Coronavirus: Washington governor bans events larger than 250 people in Seattle area

The death toll attributed to the 2019 novel coronavirus, dubbed COVID-19, continues to rise, with tens of thousands of people sickened and thousands of others killed by the virus, mostly in China.

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

Live updates for Tuesday, March 10 continue below:

Washington Governor bans gatherings in Seattle

Update 11:30 p.m. EDT March 10: Washington Governor Jay Inslee will announce a ban on gatherings and events of more than 250 people in virtually the entire Seattle metro area to try to stop the spread of the outbreak, said a person involved in the planning of the decision.

The ban would apply to sporting events like Seattle Mariners baseball and Seattle Sounders soccer games.

The order would not prohibit the operation of workplaces and is not expected to include school closures, said the person, who spoke on condition of anonymity because they weren’t authorized to discuss the matter publicly.

Coachella rescheduled for October

Update 7:30 p.m. EDT March 10: The Coachella music festival in Southern California has been postponed amid virus concerns.

The festival is organized by concert promoter Goldenvoice, which released a statement Tuesday saying it will be rescheduled for two weekends in October.

Rage Against the Machine, Travis Scott and Frank Ocean had been scheduled to headline the April festival, which attracts tens of thousands to the desert community of Indio, California, and the nearby cities of Palm Springs and Rancho Mirago.

The festival is held over two weekends has a reputation for eye-popping performances, including Beyoncé’s 2018 set that became the Netflix film “Homecoming,” and the 2012 debut of a “hologram” of late rapper Tupac Shakur. This year’s festival was set to reunite Rage Against the Machine -- which performed at the first Coachella festival in 1999.

Goldenvoice also puts on the country music festival Stagecoach in Indio. This year’s Stagecoach is scheduled to be held April 24-26 and with the headliners Thomas Rhett, Carrie Underwood and Eric Church.

Two people infected with COVID-19 have died in California.

South Dakota announces 5 cases of coronavirus, 1 death

Update 6:30 p.m. EDT March 10: A South Dakota man with underlying health problems who tested positive for COVID-19 has died, and four others from across the state have tested positive for the virus, officials announced on Tuesday.

Gov. Kristi Noem said the man died Tuesday, but officials have not confirmed if his death was caused by the virus. He was in his 60s and from Pennington County in the western part of the state.

The four other cases confirmed on Tuesday were in separate locations stretching across the state -- Beadle, Charles Mix, Davison, and Minnehaha Counties. Health officials said they have not found a link between the cases. The patients were both male and female and in their 30s, 40s and 50s. They are being treated in their homes. Officials are sending the positive samples to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for further confirmation.

Gov. Kristi Noem said the people had recently traveled, though not necessarily overseas, and that health officials are working to identify those who came into “close contact” with people who tested positive for the virus.

Rep. Matt Gaetz tests negative for COVID-19

Update 4 p.m. EDT March 10: Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., announced in a tweet Tuesday that he has tested negative for the 2019 novel coronavirus.

Gaetz announced he was self-quarantining after coming into contact with a CPAC attendee who subsequently tested positive for COVID-19. Several other lawmakers, including Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, Rep. Paul Gosar, R-Ariz., and Rep. Doug Collins, R-Ga., have also self-quarantined due to contact with the CPAC attendee.

Massachusetts governor declares state of emergency

Update 3:50 p.m. EDT March 10: Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker declared a state of emergency in Massachusetts on Tuesday after the state’s number of coronavirus cases more than doubled from 41 to 92 reports.

Walmart implementing emergency employee leave program amid coronavirus outbreak

Update 3:35 p.m. EDT March 10: In a memo sent to employees and seen Tuesday by Bloomberg News, Walmart officials said they’ve launched an emergency leave policy to support employees amid the ongoing coronavirus outbreak.

The news came one day after Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear said a Walmart employee tested positive for coronavirus in Cynthiana, the Lexington Herald Leader reported.

The new emergency leave, which went into effect Tuesday, will allow for employees to stay home if they’re unable to work or if they feel uncomfortable about going to work, Bloomberg reported. The news site reported Walmart will also pay employees for up to two weeks if their workplaces are put under quarantine.

Metro Atlanta Waffle House employee tests positive for COVID-19

Update 3:15 p.m. EDT March 10: A Waffle House employee in Georgia has tested positive for the 2019 novel coronavirus, restaurant officials confirmed Tuesday, WSB-TV reported.

