Even lawmakers in the United States have fallen victim to the novel coronavirus as the country continues to battle the CoVID-19 strain that already killed thousands around the world.
New York State Lawmakers Test Positive
On Saturday evening, Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo confirmed that two New York State Assembly members from Brooklyn have contracted the disease: Charles Barron and Helene Weinstein, the New York Times reported.
As part of the efforts to prevent further spreading among American lawmakers, all staff and legislators who interacted with Barron and Weinstein will undergo testing for potential coronavirus infection.
The Legislative Office Building and the Capitol will also undergo "intensive cleaning" to prevent infection spreading in the area. The Capitol will not be open for visitors starting Sunday as part of stricter measures in preventing people from gathering.
Barron, who has not been reached yet for comment, is married to Inez Barron, who is a New York City councilwoman. Weinstein, on the other hand, said her symptoms started on March 11 and she immediately went through self-quarantine.
New Jersey Town Encourages Self-Quarantine for All Residents
In the town of Teaneck, New Jersey, local authorities have urged residents to undergo self-quarantine as a means of preventing further infections and also as a measure in tracking everyone's health.
According to CNN, Teaneck deputy mayor Elie Katz said officials are now mulling potential "very strict" guidelines for the township as it already closed down schools and municipal buildings early on.
With over 41,000 residents, Teaneck authorities are looking to work on preventing community-spreading incidents in the town, especially as it is in Bergen County, where 25 cases have been reported so far.
Mike Pence Announces Travel Ban Extension
Vice president Mike Pence announced on Saturday that aside from Italy, the country's travel ban will be extended to the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland, with the restrictions kicking off on Tuesday, BBC reported.
Since the coronavirus outbreak in China, the U.S. has ordered over 30,000 travelers from around the world to go on self-quarantine, while 17 travelers were quarantined in designated medical facilities.
U.S. President Donald Trump previously announced a travel ban on 26 European countries for 30 days. The said ban started on Saturday, affecting four non-members of the European Union and 22 EU member nations.
Trump Tests CoVID-19 Negative
Also on Saturday, the White House announced that Trump tested negative of the coronavirus, following days of pressure from other government leaders and concerned citizens.
The increased calls for Trump to be tested came after it was revealed that the press secretary for Brazilian president Jair Bolsonaro contracted the disease. The said Bolsonaro employee was present during Trump's meeting with his Brazilian counterpart last weekend at his Mar-a-Lago resort.
Since then, people have been calling on Trump to get tested. Bolsonaro was tested on Friday and the results came out negative according to his social media posts.
Heart-breaking Scenes in Washington Nursing Home
The coronavirus crisis in the U.S. is already affecting the relationships of people, especially in Washington, where the nursing home at the epicenter of the state's outbreak is located.
Loved ones yell at their parents or relatives through glass and concrete divisions as a means of preventing further infections among people residing at the Life Care Center and people visiting the elderly care facility.
Families are not allowed to go inside the facility after 22 CoVID-19 deaths in the country were linked to the said nursing home. Furthermore, 47 of the facility's staff have since tested positive for the novel coronavirus.
Life Care spokesman Timothy Killian said residents from the facility are being denied by other nursing homes and hospitals unless they develop life-threatening symptoms and even loved ones can't care take home their elderly relatives.
As of Saturday evening, the United States recorded at least 2,816 CoVID-19 Cases and 58 deaths.
