THIS PAGE TRACKED THE GROWTH AND SPREAD OF THE CORONAVIRUS FROM JANUARY TO MAY 2020. THIS PAGE IS BEING ARCHIVED AT THIS TIME. DAILY UPDATES CAN STILL BE FOUND HERE. 

WE ARE KEEP THIS PAGE UP FOR AN ARCHIVE/HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE.

 

We are tracking the daily updates in the spread of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) around the world here but this page is devoted specifically to the news and coronavirus updates in the US. We have been among the earliest to track this development with our first podcast on the coronavirus posted in early January. As the coronavirus morphs into a global pandemic this page will provide daily updates, free of opinion, and focused on only the basic facts so you can separate hype and sensationalism from the real news and events taking shape on the Coronavirus in the US.

May 1

• Coronavirus in the US confirmed cases – 1,095,304
• Coronavirus in the US update – death total 63,871
• Nearly 1 in 5 Americans have sought unemployment benefits since the pandemic began.
• President Trump continued to suggest yesterday that the coronavirus was a deliberate plant by China to ruin America’s economy.
• NASCAR plans to return without fans in the stands.
• More than half the states will lift numerous restrictions by Sunday.
• The US government is working to produce a vaccine by January with hundreds of millions of doses. This effort is called Operation Warp Speed.
• Nearly 900 workers tested positive at a Tyson processing plant in Indiana.

April 30

• Coronavirus in the US confirmed cases – 1,064,572
• Coronavirus in the US update – death total 61,669
• Anthony Fauci said a second wave in the US is inevitable.
• New data from several states shows that 1 in 6 nursing homes in the country has active cases of COVID-19.
• Los Angeles said they will be the first city in the country to provide testing to all county residents who want to be tested, even if they are not showing symptoms.
• Forty percent of inmates at a federal prison in southern California tested positive for the virus.

 

April 29

• Coronavirus in the US confirmed cases – 1,035,765
• Coronavirus in the US update – death total 59,266
• At a large Boston homeless shelter, 36% of the residents there tested positive for coronavirus. Only 1% of them had a fever.
• The CDC says new data suggests several states recorded death counts from the coronavirus have been severely underreported.
• In an effort to prevent meat shortages, President Trump declared meat processing plants as critical infrastructure and ordered them to stay open. Many of the processing plants have been hot zones for newly confirmed cases.
• New data from antibody tests confirms (again) that the coronavirus is much more lethal than the flu.
• Cell phone location data reports show that people are staying home less since April 24. This is the second week in a row of this trend.
• Vice President Pence caused an uproar when he visited the Mayo Clinic and appeared to be the only person not wearing a mask.

 

April 28

• Coronavirus in the US confirmed cases -1,010,507
• Coronavirus in the US update – death total 56,803
• The US crossed the 1 million mark in confirmed cases.
• Multiple states have announced plans to reopen in phases, including Texas, Michigan, Iowa, Wisconsin, and Ohio. Meanwhile, states like Louisiana extended the lockdown.
• Airlines will now require travelers to wear face masks.

 

April 27

• Coronavirus in the US confirmed cases -987,322
• Coronavirus in the US update – death total 55,415
• California residents descended upon two beaches that remained open in Ventura and Orange counties. This occurred in spite of stay at home orders.
• The Labor Department and CDC issued new guidelines for worker safety in meat processing plants which have been the sight of multiple outbreaks.
• Over the weekend President Trump tweeted that his daily press conferences were a waste of time.

 

April 24

• Coronavirus in the US confirmed cases -886,709
• Coronavirus in the US update – death total 50,243
• Lysol issued a warning that their disinfectant should not be ingested after the President’s remarks at his Thursday press briefing.
• Colorado meat plant closed due to the outbreak will reopen.
• Georgia restaurants get the ok to reopen.
• New reports suggest the virus was present and infecting people within the US far earlier than first imagined.