The employee worked at the Waffle House at 1849 Marietta Highway in Canton, according to WSB-TV. Officials told the news station the employee worked at the store for only one day, March 1, over the last two weeks.

Ohio governor limiting large events due to coronavirus

Update 3 p.m. EDT March 10: Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine said Tuesday that large events in the state would be limited in response to the ongoing 2019 novel coronavirus outbreak.

Three people have been confirmed as having COVID-19 in the state. Health officials said 15 other people were being investigated as of Tuesday afternoon.

Trump says White House doctor has not recommended he be tested for COVID-19

Update 2:25 p.m. EDT March 10: President Donald Trump told reporters Tuesday that White House Dr. Sean Conley has not suggested he get a test for the 2019 novel coronavirus.

“I don’t think it’s a big deal. I would do it,” Trump said. “I feel extremely good. ... (I have) no symptoms, no anything.”

2nd coronavirus case confirmed in Oklahoma

Update 2:15 p.m. EDT March 10: Health officials in Oklahoma confirmed Tuesday a second case of coronavirus in Tulsa County, KOKI-TV reported.

The case brings the total number of COVID-19 cases in the state to two.

WTO cancels meetings after staff member tests positive for COVID-19

Update 2:10 p.m. EDT March 10: The World Trade Organization announced the cancellation of its meetings from Wednesday through March 20 after a staff member was diagnosed with the 2019 novel coronavirus.

“We take the health of Secretariat staff and our members very seriously which is why we have taken this unprecedented step," WTO Director-General Roberto Azevedo said In a statement released Tuesday. "We are monitoring the situation very closely and will take whatever measures are necessary to protect health and safety.”

Coronavirus death toll jumps to 631 in Italy

Update 1:50 p.m. EDT March 10: Health officials in Italy announced the country’s death toll from COVID-19 jumped from 168 deaths reported Monday to 631.

Authorities said that 8,514 of the 10,149 people tested in the country for coronavirus had tested positive.

Italy now has more coronavirus cases than anywhere but China.

CDC: 4,856 coronavirus tests have been run nationwide

Update 1:40 p.m. EDT March 10: About 4,900 people have been tested for coronavirus in U.S. public health labs as of Monday, according to the Atlanta-based Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

During congressional testimony Tuesday, CDC Director Robert Redfield said the numbers did not include the Americans who have been tested for COVID-19 in clinical or private labs, Reuters reported.

Redfield said officials were working to standardize testing procedures nationwide.

“We put our standards for the public health labs -- obviously each state has their own,” Redfield said, according to The Huffington Post. "We are in the process of getting each state and each lab to get their own with the FDA, and that’s ongoing.

Democratic Republic of Congo reports 1st coronavirus case

Update 1:15 p.m. EDT March 10: Citing local media reports, The Guardian reported Tuesday that the first case of COVID-19 was reported Tuesday in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Officials said the patient, a foreign national who flew into the capital city of Kinshasa from Belgium, tested positive upon arrival to the country. The man was being isolated while authorities worked to identify and test anyone who might have come into contact with him, according to The Guardian.

1st coronavirus death reported in NJ

Update 1:10 p.m. EDT March 10: New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy announced the state’s first recorded coronavirus death Tuesday.

The patient was identified as a Bergen County man in his 60s.

“We are sad to report the first death in a case of COVID-19 in New Jersey,” Murphy said Tuesday in a statement. “Our prayers are with the family during this difficult time. We remain vigilant in doing all we can -- across all levels of government -- to protect the people of New Jersey.”

National Guard deployed to New York to help contain COVID-19

Update 1 p.m. EDT March 10: New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced the National Guard has been deployed to New Rochelle, an area the governor called "probably the largest cluster in the United States” of coronavirus.

The governor announced 31 new cases in the state Tuesday, bringing the total to at least 173 reports. A majority of cases were confirmed in New Rochelle, Cuomo said.

“New Rochelle has double the case of New York City, it’s true, it’s a phenomenon,” he said at a news conference Tuesday.

The National Guard will be tasked with helping to deliver food to residents and cleaning public spaces in the containment area, according to Cuomo.

“What we are going to do is focus on an area -- concentric circle -- around the situs of the majority of the cases in New Rochelle," he said.

VP Pence: Several health insurance companies waive copays for coronavirus

Update 12:35 p.m. EDT March 10: At a meeting with several health industry CEOs, Vice President Mike Pence announced that several insurance agencies have agreed to waive fees to test for coronavirus.

