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UPDATE[Republish]
COVID-19, the disease caused by the novel coronavirus, was officially declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization on Wednesday.
The virus has killed more than 4,000 people worldwide and continues to spread at a rapid pace.
HuffPost reporters around the world are tracking the pandemic and the measures being taken to flatten the curve of transmission.
Read the latest updates on the coronavirus pandemic below. (To see the latest updates, you may need to refresh the page. All times are Eastern.)
CDC Confirms First Known Employee With COVID-19 ― 3/16/20, 4 p.m. ET
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has confirmed its first case of COVID-19 in an employee. The diagnosis was confirmed Monday during lab testing at the CDC, which said the patient is in good condition and being isolated to prevent them from spreading the infection to others.
“Our best wishes go to the employee for a rapid and full recovery,” the CDC said in a statement.
— Sanjana Karanth
Trump Recommends Gatherings Of No More Than 10 People — 3/16/20, 3:37 p.m. ET
In a sign that the U.S. government is taking the pandemic much more seriously, President Donald Trump issued a grave recommendation, telling Americans to avoid gatherings of more than 10 people to slow the spread of the virus.
“It’s important for the young and healthy people to understand that while they may experience milder symptoms, they can easily spread this virus — and they will spread it indeed, putting countless others in harm’s way,” he said at a press conference with the White House’s coronavirus task force. “We’d much rather be ahead of the curve than behind it.”
The task force also recommends that all students complete their studies from home when possible, as more and more states close schools, and that people should avoid all nonessential travel and stop going to bars and restaurants.
— Marina Fang
French President Emmanuel Macron Announces 15-Day Lockdown — 3/16/20, 3 p.m. ET
France will introduce restrictions on movement for 15 days starting midday on Tuesday, President Emmanuel Macron announced. He said people should stay at home and only go out for essential activities, adding that anyone caught breaking the rules would be punished.
“We are at war, a sanitary war,” Macron said. “The enemy is here. Invisible, but here.”
HuffPost France has rolling live coverage of Macron’s announcement.
— James Martin
Still No Confirmed Cases In West Virginia — 3/16/20, 2:57 p.m. ET
West Virginia remains the only U.S. state with no confirmed cases of the coronavirus that causes COVID-19. Of the 84 tests that have been conducted, 80 have come back negative and four are pending, Gov. Jim Justice (R) said at a presser Monday afternoon.
“In the state of West Virginia, I do not want us to be asleep at the switch because we just happen to not have a positive test,” he said, urging residents to follow federal safety guidance.
— Lydia O’Connor
Idris Elba Says He Tested Positive For COVID-19 — 3/16/20, 2:49 p.m. ET
Actor Idris Elba announced in a video on Twitter that he has tested positive for COVID-19, saying he found out last Friday that he had been exposed to the virus. On March 4, he attended an event in London that was also attended by Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s wife, Sophie Grégoire Trudeau, who announced last week that she had tested positive. In the video, Elba said he’s “doing OK,” has no symptoms and is self-quarantining. He urged everyone “to be really vigilant” and practice social distancing, especially people like him who are not showing symptoms.
“Look, this is serious, you know? Now is the time to really think about social distancing, washing your hands,” Elba said in the video. “We live in a divided world right now. We can all feel it. It’s been bullshit, but now is the time for solidarity. Now is the time for thinking about each other. There are so many people whose lives have been affected, from those who have lost people they love to people that don’t even have it and lost their livelihoods. This is real.”
Canada To Close Borders To Most Noncitizens, U.S. Excepted — 3/16/2020, 1:57 p.m. ET
At a press conference, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced new restrictions on travelers arriving in the country, closing the borders to all foreign nationals from around the world. Exceptions will be made for air crew, diplomats, immediate family members of Canadian citizens and U.S. citizens “at this time,” he said. The government is also mandating that air carriers screen passengers in line who show symptoms of COVID-19 so they don’t board planes.
— Rebecca Zamon
Merkel Announces Unprecedented Measures In Germany — 3/16/20, 1:42 p.m. ET
German Chancellor Angela Merkel announced Monday that she’s taking “measures that have never existed in our country” to limit the spread of the coronavirus. The new rules are forcing the closure of nearly every major gathering space, including places of worship, playgrounds, bars and theaters. Grocery stores, pharmacies and other essential businesses will remain open. The government also “advises against unnecessary trips abroad.” During a press conference in Berlin, Merkel extended that advisory to all travel within Germany as well.