 

April 23

• Coronavirus in the US confirmed cases -849,092
• Coronavirus in the US update – death total 47,681
• A leading vaccine expert at Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority said he was removed from his position because he would not push the anti-malarial drug hydroxychloroquine that President Trump vocally supported.
• Data from New York’s outbreak shows that 88% of patients put on ventilators did not live.
• An additional 4.4 million people filed for unemployment.
• Congress passed a new $484 billion aid package for the coronavirus in the US.
• President Trump signed an order limiting certain kinds of immigration for the next 60 days.

 

April 22

• Coronavirus in the US confirmed cases -819,175
• Coronavirus in the US update – death total 45,343
• The state of Missouri sued China for the nation’s poor first steps that led to the pandemic.
• US Senate passed a $484 billion aid package that includes help for small businesses.
• The Food and Drug Administration approved an “at home” test for the virus that can be mailed in.
• Top 5 states confirmed case totals in the US:
  1. New York 256,555
  2. New Jersey 92,387
  3. Massachusetts 41,199
  4. California 35,802
  5. Pennsylvania 35,293

April 21

• Coronavirus in the US confirmed cases -792,938
• Coronavirus in the US update – death total 42,518
  • Recommended Read: We Are Using the Wrong Numbers To Understand the Pandemic
• President Trump said he is suspending immigration.
• The National Spelling Bee was canceled for the first time.
• South Carolina begins to ease restrictions. Georgia and Tennessee say they plan to soon follow.
• Multiple polls show that the majority of Americans disagree with protestors in different cities across the US who are protesting the lockdowns and stay in place orders.
• Pennsylvania plans to rollback some social distancing measures beginning May 8.
• Maryland received half a million coronavirus tests from South Korea.

April 20

• Coronavirus in the US confirmed cases -764,265
• Coronavirus in the US update – death total 40,565
• Protests against stay at home orders spread to various state capitals over the weekend.
• More than 1,800 inmates at Ohio prison tested positive for the coronavirus.
• US oil futures declined to less than $0 per barrel.
• Iowas sees a surge of new cases, most linked to multiple meat processing plants where workers became infected.
• New York governor Andrew Cuomo said over the weekend that New York has passed the peak.
• The Navajo Nation has nearly 1,200 cases.
• Top 5 states confirmed case totals in the US:
  1. New York 247,215
  2. New Jersey 85,301
  3. Massachusetts 38,077
  4. Pennsylvania 32,734
  5. California 31,527

April 17

• Coronavirus in the US confirmed cases -678,210
• Coronavirus in the US update – death total 24,641
• New York extends its lockdown to May 15.
• Fears of a national meat shortage continue to grow as more meat processing plants report confirmed cases and closures.
• Top 5 states confirmed case totals in the US:
  1. New York 226,198
  2. New Jersey 75,317
  3. Massachusetts 32,181
  4. Michigan 29,263
  5. California 28,156

April 16

• Coronavirus in the US confirmed cases -644,348
• Coronavirus in the US update – death total 28,554
• Anonymous tip led to 17 bodies, dead by coronavirus, found at New Jersey nursing home.
• President Trump says states will decide when to reopen.
• Drug companies in the US have launched more than 100 human experiments in the quest for a virus.
• Top 5 states confirmed case totals in the US:
  1. New York 214,648
  2. New Jersey 71,030
  3. Massachusetts 29,918
  4. Michigan 28,059
  5. California 27,097

 

April 15

• Coronavirus in the US confirmed cases -614,246
• Coronavirus in the US update – death total 26,064
• Alaska plans to allow some medical procedures to restart.
• US deaths by the coronavirus at nursing homes now total more than 3,800.
• New York governor orders New Yorkers to wear masks where social distancing is not possible.
• Democratic Senators released a report stating that although the US leads the world is confirmed cases, the US is lagging behind much of the world in testing.
• Protestors gathered in Lansing Michigan to protest against stay at home orders. They protested in their cars.
• More than 9,000 US healthcare workers have been infected with the coronavirus.
• Top 5 states confirmed case totals in the US:
  1. New York 203,123
  2. New Jersey 68,824
  3. Massachusetts 28,163
  4. Michigan 27,001
  5. California 25,777

