Nation And World

Coronavirus: Senate staff member tests positive

More than 120,000 people worldwide are infected with coronavirus and the number of deaths from the outbreak continues to rise. Officials are attempting to contain the outbreak in the US as schools, businesses and public events are closed or canceled.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is tracking cases in the U.S. here.

Live updates for Wednesday, March 11 continue below:

Senate staff member tests positive

Update 10:15 p.m. EDT March 11: A staff member for Maria Cantwell (D-Wa) has tested positive for Coronavirus.

Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert tests positive for Coronavirus

Update 9:50 p.m. EDT March 11: Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert has tested positive for the coronavirus.

NBA suspends season until further notice

Update 9:35 p.m. EDT March 11:  The NBA is suspending the season after Wednesday night's games until further notice because of the coronavirus.

The NBA has suspended its season “until further notice” after a Utah Jazz player tested positive Wednesday for the coronavirus, a move that came only hours after the majority of the league’s owners were leaning toward playing games without fans in arenas.

Now there will be no games at all, at least for the time being. A person with knowledge of the situation said the Jazz player who tested positive was center Rudy Gobert. The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because neither the league nor the team confirmed the presumptive positive test.

Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson test positive for Coronavirus

Update 9:20 p.m. EDT March 11: Actor Tom Hanks and his wife Rita Wilson confirmed on Instagram that they both have tested positive for Coronavirus.

Hanks said the couple were in Australia and felt tired, with colds, body aches and slight fevers. “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 said.

The 63-year-old actor said they will be “tested, observed and isolated for as long as public health and safety requires.”

“Not much more to it than a one-day-a-time approach, no?” added Hanks.

Hanks, who also posted his message on social media, signed off saying: “Take care of yourselves!”

Hanks and Wilson, 63, were married in 1988.

Trump suspends all travel to Europe

Update 9:05 p.m. EDT March 11:  President Donald Trump said Wednesday he is suspending all travel between the U.S. and Europe for 30 days beginning Friday as he seeks to combat a viral pandemic.

Trump made the announcement in an Oval Office address to the nation, blaming the European Union for not acting quickly enough to address the “foreign virus” and saying U.S. clusters were “seeded” by European travelers.

“We made a lifesaving move with early action on China,” Trump said. “Now we must take the same action with Europe.”

Trump said the restrictions won’t apply to the United Kingdom and the U.S. would monitor the situation to determine if travel could be reopened earlier.

Trump said he was also directing agencies to provide unspecified financial relief for “for workers who are ill, quarantined or caring for others due to coronavirus,” and asked Congress to take action to extend it.

Trump said the U.S. will will defer tax payments for some individual and business filers for three months to lessen the impacts of the virus outbreak. He said the Small Business Administration will also make low-interest loans available to businesses to help them weather the storm.

“This is not a financial crisis,” he said. “This just a temporary moment of time that we will overcome together as a nation and as a world.”

NBA postpones game “due to unforeseen circumstances”

Update 8:45 p.m. EDT March 11: The game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Utah Jazz was postponed Wednesday evening after the starting lineups were introduced and just minutes before tip-off.

Right before the game started, officials called over Oklahoma City head coach Billy Donovan and Utah head coach Quinn Snyder. They talked for several minutes before both teams went back to the locker rooms. The officials then left the court. About 20-30 minutes later, the game was officially postponed.

An official reason has not been given yet, but Jazz players Rudy Gobert and Emmanuel Mudiay were both listed out for the game because of illness.

Arizona governor declares emergency as virus cases hit 9

Update 8:30 p.m. EDT March 11: Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey on Wednesday declared a public health emergency because of the risk of increased transmission of coronavirus in the state. But he fell short of ordering large events to be cancelled as the governor of Washington did in three counties.

Ducey said at an afternoon news conference that his emergency declaration and a separate executive order were being issued to ensure the state has the resources to fight the outbreak and the most vulnerable populations — mainly the elderly or those with serious health issues — are protected.

Stocks tumble again: 11-year bull market ends

Update 5:42 p.m. EDT March 11: Stocks plunged again Wednesday as concerns over the coronavirus grew deeper, ending the 11-year bull market, The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal reported. The Dow Jones Industrial Average tumbled 1,465 points, or 5.9%, to 23,553, The Wall Street Journal reported. The Standard & Poor 500 declined nearly 6 percent Wednesday, the Times reported.

