India records largest increase in coronavirus numbers
From CNN's Swati Gupta and Vedika Sud in New Delhi
People maintain social distancing, due to the coronavirus pandemic as they wait for their turn to collect medicines from a pharmacy in Srinagar, Kashmir, India on March 26. Faisal Khan/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images
India saw its largest spike in coronavirus cases Thursday, increasing by 75, according to the Ministry of Health.
India has recorded 724 cases so far and 17 deaths.
Earlier, the Indian government extended its ban on inbound international commercials flights until April 14, according to a statement from the government’s Director General of Civil Aviation.
This extension allows the inbound travel ban to coincides with the 21 day national lockdown imposed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi earlier this week.
The restrictions do not apply to cargo flights.
1:08 a.m. ET, March 27, 2020
Philippines top military commander tests positive for virus
Philippines Armed Forces Chief Felimon Santos Jr. has tested positive for the coronavirus, according to CNN Philippines.
Santos has been on home quarantine since March 24 after coming into contact with a senior officer who had tested positive for the virus. Santos received his results Thursday night and informed the Secretary of Defense Delfin Lorenzana, CNN Philippines reported.
There are 707 confirmed cases of the coronavirus in the Philippines, and 45 deaths, according to Johns Hopkins.
12:57 a.m. ET, March 27, 2020
Rapid increase in coronavirus cases aboard US aircraft carrier
From CNN's Michael Conte, Ryan Browne and Barbara Starr
Aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt on March 18. U.S. Navy
There are now 25 sailors who have tested positive for the coronavirus aboard the aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt, just two days after the Pentagon announced that three sailors aboard the ship had tested positive for the virus, a Navy official has confirmed to CNN.
The Navy says they expect there to be additional positive tests among the crew, with one official telling CNN there could possibly be "dozens" of new cases that emerge. A second official said that were there to be a large number of additional cases, the Defense Department would be unlikely to publicly specify how many of the Navy's overall cases are amongst members of the crew of the Roosevelt, due to concerns that adversaries such as China or North Korea could see the ship as vulnerable.
Despite the outbreak, Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Mike Gilday said in a statement, "we are confident that our aggressive response will keep USS Theodore Roosevelt able to respond to any crisis in the region."
Earlier in the day, acting Navy Secretary Thomas Modly had said there were "several" more cases onboard the ship, but did not give a specific number.
"We are in the process now of testing 100% of the crew of that ship to ensure that we're able to contain whatever spread might've occurred," Modly told reporters at the Pentagon at a briefing Thursday morning. There are approximately 5,000 personnel on board the carrier.
12:39 a.m. ET, March 27, 2020
Australian military will be called in to enforce quarantine for all flight arrivals
From CNN's Hilary Whiteman in Brisbane
Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison attends a videoconference with G20 leaders to discuss the coronavirus at the Parliament House in Canberra, Australia, on March 26. Gary Ramage/Pool/Getty Images
The Australian Defense Force will help enforce a mandatory two week quarantine for all arrivals at airports nationwide starting Sunday, said Prime Minister Scott Morrison today.
Passengers arriving in all Australian states and territories will have to quarantine in hotels or other accommodations before being able to return homes.
The additional measures are to prevent a rise in imported cases; two thirds of cases in Australia are from citizens returning home from abroad, said Morrison.
According to Morrison, 7,120 Australians returned to the country on Thursday.
He also said authorities will be taking greater steps to enforce isolation of those who have already arrived and are in in quarantine, but didn't elaborate further on those steps.
12:24 a.m. ET, March 27, 2020
Argentina closes all borders to foreign nationals
From CNN's Claudia Dominguez in Atlanta and Daniel Silva in Miami
Argentinais closing its borders to all non-essential transportation, said the government in a statement.
Restrictions had already been in place for air transportation, meaning the measures are now being expanded to include a ban on land and sea transportation.
Argentinian citizens will still be allowed into the country. The border closures go into effect Friday at midnight.