April 14

• Coronavirus in the US confirmed cases -587,173
• Coronavirus in the US update – death total 23,644
• The US recorded more than 2,300 new deaths today. It is the largest daily death toll in America since the onset of the pandemic.
• Florida surgeon general says that without a vaccine social distancing should say in place for at least a year.
• The death toll in New York surpassed 10,000.
• There is growing disagreement upon who has the power to lift lockdown and shut down orders across the US. The President says he has the power while state governments say they have the power.
• The XFL filed for bankruptcy. ESPN asked its highest-paid employees to take a pay cut.
• Pastors in California are suing the state to lift stay at home orders.
• Top 5 states confirmed case totals in the US:
  1. New York 189,415
  2. New Jersey 64,584
  3. Massachusetts 26,867
  4. Michigan 25,635
  5. California 24,371

April 13

• Coronavirus in the US confirmed cases -533,470
• Coronavirus in the US update – death total 20,595
• The creator a frequently used and cited model that forecasts the spread of the coronavirus in the US said reopening the US by May 1, will likely result in a second wave.
• Smithfield, one of the country’s largest pork processing facilities is closing its doors until further notice. This is only the most recent meat processing plant to close and some experts warn the US is nearing the brink of a meat shortage.
• NFL commissioner says he will announce the NFL draft picks from his home.
• Disney furloughed 43,000 workers.
• Top 5 states confirmed case totals in the US:
  1. New York 189,415
  2. New Jersey 61,850
  3. Massachusetts 25,475
  4. Michigan 24,638
  5. California 23,287

April 12

• Coronavirus in the US confirmed cases -533,470
• Coronavirus in the US update – death total 20,595
• A new report stated the COVID-19 virus is killing 1 in 10 of middle-aged Americans who have been hospitalized and 4 in 10 of hospitalized Americans over age 85.
• There are now more than 500 confirmed cases in the Cook County Jail in Chicago.
• President Trump retweeted a call to fire Anthony Fauci.
• Many churches throughout the US held Easter churches as normal, in defiance of orders to limit gatherings.

April 10

• Coronavirus in the US confirmed cases – 468,895
• Coronavirus in the US update – death total 16,697
• Top 5 states confirmed case totals in the US:
  1. New York 161,504
  2. New Jersey 157,022
  3. Michigan 21,504
  4. California 20,212
  5. Massachusetts 18,941
• New York now has more confirmed cases than any nation in the world, except the US.

April 9

• Coronavirus in the US confirmed cases – 435,160
• Coronavirus in the US update – death total 14,797
• The President plans to unveil a second coronavirus task force that is focused exclusively on the economy.
• Hundreds of California’s fast-food workers go on strike for better protective equipment.
• New York announced its highest single-day death toll.
• Top 5 states confirmed case totals in the US:
  1. New York 151,171
  2. New Jersey 47,437
  3. Michigan 20,346
  4. California 19,063
  5. Louisiana 17,030

April 8

• Coronavirus in the US confirmed cases – 400,549
• Coronavirus in the US update – death total 12,857
• President Trump threatened to withhold funds from the World Health Organization (WHO).
• The US Treasury said they are overwhelmed by requests for aid from small businesses and plan to ask Congress for an additional $250 billion.
• More than 1,000 Veterans Affairs workers tested positive for the virus.
• Los Angeles said families with loved ones in nursing homes should consider bringing them home.
• Lawmakers in Kansas overrule the governor to allow religious gatherings to be exempt from limitations on gatherings.
• A new scientific study warns that summer heat may not slow the spread of the virus.
• Top 5 states confirmed case totals in the US:
  1. New York 142,384
  2. New Jersey 44,416
  3. Michigan 18,970
  4. California 17,620
  5. Louisiana 16,284

