Coronavirus: Pentagon bans domestic travel for military

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is tracking cases in the U.S. here.

Live updates for Friday, March 13 continue below:

Pentagon banning domestic travel for military members, some exceptions granted

Update 9:40 p.m. EDT March 13: A memo released Friday evening announced a ban on government-funded domestic travel for military members, Department of Defense civilians and their families, according to Stars and Stripes.

The Pentagon says Deputy Defense Secretary David Norquist has approved new travel restrictions on service members and Defense Department civilians assigned to military installations and surrounding areas within the United States and its territories.

The new guidance takes effect Monday and last through May 11. The Pentagon says it will “halt all domestic travel, including Permanent Change of Station and Temporary Duty.”

Service members will be authorized local leave only, although the Pentagon says exemptions may be granted “for compelling cases.”

The Defense Department has also suspended “unofficial visits” to the Pentagon and other facilities in the Washington area.

Montana confirms first four cases in state

Update 9:40 p.m. EDT March 13: Montana Governor Steve Bullock confirmed Friday evening that there were four presumptively positive cases of coronavirus in his state.

The four positive cases were in the Montana counties of Gallatin, Yellowstone, Silver Bow, and Lewis and Clark.

Pelosi announces aid deal

Update 9 p.m. EDT March 13: House Speaker Nancy Pelosi announced a deal with the Trump administration for an aid package from Congress that aims at direct relief to Americans — free testing, two weeks of sick pay for workers, enhanced unemployment benefits and bolstered food programs.

“We are proud to have reached an agreement with the Administration to resolve outstanding challenges, and now will soon pass the Families First Coronavirus Response Act,” Pelosi announced in a letter to colleagues after days of negotiations with Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin. The House was poised to vote late Friday.

Trump tweeted his approval. “I fully support H.R. 6201: Families First CoronaVirus Response Act,” Trump wrote.

“I encourage all Republicans and Democrats to come together and VOTE YES!” He added, “Look forward to signing the final Bill, ASAP!”

Trump tweets cruise companies to suspend cruises

Update 5 p.m. EDT March 13: Trump tweeted Friday evening that 4 major cruise industry companies have agreed to suspend cruises from US for 30 days.

Idaho governor Brad Little confirms first case

Update 5 p.m. EDT March 13: Governor Brad Little announced on social media Friday that the first confirmed case of novel coronavirus has been found in Idaho.

Trump declares virus pandemic a national emergency

Update 5 p.m. EDT March 13: President Donald Trump announced Friday that he is declaring the coronavirus pandemic a national emergency, as Washington struggles with providing Americans with relief and officials race to slow the spread of the outbreak.

Speaking from the Rose Garden, Trump said the national emergency declaration would:

Trump says he will probably get tested soon

Update 4:35 p.m. EDT March 13: President Donald Trump, while responding to questions, said that he will likely be tested for coronavirus. Trump said in response a reporter's question, "Most likely, yes," and added that it would happen "fairly soon."

Trump asks hospitals to activate emergency preparedness plan

Update 4 p.m. EDT March 13: President Donald Trump has announced that he is officially declaring a national emergency over the new coronavirus.

The president spoke at Rose Garden press conference and said no resource will be spared in responding to the virus. He says that the declaration will free up nearly $50 billion to help the states and cities.

Trump says he is also asking every hospital in the U.S. to activate their emergency preparedness plan.

He is facing growing criticism about his mixed messages on the severity of the outbreak and over the administration's scattershot response.

But the president is defending the administration’s response, particularly its temporary ban on travel from Europe, saying it will save lives. He says of the virus that “this will pass” and the nation will emerge stronger.

Trump declares national emergency due to coronavirus outbreak

Update 3:35 p.m. EDT March 13: President Donald Trump announced a series of measures Friday aimed at stymieing the spread of the 2019 novel coronavirus.

“I am officially declaring a national emergency,” Trump said during a news conference Friday. “Two very big words.”

The declaration is expected to open access to states for $50 billion to fight the coronavirus.

Trump to speak about coronavirus at press conference

Update 3:10 p.m. EDT March 13: President Donald Trump is expected to announce a national emergency due to the coronavirus outbreak at a news conference Friday afternoon.

