The NCAA canceled their annual ‘March Madness’ basketball tournament Thursday over growing fears surrounding the global Coronavirus outbreak; joining the NBA, NHL, and others to help stop the spread of the disease.
“This decision is based on the evolving COVID-19 public health threat, our ability to ensure the events do not contribute to spread of the pandemic, and the impracticality of hosting such events at any time during this academic year given ongoing decisions by other entities,” the organization said in a statement.
NCAA cancels remaining winter and spring championships: https://t.co/qzKAS4McEI pic.twitter.com/G6XreZx35E
— NCAA (@NCAA) March 12, 2020
“The NCAA had previously said the upcoming men’s and women’s March Madness basketball tournaments, which were scheduled to begin in days, would be played without fans. The conference tournament cancellations and global sports suspensions appear to have tipped the scales,” reports CNBC.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
Source: CNBC
BREAKING: Pence Confirms Insurance Companies Agree to Waive All Co-Pays on Coronavirus Testing, Treatment
Vice President Pence confirmed Tuesday that America’s insurance companies have agreed to waive all co-pays related to Coronavirus testing and extensive treatment.
“I’m pleased to report, as you requested, Mr. President, that all the insurance companies here either today or before today have agreed to waive all co-pays on coronavirus testing and extend coronavirus treatment in their benefit plans,” said Vice President Pence.
“I’m pleased to report, as you requested, Mr. President, that all the insurance companies here either today or before today have agreed to waive all co-pays on coronavirus testing and extend coronavirus treatment in their benefit plans.” –@Mike_Pence pic.twitter.com/66kaNiM6t6
— GOP (@GOP) March 10, 2020
New York Governor Andrew Cuomo announced Tuesday the deployment of the National Guard to New Rochelle, NY to stop the spread of the Coronavirus in that city, which he described as the “most significant cluster in the country.”
“Those measures include deploying National Guard troops to a Health Department command post and setting up a satellite testing facility and one-mile containment area in the city. To date, Westchester County has seen 108 confirmed COVID-19 cases; that’s 58 percent of all tri-state cases,” reports NBC New York.
New York will establish a “containment area” in New Rochelle and call out the National Guard to help with cleaning and assist officials, @NYGovCuomo
announced.https://t.co/4n50OtbqTV pic.twitter.com/7m6XXiyAhd— Jimmy Vielkind (@JimmyVielkind) March 10, 2020
BREAKING: NY Gov. Andrew Cuomo announces containment zone around New Rochelle, lasting until 3/25; National Guard to be deployed to assist in food delivery, cleaning.
"This is the single greatest public health challenge we have in the state right now." https://t.co/waOLY1RvC9 pic.twitter.com/ubq6lFo0yH
— ABC News (@ABC) March 10, 2020
BREAKING: NY Gov Andrew Cuomo deploying National Guard to #New Rochelle to assist with #Coronavirus containment #nbc4ny pic.twitter.com/q0Okm5VsBk
— Steven Bognar (@Bogs4NY) March 10, 2020
“New Rochelle is home to the midtown Manhattan lawyer who has been linked to dozens of cases across multiple states. He was the second confirmed case in the state and its first instance of community spread,” adds NBC.
“You calibrate your response to the time and the facts and the circumstances in that place at that time,” Cuomo said on CNN. “So parades, etc. we look at that on a daily basis.”
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
Watch the Vice President’s comments above.
BREAKING: NYC 'Postpones' St. Patrick’s Day Parade for First Time Since 1762 Over Coronavirus Fears
New York City officials postponed the annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade Wednesday over fears of an additional Coronavirus outbreak in the nation’s largest metropolis.
“New York City’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade was canceled for the first time in more than 250 years over coronavirus fears after dozens of New Yorkers contracted the new disease, according to reports,” reports the NY Daily News.
“The parade along Fifth Avenue has been held every year since 1762, drawing some 2 million spectators and revelers. Another 150,000 march in the parade,” adds the newspaper.
NEW | NYC’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade is cancelled for the first time in 258 years over coronavirus fears ☘️😑https://t.co/OO7ZkgbfFC
— New York Daily News (@NYDailyNews) March 11, 2020
NYC St. Patrick's Day Parade canceled, latest victim of coronavirus https://t.co/xcuvcOstGj pic.twitter.com/0kYmDpo5t8
— New York Post (@nypost) March 11, 2020
The World Health Organization officially declared COVID-19 -better known as Coronavirus- a global “pandemic” Wednesday; confirming the disease is responsible for 4,291 deaths in 114 countries around the world.
“We have therefore made the assessment that #COVID19 can be characterized as a pandemic,” said a release from the organization.
🚨 BREAKING 🚨
"We have therefore made the assessment that #COVID19 can be characterized as a pandemic"-@DrTedros #coronavirus pic.twitter.com/JqdsM2051A
— World Health Organization (WHO) (@WHO) March 11, 2020
“During a media briefing Wednesday, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the Director-General of the WHO, said there are now more than 118,000 cases of COVID-19 in 114 countries, with 4,291 deaths,” reports Fox News.
“All countries can still change the course of this pandemic,” Tedros said. “If countries detect, test, treat, isolate, trace and mobilize their people in the response.”
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.