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The COVID-19 virus outbreak in the U.S. has spread to all 50 states, bringing the total number of cases to more than 7,300, while the death toll has climbed past 100, according to the latest figures from Johns Hopkins University.
The virus, which was first reported in the Chinese city of Wuhan, Hubei province, has seen more than 207,000 cases globally, while more than 82,000 recovered. China has reported over 81,000 cases, including nearly 3,200 deaths. However, the country is claiming the outbreak has been largely contained and nearly 70,000 have recovered from the virus.
Cases continue to emerge in the U.S., with the first case in West Virginia and more cases in Washington state, New York, California, Florida, Indiana, Texas, Virginia and Colorado.
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Coronavirus Update, Map as Global Deaths Top 8,200, Number of Infections Soar Past 200,000, Over 82,000 Have Recovered9 min read
Several states continue to enforce mitigation measures to help curb the spread of the virus, including Nevada which shut down all of its casinos, bars and restaurants.
Orange County in California announced a strict ban on all public and private gatherings of any size "occurring outside a single household or living unit," according to a statement from the county's health department.
Vice President Mike Pence said: "For the American people as a whole, the risk of serious illness remains low," at a White House press briefing on Tuesday.
"But we're asking every American to partner with us in this effort to slow the spread of the virus and especially to be mindful of seniors or others with serious underlying health conditions for whom the threat of the coronavirus can be very significant and very real," he said.
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West Virginia becomes final state to confirm case
- The country's total confirmed cases has climbed past 6,500 amid West Virginia's first case.
- The state has closed all restaurants, bars and casinos.
- U.S. death toll reaches 114.
West Virginia reported its first case on Tuesday. State health officials confirm the patient is from the Eastern Panhandle region of the state. He did not need to be hospitalized.
"Tonight [Tuesday] I announced West Virginia's first positive case of #COVID19. We knew it was coming and we were prepared for this. We should try to live our lives as best we can and we should not panic. We should not be afraid, we should be smart at this time," West Virginia State Governor Jim Justice said in a post on his official Twitter account.
Justice also announced the closure of all restaurants, bars and casinos in West Virginia, effective Tuesday evening.
"All restaurants and bars can continue to operate with carry out and drive-thru's only. More information on these closures will be released tomorrow [Wednesday). #WV, he noted in a post on Twitter.
The West Virginia Bureau of Senior Services also announced on Tuesday it would be continuing its home-delivered meals for seniors, while "arrangements are being made for our congregate meal recipients to also continue to receive meals."
"Shelf stable and emergency meals are being provided to all our current meal recipients" and "in-home services will also continue," the bureau stated.
The graphic below, provided by Statista, illustrates the spread of the COVID-19 virus in the U.S., as of March 18.
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More deaths in Indiana, Texas, Colorado and other states
- Indiana, Texas, Colorado, Virginia each now have two deaths.
- Washington state now has 55 deaths.
- New York now has 16 deaths.
- California now has 13 deaths.
- Florida now has seven deaths.
Nevada, Kentucky, South Carolina, Oregon, Kansas, South Dakota and Georgia have each previously reported a death. Earlier this month, Louisiana and New Jersey reported four and three fatalities, respectively, bringing the U.S. death count to 114.
Texas health officials confirmed the state's second death was that of a senior male adult who was a resident of the Texas Masonic Retirement Center in Arlington, according to a statement from Tarrant County Public Health.
"Information about the person's residence is being released because the facility provides housing to retired persons and senior citizens who are most vulnerable to the effects of severe illnesses.
"Tarrant County is investigating for the possible source of the infection and determining who the patient may have come into contact with while he was ill, so that any close contacts can be appropriately isolated, monitored for symptoms and tested as needed," the statement said.
Colorado's Weld County Department of Public Health and Environment confirmed the death of a man in his 70s on Tuesday, marking the second death in the state related to the virus. The death of a woman in her 80s from El Paso County, who had underlying health conditions, was reported last Friday.
The Indiana State Department of Health also reported the state's second death on Tuesday. The patient was a resident of Johnson County in their 60s who was hospitalized.
Washington state continues to report the largest number of fatalities in the country. The state's total confirmed cases has reached 1,012, according to the state's department of health.
Quarantined New Yorkers get job protection
- New York reported 432 new cases on Tuesday.
- The state's total number of confirmed cases is around 1,370.
- The state offers job protection and pay for those quarantined due to the virus.
- A new drive-thru virus testing facility opened on Long Island in Nassau County.
The latest job protection bill includes the comprehensive paid sick leave policy previously outlined in Cuomo's Fiscal Year 2021 Executive Budget proposal, Cuomo confirmed in a statement on Tuesday.
The statement notes: "Employers with 10 or fewer employees and a net income less than $1 million will provide job protection for the duration of the quarantine order and guarantee their workers access to Paid Family Leave and disability benefits (short-term disability) for the period of quarantine including wage replacement for their salaries up to $150,000."
Employers with 99 or fewer employees and a net income greater than $1 million "will provide at least 5 days of paid sick leave, job protection for the duration of the quarantine order, and guarantee their workers access to Paid Family Leave and disability benefits (short-term disability) for the period of quarantine including wage replacement for their salaries up to $150,000," the statement rules.
"Employers with 100 or more employees, as well as all public employers (regardless of number of employees), will provide at least 14 days of paid sick leave and guarantee job protection for the duration of the quarantine order," it adds.
The graphic below, provided by Statista, illustrates the recovery curve compared to the infection curve of the virus.
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IRS defers tax payment amid outbreak
- The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) announced a total deferment of $300 billion in tax payment.
- Individuals can defer up to $1 million.
- Corporations can defer up to $10 million.
U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said at the White House press briefing Tuesday: "We encourage those Americans who can file their taxes to continue to file their taxes on April 15, because for many Americans, you will get tax refunds and we don't want you to lose out on those tax refunds. We want you to make sure you get them. Many people do this electronically, which is easy for them and easy for the IRS."
"If you owe a payment to the IRS, you can defer up to a million dollars as an individual. And the reason why we're doing a million dollars is that covers lots of pass-throughs and small businesses, and $10 million to corporations, interest-free and penalty-free for 90 days. All you have to do is file your taxes. You'll automatically not get charged interest in penalties," he added.
Data on COVID-19 cases is from Johns Hopkins University unless otherwise stated.
World Health Organization advice for avoiding spread of coronavirus disease (COVID-19)
Hygiene advice
- Clean hands frequently with soap and water, or alcohol-based hand rub.
- Wash hands after coughing or sneezing; when caring for the sick; before; during and after food preparation; before eating; after using the toilet; when hands are visibly dirty; and after handling animals or waste.
- Maintain at least 1 meter (3 feet) distance from anyone who is coughing or sneezing.
- Avoid touching your hands, nose and mouth. Do not spit in public.
- Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or bent elbow when coughing or sneezing. Discard the tissue immediately and clean your hands.
Medical advice
- If you feel unwell (fever, cough, difficulty breathing) seek medical care early and call local health authorities in advance.
- Stay up to date on COVID-19 developments issued by health authorities and follow their guidance.
Mask usage
- Healthy individuals only need to wear a mask if taking care of a sick person.
- Wear a mask if you are coughing or sneezing. Masks are effective when used in combination with frequent hand cleaning.
- Do not touch the mask while wearing it. Clean hands if you touch the mask.
- Learn how to properly put on, remove and dispose of masks. Clean hands after disposing of the mask.
- Do not reuse single-use masks.
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