“If the Trump administration and Congress can’t get it together quickly and put together a sizable and responsible package, then a recession seems like a real possibility here," Mark Zandi, chief economist for Moody’s Analytics, told the newspaper. Zandi predicted the chance of a recession in the next year as approximately 50 percent.

NCAA president: Limited attendance at NCAA events, including basketball

Update 4:45 p.m. EDT March 11: NCAA President Mark Emmert said only essential staff, and limited family attendance will be allowed at athletic championships, including basketball tournaments.

“The NCAA continues to assess the impact of COVID-19 in consultation with public health officials and our COVID-19 advisory panel,” Emmert said in a statement. “Based on their advice and my discussions with the NCAA Board of Governors, I have made the decision to conduct our upcoming championship events, including the Division I men’s and women’s basketball tournaments, with only essential staff and limited family attendance.”

"While I understand how disappointing this is for all fans of our sports, my decision is based on the current understanding of how COVID-19 is progressing in the United States. This decision is in the best interest of public health, including that of coaches, administrators, fans and, most importantly, our student-athletes. We recognize the opportunity to compete in an NCAA national championship is an experience of a lifetime for the students and their families. Today, we will move forward and conduct championships consistent with the current information and will continue to monitor and make adjustments as needed."

Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine to order no spectators for NCAA’s First Four in Dayton

Update 4:21 p.m. EDT March 11: Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine said he will issue an order that there would be no spectators allowed at the NCAA First Four games, which will be played March 17 and 18 in Dayton, WHIO reported.

“The order will be that there cannot be spectators there,” DeWine said. “We’re not going to have the large crowd.”

Trump to make statement on coronavirus Wednesday

Update 4 p.m. EDT March 11: President Donald Trump plans to make a statement later Wednesday on the coronavirus and the government's response, according to CNN.

The president told reporters during a meeting with bankers at the White House that he has “already made some decisions” but “will be making some other ones that are important.”

Trump said the statement would be given around 9 p.m., CNN reported.

1st presumptive coronavirus case reported in Delaware

Update 3:50 p.m. EDT March 11: Officials in Delaware announced the state's first presumptive positive coronavirus case Wednesday.

In a statement, health officials identified the patient as a New Castle County man over the age of 50 who is associated with the University of Delaware community.

“The patient is doing well,” Delaware Division of Public Health Director Dr. Karyl Rattay said in a statement. “We understand that news of a positive case in the state is concerning, but this is something we have been preparing for over the last several weeks.”

Officials said the patient began to self-isolate at home as soon as he recognized he had the symptoms of COVID-19. Authorities said he was exposed during contact with another confirmed coronavirus case in another state.

26th death reported in Washington

Update 3:45 p.m. EDT March 11: Officials with Washington state's Snohomish County Health District announced the second COVID-19 death in the county Wednesday, bringing the state's total to at least 26, according to KIRO-TV.

Officials in Thurston County allow announced its first coronavirus case Wednesday, KIRO-TV reported.

Los Angeles health officials announce area’s 1st coronavirus death

Update 3:35 p.m. EDT March 11: Officials in Los Angeles County announced the area's first coronavirus death on Wednesday, bringing the country's death toll to at least 28, according to The Los Angeles Times.

Los Angeles County Public Health Department Director Dr. Barbara Ferrer told reporters Wednesday that the fatal COVID-19 case involved a woman who was over 60 years old and had underlying health issues. The woman was not from Los Angeles County, according to the Times.

At 7 a.m. local time Wednesday, California reported 157 coronavirus cases and two deaths.

Trump says he’s prepared to ‘use the full power of the federal government’ to combat coronavirus

Update 3:30 p.m. EDT March 11: President Donald Trump on Wednesday thanked officials on his Coronavirus Task Force and pledged to support efforts to create a vaccine for the deadly viral infection in a series of Twitter posts.

“I am fully prepared to use the full power of the federal government to deal with our current challenge of the coronavirus!” Trump wrote.

JFK Library closes due to possible coronavirus exposure

Update 3:20 p.m. EDT March 11: Officials with the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum in Boston announced the library's immediate closure Wednesday after two employees were believed to have possibly been exposed to COVID-19.

