March 8 coronavirus news

There are 512 cases of the novel coronavirus in the United States, according to the state and local health agencies, governments and the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 

According to the CDC there are 49 cases from repatriated citizens from Wuhan (3) and the Diamond Princess (46). Twenty-one are from the Grand Princess cruise ship.

According to CNN Health’s tally of US cases that are detected and tested in the United States through US public health systems, there are 442 cases in 33 states and the District of Columbia, bringing the total number of coronavirus cases to 512. 

This includes presumptive positive cases that tested positive in a public health lab and are pending confirmation from the CDC, and confirmed cases have received positive results from the CDC.

A Chicago man has been identified as Illinois’s seventh case of novel coronavirus, according to Dr. Allison Arwady, Chicago Department of Public Health commissioner.

Arwady says the man had no contact with anyone identified as having coronavirus and his travel history isn’t suspected as a contributing factor.

The man is in his 60s and has been hospitalized in serious condition, Arwady said.

In the wake of the coronavirus, France is now banning any gathering with more than 1,000 people in attendance.

France's health minister is tightening the number from the previous ban on groups of more than 5,000.

Health Minister Olivier Véran made the announcement Sunday as the coronavirus continues to spread.

The new decree will also make remote medical consultations easier to access.

By the numbers: France has at least 1,116 cases of coronavirus and 19 deaths.

Israel identified four more cases of coronavirus Sunday, bringing the total to 29 cases.

At least two of the four cases were those who had recently returned from destinations in Europe. 

Eight US states have declared states of emergency in response to the novel coronavirus outbreak, so far.

Authorities have confirmed at least 21 deaths in three states; 18 in Washington, two in Florida and one in California. Those states were among the first to issue emergency declarations.

Since then, Kentucky, New York, Maryland, Utah and Oregon have declared states of emergency, respectively.

Gov. Kate Brown was the latest to issue the declaration Sunday morning in Oregon after announcing seven new cases in the state, bringing the total there to 14. 

The declaration will allow the state to tap into their emergency resources including the activation of reserves of emergency volunteer healthcare professionals, Brown said.

Washington has reported the most coronavirus cases with 115, as of this morning. The state's Gov. Jay Inslee issued a proclamation directing state agencies and departments to utilize state resources to assist affected communities following the first death in the state and the country reported there on Feb. 29.

Several US cities and counties have declared public health emergencies of their own as well.

Saudi Arabia is suspending public schools, private schools and universities starting on Monday, according to the Saudi Press Agency (SPA), the Kingdom’s official news agency.

The Seattle and King County Health Department has reported 12 new novel coronavirus cases, two of which are fatalities.

This brings the Washington state total to 115 cases, including 18 deaths. There are now 83 cases in King County and 17 deaths reported. 

The two new deaths reported were both patients of Life Care Center.

"A woman in her 80s, a Life Care Center resident, was hospitalized at EvergreenHealth," died on 3/6/20, according to a release from the county health department.

The second is "a man in his 90s, a Life Care Center resident, was hospitalized at Harborview Medical Center," and died 3/5/20," the release said.

Life Care Center is now associated with 16 of the deaths in the state.

Washington state has not yet updated their coronavirus cases for Sunday. 

Princess Cruises has canceled the sailing of the Regal Princess, according to a press release from Princes Cruises.

Two crew members who previously served on Grand Princess and transferred to Regal Princess are being tested for the novel coronavirus, the release said.

Disembarkation of the Regal Princess scheduled for Sunday has been delayed until the two crew members can be properly tested, according to the release.

As a result, the sailing of the Regal Princess scheduled to depart Sunday has been canceled.

The company is offering some reimbursement for hotels and other non-refundable out of pocket expenses, the release said.

The Regal Princess remains off shore by the coast of Fort Lauderdale, according to cruisemapper.com

There are 484 cases of the novel coronavirus in the United States, according to the state and local health agencies, governments and the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 

According to the CDC there are 49 cases from repatriated citizens from Wuhan (3) and the Diamond Princess (46). Twenty-one are from the Grand Princess. According to CNN Health’s tally of US cases that are detected and tested in the United States through US public health systems, there are 414 cases in 33 states and the District of Columbia, bringing the total number of coronavirus cases to 484.

This includes presumptive positive cases that tested positive in a public health lab and are pending confirmation from the CDC, and confirmed cases have received positive results from the CDC.