April 6

• Coronavirus in the US confirmed cases – 336,851
• Coronavirus in the US update – death total 9,620
• Experts say the US is undercounting the number of deaths in the pandemic. 
• Fauci says as many as half of US COVID-19 infected could be asymptomatic.
• Texas to quarantine drivers entering from Louisiana.
• New York is expected to run out of ventilators today.
• The US military announced it would stop sending recruits to basic training for the next two weeks in an effort to stop the pandemic from spreading.
• Top 5 states confirmed case totals in the US:
  1. New York 123,018
  2. New Jersey 37,505
  3. Michigan 15,718
  4. California 15,201
  5. Louisiana 13,010

April 5

• National leaders warn Americans to brace for the hardest and saddest week of their lives.

April 4

• Coronavirus in the US confirmed cases – 277,607
• Coronavirus in the US update – death total 7,406
• The US reported more than 30,000 cases in a day for the first time.
• The US Supreme Court canceled April’s arguments.
• Top 5 states confirmed case totals in the US:
  1. New York 103,476
  2. New Jersey 29,895
  3. Michigan 12,744
  4. California 12,581
  5. Massachusetts 10,402

April 3

• Coronavirus in the US confirmed cases – 245,380
• Coronavirus in the US update – death total 6,095
• The US reported more than 1,000 deaths in a 24 hour period since the outbreak began.
• The CDC said all Americans should wear masks.
• Alabama and Missouri issued stay at home orders.
• US Attorney General expanded the early release of prisoners where COVID19 cases have been found.
• Top 5 states confirmed case totals in the US:
  1. New York 93,053
  2. New Jersey 25,590
  3. California 11,207
  4. Michigan 10,791
  5. Louisiana 9,150

April 2

• Coronavirus in the US confirmed cases – 215,344
• Coronavirus in the US update – death total 5,112
• Wisconsin plans to hold elections next week but fears they will not have enough people to man the polls due to fears of the virus.
• A record 6.6 million filed for unemployment.
• On an aircraft carrier near Guam, nearly 2,700 sailors from the Navy are struggling with the virus.
• Florida issued a stay at home order but it does not include churches.
• The US State Department said it purchased ventilators and personal protective equipment from Russia.
• Los Angeles Mayor ordered lights and water to be turned off at businesses that did not comply with the shut down order.
• The Democratic convention was delayed from July to August.
• Top 5 states confirmed case totals in the US:
  1. New York 83,901
  2. New Jersey 22,255
  3. California 9,936
  4. Michigan 9,334
  5. Florida 7,773

April 1

• Coronavirus in the US confirmed cases – 188,639
• Coronavirus in the US update – death total 4,059
• The US death toll surpassed that of 9/11.
• CDC data showed a higher risk of the virus for those with diabetes, lung disease, and chronic conditions – no matter their age.
• Vice President Pence said Italy is the closest model that the US may be following.
• Infections and deaths in Louisiana jumped by 30% in the last 24 hours.
• New York City’s death toll passed 1,000.
• Georgia plans to under shelter in place order with schools canceled.
• California governor said schools will not reopen before the end of the year.
• Top 5 states confirmed case totals in the US:
  1. New York 75,983
  2. New Jersey 18,696
  3. California 8,548
  4. Michigan 7,615
  5. Florida 6,741

March 31

• Coronavirus in the US confirmed cases – 164,359
• Coronavirus in the US update – death total 3,173
• Daily US deaths exceeded 500 for the first time.
• New York began constructing temporary morgues.
• Maryland, Virginia, and Arizona issued statewide stay at home orders.
• Ford and GE said it will take until the end of April to produce 1,500 ventilators.