According to library officials, the employees attended a conference last week where other attendees were later confirmed to have the 2019 novel coronavirus. Neither employee has shown symptoms of the viral infection, but officials cautioned anyone who has visited between March 2 and March 11 to monitor their health for COVID-19 symptoms.

“I understand this action will be disruptive to many who have planned events scheduled here at the Library. We also understand this will be disruptive to our dedicated vendors who depend on the business of hosting events here at the Library and elsewhere,” library Director Alan Price said in a news release. “However, we must consider public health and safety priority number one.”

2 more coronavirus deaths reported in UK

Update 3:15 p.m. EDT March 11: The United Kingdom's Department of Health and Social Care on Wednesday announced the deaths of two more COVID-19 patients.

“I am sorry to confirm a seventh and eighth patient in England who tested positive for COVID-19 have sadly died,” England’s chief medical officer, Chris Whitty, said Wednesday in a statement. “I offer my sincere condolences to their families and friends and ask that their privacy is respected.”

Whitty said the fatal coronavirus cases involved an older patient who had a number of serious underlying health conditions. The second case involved a patient in his or her 70s who also had underlying health conditions.

San Francisco Giants cancel upcoming game

Update 2:40 p.m. EDT March 11: The San Francisco Giants on Wednesday announced the cancellation of their upcoming March 24 exhibition game against the Oakland A's due to the coronavirus outbreak.

The announcement came after San Francisco health officials announced a ban on group events in which 1,000 or more people were expected to gather, effective immediately.

“The health and safety of our community is of the utmost importance to us,” the Giants said in a statement. “In light of the City and County of San Francisco’s announcement today ... we will not play our upcoming March 24th exhibition game against the Oakland A’s at Oracle Park in San Francisco."

Team officials said they were working with Major League Baseball and the A’s to determine alternative arrangements for the game.

More universities cancel in-person classes in favor of online learning amid coronavirus outbreak

Update 2:25 p.m. EDT March 11: Several more schools have announced plans to transition in-person classes online to slow the spread of the 2019 novel coronavirus.

On Wednesday, New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo said the City University of New York and State University of New York schools systems were in the process of transitioning into a distance-learning model to launch next week and last until the end of the semester.

Other schools, including Harvard University, Princeton University and the University of Washington, have also announced plans to move courses online or cancel in-person meetings due to coronavirus.

Golden State Warriors confirm game against Brooklyn Nets will be played without fans

Update 2:15 p.m. EDT March 11: The Golden State Warriors confirmed reports Wednesday that the team's planned game against the Brooklyn Nets will be played Thursday night without an audience.

“Due to escalating concerns about the spread of the coronavirus, and in consultation with the City and County of San Francisco, tomorrow night’s game vs. the Nets at Chase Center will be played without fans,” team officials said.

Earlier Wednesday, San Francisco health officials announced a ban on group events in which 1,000 or more people were expected to gather, effective immediately.

“This is necessary to slow the spread of COVID-19,” San Francisco Mayor London Breed said in a statement.

Death toll rises to 827 in Italy

Update 2:10 p.m. EDT March 11: Italian health officials said the country's death toll due to COVID-19 rose Wednesday to 827.

Italy has the most reported coronavirus deaths outside China, where more than 3,000 people died of the virus.

Officials said Wednesday that 12,462 virus cases have been reported in the country. Of those who have fallen ill, 1,045 have recovered.

Golden State Warriors to play home games without fans amid coronavirus fears, report says

Update 2 p.m. EDT March 11: The Golden State Warriors plan to play home games without fans for the foreseeable future due to the ongoing coronavirus outbreak, according to ESPN.

Earlier Wednesday, a top U.S. health official told Congress the NBA should play their games without fans present to cut down on the risk of spreading COVID-19.

"We would recommend that there not be large crowds. If that means not having any people in the audience when the NBA plays, so be it," Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, said Wednesday, according to MarketWatch.

Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo to close due to coronavirus concerns

Update 1:55 p.m. EDT March 11: Officials in Houston announced the closure Wednesday of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo.

The event, the world’s largest indoor livestock exhibition and rodeo, began March 3 and was scheduled to end March 22.

“In the interest of public health, the City of Houston and the Houston Health Department have ordered the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo to close,” organizers wrote on the event’s website.