Pennsylvania schools to close due to COVID-19

Update 3:05 p.m. EDT March 13: Gov. Tom Wolf of Pennsylvania announced the closure Friday of the state's schools beginning Monday, according to WPXI.

Wolf said the closure would last at least two weeks.

“First and foremost, my top priority as governor – and that of our education leaders – must be to ensure the health and safety of our students and school communities,” Wolf said Friday in a statement. “As such, I am ordering that all schools in the commonwealth close for the next two weeks.”

First COVID-19 cases reported in Venezuela

Update 2:45 p.m. EDT March 13: Officials in Venezuela announced the nation's first two cases of COVID-19 on Friday, CNN reported, citing an address by the country's vice president on state-run television.

The patients were identified as a 41-year-old woman who recently traveled to the United States, Italy and Spain, and a 52-year-old man who recently traveled to Spain, Vice President Delcy Rodriguez said, according to CNN.

The patients were being quarantined Friday, CNN reported.

Virginia schools closing for at least 2 weeks

Update 2:30 p.m. EDT March 13: Gov. Ralph Northam of Virginia ordered schools across the state closed for at least two weeks due to the coronavirus threat, The Virginian-Pilot reported.

At least eight other states have closed schools statewide due to the coronavirus threat: Ohio, Louisiana, Rhode Island, West Virginia, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan and New Mexico.

Louisiana closing schools statewide due to coronavirus

Update 2:25 p.m. EDT March 13: Gov. John Bel Edwards of Louisiana announced schools across the state would be closed beginning Monday to stymie the spread of COVID-19.

The governor on Friday also banned gatherings of more than 250 people until April 13.

“These steps are necessary to protect the health and safety of the people of Louisiana from the risk of COVID-19,” he said.

13 coronavirus cases confirmed in Ohio

Update 2:10 p.m. EDT March 13: Officials in Ohio said that as of Friday, 13 people have been confirmed as having COVID-19 in the state, WHIO-TV reported.

Rhode Island to close all schools next week

Update 2:05 p.m. EDT March 13: Officials in Rhode Island announced the closure of schools across the state beginning Monday due to the coronavirus outbreak.

At least six other states have closed schools statewide due to the coronavirus threat: Ohio, West Virginia, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan and New Mexico.

More than 400 coronavirus cases reported in New York, governor says

Update 1:55 p.m. EDT March 13: Gov. Andrew Cuomo of New York said Friday that the state has at least 421 cases of coronavirus.

Fifty patients remain hospitalized Friday for treatment of the viral infection, he said.

Texas governor declares ‘state of disaster’ due to coronavirus

Update 1:35 p.m. EDT March 13: Gov. Greg Abbott of Texas declared a "state of disaster" across Texas on Friday due to the ongoing 2019 novel coronavirus outbreak.

Scotland reports 1st death from COVID-19

Update 1:30 p.m. EDT March 13: Health officials in Scotland on Friday announced the country's first death due to the 2019 novel coronavirus.

Scotland’s chief medical officer, Catherine Calderwood, confirmed in a statement that an “older” woman with underlying health conditions died after begin diagnosed with COVID-19.

As of 2 p.m. local time, officials in Scotland reported 85 confirmed coronavirus cases.

London Marathon postponed due to COVID-19

Update 1:20 p.m. EDT March 13: Officials in England announced plans to postpone the 2020 Virgin Money London Marathon, which was scheduled to begin April 26.

The race will instead begin Oct. 4, organizers said in a statement.

“The world is in an unprecedented situation grappling with a global pandemic of COVID-19 and public health is everyone’s priority,” Hugh Brasher, the event’s director, said Friday.

1st coronavirus deaths reported in Ukraine, Sudan

Update 12:50 p.m. EDT March 13: Officials in Ukraine and Sudan have reported the country's first deaths from the 2019 novel coronavirus, according to CNN.

The patient who died in Ukraine was a 71-year-old woman from the Zhytomyr region, CNN reported. Officials said the patient who died in Sudan was a man in his 50s who traveled to the United Arab Emirates in early March, according to the news network.

