March 12 coronavirus news

Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam has declared a state of emergency in response to novel coronavirus.

This will create more flexibility in the commonwealth’s ability to respond to the health crisis and resulting issues, Northam said.

At least 21 states plus Washington, D.C., have declared emergencies, which allows them to waive certain regulations. However, a governor has to ask the President to issue a declaration that would free up federal funds and kickstart the process to provide additional resources.

Germany has seen a sharp rise in coronavirus cases in the past 24 hours rising by 802 to 2,369 cases, the Koch Institute for Infectious Diseases said on Thursday.

This includes five deaths since the outbreak began.

The Indian Health Ministry announced Thursday the death of a 76-year-old man who was infected with the coronavirus.

According to the statement, the man had traveled to Saudi Arabia from Jan. 29 to Feb. 29.

This is the first death from coronavirus reported in India.

The Duke University men’s basketball team, despite being ranked tenth in the country, will not participate in the upcoming March Madness basketball tournament, following the university’s decision to suspended all athletic competition.

Duke’s Director of Sports Information Mike DeGeorge confirmed the news to CNN.

Duke’s famed basketball coach, Mike Krzyzewski, applauded the news, saying in a statement, “We emphatically support the decision made by (Duke University President) Dr. Price today regarding the suspension of athletic competition at Duke.”

Broadway shows in New York City will suspend all performances “immediately” through April 12, according to The Broadway League, a national trade association for the Broadway industry. 

The move comes in “support of the health and well-being of the theatre going public, as well as those who work in the theatre industry,” the association said.   

Earlier today, New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced that Broadway theaters would be required to have maximum capacity of 50% of total seating.

Beginning at 4:30 p.m. ET, the Supreme Court building will be closed to the public until further notice, according to a note sent out by the court's public information officer.

The building will remain open for official business, and case filing deadlines are not extended under Rule 30.1, according to the statement.

Rule 30.1 of the "Rules of the Supreme Court" reads:

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.

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.”

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.