Live updates: US coronavirus travel ban hits 26 European countries
Live updates: US coronavirus travel ban hits 26 European countries
What you need to know
- Latest numbers: The novel coronavirus has infected more than 124,500 people and killed over 4,600 worldwide, according to the World Health Organization, which has officially declared the virus a pandemic. By CNN's tally, the US has over 1,200 cases.
- US suspends travel from Europe: President Trump canceled travel from 26 European countries to the US for the next 30 days, beginning Friday at midnight.
- Send us your questions and stories: Ask your questions and share your experiences here.
- Stay updated: Sign up for CNN's��coronavirus newsletter, listen to the latest episode of the Coronavirus: Fact vs Fiction podcast and get mobile alerts on the pandemic in the CNN app.
6:29 a.m. ET, March 12, 2020
Australia has no plans to widen travel restrictions
From CNN's Angus Watson in Sydney
It wasn't the case. Instead, Morrison said the country -- which has 140 reported cases of the virus -- was prepared to handle the outbreak.
Australian Treasurer, Josh Frydenburg, told public broadcaster the ABC that the best medical advice to the government has been to keep the current travel restrictions in place and not to widen it out to the rest of Europe.
He added that the country had already acted quickly to restrict travel from China, Iran, South Korea and Italy.
6:15 a.m. ET, March 12, 2020
Italian football player who tested positive says "I'm fine"
From CNN's Aleks Klosok in London
Italian footballer Daniele Rugani, who plays for Juventus, said he was fine today after he tested positive for the coronavirus yesterday.
"You've read the news, so I want to reassure everyone who's worried about me, I'm fine," Rugani wrote on Twitter.
"I urge everyone to respect the rules, because this virus makes no distinction! Let's do it for ourselves, for our loved ones and for those around us."
Rugani has made seven appearances this season, including two in February. He was on the bench for last Sunday's win against Inter Milan, which was played behind closed doors at Juventus' Allianz Stadium.
The Italian Football Federation said after a meeting on Tuesday that the Serie A season may not finish because of the outbreak. Alternative options being considered include staging play-offs, not having a champion for 2019-20 or declaring the current standings final.
5:52 a.m. ET, March 12, 2020
China's Hubei province is preparing to go back to normal
From CNN's Joshua Berlinger
China remains by far the most affected country in terms of coronavirus cases and deaths; it has had 80,793 infections and 3,169 deaths since the pandemic began in December last year.
But as the United States and Europe grapple with a growing number of cases, the rate of new infections in China has slowed significantly.
China's Hubei province, the epicenter of the pandemic, was reporting thousands of infections per day just weeks ago. Yesterday, there were only eight new infections reported there, the country's National Health Commission said.
This will help the battered economy: Beijing's decision to keep factories shut and restrict the movement of tens of millions of people has affected everything from property sales, to local business operations and major supply chains in the world's second-biggest economy. Stock markets worldwide have reacted with wild swings in part due to coronavirus-related fears about the global economy.
Read more here:
5:31 a.m. ET, March 12, 2020
Greta Thunberg calls to move climate strikes online because of the coronavirus
From CNN's Sugam Pokharel in Atlanta
Teen climate activist Greta Thunberg on Wednesday urged other activists to avoid public gatherings and move climate strikes online due to the coronavirus outbreak.
"I personally recommend that we do as the experts say," Thunberg tweeted. "We young people are the least affected by this virus but it's essential that we act in solidarity with the most vulnerable and that we act in the best interest of our common society."
Thunberg added, "We'll have to find new ways to create public awareness & advocate for change that don't involve too big crowds ... So keep your numbers low but your spirits high and let's take one week at the time."
The 17-year-old activist asked followers to join "#DigitalStrike" on Fridays by posting a photo of striking and using the hashtags #ClimateStrikeOnline #fridaysforfuture #climatestrike #schoolstrike4climate.
5:19 a.m. ET, March 12, 2020
The NBA's decision to postpone its season was more than just shocking. It could force its peers to follow suit
Analysis from CNN's Joshua BerlingerThe National Basketball Association was considering several different scenarios to keep players and fans safe as the novel coronavirus outbreak in the United States grew more severe.
But when one of its players came down with the virus, North America's most progressive sports league went with the nuclear option: they shut it all down.
The NBA chose to indefinitely postpone its regular season, a decision that will almost certainly cost the league millions of dollars in revenue in the short term.
The decision was unprecedented. It left league insiders shocked. Players appeared to have no idea it was coming. Outspoken Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban's jaw literally dropped when he saw the announcement.