“I’m pleased to report, as you requested Mr. President, that all the insurance companies here either today or before today have agreed to waive all copays on coronavirus testing and extend coverage for coronavirus treatment in all of their benefit plans,” Pence said.

NC governor declares state of emergency due to COVID-19

Update 12:20 p.m. EDT March 10: North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper declared a state of emergency Tuesday due to the 2019 novel coronavirus, according to WSOC-TV.

The announcement came after five new presumptive cases of COVID-19 were reported in Wake County. At least seven cases of coronavirus have been reported in the state.

3 new COVID-19 cases confirmed in Texas

Update 12:15 p.m. EDT March 10: Officials in Collin County, Texas, announced three new confirmed coronavirus cases Tuesday, bringing the number of cases in the state to at least 15.

The new cases include a Frisco man, who on Monday tested presumptive positive for COVID-19, his wife and one of their four children, a 3-year-old child, according to health officials.

The family and a close contact were tested Monday for coronavirus. Authorities added that test results for another one of the couple’s children, a school-aged child, returned inconclusive. The child was being retested, health officials said.

The family and their close contact were in stable condition and under self-quarantines in their homes Tuesday.

Authorities believe the Frisco man had been exposed to coronavirus during a business trip to California late last month. Officials said he didn’t show any symptoms while flying back home.

Health officials said the risk of transmission in Collin County remained low Tuesday.

3rd coronavirus case reported in Wisconsin

Update 12 p.m. EDT March 10: Health officials in Wisconsin said Tuesday that a third person in the state has tested positive for COVID-19.

The person, who was exposed to coronavirus while traveling in the U.S., was isolated at home Tuesday, according to the Wisconsin Department of Health Services. Officials asked that anyone who, in the last 14 days, has been in an area where community spread of COVID-19 has been reported self-quarantine themselves and monitor their health for 14 days.

“As this is the second confirmed case of COVID-19 in Dane County, we have the experience in caring for patients in isolation and contacting those who may have been in contact with the patient," Janel Heinrich, director of Public Health Madison and Dane County, said in a news release.

Can drinking water prevent coronavirus?

Update 11:45 a.m. EDT March 10: Posts claiming that drinking water every 15 minutes can prevent coronavirus are making the rounds on social media, but is there any truth to the claim?

Doctors told The Associated Press that homegrown medical advice shared on social media and aimed at preventing the spread of COVID-19 is often unreliable. Dr. William Schaffner, an infectious disease expert at Vanderbilt University, told the AP that while medical professionals typically recommend keeping up fluid intake when sick, drinking more water will not keep anyone from catching the virus.

“We always caution anyone healthy and people who are sick to keep up fluid intake and keep mucus membranes moist,” he said. “It makes you feel better (but) there is no clear indication that it directly protects you against complications.”

3 Florida cruise guest greeters test positive for coronavirus

Update 11:25 a.m. EDT March 10: Florida state health officials said three employees of a company that greets cruise ship passengers in Florida have tested positive for COVID-19.

Officials on Tuesday urged anyone who has recently traveled through Port Everglades to isolate themselves for 14 days if they start experiencing symptoms.

The Florida Department of Health confirmed the connection to the Metro Cruise Services company in a news release. Health officials also are trying to connect with all employees of Metro Cruise Services who may have come into contact with the three infected co-workers.

UN to close New York headquarters amidst coronavirus threat

Update 11:05 a.m. EDT March 10: The United Nations on Tuesday announced plans to close the group’s New York headquarters to the public beginning at 8 p.m. EDT.

In a statement released Tuesday, Stephane Dujarric, spokesman for the U.N. secretary-general, said the decision was aimed at reducing the number of staff in the building. All guided tours will be suspended until further notice, Dujarric said.

“As the secretary-general has said, the health and safety of staff is a matter of his utmost priority and concern,” Dujarric said. “The United Nations will continue to monitor the situation closely and further measures may be taken as circumstances evolve.”

UK reports sixth death due to COVID-19

Update 10:10 a.m. EDT March 10: Health officials in the United Kingdom confirmed the country’s sixth recorded coronavirus death Tuesday.

Officials with the UK’s Department of Health and Social Care said Thursday in a statement on Twitter that the patient was a person with underlying health conditions.

2nd patient positive for coronavirus in Utah

Update 9:50 a.m. EDT March 10: Officials in Utah announced the state’s second confirmed COVID-19 case Tuesday.