March 30

• Coronavirus in the US confirmed cases – 142,746
• Coronavirus in the US update – death total 2,489
• President Trump extended social distancing guidelines to April 30.
• Dr. Anthony S. Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases said as many as 200,000 Americans could die from the COVID-19 outbreak even with aggressive action.
• US Defense Department ordered military bases to stop reporting case totals.
• A Florida Sheriff issued charges for a pastor who kept his church open in spite of social distancing orders.
• Workers at Amazon, Wholefoods and Instacart protested for better wages and safety protections.
• US Navy hospital ships docked in Los Angeles and New York City.
• The Marines suspended training on Parris Island after a recruit tested positive.
• Top 5 states confirmed case totals in the US:
  1. New York 59,648
  2. New Jersey 13,386
  3. California 6,358
  4. Michigan 5,486
  5. Massachusetts 4,955 (new to the top 5)

March 29

• Coronavirus in the US confirmed cases – 124,356 (an increase of more than 20,000 from yesterday) 
• Coronavirus in the US update – death total 2,236 (500+ over yesterday)
• CDC issued a travel advisory for the New York region. President Trump suggested a possible quarantine and Governor Cuomo stated that would be an act of war on the states.
• The death toll in New York surpassed 1,000.
• Illinois had the first known US infant death.
• A Louisiana inmate died of COVID-19. Meanwhile, the governor warned that the state’s health system is in danger of being overwhelmed by the pandemic.
• Police in several cities have now tested positive for the coronavirus.
• The White House coronavirus response coordinator Deborah Birx said every metro area should prepare for an outbreak like New York’s. She added that no state or metro area will be spared.
• Top 5 states confirmed case totals in the US:
  1. New York 53,455
  2. New Jersey 11,124
  3. California 5,683
  4. Michigan 4,650
  5. Washington 4,310

March 28

• Coronavirus in the US confirmed cases – 104,256
• Coronavirus in the US update – death total 1,704
• New York remains the country’s epicenter for the virus outbreak but the US Surgeon General warned that Detroit, Chicago, and New Orleans are becoming hot spots.
• President Trump issued orders allowing the Pentagon to call former troops back to active duty to fight the virus.
• Top 5 states confirmed case totals in the US:
  1. New York 46,262
  2. New Jersey 8,825
  3. California 4,905
  4. Washington 3,700
  5. Michigan 3,657

March 27

• Coronavirus in the US confirmed cases – 85,749
• Coronavirus in the US update – death total 1,304
• Top 5 states confirmed case totals in the US: New York 38,977; New Jersey 6,876; California 4,052; Washington 3,207; Michigan 2,856. Louisiana, Massachusetts, and Florida also saw significant surges in confirmed cases in the last 24 hours.
• Florida is now requiring travelers from Louisiana to self-isolate.
• New York Governor Cuomo says the apex of confirmed cases in New York is 21 days away.
• Reports out of New York suggest we are nearing the time of supply shortages in medical facilities. These are not officially confirmed.
• A report from the Michigan Health System described a contingency plan to deny ventilators and ICU care to coronavirus patients with low chances of survival.
• Washington State says their newly confirmed cases appear to be leveling off.
• The largest relief package in US history will go to Congress today.
• President Trump invoked the Defense Production Act to force General Motors to produce ventilators.

March 26

• Coronavirus in the US confirmed cases – 68,581
• Coronavirus in the US update – death total 1036.
• Unemployment numbers will be released today and analysts expect it to shatter the old record.
• The US passed the milestone of 1,000 deaths by the virus.
• In the next 24 hours the US will pass China and Italy for the most confirmed COVID-19 cases in the world. 
• In a New Jersey nursing home residents were evacuated after every one of them tested positive for the virus.
• Hospitals are considering a universal “do-not-resuscitate” order for patients dying of the coronavirus as a means to reduce the threat to doctors and nurses who are already significantly exposed.
• A report from the Labor Department said 3.3 million Americans filed for unemployment last week.
• Top 5 states confirmed case totals in the US: New York 33,013; New Jersey 4,402; California 3,158; Washington 2,588; Michigan 2,295.

