This is CNBC’s live blog covering all the latest news on the coronavirus outbreak. All times below are in Eastern time. This blog will be updated throughout the day as the news breaks.
- Global cases: More than 1.2 million
- Global deaths: At least 65,711
- US cases: At least 312,245
- US deaths: At least 8,503.
The data above was compiled by Johns Hopkins University.
9:15 am: Palm Sunday: Pope celebrates without the public in St. Peter’s
VATICAN CITY, VATICAN – FEBRUARY 02: Pope Francis celebrates the Holy Mass on the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord, in St. Peter’s Basilica on February 02, 2019 in Vatican City, Vatican.
Alessandra Benedetti – Corbis | Corbis News | Getty Images
Pope Francis celebrated Palm Sunday Mass without the public because of the coronavirus pandemic, which he said should focus people’s attention on what’s most important, despite heavy hearts — using one’s life to serve others.
“Today, in the tragedy of a pandemic, in the face of the many false securities that have now crumbled, in the face of so many hopes betrayed, in the sense of abandonment that weighs upon our hearts, Jesus says to each one of us: ‘Çourage, open your heart to my love,'” Francis said.
Francis urged people to hold fast to “what really matters in our lives.”
“The tragedy we are experiencing summons us to take seriously the things that are serious, and not to be caught up in those that matter less, to rediscover that life is of no use if not used to serve others,” the pontiff said in his homily.
In a remark directed to young people, Francis said: “Dear friends, look at the real heroes who come to light these days: they are not famous, rich and successful people.” Instead, he said, “They are those who are giving themselves in order to serve others. Feel called yourselves to put your lives on the line.” —Associated Press
8:55 am: Map of the outbreak in New York City
8:50: How to protect yourself from the coronavirus at the grocery store
With most Americans living under-stay-home orders during the coronavirus pandemic, trips to the grocery store are one of the few reasons people can venture out. However, with the virus continuing to spread, many may wonder how they can best protect themselves from getting sick if they do need to go shopping.
Consumers should first evaluate their own risk level for catching the virus before deciding to visit a grocery store, according to Karen Hoffmann, a registered nurse and the immediate past president of The Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology.
Those who are highly immunosuppresed, have cancer, are on certain medications or are over the age of 65, should consider other options such as buying online or having someone else shop for them, according to Hoffmann.
Before visiting the store, shoppers should also have a solid plan of what they’re going to buy and prioritize what they they need.
“People should try to think in terms of buying at least two weeks’ worth so they can minimize the number of trips that they’re actually taking to the grocery store,” Hoffmann said. —Hannah Miller
8:45 am: Pharmacies in New York City struggle to keep key medications stocked amid coronavirus outbreak
As tens of thousands of people test positive in New York City and many more show symptoms and are presumed to have the virus, communities are turning to their neighborhood pharmacies for prescription and over-the-counter medicines to alleviate their symptoms.
The unprecedented demand created by the global pandemic is creating shortages for even basic over-the-counter drugs like Tylenol, as supply chains strain from the manufacturers that produce the medications to the wholesalers that deliver them to pharmacies, making it extraordinarily difficult to keep shelves fully stocked for key items in hot zones like New York.
“I never thought a pharmacy in the 21st century can run out of essentials, the most basic medications,” said Emanuel Simhayev, a pharmacist in Astoria, Queens. “When you face this hardship you cannot really help much. You do your best.” —Spencer Kimball
8:40 am: Trump says 1,000 military personnel deploying to NYC, warns coming week is toughest yet
President Donald Trump announced this weekend that 1,000 medical military personnel are deploying to New York City to help fight the coronavirus pandemic and warned that the upcoming week will likely be the toughest yet.
“This will be probably the toughest week between this week and next week — and there will be a lot of death, unfortunately,” the president said at a White House briefing.
Trump’s language echoed New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, who said the state has just seven days to prepare for coronavirus apex as it struggles to expand hospital capacity and access to medical equipment. —Emma Newburger
Read CNBC’s coverage from CNBC’s Asia-Pacific and Europe teams overnight here: Italy’s daily death toll drops to lowest in 2 weeks, Singapore sees biggest case jump
Source: Business - cnbc.com
