1 of 3
Advertisement
The global coronavirus outbreak was officially declared a pandemic by the United Nation’s World Health Organization on Wednesday.
The virus, which first emerged in Wuhan, China, has now spread to 114 countries, sickening more than 125,000 people and causing at least 4,594 deaths.
WHO defines a pandemic as the worldwide spread of a new disease for which most people do not have immunity.
And officials from the White House coronavirus task force are warning to expect the outbreak in the US will get worse.
Here’s what else we learned today:
- Tests have found that the coronavirus can live in the air for several hours and stick on surfaces for as long as two to three days. Meanwhile, a new study found that patients with mild symptoms could still be extremely contagious. And a UK doctor warned that wearing gloves could actually increase the risk of catching COVID-19.
- Stock markets continued to plunge, officially moving into bear-market territory. A bear market is generally called when stocks decline 20 percent from recent highs due to widespread negative sentiment.
- Sports fanatics are taking a hit. The Nets and Warriors will play behind closed doors on Thursday at Chase Center. And both men’s and women’s NCAA basketball tournaments will be played without fans.
- Apple reportedly canceled an event launch for the latest iPhone amid growing fears.
- Even amid flight cancellations and quarantines, some young people are taking risks and traveling — because of cheaper tickets.
- Small business-owners are struggling — with food cart operators in New York City saying fear of the virus is keeping customers away. And the Big Apple’s St. Patrick’s Day parade is being canceled.
- Stars, they’re just like us: afraid of getting sick. Cardi B launched into an expletive-filled rant about how scared she is of the virus. Howie Mandel stepped out in a full-on hazmat suit. And Celine Dion announced she had to postpone tour dates after getting a cold — but tested negative for the coronavirus.
Health workers wear a protective mask and suit as they stands next to a bus to screen passengers at the German-Polish border today.Getty ImagesComments
Powered by RoundtableBuilt on infrastructure designed for real-time media. Learn more at RTB.io.© Roundtable 2026. By using this site you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy