World Health Organization declares coronavirus a 'pandemic'; Trump restricts travel from Europe
A virus outbreak that began in China nearly three months ago has now infected more than 1,000 people in the United States and killed 36.
The World Health Organization declared the virus a "pandemic" during a news conference in Geneva Wednesday.
More than 120,000 people have tested positive for the novel coronavirus, still mostly on the Chinese mainland, according to data provided by the Center for Systems Science and Engineering at Johns Hopkins University. But that proportion is shrinking by the day as the epidemic is appearing to subside in China while cases spike elsewhere, especially in Europe and in the Middle East.
The newly identified virus, known officially as COVID-19, has tightened its grip around Italy and Iran, which have the second- and third-highest national totals of confirmed cases behind China, respectively. With 1,311 cases confirmed as of Wednesday night, the U.S. now has the eighth-highest.
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Today's biggest developments:
Here's the latest on the developing situation. All times Eastern. Please refresh this page for updates.
12:30 a.m. Thursday, State Dept. says Americans should recondiser all travel abroad
The State Department issued a global health advisory Wednesday night that urged Americans to reconsider all travel abroad due to the novel coronavirus.
Due to the COVID-19 outbreak, quarantines and border restrictions, American citizens are being told it's best to stay home.
The late-night advisory came after President Donald Trump addressed the nation about the coronavirus from the White House.
10:47 p.m. Trump postpones Milwaukee event
The Trump campaign, which had resisted canceling events, announced following the president's national TV address that it was postponing its Milwaukee, Wisconsin, visit next week.
"Out of an abundance of caution because of the coronavirus outbreak, the President’s campaign is postponing the Catholics for Trump event scheduled for March 19th in Milwaukee. It will be rescheduled," Trump campaign communications director Tim Murtaugh said.
Earlier today, the Trump campaign's Kayleigh McEnany claimed on Fox that Joe Biden was using the coronavirus as an "excuse to get off the campaign trail."
10:40 p.m. Another death recorded in Washington
The 30th death in the state of Washington was recorded on Wednesday evening, according to health officials.
The death, the 37th in the country, took place in Snohomish County, separate from the 22 deaths associated with a nursing facility in King County.
It was the third death in Snohomish County since the outbreak began; officials did not offer any details on the death.
10:10 p.m. NYC calls off St. Patrick's Day Parade
The country's largest St. Patrick's Day Parade has been called off due to coronavirus fears, according to New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo.
The New York City St. Patrick's Day Parade was scheduled to take place March 17, and was expected to draw 1 to 2 million attendees. The parade, which began in 1762, had never previously been canceled.
"Today I had several conversations with the organizers of the St. Patrick's Day Parade to determine whether the parade should move forward in light of the evolving coronavirus situation and increased case count in the New York City area," Cuomo said in a statement. "Following those conversations, I recommended and the parade's leadership agreed to postpone this year's parade due to the high density and the large volume of marchers and spectators who attend."
"While I know the parade organizers did not make this decision lightly, public health experts agree that one of the most effective ways to contain the spread of the virus is to limit large gatherings and close contacts, and I applaud the parade's leadership for working cooperatively with us," he continued. "While the risk to New Yorkers remains low and we want to avoid social and economic disruptions, we have an obligation to take action to contain the spread of this virus."
About 250,000 people march in the parade annually.
9:40 p.m. NBA suspends season
The NBA has put an indefinite hold on its season -- following Wednesday night's games -- after a Utah Jazz player tested positive for coronavirus.
After an odd mid-game suspension in Oklahoma City, while the Thunder and Jazz were playing, the league announced the suspension.
"The NBA is suspending game play following the conclusion of tonight’s schedule of games until further notice," the league said in a statement. "The NBA will use this hiatus to determine next steps for moving forward in regard to the coronavirus pandemic."
All-Star Jazz center Rudy Gobert, who had been scratched from the game due to illness, was the player who tested positive, according to ESPN NBA reporter Adrian Wojnarowski.
9:28 p.m. Tom Hanks has coronavirus
Oscar-winning actor Tom Hanks, and his fellow actress and wife Rita Wilson, posted on social media Wednesday night that they have been diagnosed with coronavirus. The couple, married since 1988, was in Australia when they were diagnosed.