“The Rodeo is deeply saddened; however, the safety and well-being of our guests and our community is our top priority. Out of precaution, the City has decided that this is the best course of action for our community.”

Officials said they were working on a process Wednesday to allow for ticket refunds.

Washington governor announces ban on gatherings of more than 250 people

Update 1:40 p.m. EDT March 11: Washington Gov. Jay Inslee on Wednesday announced a ban on gatherings and events involving more than 250 people in three counties as officials trying to stop the spread of the 2019 novel coronavirus.

Inslee said Wednesday that it's "very likely" the ban could expand beyond March, KIRO-TV reported.

“I am not calling for widespread school closures at this time. But school districts should make contingency plans if they do need to close,” Inslee said.

The ban covers gatherings for social, recreational, spiritual and other matters, according to KIRO-TV.

First coronavirus deaths reported in Sweden, Ireland

Update 1:20 p.m. EDT March 11: Health officials in Sweden and Ireland have reported their first fatal cases of COVID-19, according to multiple reports.

Officials with Karolinska University Hospital, just outside Stockholm, said in a statement obtained by Reuters that an elderly coronavirus patient who had underlying medical issues died Wednesday. The country has about 460 confirmed COVID-19 cases, according to The Guardian.

Irish authorities said an elderly woman who had an underlying respiratory condition died Wednesday in a Dublin hospital days after being admitted to a hospital with coronavirus, BBC News reported. Eighteen cases of COVID-19 have been reported in Northern Ireland while 34 others have been recorded in the Republic of Ireland, according to BBC News.

House vote expected Thursday on Democrats’ coronavirus package

Update 12:55 p.m. EDT March 11: House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer told CNN that Democrats are finalizing their planned bill aimed at stymieing the economic effects of the coronavirus outbreak.

Hoyer, D-Md., could not provide a cost estimate Wednesday but told CNN it would "probably be in the billions."

“It’ll be much more costly if we don’t provide this relief,” he said.

‘Pandemic not a word to use lightly,’ WHO director-general says

Update 12:45 p.m. EDT March 11: Officials with the World Health Organization on Wednesday classified COVID-19 as a pandemic, a term the organization's director-general said was not to be used lightly.

“It is a word that, if misused, can cause unreasonable fear, or unjustified acceptance that the fight is over, leading to unnecessary suffering and death,” WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said Wednesday.

“Describing the situation as a pandemic does not change WHO’s assessment of the threat posed by this coronavirus. It doesn’t change what WHO is doing, and it doesn’t change what countries should do.”

WHO classifies 2019 novel coronavirus as a pandemic

Update 12:30 p.m. EDT March 11: Officials with the World Health Organization on Wednesday announced COVID-19 has been characterized as a pandemic.

1st presumptive positive coronavirus case reported in Arkansas

Update 12:10 p.m. EDT March 11: Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson said the state has recorded its first presumptive positive coronavirus case.

Results from the test will have to be confirmed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Gaming conference E3 canceled

Update 12:05 p.m. EDT March 11: The Electronic Entertainment Expo, better known as E3, has been canceled due to ongoing coronavirus fears.

"Following increased and overwhelming concerns about the COVID-19 virus, we felt this was the best way to proceed during such an unprecedented global situation," organizers said in a statement posted on the expo's website. "We are very disappointed that we are unable to hold this event for our fans and supporters. But we know it's the right decision based on the information we have today."

Pittsburgh cancels St. Patrick’s Day parade

Update 11:40 a.m. EDT March 11: Officials in Pittsburgh have canceled the city's St. Patrick's Day parade over coronavirus concerns, WPXI reported.

“The health of our residents and visitors to our city must be our main priority,” Mayor William Peduto said. “This mitigation measure will help keep people in Pittsburgh and Western (Pennsylvania) safe.”

Coronavirus fears have prompted the cancellations of St. Patrick’s Day parades in several other cities, including Boston, Chicago, Philadelphia, and the entirety of Ireland.

First fatal coronavirus case reported in Bulgaria

Update 11:30 a.m. EDT March 11: Health officials in Bulgaria announced the country's first fatal case of coronavirus Wednesday.

Officials said a 66-year-old woman, who had chronic heart problems and a previous heart surgery, died one day after being hospitalized with COVID-19.

More than 4,000 people have died globally of the 2019 novel coronavirus.

