March 12 coronavirus news

The state of Georgia has reported its first death related to the novel coronavirus outbreak, according to statement from the governor's office. 

The individual has been identified as a 67-year-old male, who was hospitalized at WellStar Kennestone just outside of Atlanta since testing positive for COVID-19 on March 7. 

In addition to being infected with coronavirus disease, this individual also had underlying medical conditions.

Georgia has currently confirmed 31 positive cases of COVID-19 in the state. 

The US death toll now stands at 39.

Maine has its first presumptive positive coronavirus case — a woman in her 50s — according to Gov. Janet Mills.

The patient is quarantined in their home, according to a statement.

A JetBlue passenger who tested positive for coronavirus is now in isolation in Florida, according to Alex Shaw, spokesperson with Florida Department of Health. 

The passenger was on a flight from New York City to West Palm Beach Wednesday night. The passenger alerted the crew upon landing that he had received a notification confirming a positive coronavirus test, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey said. 

The Florida Department of Health was made aware that a passenger traveling through the Palm Beach International Airport tested positive for COVID-19. "Upon being notified, the Department immediately began working with the CDC to conduct an extensive epidemiological investigation to determine which passengers may have had close contact with the individual," Shaw said in a statement to CNN.  

The Palm Beach airport has temporarily closed down Concourse A for cleaning after passengers aboard the Jet Blue flight were taken through that area. And the gate and terminal at John F. Kennedy Airport where the flight departed was cleaned, according to a statement. 

Dr. Robert Redfield, director of the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, said the cost of testing and treatment will be covered.

During Thursday’s House Oversight committee hearing on novel coronavirus, Rep. Ayanna Pressley asked Redfield, "will the cost of testing be covered,” Redfield responded, "the cost of testing will be covered.”

Following up, Pressley asked, "and what about treatment?" Redfield said, "cost of treatment will be covered."

Redfield said the White House Coronavirus Task Force is working hard to make sure everyone is financially able to stay home if necessary during the coronavirus outbreak.  

He said the task force has "addressed this as a critical public health component,” adding the United States needs to ensure those under a 14-day quarantine “not have to sneak out for an hourly job so they have to pay for their cost of living."

Sampdoria striker Manolo Gabbiadini has become the second Serie A player to test positive for coronavirus. 

The Genoa-based club announced the diagnosis in a statement earlier on Thursday: “(Gabbiadini) has a fever, but is doing well. The club is currently activating all the isolation procedures required by law.”

The 28-year-old striker confirmed the news in a tweet: “I also tested positive for Coronavirus,” he wrote. “I want to thank everyone who wrote to me, many messages have already arrived. I want to tell you that I’m fine, so don’t worry. Follow all the rules, stay home and everything will work out.”

The news comes after 25-year-old Juventus defender Daniele Rugani announced on Wednesday that he had contracted the virus – the first player in Serie A to do so. 

The Democratic debate scheduled for Sunday will be moved from Arizona to Washington, DC, the Democratic National Committee announced Thursday.

The debate is slated to begin at 8 p.m. ET, Sunday, and will air exclusively live on CNN, CNN en Español, CNN International, and Univision, as well as on multiple digital platforms.

Read more here.

US Soccer has canceled through April all of its upcoming matches for the women's and men's senior national teams, as well as the majority of its youth national and extended national team camps, it said in a Thursday news release.

Its chief medical officer, George Chiampas, said the cancellation was in the best interest of all involved due to the coronavirus outbreak.

The US women's national team, fresh off its 3-1 win against Japan on Wednesday, had two April matches in Utah and California canceled. The men's national team was slated to play the Netherlands and Wales on March 26 and March 30, respectively. Those matches were scheduled to be played on their opponent's home soil.

Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee has signed an emergency declaration to help "treat and mitigate" the novel coronavirus outbreak in the state, he said during a news conference on Thursday. 

Lee said the executive order will allow for additional federal funds that will make it easier to respond to this disease. 

Seven people have tested positive for coronavirus in the state, according to the Tennessee Health Department. 

President Trump said he was aware of reports that a Brazilian official who was at his Florida resort last weekend had been diagnosed with coronavirus — but said he’s not concerned.  

Fabio Wajngarten, the press secretary for Brazilian president Jair Bolsonaro, tested positive for coronavirus today, according to two sources who spoke to CNN.

Wajngarten was with Bolsonaro on last weekend’s US trip, during which the Brazilian president dined with President Trump at Mar-a-Lago. Wajngarten posted a picture of himself with Trump on Instagram a few days ago.

Trump then said that the two “sat next to each other for a period of time,” but he seemed to be referring to Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro. He said the two, “had a great conversation.”  

“He’s doing a terrific job in Brazil,” Trump said, “and we’ll find out what happens. I guess they’re being tested right now.” 

Pressed on if he had an update on their condition, Trump put it bluntly: “Let’s put it this way,” he said, “I’m not concerned.”