Washington declared states of emergency to fight coronavirus

the acting deputy secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, was speaking at a congressional hearing. File photo: AP

Washington DC announced, On Wednesday, March 11th the emergency was caused by the spread of Coronavirus  (COVID-19),

Washington Mayor Muriel Boozer said in a press conference that the authorities declared a state of emergency due to the increasing number of new infections in coronavirus, and confirmed that 6 people were infected with the virus, which raised the number of people infected with the virus to 10 cases.

The mayor of Washington stated that the city's health department has rented a facility that can isolate up to 50 people, although its location has not been revealed.

The announcement came hours after the city recommended that all unnecessary gatherings with more than 1,000 people be canceled.

The number of people infected with the virus in the United States exceeded 1,270, while 37 people died of the infection.

The United States is studying a ban on entry for European travelers in an effort to slow the spread of the coronavirus, a US official said on Wednesday.

"The question is a live question about how to treat Europe as a whole", said Ken Cuccinelli, the acting deputy secretary of the Department of Homeland Security "That is not to the level of using legal authorities to block travel yet. But it is under consideration".

The World Health Organization announced Wednesday Coronavirus  (COVID-19), which is spreading around the world, is a global pandemic, but it confirmed that control of it is still possible.

According to the organization, the number of HIV infections outside China has doubled in the past two weeks, and the number of countries hit by the epidemic has tripled.

13 US states so far have declared states of emergency in response to the coronavirus outbreak.

The country has reported more than 970 COVID-19 cases in 36 states, but due to a nationwide testing shortage, the true number is likely to be higher.

San Francisco Mayor London Breed also declared a state of emergency in the city last month, while several other US cities and counties have also declared public health emergencies over the new virus.

Source: Agencies