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.
Seattle public schools to close for two weeks
Seattle Public Schools are closing all of its schools "for a minimum of two weeks" starting on Thursday as the coronavirus continues to spread through Washington state.
Officials have been warned to prepare for the closures to last for months if the virus cannot be contained.
Governor Jay Inslee said on Wednesday there was a chance public schools would close. He banned large gatherings of 250 people or more in states surrounding Seattles, which has become an epicentre for the coronavirus outbreak.
Washington state has at least 281 confirmed cases and 24 deaths.
Dow plummets into a bear market for the first time since 2009
The stock market took a hit on Wednesday after the coronavirus was declared a pandemic by the World Health Organisation.
The Dow Jones industrial average officially tipped into a bear market, ending an 11-year streak of the stock rallying in a bull market. Bull market means stocks are on the rise and the market is economically sound, while a bear market signals its receding.
Wall Street moved out of a bull market in 2009 when the US was recovering from its recession. But the Dow dropping 1,500 points on Wednesday and experiencing its worse loss since 2009 on Monday has set it back into a bear market.
CBS News headquarters evacuates after two employees test positive for Covid-19
The CBS News headquarters building in New York City has evacuated on Thursday after two employees tested positive for Covid-19. The 38-story building is located in Midtown.
“We have been planning for this possibility and want everyone to be assured that we are taking all necessary measures," President Susan Zirinsky said.
The building will be closed with employees encouraged to work from home as it is completely "cleaned and disinfected".
“In addition, we have identified employees who may have been in direct contact with these individuals in question, and they will be asked to self-quarantine and work remotely for the next 14 days," Ms Zirinsky said. "At this point, we anticipate the offices will be open Monday.”
New York City cancels its annual St Patrick's Day parade
The city announced it was cancelling its St Patrick's Day parade on Wednesday.
New York's decision comes after both Chicago and Philadelphia cancelled their own parades amid growing coronavirus concerns.
All three cities are attempting to avoid large crowds that could expose more people to the novel virus.
Full story here:
Washington DC becomes the latest to declare a state of emergency
Washington DC Governor Muriel Bowser declared the state of emergency on Wednesday.
This comes after health officials released an advisory against "nonessential mass gatherings" of 1,000 people or more.
Ms Bowser said the declaration was largely for administration purposes so she could access resources to combat the spread of the virus.
In recent days, Washington DC has been hit hard with the growing spread of the novel virus. There are currently 10 confirmed cases of the virus in the area.
Trump to address the nation tonight about the coronavirus
Donald Trump told reporters he will make a statement Wednesday night about the coronavirus outbreak amid another stock market collapse and ominous testimony from his top public health officials.
The president said his statement would probably come "at 8 o'clock".
In the ever-changing nature of the Trump White House, he soon tweeted the statement would occur at 9 p.m.
Mr Trump said his announcement would focus on "what I've decided to do" to "get rid" of the virus.
John T. Bennett reports:
CDC director contradicts Trump's claim the wall will stop coronavirus outbreak
The head of the public health body leading the Trump administration's response to the coronavirus has contradicted the president's claim that a wall along the border with Mexico will help stop the outbreak.
"Going up fast. We need the Wall more than ever!" Donald Trump tweeted on Tuesday, in response to a tweet linking the construction of the barrier to the spread of the coronavirus.
But Robert Redfield, the director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), dismissed that suggestion at a House of Representatives hearing the same day.
Richard Hall reports:
Italy to close all shops except grocery stores and pharmacies
The country announced it would be shops all stores except grocery stores and pharmacies, AP reports.
Closing all stores comes after the latest coronavirus numbers.
The country experienced its biggest single day jump in cases to at least 12,462 confirmed people with the virus and 827 deaths.
March Madness to be held without fans in attendance
College basketball fans will be barred from March Madness games to prevent the possible spread of coronavirus
Only "essential staff and limited family attendance" will be permitted, according to a statement from NCAA president Mark Emmert.
The decision impacts all upcoming championship events in the Division I men's and women's basketball tournaments.
Full story here:
Seattle lab uncovers extent of coronavirus outbreak by breaking CDC rules
With the comparatively small number of coronavirus tests being conducted in the US hampering efforts to track the spread of the virus, The New York Times reports that "local officials across the country were left to work blindly as the crisis grew undetected and exponentially" -- partially due to existing red tape and regulations.
In Washington state, believed to be the location of the start of the US outbreak, the first patient identified had, predictably, visited Wuhan in China and then reported respiratory problems. The Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) made an exception to its strict testing criteria to confirm the diagnosis.
The question was whether this initial patient had already spread the disease within the community. Dr Helen Chu, an infectious disease expert based in Seattle and part of a local flu study, sought permission to test the study's collection of flu swabs from across the region to see if they were positive for coronavirus -- which would prove community spread was already happening.
She was refused permission by all of the relevant authorities.
Oliver O'Connell reports:
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