West Virginia closes schools statewide

Update 12:40 p.m. EDT March 13: Officials in West Virginia announced schools will be closed statewide beginning after Friday's school day, according to WBOY-TV.

As of Friday morning, the state has no known coronavirus cases. WBOY-TV reported a dozens tests have been performed in West Virginia, with 11 returning negative and the final result pending Friday.

At least five other states have closed schools statewide due to the coronavirus threat: Ohio, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan and New Mexico.

Louisiana delays presidential primary elections due to COVID-19

Update 12:35 p.m. EDT March 13: Officials in Louisiana announced Friday the decision to delay the state's presidential primary due to the ongoing coronavirus threat.

At a news conference Friday morning, Louisiana Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin confirmed that the state’s primary, which was scheduled to take place April 4, will be pushed back until June 20. He also said the state’s general election, scheduled May 9, will not take place until July 25.

Trump expected to declare national emergency, reports claim

Update 12:25 p.m. EDT March 13: President Donald Trump plans to announce a national emergency Friday afternoon due to the coronavirus outbreak, according to multiple reports.

Citing two unidentified people familiar with the matter, Bloomberg News reported Trump will invoke the Stafford Act to declare the emergency, which would allow the president to give federal aid to states and cities battling the ongoing viral outbreak.

CNN previously reported Trump wanted to declare an emergency due to COVID-19. According to the news network, the declaration was undergoing legal review Thursday.

Trump will hold a news conference at 3 p.m. EDT about the 2019 novel coronavirus.

WHO: Europe now the epicenter of coronavirus pandemic

Update 12:15 p.m. EDT March 13: Officials with the World Health Organization on Friday announced that Europe has become the epicenter of the COVID-19 outbreak.

“(There are) more reported cases and deaths (in Europe) than the rest of the world combined, apart from China,” WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said Friday. “More cases are now being reported every day than were reported in China at the height of its epidemic.”

Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro says he’s tested negative for COVID-19

Update 12:05 p.m. EDT March 13: President Jair Bolsonaro of Brazil announced Friday on social media that he has tested negative for the 2019 novel coronavirus.

News agencies in Brazil had reported Bolsonaro tested positive for COVID-19 after his communications director tested positive for the viral infection earlier this week. He slammed the media Friday, decrying the reports as “fake news.”

Miami mayor tests positive for COVID-19

Update 12 p.m. EDT March 13: Miami Mayor Francis Suarez has tested positive for the 2019 novel coronavirus, the Miami Herald reported Friday.

Suarez revealed his diagnosis in an interview Friday morning with the newspaper. Earlier this week, Suarez attended an event that included a Brazilian official who later tested positive for COVID-19, according to the Herald.

NASCAR postpones races due to coronavirus threat

Update 11:50 a.m. EDT March 13: NASCAR officials announced Friday the postponement of upcoming race events in Atlanta and Miami due to the coronavirus outbreak.

“NASCAR has decided to postpone the race events at Atlanta Motor Speedway this weekend and Homestead-Miami Speedway next weekend,” officials said Friday in a statement. “We believe this decision is in the best interest of the safety and well-being of our fans, competitors, officials and everyone associated with our sport.”

Canadian Parliament shut down due to coronavirus

Update 11:40 a.m. EDT March 13: Canada's Parliament agreed Friday to close for more than a month after Prime Minister Justin Trudeau decided to self-quarantine due to his exposure to the 2019 novel coronavirus, according to The Associated Press.

On Thursday, officials announced Trudeau’s wife, Sophie Gregoire Trudeau, had tested positive for COVID-19.

1st coronavirus case confirmed in Alabama

Update 11:10 a.m. EDT March 13: Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey announced Friday that the state has confirmed its first case of COVID-19.

Ivey did not elaborate on who the patient was or where he or she had been treated.

Officials in the state are holding a news conference Friday morning to share more information about the ongoing outbreak and its effects on Alabama.

Trump to speak about coronavirus Friday afternoon

Update 11 a.m. EDT March 13: President Donald Trump said he will hold a news conference Friday afternoon to discuss the ongoing coronavirus outbreak.