March 25

• Coronavirus in the US confirmed cases – 54,963
• Coronavirus in the US update – death total 784.
• Top 5 states confirmed case totals in the US: New York 26,348; New Jersey 3,675; California 2,617; Washington 2,469; Michigan 1,791.
• Three US sailors test positive aboard US ship at sea.
• New York says they are probably 2-3 weeks from the peak of the virus in their state. Governor Cuomo said he procured 7,000 ventilators and needs, at a minimum, 30,000.
• The Senate passed a $2 trillion stimulus plan.

March 24

• Coronavirus in the US confirmed cases – 46,168.
• Coronavirus in the US update – death total 582.
• Top 5 states confirmed case totals in the US: New York 23,230; New Jersey 2,844; Washington 2,221; California 2,162; Michigan 1,328.
• President Trump hinted he may shorten the shut down of the country. This is a move out of step with the recommended strategy for containment of the virus that has been offered by health experts. This is also out of alignment with the growing number of states and governors who are issuing “stay at home” orders.
• The White House asked everyone who recently left New York to self-isolate for 14 days.
• South Korea will send the US its spare medical equipment after containing their own outbreak.

March 23

• The US is now positioned solidly as the nation with the third-highest confirmed case reports in the world. Coronavirus in the US confirmed cases – 35,070.
• Coronavirus in the US update – death total 458.
• Top 5 states confirmed case totals in the US: New York 16,900; Washington 1,996; New Jersey 1,914; California 1,802; Illinois 1,049.
• California reported its first COVID-19 case in the state prison system.

March 22

• Coronavirus in the US confirmed cases – 32,356. Almost half of these are in New York. New York now has roughly 5% of the world’s cases.
• Coronavirus in the US update – death total 414.
• Washington state warned it could soon run out of ventilators.
• At least 21 inmates and 17 employees with confirmed cases in New York City jails.
• Senator Rand Paul became the first US Senator to test positive for the virus.
• Ohio and Louisiana governors stated “stay at home orders” will take effect for their states on Monday night.

March 21

• Coronavirus in the US confirmed cases – 19,823.
• Coronavirus in the US update – death total 276. At least 55 of these were in senior care facilities.
• Illinois joined California and New York in ordering residents to stay at home, and Oregon officials indicated Friday that similar restrictions are on the horizon.
• Doctors in Los Angeles County asked doctors to limit testing if a positive diagnosis would change how they would be treated. This is a result of a limited number of tests.
• The Justice Department has asked Congress to give the Supreme Court’s chief justice broad authority to suspend the statute of limitations for criminal cases during a national emergency.
• The Food and Drug Administration approved a new test that can detect the coronavirus in about 45 minutes.
• The governor of Hawaii said that people entering Hawaii must self-quarantine for fourteen days.

March 20

• Texas declared a public health disaster for the first time in a hundred years.
• Illinois issued a stay at home order.
• New York ordered all non-essential workers to stay home.
• Pennsylvania ordered non-essential businesses to close.

March 19

• Coronavirus in the US confirmed cases – 14,322 (a surge of 55% over yesterday). Confirmed cases more than doubled in the last two days. 
• Coronavirus in the US update – death total 218 (up 45% over yesterday)
• Governor Newsome issues a statewide state at home order. Newsome said at the rate the virus is spreading in the state, 56% of California’s resident (25.5 million people will be infected within 8 weeks)
• The State Department warned Americans not to travel internationally and advised all Americans who are abroad to return to the United States or make preparations to shelter in place.
• CDC data now shows that younger adults are a large percentage of coronavirus hospitalizations in the United States.
• President Trump canceled the G7 Summit scheduled to be held at Camp David in June.
• New York City confirmed 7 new cases among the city’s homeless and it is believed the virus is already spreading among that community.