"Hello, folks. Rita and I are down here in Australia. We felt a bit tired, like we had colds, and some body aches," he wrote on Instagram. "Rita had some chills that came and went. Slight fevers too. To play things right, as is needed in the world right now, we were tested for the Coronavirus, and were found to be positive."
Hanks and Wilson, both 63, said they have been put in quarantine.
9:10 p.m. Trump institutes travel, financial measures
Trump spoke from the Oval Office on Wednesday night, saying he will restrict all travel between the U.S. and Europe. Travel from the U.K. will still be allowed.
The Department of Homeland Security later clarified it won't apply to U.S. residents and green card holders in Europe. It will only apply to foreign nationals coming from Europe to the United States.
The travel restriction will be in place for 30 days.
Trump also discussed implementing financial considerations for people who have to stay home from work while sick, asking Congress to approve the support package.
8:21 p.m. El Salvador imposes national quarantine
Although El Salvador has no confirmed cases of coronavirus, it is imposing a national quarantine that prohibits any foreigners from entering, The Associated Press reported.
President Nayib Bukele said the measure would be in effect for 30 days and schools in the country would be closed for three weeks.
Earlier in the day, Guatemala, which also has no reported cases, announced it would bar Europeans and residents from China, Iran and North and South Korea from entering the country.
6:58 p.m. Chicago trading floor to close Friday
The Chicago Mercantile Exchange said it would close its trading floor at the end of business Friday to reduce large gatherings.
"All products will continue to trade on CME Globex as they do today," the exchange administrators said in a statement.
The company's Chicago headquarters will remain open.
6:48 p.m. World Figure Skating Championships canceled
The International Skating Union and Skate Canada announced that the 2020 World Figure Skating Championships have been canceled.
The skating tournament was scheduled for March 16-22 at Montreal's Bell Centre.
6:30 p.m. Italian medical chief dies
Roberto Stella, president of the Medical Guild of Varese, died Tuesday night in the hospital while being treated for respiratory failure after contracting COVID-19, Italian media reported.
Stella, 67, was a general practitioner in Busto, a city about 20 miles northwest of Milan.
Italy has recorded 12,462 cases of COVID-19 and 827 deaths as of Wednesday afternoon.
5:40 p.m. 4 more deaths in Washington state
Four more people have died of coronavirus in Washington state, pushing the U.S. total to 36, according to King County health officials.
All four patients were residents of nursing homes or long-term healthcare facilities, officials said.
Twenty-nine of the 36 deaths reported in the U.S. have taken place in Washington, the majority of whom were residents of the Life Care Center in King County.
4:40 p.m. March Madness won't feature fans
An NCAA advisory panel has recommended that sporting events, including the upcoming men's and women's basketball tournaments, be closed to the public.
The events still are scheduled to take place but with "only essential personnel and limited family attendance" to prevent spreading the virus, according to an NCAA statement.
The men's tournament is scheduled to begin March 17.
The Golden State Warriors and San Francisco Giants have canceled, postponed or ordered games played without fans in attendance to adhere to recommendations from health and government officials for avoiding large gatherings.
3:25 p.m. Most affected countries outside China update numbers
Italy has now recorded 12,462 cases of COVID-19 and 827 deaths.
Iran stands at 9,000 cases, 958 of which are new, and 354 deaths, 63 of which happened in the last 24 hours.
South Korea now has 7,755 cases and 54 fatalities, while Spain has 2,174 cases and 49 deaths and France has 2,281 cases and 48 deaths.
3:15 p.m. 32nd person dies in U.S.
The U.S. death toll from coronavirus has risen to 32 after a patient who'd recently been traveling overseas died in Los Angeles County.
The patient was not a California resident but had traveled extensively over the last month, including a long layover in South Korea, Barbara Ferrer, director of the Los Angeles County Department of Health, announced Wednesday. He or she was at least 60 years old.
Two other COVID-19 deaths have been in California.
2:45 p.m. Another patient dies of COVID-19 in Washington state
Another death due to coronavirus has been confirmed in Washington state, according to health officials.
So far, 25 of 31 deaths in the U.S. have occurred in Washington.
CDC director Robert Redfield testified at a House Oversight hearing Wednesday morning that the U.S. death toll had reached 31.
