the city.
BREAKING: Washington state becomes first to ban large gatherings
Washington state - epicentre of the US's coronavirus crisis - has become the first in the nation to prohibit gatherings of more than 250 people as part of an effort to control the disease's spread.
Governor Jay Inslee made the announcement on Wednesday.
At least 273 coronavirus cases are confirmed in the state and 24 deaths. Mr Inslee said on Tuesday, though, that the number is believed to be closer to 500 to 2,000 current cases.
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