March 18

• Coronavirus in the US confirmed cases – 9,238
• Coronavirus in the US update – death total 150
• The “shelter in place” order in California expanded to include 8 million people.
• Transportation across the country has been disrupted, including a bus driver walkout in Detroit.
• Washington D.C., Maryland, and Virginia reported a dramatic surge in new cases confirmed.
• Virginia’s governor banned gatherings of more than 10 people.
• Nevada shut down all casinos and gambling activity today.
• Ford and GM announced they are temporarily closing their plants in the US.
• President Trump invoked the Defense Production Act to increase supplies for vital equipment.
• A CDC report found that healthcare workers who reported to work sick in Seattle helped spread the virus.
• The first member of Congress, Mario Diaz-Balart, Republican of Florida, tests positive for COVID-19.
• The Senate approved the COVID-19 aid package that includes everything from sick leave to free testing.
• Riker’s Island prison has its first confirmed case of COVID-19.
• The New York Stock Exchange will go completely digital next week and close its trading floor as traders test positive today.
• The US Census suspended field operations until April.

March 17

• Coronavirus in the US confirmed cases – 6,469
• Coronavirus in the US update – death total 109
• Kansas becomes the first state to cancel all classes K-12 for the rest of the academic year.
• The mayor of New York said the city is considering a “stay at home” order like the one put into effect in San Francisco Bay area.
• All 50 states now have confirmed presence of COVID-19 within their borders.
• Four players from the Brooklyn Nets including Kevin Durant tested positive for the virus.

March 16

• Coronavirus in the US confirmed cases – 4,599 (a jump of 27% over yesterday’s total)
• Coronavirus in the US update – death total 86
• The stock market plunged as trading opened for the new week. For the third time in a month, trading was halted. By the end of the day, the market dropped 3,000 points, the worst percentage decline since Black Monday 1987.
• The US Health and Human Services Department announced they were hit by a cyberattack on Sunday evening. The attack was meant to slow the system down.
• Six counties in the San Francisco Bay area ordered residents to stay indoors as much as possible.
• The CDC called for a halt to all gatherings of more than 50 people.
• The airline industry asked the government for $50 billion in support.
• Scientists who have studied the data coming out of China now believe that for every 1 case reported, there are another 5 to 10 cases undetected. 
• President Trump recommended states secure their own ventilators and respirators as they prepare for the coronavirus. The President suggested this will be faster than the federal government.
• The US Surgeon General said: “When you look at the projections, there’s every chance that we could be Italy.”
• Amazon announced they are hiring 100,000 workers to keep up with online demand from customers seeking to avoid brick and mortar stores.

March 15

• Coronavirus in the US confirmed cases – 3,621
• Coronavirus in the US update – death total 63
• Fed slashes rates to near zero.
• New York, Arkansas close schools for the week
• Trump administration is asking Congress to reinstate emergency powers to the President of the 2008 economic crisis.
• Dr. Anthony S. Fauci, Director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, said: “Americans should be prepared that they are going to have to hunker down significantly more than we as a country are doing.”
• Puerto Rico closed nonessential businesses and enacted a curfew in an attempt to contain the virus on the island.
• New York Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo urged Trump to activate the Army Corps of Engineers to prepare emergency medical facilities, while New York City officials called for a complete shutdown of the city. New York City shut down schools, bars, and restaurants allowing only for “to go” orders.
• The CDC urges the nation to limit gatherings of 50 or more for the next 8 weeks.

March 14

• Coronavirus in the US confirmed cases – 2,836
• Coronavirus in the US update – death total 57 
• Trump tested for coronavirus and the test came back negative.
• Virginia, Louisana, and New York all report their first COVID-19 death.
• The US House of Representatives passes a sweeping relief package.
• US airports still report lax screening efforts.
• The Pentagon is now closed to visitors. Ten US servicemen tested positive for the virus.
• Effective Monday the US will ban travel from UK and Ireland.
• The President said some domestic travel hot spot travel restrictions are being considered. Presumably, this would mean New York and the west coast.
• White House will now check temperatures of anyone who interacts with the President and Vice President.

