Coronavirus briefing: Five updates for Sunday, March 8

After several days at sea in limbo, the coronavirus-stricken Grand Princess cruise ship will dock Monday in Oakland, California, with more than 3,500 passengers headed to quarantine, officials say.

The virus, first reported in China, has swept across Asia and now has sparked outbreaks in Europe and the United States.

More than 109,000 cases of the COVID-19 virus have been confirmed worldwide with more than 3,800 deaths as of March 8, according to Johns Hopkins University. The United States has more than 470 confirmed cases with 19 deaths.

The World Health Organization has labeled the coronavirus outbreak a “very high” risk of spread and impact, but has so far stopped short of declaring it a global pandemic.

Coronavirus-stricken cruise ship to dock in Oakland

The Grand Princess cruise ship, carrying more than 3,500 passengers with at least 21 cases of coronavirus on board, will dock Monday in Oakland, California, The Mercury News reports. But only 45 passengers have been tested.

The ship had spent several days at sea in limbo awaiting permission to dock, according to the publication. It will make port at an unused docking facility.

California passengers will be quarantined somewhere in the state, while those from other states will be quarantined at Lackland Air Force Base in Texas, The Mercury News reported.

Northern Italy on lockdown with 16 million in quarantine

Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte on Sunday ordered a lockdown in northern Italy that places 16 million people in quarantine for two weeks, The New York Post reports.

Cinemas, theaters, gyms, swimming pools, museums, ski resorts and night clubs in the region, which includes Venice and Milan, will be closed, but restaurants will remain open with limited hours if they can seat customers at least 3 feet away from each other, BBC News reports.

Weddings and funerals will be suspended along with other religious or cultural events, according to the network.

Non-essential travel in or out of Lombardy and the other 14 provinces will be banned, BBC News reported.

Residents will be encouraged to stay home. Violations can result in three months in prison, according to the network.

Also, Pope Francis will livestream Sunday prayers from a Vatican library rather than from the traditional balcony over St. Peter’s Square to prevent crowds from gathering, The New York Post reported.

More than 5,800 coronavirus cases have been confirmed in Italy, with more than 230 deaths, Johns Hopkins University reports.

First Washington, D.C., infections confirmed

Two people in Washington, D.C., a resident and a visitor, have tested positive for coronavirus in the capital’s first COVID-19 cases, WRC-TV reports. Both are men in their 50s.

Also, an attendee at last week’s Conservative Political Action Conference in Maryland has tested positive for coronavirus, CNN reported. President Donald Trump and Vice President Mike Pence both attended the event, though organizers say they did not come into contact with the attendee.

Bahrain Grand Prix to run without spectators

Formula One Bahrain Grand Prix announced Sunday that spectators will be barred from the race to help prevent the spread of coronavirus, ESPN reports.

”Given the continued spread of COVID-19 globally, convening a major sporting event, which is open to the public and allows thousands of international travellers and local fans to interact in close proximity would not be the right thing to do at the present time,” organizers said in a statement, according to the network.

Tips to help protect yourself from coronavirus

There’s no vaccine for the COVID-19 virus, and experts say one may be months away from mass production.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention suggests avoiding close contact with people who are sick, avoiding touching your eyes, nose, and mouth, staying home when you are sick, covering your cough or sneeze with a tissue and cleaning and disinfecting frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.

The agency also advises washing your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating, and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.

The CDC does not advise that healthy people wear face masks, but says they should be worn by coronavirus patients to help avoid spreading the illness.

This story was originally published March 8, 2020 at 9:39 AM with the headline "Coronavirus briefing: Five updates for Sunday, March 8."