- Nineteen US states so far have declared states of emergency in response to the coronavirus outbreak.
- Washington was the first state to declare emergency last month after the first coronavirus death was confirmed there.
- Maryland's first positive cases and California's first death from coronavirus triggered those states to follow suit.
- By March 11, other states, including Arizona, Michigan, New York, Kentucky, and Utah, in addition to several US cities and counties, have also declared public health emergencies.
- The US has reported more than 1,300 COVID-19 cases, but due to a nationwide testing shortage the true figure is likely much higher.
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Ninteen US states so far have declared states of emergency in response to the coronavirus outbreak.
The country has reported more than 1,300 COVID-19 cases across 36 states, but due to a nationwide testing shortage the true figure is likely higher.
Of those known cases, authorities confirmed 38 coronavirus deaths: 38 in Washington state, two in Florida, four in California, one in New Jersey, and one in South Dakota.
The first week of March saw leaders in states across the country begin to ramp up their responses to the virus, which has killed more than 4,500 people and infected more than 123,000 globally. The coronavirus causes a respiratory disease known as COVID-19.
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 coronavirus.
Despite the possibly alarming news, declaring an emergency is a strategic announcement that can help states activate emergency response plans and state emergency operation centers. It also can help governments get reimbursed for money they spend on preparedness from the state and federal government, and it authorizes leaders to use funds to deploy additional personnel, buy equipment, and prepare stockpiles.
For the coronavirus, it's given government leaders the opportunity to implement restrictive measures to stop the spread of the virus— Washington Governor Jay Inslee is rreportedly banning gatherings and events of more than 250 people in the Seattle metro area.
The response from state leadership is in stark contrast to President Donald Trump's repeated downplaying of the outbreak and rocky public appearances in addressing officials' response to the virus.
Here are the states that have declared emergencies.
Washington
Rachel La Corte/AP
Washington Gov. Jay Inslee declared a state of emergency in the state on February 29 after the first coronavirus death was confirmed.
On Wednesday, the Inslee is expected to announce further measures being taken by the state to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. One extreme measure Inslee will reportedly announce is a ban on gatherings and events of more than 250 people in the entire Seattle metro area, the Associated Press reported.
By March 10, the state had confirmed 25 deaths from the virus and more than 260 cases.
California
Rich Pedroncelli/AP
California declared a state of emergency on March 4 after reporting the first death from coronavirus in the state. Gov. Gavin Newsom made the declaration to receive emergency federal funding to battle the outbreak.
The proclamation also includes provisions to protect consumers from price gouging and allows for out-of-state healthcare workers to assist facilities at the frontlines of the coronavirus battle.
"The State of California is deploying every level of government to help identify cases and slow the spread of this coronavirus," Newsom said. "This emergency proclamation will help the state further prepare our communities and our health care system in the event it spreads more broadly."
The California Department of Public Health said it was working closely with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to respond to the outbreak of COVID-19 in the state, including screening incoming passengers at both Los Angeles International (LAX) and San Francisco International (SFO) airports.
Maryland
Jose Luis Magana/AP
On March 5, Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan declared a state of emergency after announcing the state's first three positive cases of coronavirus. The patients contracted the virus while traveling overseas and are quarantined in their homes.
"In order to further mobilize all available state resources in response to this threat to public health, I have issued a proclamation declaring a state of emergency in Maryland," Hogan said.
See the rest of the story at Business Insider
See Also:
- Japan shut down an entire island's schools, restaurants, and stadiums after an uptick in coronavirus cases. Here's what it looks like.
- The healthcare system in Italy's Lombardy region is so strained from the new coronavirus that officials are asking doctors to come out of retirement and nursing students are being fast-tracked to graduation
- Washington state is buying a motel to isolate coronavirus patients
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