Authorities identified the patient as a person older than 60 who was last listed in serious but stable condition at Intermountain McKay Dee Hospital. Before being hospitalized, the patient took several trips outside the state and outside the U.S. Officials said they believe the patient was exposed to coronavirus during one of these trips.

“We wish this patient and their family the very best,” Gov. Gary Herbert wrote Tuesday morning in a statement on Twitter.

Harvard to transition to online classes due to coronavirus

Update 9:40 a.m. EDT March 10: Harvard University announced plans Tuesday to transition classes for graduate and undergraduate students online by March 23 in response to the ongoing coronavirus outbreak.

“Students are asked not to return to campus after spring recess and to meet academic requirements remotely until further notice,” the school said in an announcement posted online Tuesday.

“Students who need to remain on campus will also receive instruction remotely and must prepare for severely limited on-campus activity and interactions. All graduate students will transition to remote work wherever possible.”

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

Delta, American reduce flights amid coronavirus outbreak

Update 9:10 a.m. EDT March 10: Airlines are announcing cuts to flights as the ongoing coronavirus outbreak impacts demand for air travel.

The Atlanta-based Delta Air Lines announced plans to reduce domestic flights by between 10% and 15% and international flights by 20% to 25%, WSB-TV reported. The company also announced a company-wide hiring freeze, according to WSB-TV.

In a news release Tuesday morning, officials with American Airlines announced a 10% cut to flights planned for the summer peak, including a 55% cut to the airliner’s trans-Pacific capacity. The company is also reducing domestic flights by 7.5%.

Delta CEO Ed Bastian told CNBC on Tuesday that there was “no question” of whether government would intervene in the sector to try to mitigate the impacts of the virus.

COVID-19 cases in Iran top 8,000

Update 8:45 a.m. EDT March 10: Cases of coronavirus in Iran topped 8,000 on Tuesday, making it the country with the second-highest number of cases outside China, CNN reported.

Citing health officials, CNN reported 8,042 cases of COVID-19 had been confirmed in the country by Tuesday. Health officials also reported 291 deaths, according to the news network.

Florida, Virginia report new coronavirus activity

Update 6:51 a.m. EDT March 10: The Florida Department of Health confirmed an additional novel coronavirus case early Tuesday, bringing the statewide total to 15, including two deaths.

Meanwhile, the Virginia Department of Health reported the state’s fourth and fifth presumptive coronavirus cases.

Mongolia, Northern Cypress report first coronavirus cases

Update 5:28 a.m. EDT March 10: Mongolia’s state news agency, Montsame, reported early Tuesday the nation has confirmed its first diagnosed case of the novel coronavirus.

According to CNN, the patient is a French national who arrived in Mongolia on a flight from Moscow to Mongolia’s capital city of Ulaanbaatar on March 2.

Meanwhile, the Turkish state news agency, Anadolu, confirmed Northern Cypress’ first case in a 65-year-old German woman.

New coronavirus cases mount outside mainland China

Update 5:23 a.m. EDT March 10: The United Arab Emirates confirmed 14 additional novel coronavirus cases on Tuesday, bringing the nationwide total to 59 and prompting officials to close the country’s ports to cruise ships indefinitely, The Washington Post reported. Meanwhile:

• Spain has confirmed a total of 1,204 cases, resulting in 28 deaths.

• Austria has confirmed 131 coronavirus cases.

• Hong Kong confirmed three additional cases, bringing the nationwide total to 118.

• India confirmed nine new cases Tuesday, bringing the nationwide total to 56.

• Lebanon confirmed at least 41 cases.

• The Philippines confirmed 15 new cases, bringing the nationwide total to 35.

• Vietnam reported one new case, bringing its national tally to 32.

• Afghanistan confirmed its fifth case.

State-by-state breakdown of the 717 US coronavirus cases, 26 deaths

Update 3:18 a.m. EDT March 10: The novel coronavirus has sickened at least 717 U.S. residents across 36 states, including 49 citizens repatriated from abroad.

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 The New York Times, Monday was the seventh consecutive day the United States reported more diagnoses than the previous day.