Coronavirus vaccine ready to test in 12 to 18 months, US infectious disease expert says

Update 11:15 a.m. EDT March 11: Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institutes of Health's National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, said during congressional testimony Wednesday that health officials are still months away from testing a vaccine for COVID-19.

During a House Oversight and Reform Committee hearing on coronavirus preparedness, Fauci said testing of development of a vaccine is already underway but he warned it will take at least 12 to 18 months for it to be tested to ensure it works and is safe, Cox Media Group's Jamie Dupree reported.

“Now anyone who thinks they will go more quickly than that, I believe will be cutting corners,” Fauci said.

3 TSA employees test positive for COVID-19 in California

Update 11:05 a.m. EDT March 11: Officials with the Transportation Security Administration confirmed Wednesday morning that three employees working at a California airport have been diagnosed with the 2019 novel coronavirus.

In a statement released Wednesday, TSA officials said the employees worked at Norman Y. Mineta San Jose International Airport.

“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 statement said. “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.”

Infectious disease expert tells Congress coronavirus outbreak is ‘going to get worse’

Update 10:50 a.m. EDT March 11: Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institutes of Health's National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, said during congressional testimony Wednesday that the worst of the coronavirus outbreak is yet to come in the U.S.

“Bottom line, it’s going to get worse,” he said during a House Oversight and Reform Committee hearing on coronavirus preparedness.

More than 1,000 people have been diagnosed with COVID-19 since Jan. 21, when the first coronavirus case was reported in the U.S. Since the virus was first discovered late last year in Wuhan, China, more than 109,000 people have been infected worldwide.

Chicago St. Patrick’s Day Parade canceled due to COVID-19

Update 10:15 a.m. EDT March 11: The Chicago St. Patrick's Day Parade, one of the largest St. Patrick's Day celebrations in the U.S., has been canceled amid the growing 2019 novel coronavirus outbreak.

In a message on the parade's website, organizers said the event, planned for Saturday, had been cancelled due to the ongoing threat of COVID-19.

The Chicago Tribune reported the decision was made by Mayor Lori Lightfoot over concerns that the COVID-19 might spread in the dense crowds expected for the festivities. The city's South Side Irish parade was also canceled, according to the Tribune.

St. Patrick’s Day parades have also been canceled in Boston, Philadelphia and the entirety of Ireland because of the coronavirus threat.

Stocks tumble amid coronavirus fears

Update 10:05 a.m. EDT March 11: Stocks plummeted Wednesday in the U.S. as investors worried over the economic impacts of the coronavirus outbreak, according to multiple reports.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped by 822 points, or 3.3%, according to The Wall Street Journal. The S&P 500 fell 3.1%, and the Nasdaq Composite lost 2.7%, the newspaper reported.

"Markets seem disappointed that the White House did not release details of its fiscal response to the coronavirus," Brian Gardner, a Washington policy analyst at KBW, told CNBC.

President Donald Trump hinted at plans for tax cuts and other economic relief late Monday, but he has yet to unveil any details. His proposal for a cut to payroll taxes has met resistance on Capitol Hill.

"Everyday we get whipsawed back and forth, and what we're seeing today is general disappointment that fiscal policy is not at all clear in how it's going to stimulate the economy," Michael Reynolds, Investment Strategy Officer at Glenmede Trust Co., told Bloomberg.

New coronavirus cases bring total to 26 in Florida

Update 9:40 a.m. EDT March 11: Eight new COVID-19 cases were reported Tuesday night in Florida, bringing the total number of cases in the state to 26, according to WFTV.

The new infections were reported in Alachua, Collier, Nassau, Pinellas and Pasco counties.

COVID-19 cases top 2,000 in Spain

Update 9 a.m. EDT March 11: Spain's coronavirus cases have surpassed 2,000, with roughly half of them in the Madrid region, where two-thirds of the country's virus deaths have occurred.

The Health Ministry on Wednesday reported 2,002 cases nationally, up by 363 from the previous day. Deaths reached 47, up by 11 from Tuesday.

Fernando Simón, director of Spain's health emergency center, said Wednesday that Madrid’s fatalities are high because much of the contagion there is taking place in nursing homes. The COVID-19 virus is particularly hard on the elderly and those with underlying health conditions.

