March 22 coronavirus news

By Julia Hollingsworth, Jenni Marsh, Rob Picheta, Fernando Alfonso III and Amir Vera, CNN

Updated 10:30 p.m. ET, March 22, 2020

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6:01 p.m. ET, March 22, 2020

Delaware announces 'stay-at-home' order that will last into May

From CNN’s Laura James

Delaware Gov. John Carney issued a statewide "stay-at-home" order that will go into effect at 8 a.m. Tuesday and will remain in effect until May 15 or until the "public health threat is eliminated."

The order advises residents to stay at home whenever possible and closing all nonessential businesses due to coronavirus concerns, according to a press release from his office.

"This was not an easy decision, but it’s the right decision to protect the safety of Delawareans and Delaware families," Carney said. "If you have any questions about whether you should be staying home or going out, stay home. Go to work, and go straight back home. If you don't need food or other essential items, stay home."

Delaware residents may leave their home for essential activities, such as getting groceries, picking up a prescription, seeing a doctor and engaging "in other activities essential to their health, and the health and well-being of their family members, including pets," Carney said.

"Delawareans may also engage in outdoor activity, but must adhere to social distancing guidelines," Carney said.

5:56 p.m. ET, March 22, 2020

Five GOP senators are self-quarantining after Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul tests positive

From CNN’s Ted Barret and Clare Foran

There are now five Republican senators in self-quarantine or isolation – Sens. Rand Paul (who has tested positive for coronavirus), Mike Lee, Mitt Romney, Cory Gardner and Rick Scott.

That means that the 53-47 GOP majority is now reduced to 48-47. A stimulus bill will need 60 votes to pass in the Senate, meaning it will have to have substantial bipartisan support to get to 60.

6:55 p.m. ET, March 22, 2020

Sen. Mitt Romney is self-quarantining and will be tested for coronavirus

From CNN’s Clare Foran and Nicky Robertson

Republican Sen. Mitt Romney of Utah is self-quarantining after Sen. Rand Paul contracted the coronavirus, according to a statement from Romney’s office. He follows fellow Utah Sen. Mike Lee in self-quarantining.

The full statement is below:

"Since Senator Romney sat next to Senator Paul for extended periods in recent days and consistent with CDC guidance, the attending physician has ordered him to immediately self-quarantine and not to vote on the Senate floor. He has no symptoms but will be tested. He urges members to pass a relief package as quickly as possible that provides assistance for families, workers, and small businesses," the statement read.

6:01 p.m. ET, March 22, 2020

NYPD officers will patrol 'social hot spots' and inform people of state's social-distancing policies, law enforcement official says

From CNN’s Mark Morales

New York police officers will by patrolling on foot and by vehicle Sunday night, watching for crowds of people and informing them about the statewide stay-at-home order. Their role will be more about education, than enforcement, a law enforcement official tells CNN.

Officers at each precinct will have a list of hot spots, stores and other locations in their sectors where people are known to congregate. They’ll keep an eye out for groups of people and if spotted, they will tell them to disperse, the official said.

The law enforcement official told CNN that if groups refuse to disperse, there won’t be arrests. Rather, officers will try to convince them that they need to leave and not be so close together, the official said.

There aren’t enough patrol cars, so some officers will be on foot, canvassing the neighborhoods. So far, officers have had a big presence at supermarkets and food shops, making sure crowds are under control, but not having any overcrowding issues so far, the official said.

The NYPD currently has 98 employees, 70 uniformed and 28 civilian workers, who have tested positive for the coronavirus.

5:27 p.m. ET, March 22, 2020

Cuba will not allow tourists to visit starting Tuesday

From CNN’s Patrick Oppmann

The Cuban government announced a series of new measures to stem the spread of the coronavirus on the island, where 20 percent of the population is 60 or older.

Starting Tuesday, tourists will no longer be allowed to travel to Cuba. Cuban citizens or residents arriving at an airport will be quarantined for 14 days at a Cuban hospital or similar institution.

Cuba is not just focusing on coronavirus locally. The nation has sent doctors as far away as Italy to combat the pandemic.

5:23 p.m. ET, March 22, 2020

Czech Republic reports its first coronavirus death

From Tomas Etzler

The Czech Republic reported its first coronavirus death Sunday, according to Czech Deputy Health Minister Roman Prymula.

The victim was a 95-year-old male, the deputy health minister said.

5:51 p.m. ET, March 22, 2020

Utah Sen. Mike Lee self-quarantining after Sen. Rand Paul tested positive for coronavirus

From CNN’s Clare Foran

Utah Republican Sen. Mike Lee is self-quarantining after fellow Republican Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky tested positive for coronavirus, Lee said in a statement.

Lee's full statement is below:

"Upon learning that my colleague Sen. Paul tested positive for COVID-19, I consulted the Attending Physician of the U.S. Congress Dr. Harding. He advised me that because I have no symptoms or other risk factors, a COVID-19 test was not warranted. However, given the timing, proximity, and duration of my exposure to Sen. Paul, he directed me to self-quarantine for 14 days. That means no traveling or voting. But I will continue to make sure Utah’s voice is heard as we shape the federal response to the Coronavirus through phone, text, email and whatever other means are available."

4:57 p.m. ET, March 22, 2020

French Parliament adopts state of emergency law

From CNN’s Barbara Wojazer

The French Parliament adopted the state of emergency law Sunday night.

The law gives a legal framework for the measures that have been put into place by the French government to mitigate the coronavirus crisis.

The law was passed in an almost empty Parliament, adapted in order to respect health and security measures. The law passed with 510 votes in favor and 37 votes against, according to the Parliamentary report.

On Thursday, French Prime Minister Edouard Philippe made a plea in favor of the state of emergency to the Senate, saying: "The government needs it. I need it."

4:59 p.m. ET, March 22, 2020

US Defense Department says 111 members of the military tested positive for coronavirus

From CNN's Barbara Starr

The US Department of Defense announced on Sunday that 111 members of the military have tested positive for coronavirus.

Here's the breakdown of positive cases from the department:

Military: 111
Civilian employees: 32
Dependent: 37
Contractor: 31

On Friday, the DOD reported there were:

Military: 67
Civilian employees: 15
Dependents: 26
Contractors: 16