2:30 p.m. Warriors to play to empty stadium
The Golden State Warriors will play in an empty Chase Center following an announcement by San Francisco Mayor London Breed banning gatherings of more than 1,000 people.
The Warriors were scheduled to play the Brooklyn Nets on Thursday.
The San Francisco Giants also canceled an exhibition game against the Oakland A's scheduled for March 24 at Oracle Park.
"We know that this order is disruptive, but it is an important step to support public health," Breed said in a statement Wednesday.
2:10 p.m. US vulnerable to shortages if 'major outbreak' occurs, Fauci says
The U.S. could face shortages of medical supplies in the event of a major coronavirus outbreak, most of which come from overseas, Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, told the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee.
"I believe that if we have a major outbreak, we are definitely vulnerable to shortages," Fauci said.
Fauci also said that the mortality rate from COVID-19 is 10 times more lethal than the seasonal flu.
1:45 p.m. Starbucks offers two-week 'catastrophe pay' to employees
Starbucks is offering "full support" to its employees during the COVID-19 outbreak, which will include "catastrophe pay" and mental health resources, the company announced Wednesday.
"Starbucks partners who are sick or need to be quarantined won’t have to choose between working or taking care of themselves," Rossann Williams, a Starbucks executive, said in a statement.
The catastrophe pay will be available for up to 14 days but pay replacement may be made up to 26 weeks. The benefits will be in addition to existing sick days and personal time off.
1:35 p.m. Conditions worsen in Italy
Italy's Civil Protection Agency announced 2,313 new cases and 196 new deaths from COVID-19 over the last 24 hours.
The death toll in Italy now stands at 827, while there have been 12,462 total cases recorded.
1 p.m. Trump administration says China 'covered up' initial spread of COVID-19
White House National Security Adviser Robert O'Brien blamed China for the wide spread of the novel coronavirus, saying the country's leaders "covered up" the initial outbreak.
"It probably cost the world community two months to respond," O'Brien said at a Heritage Foundation event. "I think we could have dramatically curtailed what happened both in China and what's now happening across the world."
The comments contrast sharply with Trump's previous praise of Chinese leader Xi Jinping.
12:35 World Health Organization calls coronavirus outbreak a 'pandemic'
The WHO has declared the coronavirus outbreak as a world pandemic.
"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," WHO Director Gen. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said during a news conference in Geneva Wednesday. "We have therefore made the assessment that COVID-19 can be characterized as a pandemic."
Health officials asked countries to scale up their emergency health responses.
Officials also called the act of social distancing a "poor substitute" for isolation, adding that it's better to "separate everybody because you don't know who is affected."
11:45 a.m. Conde Nast closes office after employee suspected to have virus
Conde Nast has shut down a portion of its office after employee is suspected to have contracted coronavirus,
The employee works on the 29th floor of Freedom Tower in Downtown Manhattan and was last in the office on Friday, according to a company-wide memo.
He or she is now isolating at home.
The 29th floor of the building has been closed, and any employees based out of Freedom Tower are being asked to work from home through the end of the month.
11:10 a.m. Iran's vice president tests positive
Iranian Vice President Eshaq Jahangiri has been confirmed to have contracted COVID-19, according to the country's Fars news agency.
Jahangiri is among 24 current, former or recently elected officials who have tested positive for the virus, eight of whom have died from it.
11:05 a.m. White House hosting COVID-19 meetings with tech companies
The White House met with representatives of technology companies Wednesday morning to discuss coordination on the response to the coronavirus, according to a spokeswoman from the White House's Office of Science and Technology Policy.
Facebook, Google, Amazon, Apple, Microsoft and Twitter were expected to participate, some by teleconference, according to spokeswoman Kristina Baum. Federal agencies would also participate, she said.
11 a.m. Chicago's St. Patrick's Day parade postponed
The St. Patrick's Day parade in Chicago has become one of the latest events to be canceled due to coronavirus fears.
The annual green dyeing of the Chicago River has also been canceled. The events were scheduled to take place Saturday.
"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 parade as a precautionary measure to prevent any additional spread of COVID-19," said Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot. "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."
10:26 a.m. University of Maryland will close until at least April 10
No coronavirus cases have been reported at the University of Maryland, but students have been told not to return from spring break until "at least April 10."
