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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9:10 p.m. ET, March 22, 2020

President Trump approves California disaster declaration

From CNN's Jason Hoffman

Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images)
Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images)

President Donald Trump approved California's request for a disaster declaration Sunday, according to a White House news release.

The declaration means the state can receive federal assistance to supplement state, tribal and local recovery efforts to areas affected by the coronavirus outbreak, the release said. It also provides federal funding for crisis counseling for all those affected in California.

9:01 p.m. ET, March 22, 2020

President Trump says he is considering an executive order freeing elderly nonviolent federal prisoners

From CNN's Nicky Robertson

President Donald Trump said Sunday he is considering an executive order to free elderly "totally nonviolent" federal prisoners.

"We have been asked about that, and we're going to take a look at it. It's a bit of a problem. But when we talk about totally nonviolent, we're talking about these are totally nonviolent prisoners, we're actually looking at that, yes," Trump told reporters at a White House news conference.

Several states, including California, New York, Ohio and Texas, and New York City have started releasing low-level offenders as well as those who are elderly or sick because of the virus.

8:58 p.m. ET, March 22, 2020

Ecuador coronavirus deaths increase

From CNN’s Taylor  Barnes

The number of coronavirus deaths in Ecuador doubled between Saturday and Sunday, according the country’s health ministry.

The ministry reported 14 coronavirus deaths Sunday, up from seven Saturday.

Ecuador’s health ministry reported the number of positive cases more than tripled in a one-week span. On Sunday, the health ministry reported 789 confirmed cases of the virus. At the beginning of the week, the government had reported 58 confirmed cases.

8:50 p.m. ET, March 22, 2020

United Arab Emirates suspend all inbound and outbound passenger flights for two weeks

From CNN’s Mohammed Tawfeeq

Medical equipment and coronavirus testing kits provided by the World Health Organization are transported at Dubai World Central airport in Dubai on March 2.
Medical equipment and coronavirus testing kits provided by the World Health Organization are transported at Dubai World Central airport in Dubai on March 2. Karim Sahib/AFP/Getty Images

The United Arab Emirates suspended all inbound and outbound passenger flights and "the transit of airline passengers" in the UAE for two weeks to combat the spread of coronavirus, according to the UAE's state-run news agency WAM.

The decision will take effect in 48 hours, WAM reported.

8:38 p.m. ET, March 22, 2020

Saudi Arabia orders daily curfew

From CNN's Mohammed Tawfeeq 

Saudi Arabia has ordered a daily curfew between 7 p.m. to 6 a.m. local time beginning Monday, according to Saudi state-run SPA news.

The curfew is scheduled to last for 21 days and came directly from Saudi Arabia's King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud, SPA said in its report.

Security, health, water, electricity, trash collection and media sectors are excluded from the curfew, according to SPA.

Saudi Arabia says it is taking these measures to contain the spread of coronavirus in the country.

8:39 p.m. ET, March 22, 2020

Philadelphia announces stay-at-home order

From CNN’s Anna Sturla

A pedestrian walks past Independence Hall in Philadelphia on Monday, March 16.
A pedestrian walks past Independence Hall in Philadelphia on Monday, March 16. Matt Rourke/AP

Pennsylvania’s largest city announced a stay-at-home order Sunday, prohibiting "all public and private gatherings of any number of people occurring outside a single household or living unit," according to a press release from the Philadelphia mayor's office.

The order will go into effect Monday at 8 a.m.

Essential personal activities, such as obtaining essential goods and services, seeking medical attention, caring for family members in another household, or reporting to a job at an essential business, are exempt from the restriction.

7:43 p.m. ET, March 22, 2020

Two Chicago police officers test positive for coronavirus

From CNN’s Deanna Hackney 

Nam Y. Huh/AP
Nam Y. Huh/AP

Two Chicago Police Department officers have tested positive for coronavirus, according to city police spokesman Anthony Guglielmi. 

In a statement on his Twitter account, Guglielmi says that "both officers are in good spirits & all cases appear separate and distinct from one another."

Chicago police are working closely with the city's health department to "implement best possible infection controls for affected officers & areas," Guglielmi said.

The total number of Chicago police officers who have tested positive is now three, according to Officer Steve Rusanov.

7:37 p.m. ET, March 22, 2020

23 dead in prison riots in Colombia prompted by coronavirus fears, Ministry of Justice says

From CNN’s Radina Gigova, Jackie Castillo and Taylor Barnes 

Nationwide prison riots in Colombia prompted by coronavirus fears have left at least 23 inmates dead and 83 injured, the country's Ministry of Justice said on Sunday

Today is a very sad and painful day for the country," Justice Minister Margarita Cabello said in a video address. 

"I have to inform you that last night there was a massive and criminal escape attempt at the La Modelo prison and revolts at different penitentiary centers in the country," she said. 

The escape attempt at Bogota’s La Modelo prison, one of the country’s largest and most overpopulated prisons, resulted in the reported 23 dead and 83 injured Cabello said. 

"There were no escapes," said Cabello, adding, "Nor was there was a sanitary problem that could have prompted this plan and these revolts."

Cabello said as of Sunday, there are zero inmates or prison personnel who have tested positive for coronavirus or who have been isolated because of coronavirus.

Earlier Sunday, Colombian President Ivan Duque said security forces and prison authorities are responding to "disorders in different parts of the country."

7:41 p.m. ET, March 22, 2020

President Trump outlines aid to three major US coronavirus hot spots

From Nicky Robertson

Patrick Semansky/AP
Patrick Semansky/AP

President Donald Trump outlined on Sunday the aid being sent to New York, Washington and California, the three major hot spots of the coronavirus outbreak in the United States.

He announced federal medical stations that will be delivered within the next 48 hours:

  • Four large federal medical stations with 1,000 beds to New York
  • Eight large federal medical stations with 2,000 beds to California
  • Three large and four small federal medical stations with 1,000 beds total to Washington

 Trump outlined the specific number of items being sent to New York and Washington.

 Supplies sent to New York as of March 19:

  • 186,416 N95 respirators
  • 444,000 O-78 surgical masks
  • 84,560 face shields
  • 68,944 surgical masks
  • 352 coveralls
  • 245,486 gloves

 Supplies sent to Washington as of "about 3 days ago:"

  • 369,000 N-95 respirators
  • 575,406 surgical masks
  • 63,788 face shields
  • 107,850 surgical gowns
  • 240,376 gloves