12:21 a.m. ET, March 27, 2020
If you're just joining us now, here's the latest worldwide developments
An Air Force member exits a tent builded as makeshift morgue outside of Bellevue Hospital on March 25 in New York City. Eduardo Munoz Alvarez/Getty Images
The novel coronavirus pandemic continues to spread globally, with the US and Europe hit the hardest. Here's what you need to know:
The US becomes worst hit: The US now has the highest number of confirmed cases in the world, overtaking China and Italy. Today was the deadliest day in the US so far, with at least 233 new deaths reported nationwide. New York City has become the epicenter of the US outbreak.
Shifting restrictions in China: New local transmissions have fallen to near zero in mainland China, so it's beginning to lift lockdowns and citizens are returning to normal life. But the number of imported cases from overseas is rising. On Thursday, China announced it would ban entry to foreign nationals holding visas or residence permits.
Japan struggles: The country saw case numbers spike this week, and the Tokyo governor urged residents to stay at home this weekend. In response, crowds surged to panic buy at supermarkets, while others continued gathering in outdoor parks during the cherry blossom season.
Events canceled globally: With borders snapping shut and serious public health concerns globally, countless events have been rescheduled. The K-pop group BTS postponed part of their world tour. Art Basel, widely considered to be the world's biggest art fair, has been postponed. And of course, the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games are now being pushed to 2021.
12:02 a.m. ET, March 27, 2020
Hospital video reveals extensive lung damage in US coronavirus patient
A recently released video shows the lungs of a 59-year-old man who had been asymptomatic just a few days earlier.
Now, the patient has Covid-19 and his lungs are failing to function properly, said Dr. Keith Mortman, the chief of thoracic surgery at George Washington University Hospital in Washington, DC.
The hospital released a 3D video showing the patient's extensive lung damage.
"This is not a 70, 80-year-old immunosuppressed, diabetic patient," Mortman said. "Other than high blood pressure, he has no other significant medical issues. This is a guy who's minding his own business and gets it ... If we were to repeat the 360VR images now, that is one week later, there is a chance that the infection and inflammatory process could be worse."
In the video, areas marked yellow represent infected and inflamed parts of the lung. The scan shows the damage covering massive swaths of both lungs, showing how rapidly and aggressively the infection can take hold, even in younger patients.
Watch the video:
11:43 p.m. ET, March 26, 2020
In Singapore, you can be fined and jailed if you don't stay 3 feet away from others
Countries worldwide are implementing movement restrictions and emergency measures to ensure people practice social distancing.
But few are as strict as Singapore, where new regulations went into force today.
People who fail to keep one meter (about 3.3 feet) of distance from others in public areas will be punishable by a fine of up to 10,000 Singapore dollars (about $7,004) or up to six months in prison, or both, according to a statement from the Singapore Ministry of Health.
The measures went into effect just before midnight. They are aimed at limiting non-essential gatherings to 10 people or fewer, said the statement.
11:43 p.m. ET, March 26, 2020
Los Angeles is closing all outdoor sports facilities
Police patrol Runyon Canyon park after it was closed to the public Wednesday, March 25, in Los Angeles. Marcio Jose Sanchez/AP
Los Angeles is closing all outdoor sports amenities to help people practice safe social distancing, Mayor Eric Garcetti announced today.
These include skate parks, tennis courts, baseball fields, basketball courts, golf courses, swimming pools, and popular hiking trails like Runyon Canyon and Bronson Canyon.
Most parks will still remain open for walking and running, but people must maintain a distance of at least six feet, Garcetti said.
“Our parks remain incredible resources for healthy activity — but we’ve seen too many people in unsafe crowds for outdoor activities during this emergency,” he said in a press release. “Angelenos are safer at home right now. When we go out for fresh air and exercise, it should be in our own neighborhoods and at a safe distance from other people.”
Some recreational public spaces are also being closed, like the Venice Pier, senior centers, playgrounds, and beach parking lots. Griffith Park as well as its amenities are also closed.
