By Jessie Yeung, Helen Regan, Steve George, Angela Dewan and Fernando Alfonso III, CNN
Gov. Andrew Cuomo said that more than 14,000 people have been tested for coronavirus in the state of New York.
There are 2,382 total cases of coronavirus in New York state with 1,008 new positive cases.
“The numbers are going up. Hence the increased actions to reduce the spread, the density reduction,” Cuomo said.
There are 549 people currently hospitalized in the city.
From CNN's Mallory Simon
The US Food and Drug Administration says that clinical trials for medical products including drugs, devices and biological products might be impacted by the coronavirus pandemic.
“Challenges may arise, for example, from quarantines, site closures, travel limitations, interruptions to the supply chain for the investigational product, or other considerations if site personnel or trial subjects become infected with SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19,” the FDA said in a statement. “These challenges may lead to difficulties in conducting the clinical trials.”
In industry guidance issued Wednesday, the FDA acknowledged that there may need to be modifications to protocol which may depend on the nature of the disease, the design of the trial and where the trial is being done. Any changes should be done while “maintaining compliance with good clinical practice and minimizing risks to trial integrity,” the FDA says.
Those conducting trials may look at alternative methods for assessments, such as phone or virtual visits, as well as additional safety monitoring for trial participants.
“The FDA released this guidance to emphasize that at all times, patients’ safety should continue to be at the forefront of considerations,” said Dr. Anand Shah, FDA deputy commissioner for medical and scientific affairs. “We want to support the continuance of these clinical trials in compliance with good clinical practice and minimizing risks to trial integrity, while also safeguarding the health and well-being of study participants.”
Gov. Andrew Cuomo said today at a news conference that the federal government will be dispatching the USNS Comfort hospital ship to New York to assist with the health care capacity.
Cuomo said it would be docked in New York City harbor.
Cuomo called this an "extraordinary step" because the Comfort is "literally a floating hospital."
The President and Cuomo are also discussing the possibility of the federal government putting up mobile hospitals in New York to help with capacity, the governor said.
Cuomo said that New York needs to increase its hospital bed capacity by 50,000 to meet the potential need to care for coronavirus cases.
From CNN's Clare Foran
Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer talked about what Senate Democrats want in the next phase of economic stimulus relief today.
The New York lawmaker said “Democrats are proposing a Marshall Plan for our public health infrastructure. The sooner we act on it the better."
“We must make sure that we prioritize public health and workers over corporate bailouts,” Schumer said.
On the Republican proposals for direct cash payments to Americans, Schumer said, “This is not a time for small thinking. This is not a time for small measures. This is a time to be bold, to be aggressive …. $1,000 goes by pretty quickly if you’re unemployed. In contrast, expanded unemployment insurance, beefed up unemployment insurance covers you for a much longer time and would provide a much bigger safety net.”
Schumer added: “If we’re going to provide direct payments, they need to be bigger, more frequent, more targeted. Millionaires shouldn’t get them."
From CNN’s Gregory Lemos
Speaking on the heels of President Trump's announcement the US-Canadian border will be closed for tourism and recreation, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced new and significant economic measures in response to the COVID-19 outbreak.
Speaking from Rideau Cottage today, Trudeau said the Canadian government is focused on people who are not getting what they need during this outbreak can still buy groceries and supporting businesses who are experiencing slowdowns.
Trudeau announced $27 billion in direct support to workers and businesses and an additional $55 billion "to meet liquidity needs of Canadian businesses and households through tax deferrals to help stabilize the economy."
This $82 billion in support represents more than 3% of Canadian GDP, according to Trudeau.
Trudeau said his government is introducing "The Emergency Care Benefit," which will provide money every two weeks for up to 14 weeks for workers who have to stay home due to COVID-19. This money is available to Canadians who have fallen ill, placed in quarantined, have to isolate, or take care of someone with the virus.
From CNN's Carma Hassan
Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam addressed the ongoing coronavirus pandemic today, citing his military background.
“I know that everyone is concerned about our hospital resources. I was an Army doctor, I know what it is like to be in a crisis situation with finite resources," Northam said.
Northam said they are working to ensure the hospitals have all the resources they need.
Virginia Department of Health Commissioner Dr. Norman Oliver said they are reporting three outbreaks, meaning two or more cases that can be traced to a common exposure.
Oliver said they have 65 tests that are in the process of being run at the state lab with more being run by the private labs and expects that additional cases will be confirmed during the day.
From CNN's Melissa Alonso
Missouri Gov. Mike Parson announced today that all municipal elections previously scheduled for April 7 would now be held on June 2, he said in a press release.
“Given the growing concern surrounding COVID-19 and the large number of people elections attract, postponing Missouri’s municipal elections is a necessary step to help combat the spread of the virus and protect the health and safety of Missouri voters,” Parson said.
The deadline to register at any of the 116 separate election authorities will not be extended from March 11, the release said.
From CNN's Kara Scannell
All federal courthouse employees in Manhattan who haven’t been directed to work have been placed on administrative leave, according to chief judge for the Southern District of New York Colleen McMahon
“To protect public health, and in recognition of the national emergency that was declared by the President of the United States on March 13, 2020, the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, in accordance with all applicable leave regulations and guidelines, hereby places all employees of the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York who have not been directed to work, either at the courthouses or remotely, on administrative leave, retroactive to March 9, 2020,” according to the order.
The order is the latest move to restrict and decrease the number of people entering the courthouse. McMahon also issued an order postponing any appearances for violation notices.
From CNN’s Flora Charner in Atlanta
The Brazilian government has partially closed its border with Venezuela today.
The move, which was announced by President Jair Bolsonaro late Tuesday, will restrict the entry of any foreign nationals through the country’s northern border for the next 15 days.
“Taking into consideration the incapacity of the Venezuelan dictatorship’s ability to respond to the COVID-19 outbreak, the Brazilian government has decided to adopt restrictive measures on the border with Venezuela in order to guarantee the safety and health or our people,” Bolsonaro wrote on his official Twitter account Wednesday.
Bolsonaro said cargo trucks carrying merchandise and goods would still be allowed to enter through the border crossing. The Brazilian leader also said the 15-day closure could be extended if needed.
By the numbers: Brazilian health officials announced the country’s first coronavirus-related death Tuesday and said there are 291 confirmed cases of coronavirus in the country.