March 13

• Coronavirus in the US confirmed cases – 2,269
• Coronavirus in the US update – death total 48
• The Trump administration announced a series of steps in partnership with the private sector to expand coronavirus testing. The President declared a national emergency.
• Miami’s mayor tested positive for the virus.
• Idaho became the 49th state to announce the coronavirus is within its borders.
• Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Michigan, Ohio, Louisiana, Oregon, New Mexico, and West Virginia closed all public schools for the rest of the month.
• Louisiana postpones primaries due to the coronavirus.

March 12

• Coronavirus in the US confirmed cases – 1,670
• Coronavirus in the US update – death total 40
• California, Oregon, and Washington call for a ban on large gatherings of more than 250 people to reign in the spread.
• Ohio, Maryland, and Kentucky announced statewide school closings.
• Basically all of the fun stuff was canceled today: Disneyland, NCAA March Madness, NCAA Basketball Tournaments, Major League Soccer, Major League Baseball. Many movies are now delaying their opening dates. Major tourist sights in Washington D.C. are now closed to the public.
• US financial markets plunged. DJIA lost nearly 6%, S&P lost 5% for the day.

March 11

• Coronavirus in the US confirmed cases – 729
• Coronavirus in the US update – death total 27
• The majority of cases are in Washington, New York, and California.
• Washington State announced a prohibition on gatherings of more than 250 people in the Seattle area in an effort to contain the virus.
• Ohio states they will also begin to limit large gatherings. This includes the opening rounds of the NCAA tournament.
• Governor Cuomo in New York announced all of New York’s public city and state university system would move on online classes by March 19.
• The surge of cancellations in major public events/gatherings around the county continued.
• State of Emergency declared in Washington D.C.
• Rudy Gobert with the Utah Jazz has the coronavirus. The NBA suspends the rest of the season.
• Tom and Rita Hanks announced they have the coronavirus.
• President Trump gives a national address. Included among his announcements, travel to Europe will be stopped for 30 days.

March 10

• Coronavirus in the US confirmed cases – 729
• Coronavirus in the US update – death total 27
• The Ivy League Conference announced the cancellation of their conference basketball tournament.
• Harvard University tells students going home from spring break to not come back.
• Major universities announced a switch to online classes only in an effort to contain the virus: Cornell University, New York University, Columbia University, the University of Washington, Stanford University, American University, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Princeton University, Barnard College, Hofstra University, Rice University and the University of California, Berkeley.
• The upcoming Democratic nominee presidential debate was paired down to include almost no audience members.
• The Grand Princess cruise liner docked in Oakland and passengers began to be removed.
• New York governor Andrew Cuomo called out the National Guard to establish a containment zone in New Rochelle. Schools are closed along with community centers and religious gathering locations. The National Guard is being utilized to decontaminate schools and deliver meals to people in quarantine.

March 9

• Coronavirus in the US confirmed cases – 554
• Coronavirus in the US update – death total 22
• Confirmed cases in 34 states
• The current mortality rate in the US is 3.97% against the WHO expected mortality rate of 3.5%. The discrepancy is likely due to the underreporting of confirmed cases.
• The Grand Princess cruise liner was turned away in San Francisco and is now heading to Oakland. The 3,500 passengers aboard will be taken to quarantined military facilities around the country to be tested for the virus. Twenty-one passengers have already tested positive for the virus.
• Senator Ted Cruz and Representative Paul Gosar announced they would self-quarantine as a precaution after it was learned a person at the CPAC conference had the coronavirus. CPAC was the last three days of February.
• The Dow Jones Industrial Average plunged 2,000 points marking the biggest single-day loss since 2008. The causes behind the market dive were coronavirus fears and a crash in oil prices.