Spring break ends on March 22, but classes have been canceled the week of March 23. Starting March 30 and continuing at least to April 10, classes will be taught online, the university said.
10:17 a.m. Auschwitz Memorial closes
The Auschwitz Memorial in Poland will be closed from March 12 to March 25 "due to the decision of the government to close all museums and cultural institutions" in the country, officials with the memorial announced Wednesday.
10:03 a.m. U.S. death toll climbs to 31
Robert Redfield, Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), testified at a House Oversight hearing Wednesday morning that with "sadness" he could confirm the U.S. death toll has reached 31.
8:45 a.m. Up to 70% of Germany's population could become infected, chancellor warns
German Chancellor Angela Merkel warned Wednesday that up to 70 percent of the country's population -- roughly 58 million people -- could contract the novel coronavirus.
"We must all understand that coronavirus has arrived in Europe," Merkel said at a press conference, alongside the German health minister. "When the virus is out there, the population has no immunity and no therapy exists, then 60 to 70% of the population will be infected."
"The process has to be focused on not overburdening the health system by slowing the virus's spread," she added.
As of Wednesday morning, Germany had 1,622 confirmed cases, making it the seventh-highest national total in the global outbreak, according to data compiled by Johns Hopkins University's Center for Systems Science and Engineering.
8:22 a.m. TSA confirms 3 employees have tested positive
The Transportation Security Administration confirmed Wednesday morning that three of its officers who work at the Mineta San Jose International Airport have tested positive for the novel coronavirus.
"The officers are receiving medical care and all TSA employees they have come in contact with over the past 14 days are quarantined at home," the agency said in a statement. "Screening checkpoints remain open and the agency is working with the CDC, as well as the California Department of Public Health and the Santa Clara County Public Health Department to monitor the situation as well as the health and safety of our employees and the traveling public. We will update as more information becomes available."
The airport in San Jose, California, had announced late Tuesday night that three TSA employees there had been infected. The airport said it remains "open for business" and will follow the Santa Clara County Health Department's "guidance for preventing the spread of COVID-19."
7:54 a.m. Over 1,000 U.S. schools closed due to outbreak
As of Tuesday, 1,073 schools have been closed or are scheduled to close in the United States, affecting 776,200 students across the country, according to the news journal Education Week, which published an online interactive map.
There are 132,853 public and private schools in the country and nearly 50.8 million students, according to the National Center for Education Statistics.
7:16 a.m. U.S. is 'in the beginnings of spread of this disease,' health secretary says
U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Alex Azar said Wednesday that the country is "in the beginnings of spread" of the novel coronavirus.
"We're seeing a real explosion of cases in Europe, we're seeing increasing cases here in the United States which we've been clear we would see. We're still, I'd say, in the beginnings of spread of this disease in the United States," Azar told ABC News Chief Anchor George Stephanopoulos in an interview on "Good Morning America."
"But that's why we're taking such aggressive containment measures at the border as well as mitigation steps in local communities," he continued. "We're going to see more cases. This is a virus, this will spread. We need to take steps to slow that, buy ourselves time."
Azar said "millions" of COVID-19 tests are available in the United States and anyone who is suspected to be infected will be tested.
"Capacity is there," he added. "The system is up and running and doing its job."
The health secretary noted that Americans could expect to see "very aggressive efforts" to try to mitigate and contain the virus outbreak, which is why "public cooperation is important."
"If we can slow the spread, if we can contain these clusters in certain communities, bring that speed down," he said, "the hope of course is that, like most respiratory diseases, as we get to warmer weather, as people disperse and just naturally distance themselves with outdoor activities, et cetera, this can help actually slow things down. So we're working always to buy time so that we mitigate impact here in the United States."
Any type of large gathering, such as concerts, parades and sporting events, will need to be assessed "under the local circumstances to determine whether it's appropriate," according to Azar.
People as individuals also need to assess whether it makes sense for them to attend. The elderly and "medically fragile" should avoid large gatherings, long travel and "certainly avoid getting on a cruise ship," he said.
5:44 a.m. Georgia state park receives 1st patient
A patient who tested positive for the novel coronavirus has been isolated on state park grounds in Georgia, authorities said.