Boston Marathon postponed until September

Update 10:30 a.m. EDT March 13: Officials on Friday announced the postponement of the 2020 Boston Marathon until September, according to WFXT.

Boston Mayor Marty Walsh said the marathon, which typically takes place on the third Monday in April, will take place Sept. 14.

2020 Masters golf tournament postponed

Update 10:15 a.m. EDT March 13: Officials announced the postponement Friday of the 2020 Masters Tournament due to "the ever-increasing risks associated with the widespread coronavirus," according to WSB-TV.

Fred Ridley, chairman of the Augusta National Golf Club, announced the decision in a memorandum released Friday.

“Considering the latest information and expert analysis, we have decided at this time to postpone the Masters Tournament, the Augusta National Women’s Amateur and the Drive, Chip and Putt National Finals,” Ridley said.

“Ultimately the health and well-being of everyone associated with these events and the citizens of the Augusta community led us to this decision. We hope this postponement puts us in the best position to safely host the Masters Tournament and our amateur events at some later date.”

Sen. Ted Cruz extends self-quarantine

Update 9:45 a.m. EDT March 13: Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, has extended his self-quarantine after learning that he interacted with a second person who later tested positive for COVID-19.

In a statement, Cruz said he ended the self-quarantine Thursday night that he’d begun after learning he interacted with a man at CPAC 2020 who later tested positive for the 2019 novel coronavirus.

“I still have no symptoms and feel fine, and I was looking forward to taking my family out to dinner tonight,” Cruz said. “Unfortunately, last night I was informed that I had a second interaction with an individual who yesterday tested positive for COVID-19.”

Cruz said he met March 3 with Santiago Abascal, the leader of Spain’s Vox Party. On Thursday, Abascal tested positive for the coronavirus.

"His staff have informed us that he was asymptomatic at the time of our meeting and that several days after our meeting he had extended interactions with another individual who has also tested positive, Cruz said.

He added that he plans to self-quarantine until March 17 out of an abundance of caution.

1st coronavirus case confirmed in Ethiopia

Update 8:40 a.m. EDT March 13: Health officials in Ethiopia on Friday announced the country's first confirmed case of COVID-19.

Lia Tadesse, Ethiopia’s state minister of health, said in a statement Friday that the patient is a 48-year-old Japanese man who came to Ethiopia on March 4 from Burkina Faso.

“The patient is currently isolated at our facility,” she said. “He is undergoing medical follow up and is in a stable condition. Those who have been in contact with this person are being traced and quarantined.”

European coronavirus death toll mounts; Italy sees more 2K-plus new cases in 24 hours

Update 8:05 a.m. EDT March 13: Novel coronavirus infection rates continued to swell across Europe on Friday, with Italy confirming more than 2,000 new infections in the span of 24 hours.

The latest figures bring Italy’s total cases to nearly 13,000.

Meanwhile, confirmed cases in Germany surpassed 2,000, and Spain's death toll has nearly doubled in one week to 84.

Soccer organizations suspend play amid coronavirus fears

Update 7:55 a.m. EDT March 13: The soccer world took several hits Friday morning as the novel coronavirus pandemic continues its global spread.

The English Premier League has been suspended until April 4, CNN reported.

Meanwhile, all round-of-16 matches in the UEFA's Champions League and Europa League club competitions scheduled for next week have been postponed and because the matches will not be played as scheduled, the March 20 quarterfinal draws also have been put off, The Washington Post reported.

Kazakhstan confirms first 2 coronavirus cases; Kenya reports its first

Update 7:50 a.m. EDT March 13: Kazakhstan confirmed the country's first two cases of the novel coronavirus on Friday, according to Kazinform, its state news agency.

"Unfortunately, we should inform that two nationals of Kazakhstan have tested positive for the coronavirus. They both arrived from Germany," Minister of Healthcare Yelzhan Birtanov told Kazinform.

Meanwhile, Kenya confirmed its first case on Friday in a 27-year-old woman who traveled from the United States through London on March 5.

Australia’s home affairs minister tests positive for coronavirus days after meeting with Ivanka Trump

Update 6:31 a.m. EDT March 13: Peter Dutton, Australia's Minister for Home Affairs, confirmed Friday that he has contracted the novel coronavirus.

