The CDC recently released guidance recommending the use of cloth face coverings "in public settings where other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain, especially in areas of significant community based transmission."
Cloth face coverings, according to the CDC, can be homemade out of pieces of fabric, T-shirts, bandannas and coffee filters to slow down the spread of the virus, especially those that may be asymptomatic and capable of transmitting it to others despite experiencing no symptoms.
The CDC recommended any homemade cloth face coverings include multiple layers of fabric, be secured to the ears, and allow for breathing without restriction. The guidance recommends routinely cleaning coverings in a washing machine and that no child under the age of 2 should wear them.
2:20 a.m. ET, April 6, 2020
US commander in Japan declares public health emergency for military bases as Tokyo cases rise
From CNN's Sandi Sidhu and Eric Cheung in Hong Kong
The commander of the United States Forces Japan (USFJ) has announced a public health emergency for the Kanto Plains region due to rising coronavirus cases in nearby Tokyo, the army unit said in a statement Monday.
The order, which will remain in effect through May 5, allows commanders the authority to enforce compliance of health protection measures on those who live and work on US installations.
"Protecting the health and safety of everyone associated with US Forces Japan is my number one priority," USFJ commander Lt. Gen. Kevin Schneider said, adding that the order will cover all Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marine installations and facilities in the area. "I cannot underscore enough the importance of personal responsibility at a time like this. Stopping the spread of COVID-19 requires the entire team -- service members, civilians, families, and our Japanese partners," he added.
An active duty member of the USFJ tested positive for the coronavirus a few weeks ago.
The move comes as the daily count of new coronavirus cases in Tokyo doubled in the past week, and there are concerns that the country isn't doing enough to halt the spread of the virus.
It's just past 4 p.m in Sydney and 7 a.m. in London. These are the latest developments
Workers prepare train coaches to be used as temporary isolation wards for coronavirus patients in Chennai, India on March 30. Arun Sankar/AFP/Getty Images
If you're just joining us now, here's the latest on the coronavirus pandemic.
Worry in India: India now has more than 4,000 cases, with health experts bracing for a potential "onslaught" of infections. Indian Railways, the oldest rail network in Asia, is converting as many as 20,000 old train carriages into isolation wards for patients.
Spike in Singapore: Singapore saw 120 new cases of coronavirus in 24 hours this weekend -- its biggest daily jump so far.
Slowdowns in Thailand and Korea: Thailand reported 51 new cases today -- a sharp drop from the 102 reported yesterday. And South Korea reported 47 new cases today -- the lowest number of new daily cases since mid-February.
Australia takes action: Sydney is closing more beaches due to crowds defying social distancing rules. And police in New South Wales state have launched an investigation into the docking and disembarking of the Ruby Princess cruise ship, which created a major cluster of cases.
In the UK: On Sunday, Prime Minister Boris Johnson was admitted to hospital for tests. He tested positive for the coronavirus on March 27. Meanwhile, the Queen gave a rare televised address to the nation, offering reassurance and urging unity.
1:50 a.m. ET, April 6, 2020
Musician Christopher Cross calls coronavirus "possibly the worst illness I've ever had"
Christopher Cross performs on the German TV game show "Wetten Dass...?" in Offenburg, Germany on April 30, 2011. Ralph Orlowski/AFP/Getty Images
Cross implored his followers to self-quarantine, wash their hands frequently and avoid touching their faces to help stop the virus' spread.
"For those of you who still do not believe the COVID-19 virus is real, or think it is a 'hoax' or part of some conspiracy, my advice to you is to understand right now that this is a deadly illness spreading like wildfire throughout the world," Cross said on Instagram.
Thailand reported 51 new coronavirus cases on Monday, bringing the national total to 2,220, according to the country's Ministry of Public Health.
Three more deaths were reported, taking the national toll to 26.
The number of new cases reported on Monday is a sharp drop from the 102 infections reported on Sunday.
Bangkok and its neighboring areas are reporting the highest number of infections, while the popular tourist destination Phuket has the second highest.