— Lydia O’Connor
Britons Asked To Stop ‘Nonessential Contact’ With Others — 3/16/20, 1 p.m. ET
Everyone in the U.K. has been asked to avoid nonessential contact with others as Prime Minister Boris Johnson ratchets up the response to the coronavirus outbreak. The prime minister set out the plans in the first of what will now be daily press conferences as the virus spreads in the U.K. He also instructed those with a persistent cough or high temperature to self-isolate for 14 days, including from their families. Read more from HuffPost U.K.
— James Martin
New York, New Jersey And Connecticut To Close Certain Businesses Monday — 3/16/20, 11:04 a.m. ET
The governors of New York, New Jersey and Connecticut on Monday said that beginning at 8 p.m., all casinos, gyms, movie theaters and other areas of public gatherings will close indefinitely. This follows the CDC advising that gatherings of 50 people or more be canceled or postponed across the country over the next eight weeks. Bars and restaurants will also close at 8 p.m. Monday, until further notice, to eat-in guests. Takeout orders will be permitted as usual.
It’s not yet clear whether tribal casinos will be forced to close since they have tribal sovereignty.
New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo said he is looking into whether public health laws affect the tribal casinos. In the meantime, Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont said they are urging the tribes “in the strongest possible way” to close their casinos.
— Nina Golgowski
Supreme Court Postpones Upcoming Cases For The Rest Of The Month — 3/16/20, 10:45 a.m. ET
Justices on the U.S. Supreme Court will not hear oral arguments for the rest of the month, a court spokesperson announced. The high court’s March 23-25 and March 30-April 1 sessions, which were expected to include cases such as one involving whether President Donald Trump can release his tax returns, will be rescheduled.
The court has been closed to visitors since Thursday, but remains open for staff. However, it is “expanding remote working capabilities to reduce the number of employees in the Building, consistent with public health guidance.” It also plans to hold a regularly scheduled conference on Friday and issue orders next Monday as planned. But the justices, many of whom are in the at-risk categories for contracting COVID-19, “may participate remotely by telephone.”
— Marina Fang
Nonessential New Jersey Businesses Given Restrictive Hours — 3/16/20, 10:30 a.m. ET
New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy on Monday said all businesses in his state that aren’t necessary for public welfare must close from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m., effective tonight. Businesses may reopen outside of those hours if they allow no more than 50 people inside at a time. Businesses not affected by this rule include places like grocery stores, pharmacies, medical offices and gas stations.
Bars and restaurants will also close at 8 p.m. Monday, until further notice, to eat-in guests. Take-out orders will be permitted as usual.
All nonessential and nonemergency travel in New Jersey is also being strongly discouraged between 8 p.m. and 5 a.m. This will remain in effect for the foreseeable future, Murphy said.
— Nina Golgowski
Italy Sees Biggest 24-Hour Period Increase In Cases — 3/16/20, 8:47 a.m. ET
Italy on Sunday reported 3,590 new cases of COVID-19 and 368 new deaths from the outbreak within a 24-hour period. This dramatic leap, which was the country’s biggest day-to-day increase, raised the death toll to 1,809.
— Nina Golgowski
Bolsonaro Takes Selfies, High-Fives Demonstrators Despite Warnings — 3/16/20, 7 a.m. ET
Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro took selfies with supporters and celebrated their demonstrations in major cities Sunday, drawing criticism for encouraging large gatherings that could worsen the spread of coronavirus.
Bolsonaro also appeared to shrug off the advice of medical experts suggesting he take precautions after several members of his recent delegation to Florida tested positive for the virus. The president tested negative for the virus, as did Donald Trump after their meeting, but newspaper O Estado de S.Paulo reported that Bolsonaro’s medical team has suggested he remain isolated until early next week.
Bolsonaro strode down the ramp of the presidential palace in a Brazilian soccer jersey and met a throng of protesters at the gate, where he bumped fists, grabbed cell phones to take pictures and leaned in for selfies with the crowd. HuffPost Brazil reports (in Portuguese) that just days earlier Bolsonaro had called for the demonstrations to be postponed.
— James Martin
World Stocks Tank After Fed Rate Cut, Pointing To More Pain For U.S. Stocks — 3/16/20 6:30 a.m. ET
Stocks fell across Asia and Europe after the Federal Reserve cut interest rates late Sunday before markets opened. The U.S. central bank joined forces with international counterparts to try and stave off some of the economic impacts of the virus, but the action didn’t seem to calm nervous investors.