It's the first COVID-19 patient to be transferred to Hard Labor Creek State Park in Morgan County since state authorities prepared the site as a location for isolating and monitoring people who may have been exposed to the deadly virus. Earlier this week, officials installed seven emergency mobile units and delivered supplies in an isolated section of the park that will remain separated from the rest of the property.
The first patient, who is from Georgia's Cherokee County, was brought to one of the mobile units in the state park for treatment on Monday night because the individual "was not able to isolate at their primary residence and was not in critical condition requiring any hospital admittance," according to a press release from Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp's office.
"This site was specifically chosen for its isolation from the general public and ability to house mobile units in the short term," Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Director Homer Bryson said in a statement Monday night. "State public health staff will monitor the individual's progress and work together with state law enforcement to ensure the safety of the community and the patient."
Georgia has 23 confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus so far, according to data compiled by Johns Hopkins University's Center for Systems Science and Engineering.
The isolated site at Hard Labor Creek State Park is closed to public access and closely monitored 24 hours a day, seven days a week by state law enforcement.
4:51 a.m. Over 1,400 people disembark Grand Princess cruise ship in California
As of Tuesday evening, 1,406 people had disembarked the Grand Princess cruise ship in Oakland, California, according to Princess Cruises, the cruise line that operates the ship.
The ship was carrying around 3,500 passengers and crew when it received approval to dock in the Port of Oakland on Monday, after spending several days idling off California's coast while health officials tested dozens on board for the novel coronavirus. At least 21 people have tested positive, officials said.
The disembarkation process, which officials said would take multiple days, was expected to wrap up Wednesday by the end of the day.
As part of the process, teams from the California Department of Health and Human Services have been on board "to assist with medical screenings and interviews and have prioritized those who require the most medical attention and care," according to a Princess Cruises spokesperson.
"Disembarkation is in order of priority," the spokesperson said in a statement Tuesday evening. " Princess Cruises is working with federal, state and local health authorities to ensure all guests depart the ship safely."
All those who are infected will be transported to hospitals. Passengers who aren't sick will be taken to various designated sites in the country to complete a 14-day quarantine. Crew members who aren't infected will complete their 14-day quarantine on board the ship, which will leave the port as soon as the disembarkation process is complete, officials said.
3:35 a.m. Pompeo demands Iran release Americans amid worsening outbreak
As a health crisis over the novel coronavirus outbreak deepens in Iran, U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo is calling on the Iranian government to immediately release detained American citizens.
"The United States will hold the Iranian regime directly responsible for any American deaths. Our response will be decisive," Pompeo warned in a statement late Tuesday night, pointing out that Tehran has released tens of thousands of other prisoners to prevent the spread of the new virus.
Pompeo said countries assisting Iran should condition any aid on the release of these Americans and citizens wrongfully detained from other countries, like Australia, France and the United Kingdom.
The family of Michael White, the U.S. Navy veteran who was imprisoned in Iran while visiting his girlfriend in July 2018, told ABC News that they are "very grateful" for Pompeo's statement. White's mother Joanne urged the Trump administration last week to do something, fearful that her son, "a cancer patient with a compromised immune system," is at risk. White has reportedly been denied basic medical care while in detention.
2:44 a.m. Number of confirmed cases surpass 1,000 in U.S.
With more companies asking employees to work from home and large events like the Coachella music festival are postponed, the outbreak of the novel coronavirus continues to grow on U.S. soil. There are now more than 1,000 confirmed cases, according to data provided by Johns Hopkins University's Center for Systems Science and Engineering.
As more Americans are deciding to skip travel plans and airlines are cutting flights, the Mineta San Jose International Airport announced late Tuesday night that three Transportation Security Administration employees working at the airport had tested positive for COVID-19.
The airport, however, said it remains "open for business" and will follow the Santa Clara County Health Department's "guidance for preventing the spread of COVID-19."
Because the virus is new, there's currently no approved treatment and a vaccine is likely more than a year away.
ABC News' Eric Avram, Conor Finnegan, Dragana Jovanovic, Mina Kaji, Rachel Katz, Ben Gittleson, William Mansell, Bonnie Mclean, Kirit Radia, Darren Reynolds, Erin Schumaker, Emily Shapiro, Christine Theodorou and Ivan Pereira contributed to this report.
