March 24 coronavirus news

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis announced he plans to expand the executive order he issued for travelers from the New York City area.

During a news conference Tuesday, DeSantis said anyone who has traveled from the New York City area to Florida in the last three weeks will need to self-isolate and also provide a list of people they have been in close contact with in Florida. Travelers will also have to provide an address in Florida where they will self-isolate.

DeSantis said he will sign the expansion to the executive order Tuesday.

DeSantis said that members of the Florida National Guard were at Miami International Airport and Fort Lauderdale on Tuesday, providing information to travelers from New York, New Jersey and Connecticut in compliance with the executive order he issued Monday, which requires travelers from those states to self-isolate for 14 days. DeSantis added that the effort will be expanded to smaller airports as well.

The surgeon general of Florida will be issuing a health advisory that encourages anyone 65 or older to stay home for the next 14 days. Also anyone with chronic conditions —regardless of age —is encouraged to stay home. 

DeSantis also announced an expansion of the group gathering guidance to no social or recreational groups of 10 people or more, even in private residences.

Climate activist Greta Thunberg said she believes she had coronavirus and has recovered. 

Thunberg said in an Instagram post that she isolated herself the last two weeks.

She said she started experiencing symptoms about 10 days ago.

The teenage activist said the main thing she wants to tell people is that she didn’t feel that ill and wouldn’t have suspected coronavirus.

National grocery chain Kroger said in a statement that its wants the government to help secure its workers masks and gloves.

"Our associates are on the frontlines, ensuring Americans have access to the food, services and products they need during this unprecedented pandemic. We are committed to protecting the health and safety of our associates," a Kroger spokesperson said in a statement.

The statement continued:  

Texas saw a spike of more than 300 positive coronavirus tests on Tuesday, Gov. Greg Abbott said at a news conference.

The state now has 715 people who have tested positive and 11 deaths. 

Previously, the state was reporting 410 cases. They have added 305 cases today.

US stocks ended in the green on Tuesday, recouping all of Monday’s losses as investors grew optimistic about the government’s response to the coronavirus crisis.

The Dow recorded its biggest point gain on record. The index closed up 11.4%, or 2,113 points.

The S&P 500 finished up 9.4%.

The Nasdaq Composite rose 8.1%.

Industries across France are at "about 25% capacity," with some industrial sectors dropping in capacity by some 80%, French Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire said Tuesday. 

Le Maire called on the European Union to "do much more" to support France through this period of economic downturn, warning that there is "no comparison in recent history" to a situation like the Covid-19 outbreak.

"All sectors are affected, some more violently than others because their activity has totally stopped. I'm thinking of tourism, the aviation industry, restaurants, hotels, cinemas, the leisure industry, the events industry...all of these sectors have a drop in business of 90 to 100%," Le Maire said. 

Gun stores in Los Angeles have been declared a nonessential business and have been forced to close, L.A. County Sheriff Alex Villanueva said in a statement Tuesday.

Villanueva also announced the department will add 1,300 deputies to beef up patrols.

"There are hundreds of businesses which, through no fault of their own, do not fall under the Governor’s definition of critical infrastructure," the sheriff said. "As a result, I have instructed my deputies to enforce closures of businesses which have disregarded the Governor’s order (gun stores, strip clubs, and other non-designated businesses)."

This directive comes after reports that gun stores in Los Angeles have seen an increase in sales due to coronavirus concerns.

While appearing on CNN via teleconference, former Vice President Joe Biden coughed into his hand — and Jake Tapper immediately corrected his technique.

"You know, you're supposed to cough into your elbow," Tapper said, noting he learned about the method while covering the Obama administration.

"It's kind of old school, to do it with your hand. Do it into your elbow, you're supposed to do it," Tapper added.

Biden, who is 77 years old, said he's been following health care and government officials' advice on social distancing and is staying home.

"I've been staying in place, not going out, not gathering at events," he said.

Biden said he has no symptoms of coronavirus so he hasn't been tested for it.

Watch the moment:

Phoebe Putney Health System, in southwest Georgia, is now reporting roughly a third of the deaths in the state. 

CEO Scott Steiner said in a statement that the hospital system is "quickly reaching a critical mass."

Steiner went on to say the health system's main hospital “has been more severely impacted by COVID-19 than any other hospital in Georgia, and our entire health system is one of the hardest hit in the state."

Phoebe Putney Health System has asked other hospitals to take in its Covid-19 and non-COVID patients.

The hospital is currently awaiting the results of more than 1,000 people who were tested for coronavirus.