London’s FTSE 100 fell almost 9%, and Germany’s DAX almost 8%. S&P futures fell almost 5%, triggering circuit breakers. This doesn’t bode well for U.S. stocks when the markets open.
Investors are spooked by “what currently looks like an inevitable recession ,” said Joachim Fels, Pimco global economic adviser, the Financial Times reported.
— Liza Hearon
France Vote Could Be For Nothing As Social Life Is Halted — 3/16/20, 6:20 a.m. ET
As coronavirus continues to hamper political campaigning in the U.S., France surprisingly went ahead Sunday with nationwide elections to choose mayors and other local leaders.
Sunday’s vote came just as a drastic new rule took effect shutting down all of France’s restaurants, museums and most stores. A 1-meter gap between people voting was mandated, as well as soap or sanitizing gel and disinfectant wipes for voting machines.
However, HuffPost France reports (in French) that if the second round is postponed (currently scheduled for March 22), as is widely predicted, the first round of voting could be annulled.
— James Martin
U.S. Navy Sailor Aboard Warship Tests Positive For COVID-19 ― 03/16/2020, 2:45 a.m. ET
A U.S. Navy sailor serving aboard the amphibious assault ship, the USS Boxer, tested “presumptive positive” to the novel coronavirus, the U.S. Navy said in a statement Sunday.
It’s believed to be the first positive COVID-19 case involving a sailor aboard a U.S. Navy ship.
“U.S.S. Boxer is taking appropriate preventive measures and conducting a thorough cleaning in accordance with specific guidance from the CDC and Navy-Marine Corps Public Health Center,” the statement said.
Anyone who came in close contact with the sailor has been ordered to self-isolate.
— Dominique Mosbergen
Puerto Rico Imposes Mandatory Curfews — 3/16/20, 1:35 a.m. ET
Puerto Rico imposed a curfew for residents beginning on Sunday and said most businesses would be required to close. Officials made the decision after people failed to socially distance themselves.
Puerto Rico Gov. Wanda Vázquez issued the executive order that requires most businesses to close for two weeks and instituted a 9 p.m. overnight curfew through March 30.
“Given that the response from some citizens has not been adequate under the emergency situation, our priority is health and to protect the life of all of us who live on this island,” Vázquez said in an address. “All citizens will have to stay home to stop the spread of this virus.”
Supermarkets, some restaurants with takeaway or delivery options, pharmacies, gas stations and banks are among the businesses that will remain open.
—Nick Visser
Peace Corps Suspends All Global Operations, Will Evacuate Volunteers — 3/16/20, 1:25 a.m. ET
The Peace Corps announced on Sunday that it is suspending all of its volunteer operations around the globe and evacuating volunteers currently overseas.
“As COVID-19 continues to spread and international travel becomes more and more challenging by the day, we are acting now to safeguard your well-being and prevent a situation where Volunteers are unable to leave their host countries,” Peace Corps Director Jody Olsen said in a statement. “Evacuations are difficult, emotionally draining experiences for everyone involved. We are here for you, and we will do all that we can to keep you informed and up to date on the latest developments.”
Olsen also said that the evacuations were temporary and that the Corps would continue normal operations when “conditions permit.”
“We are not closing posts, and we will be ready to return to normal operations when conditions permit,” she said. “Importantly, our host country staff will remain in their current positions. They play a critical role in every element of the Peace Corps mission, especially in a time of crisis.”
—Nick Visser
Los Angeles To Close Bars, Dine-In Restaurants, Gyms And Other Businesses Until March 31 — 3/16/20, 1 a.m. ET
All bars and nightclubs and many other major businesses in Los Angeles will close until at least the end of March, Mayor Eric Garcetti announced on Sunday.
Restaurants will no longer be allowed to offer dine-in service, but can continue providing delivery and takeout. Although the restrictions will also impact movie theaters and gyms, grocery and drug stores and food banks will remain open.
The closures go into effect at midnight local time.
Garcetti urged residents to continue supporting small businesses throughout the shutdown.
“I encourage all Angelenos to help support these critical small businesses — the restaurants we love in our neighborhoods — by continuing to order from them or getting takeout or delivery,” Garcetti said, per The Los Angeles Times.
The mayor also said the city would put a temporary ban on residential evictions in an effort to protect anyone who loses wages.
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This article originally appeared on HuffPost.