1:16 a.m. ET, April 6, 2020
Manchester City will not furlough non-playing staff
A general view of Manchester City's Etihad Stadium on March 14, in Manchester. Paul Ellis/AFP/Getty Images
Manchester City Football Club is not planning to make use of the UK's Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme to furlough non-playing employees, the club confirmed to CNN Sports.
Manchester City is the first English Premier League club to express a commitment to avoiding furloughs -- enforced breaks from work without pay.
“We can confirm, following a decision by the chairman and board last week, that Manchester City will not be utilizing the UK government’s Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme,” a spokesperson for the club said. “We remain determined to protect our people, their jobs and our business whilst at the same time doing what we can to support our wider community at this most challenging time for everybody.”
Read more about what it means to be furloughed here:
Australia launches criminal investigation into docking of Ruby Princess cruise ship
From CNN's Eric Cheung and Isaac Yee in Hong Kong
Cruise liner Ruby Princess sits in the harbour in Port Kembla, 80km south of Sydney after coming in to refuel and restock on April 6. Peter Parks/AFP/Getty Images
Australia's New South Wales police have launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the docking and disembarking of the Ruby Princess cruise ship, which created a major cluster of coronavirus cases, police said in a statement Sunday.
The investigation will "fully examine" the communications and actions that allowed passengers to disembark from the cruise ship in Sydney on March 19, NSW Police Commissioner Mick Fuller said in a statement.
It is expected that the investigation will involve interviewing thousands of witnesses, including the ship's captain, doctors, crew members, and passengers, and officials from the federal and state government.
“After reviewing the information at hand, the only way I can determine whether our national biosecurity laws or our state laws were broken is through a criminal investigation," Fuller said.
Here's what the NSW Department of Health said last Friday:
"No cases of Covid-19 were identified" at the time when the ship docked.
The vast majority of passengers did not report symptoms until after leaving the ship.
As of last Friday, at least 342 people are confirmed to have contracted Covid-19 from the ship, it added.
Up to 200 of the 1,040 crew members onboard the ship have displayed coronavirus-like symptoms, while 16 have returned positive results for Covid-19, NSW Police said.
Meanwhile, the Ruby Princess will continue to berth at Port Kembla for up to 10 days to allow for safer access for medical assessments, NSW police said Monday.
Health authorities will carry out "medical assessments, treatment, or emergency extractions of her crew," according to a police statement.
"The berthing will be conducted under strict health and biosecurity guidelines and will not pose a risk to employees at the port or the broader community," the statement adds. "She will also be refueling and restocking provisions, as required for her home journey."
Crew members will not be allowed to disembark unless in an emergency and approved by the police commissioner.
A municipal worker fumigates a residential area in Prayagraj, India, on April 4. Rajesh Kumar Singh/AP
India's Ministry of Health and Family Welfare announced on Monday that 4,067 people in total have tested positive for novel coronavirus.
A total of 109 people have died as a result of contracting the virus, according to the ministry.
Last week, one of Asia's biggest slums, located in Mumbai, confirmed its first coronavirus death and top Indian doctors warned that the country must prepare to face an "onslaught" of cases.
South Korea's new cases drop to lowest in more than six weeks
From CNN's Yoonjung Seo in Seoul
City officials wearing protective clothing arrive at a coronavirus testing station set up at Jamsil Sports Complex in Seoul on April 3. Jung Yeon-je/AFP/Getty Images
South Korea is extending its social distancing campaign for two more weeks until April 19, as the number of new coronavirus cases in the country fell to the lowest in over six weeks.
On Monday, the country reported 47 new cases, the first time since February 18 that the number has dropped below 50, according to the South Korean Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC).
However, Kim Ganlip, the country's Vice Health Minister, said it would be “too soon to tell if the infection is on a declining trend from this number alone,” noting that there was also a decreased amount of testing over the weekend.
All religious facilities, indoor gyms, and recreational facilities like bars and karaoke rooms will be closed for two more weeks, South Korean Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun announced Saturday.
The number of daily new infection cases would need to remain below 50 for the government to consider an end to the social distancing campaign, he said.
As of Monday, South Korea has reported 10,284 confirmed cases and 186 deaths from the coronavirus.