Few are faulting league commissioner Adam Silver for taking such extreme measures to keep people safe, but the financial impact will be massive. The NBA and its teams have television contracts worth billions of dollars to air games that may no longer take place. Thousands of fans have purchased tickets to watch those games.
Those revenues don't just help pay the multimillion dollar salaries for NBA players, coaches and executives – they help pay for janitors to clean arenas, the staff who sell food and concessions, and the security guards who keep fans and players safe.
Its decision to postpone games means the pressure is now on other sports leagues to follow suit, especially if the outbreak continues to increase unabated.
If they do not, they risk appearing as if they value profits over player and fan safety.
5:12 a.m. ET, March 12, 2020
Australia has 140 coronavirus cases, Prime Minister confirms
Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the country has 140 cases of the coronavirus in a statement earlier today. He didn't provide any breakdown of the numbers and their corresponding states.
It's a jump from just a few hours ago, when the country's Ministry of Health released a statement reporting 126 cases nationwide.
Morrison also unveiled an $11.4 billion economic stimulus plan today, which will include wage subsidies and cash payments for small businesses, to counter the impact of the coronavirus pandemic.
5:15 a.m. ET, March 12, 2020
If you're just joining us, here's the latest on the coronavirus pandemic
Several hours after he spoke, shock waves are still reverberating globally following President Donald Trump's announcement of a travel ban for much of Europe due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Here's what has happened since our last catch-up:
- Global numbers: There are now 124,519 cases and 4,607 deaths globally, according to the World Health Organization.
- The cost of the travel ban: The US Travel Association estimated that Trump's travel ban could cost the US more than $3 billion. Stock markets from Asia to Europe fell sharply following Trump's announcement.
- Tom Hanks infected: After the announcement earlier that actor Tom Hanks and his wife actress Rita Wilson tested positive, the Australian TV show "Today Extra" -- where Wilson made an appearance -- has put staff under quarantine.
- Beijing imposes quarantine: The Chinese capital will enforce a 14-day mandatory quarantine on all international travelers arriving in the city, after several new cases were imported from overseas this week.
- European crisis: Greece reported its first coronavirus death today, as the virus continues to envelop the continent. Italy remains under lockdown, with Pope Francis urging Italian citizens to "support" the authorities.
- South Korea cluster: A new cluster was identified earlier this week at a call center in Seoul. Some 80 employees -- all on the same floor -- and others on different floors of the same building tested positive, authorities said today.
Correction: This post was updated to correctly identify actor Tom Hanks as having contracted the novel coronavirus
4:54 a.m. ET, March 12, 2020
Wyoming reports its first coronavirus case -- making it the 44th US state with infections
Wyoming has confirmed its first coronavirus case, the state's Department of Health said in a news release.
"Lab testing at the Wyoming Public Health Laboratory has identified the first known case of a state resident with coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19)," the release said.
The patient is a woman from Sheridan County who has recently traveled domestically.
The state health department said it is working "to learn more details about the person's exposure risk and to identify and communicate with anyone who may have been in close contact with the patient."
44 states infected: That means 44 out of 50 states, plus the District of Columbia, have now reported coronavirus cases.
The number of patients in the United States has doubled since Sunday.
The new numbers bring the national total to 1,274 cases, including 70 cases of citizens repatriated from abroad.
4:49 a.m. ET, March 12, 2020
Tokyo governor: Canceling the Olympics would be "unthinkable"
From CNN's Kaori Enjoji in Tokyo and Akanksha Sharma in Hong Kong
Canceling the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games would be "unthinkable," Tokyo Gov. Yuriko Koike said today.
Speaking to reporters about the World Health Organization's (WHO) official declaration of a pandemic, Koike said: "There will be an impact, but it is unthinkable that (the Olympics) would be canceled."
Olympic organizers have insisted for the past month that preparations for the Games are proceeding as planned. On Thursday, the organizers said they were monitoring the situation.
Here's their statement:
"The Organising Committee is aware of the World Health Organisation Director-General's remarks.
As we have done thus far, the Organising Committee, the International Olympic Committee and the International Paralympic Committee will monitor the situation carefully while seeking the advice of the World Health Organisation.
We will continue to coordinate our response with the Government of Japan, the Tokyo Metropolitan Government and other stakeholders as we prepare for a safe and secure delivery of the Tokyo 2020 Games in July this year."
Cancelling or postponing the Games would be a massive and financially costly move -- but other major sporting events have been suspended amid the pandemic, including the NBA regular season.
Tokyo 2020 is due to officially begin on July 24.
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