Cases have continued to quickly multiply in recent days and weeks, with 49 states reporting at least one case. Alabama, Idaho and Montana were the latest to report their first infections on Friday.
A reported 31 patients have been tested for COVID-19 in West Virginia, with 26 results coming back negative and 5 results still pending. Although no cases have been reported, West Virginia Governor Jim Justice announced Friday that schools would be closing indefinitely in an effort to prevent the virus.
“This was a very difficult decision but I know in my heart that closing our schools in an effort to protect our kids, our teachers, and all those they come in contact with is the right thing to do,” Justice said in a statement. “Rest assured, we will get our kids back in school as fast as it is safe for everyone.”
The first U.S. COVID-19 case occurred in Washington state on January 21. The situation escalated in late February when the first death was reported, before infections quickly began to multiply.
At least 769 new cases were added Friday, for a total of 2,466 including 50 deaths and 41 recoveries. Some experts believe the true number of cases could be far higher due to the scarce availability of testing in the country.
President Donald Trump declared a national state of emergency during a Friday press conference, saying that the move would help free up federal funds that could help contain the spread of the disease.
“I am officially declaring a national emergency—two very big words,” Trump said. “The action I am taking will open up access to up to $50 billion of… very important, a large amount of money for states and territories or localities in our shared fight against this disease.”
After many hours of negotiation, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi came to an agreement with Trump over a bill intended to help ease financial burdens by offering workers paid sick leave, boosting unemployment benefits, providing nutritional aid and guaranteeing free COVID-19 tests.
The World Health Organization officially declared the COVID-19 crisis a pandemic on Wednesday, and infections have continued to mount in every continent except Antarctica since then. At the time of writing, the global total stood at 145,810 including 5,436 deaths and 72,531 recoveries.
The virus appears to have largely stalled in China, where it was first detected in late December. However, cases have been skyrocketing in Europe, with Italy reporting at least 2,547 new cases on Friday, for a total of 17,660 including 1,266 deaths and 3,529 recoveries. A 30-day ban on travel from Europe to the U.S. went into effect on Friday at midnight.
