March 12 coronavirus news

By Jessie Yeung, Adam Renton, Sheena McKenzie and Meg Wagner, CNN

Updated 0206 GMT (1006 HKT) March 13, 2020
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3:47 p.m. ET, March 12, 2020

NFL cancels annual league meetings

From CNN's David Close

Cliff Hawkins/Getty Images/File
Cliff Hawkins/Getty Images/File

The National Football League has announced the cancellation of its annual league meetings that were scheduled to start on March 29 in Palm Beach, Florida.

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell’s statement does not address April’s annual NFL Draft, set to take place in Las Vegas, Nevada.

3:50 p.m. ET, March 12, 2020

Los Angeles City Hall will close over coronavirus concerns

Robyn Beck/AFP/Getty Images/File
Robyn Beck/AFP/Getty Images/File

Los Angeles City Hall will close to all non-city hall employees, Mayor Eric Garcetti announced at a news conference.

All large public events have been canceled or postponed, and meetings will move to video conferencing until the emergency ends, the mayor said. 

Additional hand washing and sanitizing stations are being set up in public buildings and all non-essential travel is being stopped.

Noting that Los Angeles has seen earthquakes, unrest, and fires, the mayor expressed his confidence that the city will survive this outbreak as well. He called on the public to take part, saying “We are all first responders in this emergency.”

3:51 p.m. ET, March 12, 2020

Miami mayor is in self-quarantine after being in same room as Brazilian president and entourage  

From CNN's Rosa Flores and Sara Weisfeldt 

Joe Raedle/Getty Images/File
Joe Raedle/Getty Images/File

Miami Mayor Francis Suarez has gone into self-quarantine after he was in the room with Brazil's president and his entourage, according to a video message that was played during a news conference.

In the recorded video message, Suarez said he was in the same room as Brazil’s President Jair Bolsonaro and his entourage. Suarez said he feels well, but he has taken this step out of an abundance of caution.

More on this: Concerns arose among political officials after a Brazilian government aide tested positive for coronavirus.

Fabio Wajngarten, Brazilian president's press secretary, tested positive for coronavirus on Thursday, according an official statement from the Brazilian president’s office, Thursday.

The health of the Brazilian president is being monitored.

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

3:53 p.m. ET, March 12, 2020

New York governor bans all gatherings of more than 500 people

David Dee Delgado/Getty Images/File
David Dee Delgado/Getty Images/File

New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced today that the state is banning all gatherings of more than 500 people.

He said that for gatherings of 0-500, they are reducing the occupancy by 50%. "So 50% of your seated capacity is the new capacity for your facility."

He said the mandate goes into effect 5:00 p.m. ET on Friday.

3:39 p.m. ET, March 12, 2020

More than 400,000 US students will be out of school

From CNN’s Chuck Johnston, Chris Boyette, Andie Garcia and James Froio

School districts in at least five states have announced long-term school closures for K-12 public school students.

That means 403,233 students will be out of school over the coming days.

Here's we know about the closures:

  • Connecticut: Officials announced long-term closures for Stamford Public Schools, New Haven Public Schools, and Westport Public Schools. In total, at least 42,802 students attend the three school districts.
  • Tennessee: Shelby County School District announced a long-term closure beginning Firday that will effect at least 100,000 students in their school district.
  • New York: Three schools in the New Rochelle School District are closed through March 25: New Rochelle High School, Albert Leonard Middle School and William B. Ward Elementary School.
  • Virginia: Loudon County Public Schools canceled schools starting Thursday and going through March 20 due to fears of the coronavirus. The school district is home to over 80,000 students.
  • Washington state: At least eight school districts have announced long-term school closures effecting at least 128,174 students. Seattle Public Schools, Lake Washington School District, and Shoreline School District all begin their long-term closures Thursday. Snohomish County School District, Edmonds School District, Riverview School District, and Bellevue School District announce closures in the coming days. Northshore School District begin online instruction earlier this week.

 

3:31 p.m. ET, March 12, 2020

Amtrak workers are concerned about coronavirus exposure and possible layoffs, union official says

From CNN's Greg Wallace

Robert Alexander/Getty Images
Robert Alexander/Getty Images

John Feltz, director of the Transport Workers Union train division — which represents workers at Amtrak, seven regional passenger rail lines, and three major freight rail lines — says workers are very concerned about potentially contracting coronavirus or losing their jobs. 

“We are all very concerned for ourselves and our families with the virus that’s going on,” he said. “They are very concerned and yet they do go to work every day.” 

The concern is particularly strong among coach cleaners who do the disinfecting of trains. He said they’ve been given protective gear like gloves, “but you never know what could happen at any time.”  

He said rail companies may look to labor for cost savings. “If they feel they’re losing money, the first place they cut on is labor.” 

2:28 p.m. ET, March 12, 2020

New York has 328 coronavirus cases

New York has 328 cases of coronavirus, with 112 new cases, New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced.

Here's where the cases are located in the state:

2:58 p.m. ET, March 12, 2020

Utah Jazz player Donovan Mitchell says he tested positive for coronavirus

Alex Goodlett/Getty Images
Alex Goodlett/Getty Images

Utah Jazz player Donovan Mitchell admitted that he has tested positive for coronavirus.

Mitchell posted the news on his verified Instagram account. On Thursday, ESPN and other media outlets, reported that his teammate Rudy Gobert and now Mitchell have tested positive for coronavirus.

Here's what Mitchell said.

“Thanks to everyone who has been reaching out since hearing the news about my positive test. We are all learning more about the seriousness of this situation and hopefully people can continue to educate themselves and realize that they need to behave responsibly both for their own health and for the well being of those around them. I appreciate the authorities in Oklahoma who were helpful with the testing process and everyone from the @utahjazz who have been so supportive. I am going to keep following the advice of our medical staff and hope that we can all come together and be there for each other and our neighbors who need our help”

Earlier on Thursday, the Jazz revealed that two of their players had tested positive for coronavirus. The Jazz have not named either player.

CNN Sports has reached out multiple times to the Jazz and the League but has not gotten a reply.

3:31 p.m. ET, March 12, 2020

Norwegian to temporarily lay off up to 50% of its employees due to coronavirus concerns

Heikki Saukkomaa/AFP/Getty Images/File
Heikki Saukkomaa/AFP/Getty Images/File

European budget airline Norwegian said Thursday it will temporarily lay off half of its staff “following the US ban on travel from most of Europe and the escalating coronavirus situation.”

“Due to the extraordinary market situation as a result of the coronavirus, and thus a dramatic drop in customers and subsequent production decline, we must look at all possible measures to reduce costs. This unfortunately also includes temporary layoffs of up to 50 percent of our employees and the number may increase. All departments will be affected by the temporary layoffs,” the company said in a statement. 

The company also announced it will ground 40% of its long-haul fleet and cancel up 25% of its short-haul flights until the end of May.

“This is an unprecedented situation and our main priority continues to be the care and safety of our customers and colleagues. The new restrictions imposed further pressure on an already difficult situation. We urge international governments to act now to ensure that the aviation industry can protect jobs and continue to be a vital part of the global economic recovery," Norwegian CEO Jacob Schram said.