Madrid and two regions in northern Spain are closing schools and universities for two weeks to try to slow the spread of the coronavirus. Long queues have formed at Madrid area supermarkets amid signs of panic buying.

Simón said working from home and cancelling classes were “very beneficial” to help reduce the number of people using public transport.

958 new coronavirus cases confirmed in Iran

Update 8:40 a.m. EDT March 11: Iran confirmed 958 new cases of the 2019 novel coronavirus in the past 24 hours, bringing the total number of cases in the country to 9,000, according to CNN.

Speaking on state television Wednesday, health ministry spokesman Kianush Jahanpour said 63 new deaths were also reported, bringing the coronavirus death toll to 354 in the country, CNN reported.

Global infections near 120,000

Update 6:47 a.m. EDT March 11: Citing figures compiled by Johns Hopkins University, confirmed global novel coronavirus infections have swelled to 119,132, spanning 115 countries and territories, The Wall Street Journal reported.

More than 4,290 deaths have been attributed to the virus since it was first reported in Wuhan, China, in December.

Belgium confirms first coronavirus death 

Update 6:29 a.m. EDT March 11: Belgium announced the country's first death from the novel coronavirus Wednesday morning.

The Belgian Public Health Federal Service's communications department told CNN the victim was a 90-year-old, who was treated in a Brussels clinic.

To date, Belgium has reported 267 total cases.

Indonesia reports first coronavirus-related death

Update 5:06 a.m. EDT March 11: Indonesia confirmed early Wednesday its first fatality associated with the novel coronavirus.

According to Antara, the country's state-run news agency, the patient was a 53-year-old foreign national with pre-existing conditions, including diabetes, lung disease, hypertension and a respiratory obstruction.

There have been 27 novel coronavirus infections diagnosed in Indonesia to date.

Ohio students vacating campus clash with riot-gear clad police

Update 4:47 a.m. EDT March 11: At least one person was injured at the University of Dayton Tuesday night when students vacating their dorms at the administration's request clashed with police, The Washington Post reported.

The students had been instructed to return to their homes for several weeks as uncertainty surrounding the spread of the novel coronavirus abounds.

The impetus for Tuesday's confrontation was not immediately clear, the Post reported, noting police at one point launched pepper balls at students and at least one student was injured by a thrown bottle.

In a statement, university officials said a “large, disorderly crowd” of more than 1,000 people gathered Tuesday night in a neighborhood comprised largely of student housing, eventually attracting the attention of law enforcement.

Read more here.

Florida, Georgia coronavirus cases increase

Update 4:40 a.m. EDT March 11: The Florida Department of Health confirmed Tuesday night that eight new novel coronavirus cases have been detected, bringing the statewide total to 23 and accounting for two deaths.

Meanwhile, the Georgia Department of Health confirmed five new presumptive cases, bringing the statewide total to 22.

Novel coronavirus cases worldwide near 116,000

Update 3:03 a.m. EDT March 11: The novel coronavirus has infected more than 115,800 people worldwide since emerging in December, resulting in more than 4,200 deaths to date.

Although mainland China remains the hardest hit nation with nearly 81,000 diagnosed cases and 3,158 deaths, the virus’ global spread marches on.

According to CNN, the following 11 countries outside mainland China have experienced the most impact:

• Italy: 10,149 cases, 631 deaths

• Iran: 8,042 cases, 291 deaths

• South Korea: 7,755 cases, 60 deaths

• Germany: 1,296 cases, 2 deaths

• Japan: 1,264 cases, 19 deaths (includes 696 cases linked to Diamond Princess cruise ship)

• Spain: 1,204 cases, 28 deaths

• France: 1,116 cases, 30 deaths

• United States: 1,000 cases, 31 deaths

• United Kingdom: 382 cases, 6 deaths

• Netherlands: 382 cases, 4 deaths

Click here to see the complete list of infections by country.

IRS ponders extending tax payment deadline past April 15

Update 2:54 a.m. EDT March 11: The U.S. Treasury Department is considering delaying the 2020 tax payment deadline beyond the April 15 deadline, The Wall Street Journal and The New York Times reported.

According to the Times, White House officials are exploring the potential postponement of the deadline to help alleviate pressures on both businesses and individuals struggling financially since the spread of the novel coronavirus in the United States began prompting the closure of schools, creating work interruptions and disrupting supply chains.