Dutton said in a statement posted on Twitter that he awoke with a fever and sore throat and would be seeking medical attention.

According to The Washington Post, Dutton was photographed one week ago standing directly next to U.S. President Donald Trump's daughter, Ivanka Trump, during an event to combat online child exploitation. The Justice Department event in Washington, D.C. was also attended by U.S. Attorney General William P. Barr and acting U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Chad Wolf.

New coronavirus cases in South Korea continue to wane

Update 6:20 a.m. EDT March 13: The South Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention confirmed Friday the country's novel coronavirus infections currently total 7,979, but the rate of new infections being reported appears to be slowing down considerably.

According to the health agency, only 110 new cases were reported on Wednesday, the lowest daily figure recorded since Feb. 22.

Officials also confirmed one additional death attributed, bringing the nationwide virus-related death toll to 67.

China’s latest daily coronavirus cases, deaths dip into single digits

Update 6:15 a.m. EDT March 13: Novel coronavirus activity in China has tapered off substantially in recent days with both the daily diagnoses and deaths caused by subsequent COVID-19 infections falling into single digits.

The country’s National Health Commission confirmed eight new cases Thursday and seven additional deaths in mainland China, bringing the nationwide death toll to 3,176.

To date, the commission has confirmed a total of 80,813 cases, meaning the fatality rate is hovering around 4 percent.

Elsewhere, India has reported its first coronavirus-related death out of 74 known cases, and Hong Kong's Hospital Authority confirmed that city's fourth death among 131 infections.

Worldwide coronavirus deaths stand at 4,947

Update 5:10 a.m. EDT March 13: The World Health Organization confirmed early Friday a total of 132,567 cases of the novel coronavirus have been diagnosed across the globe, resulting in 4,947 fatalities.

The majority of cases remain in China – where the first outbreak was reported in December – but officials with that country’s National Health Commission contend at least 64,000 patients among the nation’s nearly 81,000 confirmed cases have recovered from their infections and been discharged from medical facilities.

Meanwhile, Italy has confirmed more than 15,000 cases to date, followed by Iran with more than 10,000 infections.

Coronavirus nixes Mount Everest access

Update 3:46 a.m. EDT March 13: Nepal's tourism ministry halted all permits to summit Mount Everest early Friday in a bid to check the novel coronavirus' spread, The Washington Post reported.

The news comes roughly 24 hours after China informed tour companies that it is also shutting down access from its side to the world’s highest peak.

The climbing season runs from April to May, and an estimated 2,000 people typically camp at the base of the mountain for the duration. In 2019, Nepal issued a record number of climbing permits, the Post reported.

Australia bans gatherings of more than 500 people

Update 3:41 a.m. EDT March 13: Australia became the latest country early Friday to prohibit mass gatherings in an attempt to curb the spread of the novel coronavirus.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the cancellation of gatherings of more than 500 people will take effect Monday.

“Based on the advice we have received today about the increasing number of cases and the evidence of community transmissions, it has been recommended to us that we move to a position by Monday where we will be advising against organized, non-essential gatherings of persons of more than 500 people,” Morrison said during a Friday news conference.

Los Angeles Pride organizers postpone all June events

Update 3:37 a.m. EDT March 13: Organizers of Los Angeles Pride have officially postponed all events related to this year's 50th anniversary of the annual festival and parade.

Formula One’s Australian Grand Prix canceled

Update 3:35 a.m. EDT March 13: Formula One's Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne has been canceled amid growing concern over the global spread of the novel coronavirus.

Australian Grand Prix organizers, Formula One and the FIA – the motorsport's governing body – made the unanimous decision early Friday.

"Our first priority is the safety of everyone including attendees, our personnel, all event partners and members of the local community," organizers said in a statement issued just hours ahead of the season opener's first practice session.

The decision came hours after a McLaren Racing team member tested positive for the virus Thursday night, prompting McLaren’s exit from the race.

Coronavirus concerns prompt multiple school closings nationwide

Update 3:25 a.m. EDT March 13: Oregon became the latest state to announce school closures amid mounting concerns regarding the continued spread of the novel coronavirus, KATU reported.