The state-by-state breakdown of at least 647 cases detected on U.S. soil – including presumptive cases – is as follows:

• Arizona: 6 cases

• California: 105 cases, 2 deaths

• Colorado: 11 cases

• Connecticut: 2 cases

• District of Columbia: 16 case

• Florida: 14 cases, 2 deaths

• Georgia: 12 cases

• Hawaii: 2 cases

• Illinois: 11 cases

• Indiana: 4 cases

• Iowa: 8 cases

• Kansas: 2 cases

• Kentucky: 6 cases

• Louisiana: 1 case

• Maryland: 6 cases

• Massachusetts: 41 cases

• Minnesota: 2 cases

• Missouri: 1 case

• Nebraska: 3 cases

• Nevada: 4 cases

• New Hampshire: 4 cases

• New Jersey: 11 cases

• New York: 142 cases

• North Carolina: 7 cases

• Ohio: 3 cases

• Oklahoma: 1 case

• Oregon: 14 cases

• Pennsylvania: 10 cases

• Rhode Island: 3 cases

• South Carolina: 7 cases

• Tennessee: 4 cases

• Texas: 13 cases

• Utah: 1 case

• Vermont: 1 case

• Virginia: 2 cases

• Washington state: 180 cases, 22 deaths

• Wisconsin: 2 cases

Wellcome, Mastercard join Gates Foundation in committing $125M to virus response

Update 3:12 a.m. EDT March 10: The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation partnered on Tuesday with Wellcome and Mastercard to commit a total of $125 million to fighting the global coronavirus outbreak.

Wellcome, a charity based in the United Kingdom, has committed $50 million, while Mastercard’s Impact Fund committed up to $25 million. The Gates foundation’s $50 million share is part of a $100 million funding commitment it announced in February to help address and contain the virus’ spread.

“Viruses like COVID-19 spread rapidly, but the development of vaccines and treatments to stop them moves slowly,” Mark Suzman, the Gates Foundation chief executive officer said.

Read the full announcement here.

Panama confirms its first coronavirus case

Update 3:09 a.m. EDT March 10: Panama’s Ministry of Health confirmed the country’s first case of novel coronavirus early Tuesday.

The 40-year-old patient who contracted the virus had recently traveled to Spain, where at least 647 infections have been confirmed resulting in 28 deaths, CNN reported.

Thailand confirms 3 new coronavirus cases

Update 3:07 a.m. EDT March 10: Thailand’s Ministry of Health confirmed three new novel coronavirus cases on Tuesday, bringing the nationwide total to 53.

Dr. Sophon Iamsirithawon, the director for the Health Ministry’s Division for Communicable Disease, said all three new patients are Thai nationals.

South Korea’s infection rate appears to slow

Update 3:05 a.m. EDT March 10: The number of new coronavirus cases identified in South Korea on Monday was the lowest daily total the country has seen in weeks, CNN reported.

Although 131 new coronavirus patients were identified Monday, health officials confirmed the figure was the lowest daily figure reported since mid-February, and brings the total number of infections recorded in the country to date to more than 7,500.

Meanwhile, three new virus-related fatalities were also reported Monday, bringing the nationwide total to 54, the South Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention confirmed.

5 new cases reported in Washington, D.C. area

Update 2:55 a.m. EDT March 10: Washington D.C. Mayor Muriel E. Bowser confirmed late Monday night that five new cases of the novel coronavirus have been reported in the area, bringing its total to 16. The patients include:

• a 39-year-old man who attends Christ Church Georgetown, where the rector has contracted the virus

• a 77-year-old man who attended the Biogen conference in Boston that is connected to other cases across the country

• a 79-year-old man about whom no other information was released

Worldwide coronavirus death toll tops 4,000

Update 12:55 a.m. EDT March 10: As the novel coronavirus continues its global spread, more than 4,000 people worldwide have died to date from COVID-19, the infection it causes, CNN reported.

Although China’s National Health Commission confirmed only 19 new cases Monday and zero deaths, the outbreak’s spread is taking a sharper toll in other parts of the world such as Italy, Germany and the United States.

Per the latest figures, the total number of confirmed infections in mainland China is 80,754, resulting in 3,136 deaths. Outside mainland China, a total of 32,255 infections have been confirmed, resulting in 4,018 deaths.

The following is a breakdown of the 882 deaths recorded to date outside mainland China:

Italy: 463

Iran: 237

South Korea: 54

France: 30

Spain: 28

United States: 26

Japan: 16

Iraq: 7

UK: 5

Hong Kong and Australia: 3 each

Germany: 2

Philippines, Switzerland, Netherlands, Argentina, Egypt, Taiwan, Thailand and Canada: 1 each

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Cox Media Group