While delaying the filing deadline is one option, another avenue being discussed is the waiver of penalties and interest assessed on late payments.

Read more here and here.

Jamaica confirms its first coronavirus case

Update 2: 46 a.m. EDT March 11: Jamaica announced its first novel coronavirus case early Wednesday, its Ministry of Health and Wellness confirmed.

The patient is a Jamaican woman who was in the United Kingdom recently but returned on March 4. She has been in isolation in the capital of Kingston since Sunday.

Uber considers temporary account suspension for infected riders, drivers

Update 2: 44 a.m. EDT March 11: Catching a ride in the age of the novel coronavirus might become even more complicated as ride-sharing operations grapple with how to limit exposure to infected persons, CNN reported.

According to the network, Uber is considering suspending the accounts of riders and drivers who have contracted the virus or have been "exposed" to it.

“We have a team available 24/7 to support public health authorities in their response to the epidemic. Working with them, we may temporarily suspend the accounts of riders or drivers confirmed to have contracted or been exposed to COVID-19,” the company said in a statement. “We’re also consulting with an epidemiologist to make sure our efforts as a company are grounded in medical advice.”

South Korea records 242 new coronavirus cases, 6 additional deaths

Update 2: 40 a.m. EDT March 11: South Korea identified 242 coronavirus cases and reported six virus-related deaths Tuesday, according to the South Korean Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

A total of 7,755 cases have been reported nationwide, resulting in 60 deaths since the outbreak began.

Health officials are particularly concerned with a cluster identified Monday in Seoul that has resulted in 93 patients all linked to a call center. The infections associated with the site almost doubled in 24 hours.

Michigan confirms its first presumptive coronavirus cases, declares emergency

Update 2:37 a.m. EDT March 11: Michigan officials confirmed late Tuesday that the state's first two presumptive novel coronavirus cases have been detected, and authorities have declared a state of emergency.

“We are taking every step we can to mitigate the spread of the virus and keep Michiganders safe,” Governor Gretchen Whitmer said in a prepared statement, adding, “I have declared a state of emergency to harness all of our resources across state government to slow the spread of the virus and protect families. It’s crucial that all Michiganders continue to take preventative measures to lower their risk, and to share this information with their friends, family, and co-workers.”

State-by-state breakdown of the 1,004 US coronavirus cases, 31 deaths

Update 12:46 a.m. EDT March 11: The number of COVID-19 cases, the disease caused by the novel coronavirus, in the United States has surpassed 1,000, The New York Times and CNN reported late Tuesday.

According to the Times database, the virus has infected at least 1,004 people in 37 states and the District of Columbia, resulting in 31 deaths nationwide.

The latest figures include 21 people aboard the Grand Princess cruise ship, which arrived in port in Oakland, California, on Monday. The figures also include 49 repatriated citizens, including 46 sickened aboard the Diamond Princess cruise ship and three others retrieved from the outbreak’s epicenter in Wuhan, China.

According to CNN, coronavirus infections in the United States have doubled since Sunday. Washington state remains the hardest-hit, with 273 patients and 24 fatalities. California and New York are the only other states with more than 100 cases, while Massachusetts cases stand at 92, the network reported.

The complete state-by-state breakdown – including presumptive cases – is as follows:

• Arizona: 6

• California: 116 (including three deaths)

• Colorado: 17

• Connecticut: 2

• District of Columbia: 4

• Florida: 23 (including two deaths)

• Georgia: 22

• Hawaii: 2

• Illinois: 19

• Indiana: 6

• Iowa: 13

• Kansas: 2

• Kentucky: 8

• Louisiana: 3

• Maryland: 9

• Massachusetts: 92

• Michigan: 1

• Minnesota: 3

• Missouri: 1

• Nebraska: 3

• Nevada: 4

• New Hampshire: 5

• New Jersey: 15 (including one death)

• New York: 173

• North Carolina: 7

• Ohio: 3

• Oklahoma: 2

• Oregon: 15

• Pennsylvania: 11

• Rhode Island: 5

• South Carolina: 9

• South Dakota: 5 (including one death)

• Tennessee: 7

• Texas: 19

• Utah: 2

• Vermont: 1

• Virginia: 8

• Washington state: 273 (including 24 deaths)

• Wisconsin: 3

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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