Early Friday, Oregon Gov. Kate Brown ordered all K-12 schools in the state to close from Monday, March 16 through Tuesday, March 31 due to the outbreak.

Meanwhile, KIRO-7 reported school closures are pending in three Washington state counties.

Gov. Jay Inslee announced Thursday the closures of schools in King, Snohomish and Pierce Counties will be completed by day's end Monday and last until at least April 24 with students not possibly returning until April 27, KIRO-7 reported.

Earlier in the day, five other states announced school closures, including Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, New Mexico and Ohio, The Washington Post reported.

According to the Post, Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan called for all public schools to close for two weeks starting Monday and banned gatherings of more than 250 people; schools in Ohio, New Mexico and Michigan will close for three weeks; and Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear ordered all schools in the state to suspend in-person classes for two weeks

Apple reopens stores in China

Update 3:05 a.m. EDT March 13: Apple Inc. reopened all 42 of its stores in China on Friday morning, more than a month after what became the novel coronavirus pandemic prompted their shuttering, The Wall Street Journal reported.

The move signals a shift in public confidence in the contagion’s containment and – perhaps – a return to normalcy after the initial outbreak forced most of the country into lockdown for more than one month.

According to the Journal, Apple has increased cleaning protocols at its stores worldwide and deployed dedicated crews to continually clean products, tables, door handles and other areas, the company said in a statement.

Stock market plunges amid coronavirus fears, sees worst day since 1987

Update 1:30 a.m. EDT March 13: The Dow Jones Industrial average posted its largest one-day point loss in history, dropping almost 2,353 points and marking its worst day since October 1987's "Black Monday," The Washington Post reported.

Read more here.

State-by-state breakdown of the 1,660 US coronavirus cases, 41 deaths

Update 1:30 a.m. EDT March 13: The number of novel coronavirus cases in the United States has neared 1,700, both The New York Times and CNN reported early Friday.

According to the Times database, the virus has infected at least 1,660 people in 47 states and the District of Columbia, resulting in 41 deaths nationwide. Of the virus-related deaths, 31 have occurred in Washington state, four in California, two in Florida, and one each in Georgia, Kansas, New Jersey and South Dakota.

As testing efforts expanded nationwide, more than a dozen cases were confirmed Thursday in Massachusetts, bringing that state's total to 108, while Maine and Alaska each reported their first positive tests. Meanwhile, officials in Georgia and Kansas confirmed their first coronavirus-related deaths.

According to CNN, Washington state remains the hardest-hit, with 457 patients and 31 fatalities.

The latest figures include 21 people aboard the Grand Princess cruise ship, which arrived in port in Oakland, California, on Monday. The figures also include 49 repatriated citizens, including 46 sickened aboard the Diamond Princess cruise ship and three others retrieved from the outbreak’s epicenter in Wuhan, China.

The complete state-by-state breakdown – including presumptive cases – of the 1,575 cases detected on U.S. soil and compiled by CNN is as follows:

• Alabama, Idaho, West Virginia: no reported cases

• Alaska, Maine, Mississippi, Montana, Nevada, North Dakota, Wyoming: 1 case each

• Arizona, Minnesota: 9 each

• Arkansas, Connecticut, New Hampshire, New Mexico: 6 cases each

• California: 175, including four deaths

• Colorado: 49

• Delaware: 4

• District of Columbia, Kentucky, Nebraska: 10 cases each

• Florida: 30, including two deaths

• Georgia: 31, including one death

• Hawaii, Missouri, Vermont: 2 each

• Illinois: 32

• Indiana, Maryland, South Carolina: 12 each

• Iowa: 16

• Kansas: 4, including one death

• Louisiana: 19

• Massachusetts: 108

• Michigan, Oklahoma: 3 each

• New Jersey: 29, including one death

• New York: 328

• North Carolina: 14

• Ohio, Rhode Island, Utah: 5 each

• Oregon: 24

• Pennsylvania: 21

• South Dakota: 8, including one death

• Tennessee: 18

• Texas: 23

• Virginia: 17

• Washington: 457 (including 31 deaths)

• Wisconsin: 7

The Associated Press contributed to this report.