Vice President Mike Pence pens letter telling White House employees to 'avoid physical contact'
From CNN’s Kristen Holmes
Vice President Mike Pence speaks during a briefing on coronavirus on Saturday at the White House. Alex Brandon/AP
Vice President Mike Pence urged the Executive Office staff to follow some guidelines to reduce the spread of coronavirus, according to a letter to Pence wrote that was obtained by CNN.
It’s imperative each one of us do our part to take the proper precautions to keep ourselves and our colleagues safe," Pence wrote. "As an employee aboard the White House Complex, we have an additional duty to protect the health of our Executive Branch and those working with us."
Some of the steps listed to reduce transmission included:
Washing hands for 20 seconds
Social distancing, or limiting oneself to large, in-person gatherings
Avoiding physical contact
Wiping down personal work stations
Staying home if sick
6:08 p.m. ET, March 14, 2020
Virginia reports first coronavirus death
From CNN’s Hollie Silverman
Virginia reported its first coronavirus death Saturday, according to a news release from the state Department of Health.
The patient was a male in his 70s who died from respiratory failure and contracted the infection from an unknown source, the release said.
6:08 p.m. ET, March 14, 2020
US now has over 2,600 coronavirus cases and 56 deaths
From CNN's Shawn Nottingham
Colorado National Guard medical personnel perform coronavirus tests at a drive-through testing site in Denver on March 14. David Zalubowski/AP
There are at least 2,655 cases of the novel coronavirus in the United States, according to the state and local health agencies, governments and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
A total of 56 people have died.
According to the CDC there are 70 cases from repatriated citizens.
According to CNN Health’s tally of US cases that are detected and tested in the United States through US public health systems, there are2,655 cases in 49 states, the District of Columbia and US territories.
5:54 p.m. ET, March 14, 2020
Louisiana reports its first coronavirus death
From CNN's Hollie Silverman
Gov. John Bel Edwards speaks at a news conference on March 12 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Melinda Deslatte/AP
The first coronavirus death in the state of Louisiana was reported Saturday, a news release from Gov. John Bel Edwards said.
The fatality was a 58-year-old Orleans Parish resident with underlying health conditions who was being treated at Touro Infirmary Hospital and Medical Center in New Orleans, according to the release.
"Now more than ever, we must remain vigilant against the spread of this illness by taking care of ourselves and each other, avoiding going into public areas if you are sick, practicing social distancing and washing your hands frequently with soap and water," Edwards said. "This underscores the fact that those with underlying health issues are most at risk from the coronavirus. Those with compromised immune systems and are older should be taking extra precautions to avoid becoming affected with the coronavirus.”
5:50 p.m. ET, March 14, 2020
Utah Jazz guard Donovan Mitchell gives update on his coronavirus status
From CNN's Kevin Dotson
Donovan Mitchell of the Utah Jazz plays in a game at the American Airlines Center on February 10 in Dallas, Texas. Ronald Martinez/Getty Images
“I feel fine, things are going well, just taking the proper precautions,” Mitchell said, adding that health authorities told him to stay in isolation. “I’m solo in here and playing video games all day. I can’t wait to get back out there on the floor and play in front of the best fans in the world."
5:52 p.m. ET, March 14, 2020
Mississippi governor declares state of emergency
From CNN’s Hollie Silverman
Gov. Tate Reeves speaks at a news conference, in Jackson, Mississippi on March 4. Rogelio V. Solis/AP
Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves declared a state of emergency in response to coronavirus.
Thirty-two states, including Mississippi and the District of Columbia, have declared a state of emergency since February 29.
In a video posted on his Facebook page, Reeves said the state is prepared and has a pandemic plan that’s being “followed to the letter.”
The declaration will release funding and resources to respond to the pandemic, Reeves said.
Reeves has also asked all public schools to extend their spring breaks for at least another week.
Reeves will be working from home for the next 14 days and has asked other state offices and business to do the same if possible.
5:23 p.m. ET, March 14, 2020
NBA player infected with coronavirus pledges $500K to arena employees and social services
From CNN’s Kevin Dotson
Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert plays in an NBA basketball game against the Portland Trail Blazers on February 7 in Salt Lake City. Rick Bowmer/AP
Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert, who is infected with the coronavirus, is donating over $500,000 to Vivint Smart Home Arena hourly employees and coronavirus-related social services in Utah, Oklahoma City and his native France.
“I know there are countless ways that people have been impacted. These donations are a small token that reflect my appreciation and support for all those impacted and are the first of many steps I will take to try and make a positive difference, while continuing to learn more about COVID-19 and educate others," Gobert said in a statement.
Gobert was seen on video Monday playfully touching microphones and phones at a press conference two days before he found out he had tested positive for coronavirus.
5:12 p.m. ET, March 14, 2020
Israel further tightens coronavirus restrictions, limits gatherings to 10 people
From CNN’s Andrew Carey, Oren Liebermann and Amir Tal
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu delivers a speech at his Jerusalem office on March 14, regarding the new measures that will be taken to fight coronavirus in Israel. Gali Tibbon/AFP/Getty Images
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu further tightened restrictions on Israelis Saturday in an attempt to combat the spread of coronavirus, including limiting gatherings to 10 people and closing all leisure and entertainment venues effective Sunday morning.
Netanyahu said all cafes, restaurants, theaters and other such venues would close. He urged Israeli citizens to work from home if possible and to refrain from non-essential travel.
We are at war against an invisible enemy,” Netanyahu said. “Defeating it depends on the steps that each of you takes. We must do everything in order not to infect and not to become infected.”
There was no indication of how long these measures would remain in effect.
Pharmacies, supermarkets and all essential services would remain open, Netanyahu said. He also promised there would not be shortages of food, medicine, fuel and money.
Netanyahu said he planned to utilize counterterrorism tools to fight the virus’s spread. The tools would provide digital and electronic monitoring of coronavirus patients to see where they had been and whom they might have put at risk. Such tools, Netanyahu said, have never been used for civilian purposes, only for combating terrorism, and he said he was seeking permission from the Ministry of Justice to use them.
Israel currently has 193 identified cases of coronavirus, according to Health Ministry officials.
5:12 p.m. ET, March 14, 2020
Spanish Prime Minister announces tighter restrictions on travel
From CNN’s Laura Perez Maestro and Jennifer Hauser
A worker cleans while people wait for trains at the Principe Pio Metro Station in Madrid on March 14. Pablo Blazquez Dominguez/Getty Images
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez announced at a news conference Saturday that people in Spain are banned from leaving their houses with the exception of:
Going to work
Buying food or essential supplies
Going to a hospital
Supporting an elderly person or a minor under their care
If people do leave their houses for any of those exceptions, they must go out by themselves, Sanchez said.
