Coronavirus briefing: Tax deadline may shift and other updates for Wednesday, March 11

The U.S. Treasury Department is reportedly considering whether to extend the April 15 federal tax deadline as coronavirus cases in the nation top 1,000.

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

More than 121,000 cases of the COVID-19 virus have been confirmed worldwide with more than 4,300 deaths as of March 11, according to Johns Hopkins University. The United States has more than 1,000 confirmed cases — doubling since Sunday — with 32 deaths.

The World Health Organization on March 11 declared the COVID-19 virus a global pandemic, NPR reported.

IRS may extend tax deadline as coronavirus spreads

As confirmed coronavirus cases top 1,000 in the United States, Treasury Department officials are reportedly pondering whether to extend the April 15 federal tax deadline, the New York Post reports.

The measure might be part of an economic stimulus package being worked out by the White House and Congress, according to the publication.

But Treasury officials have not finalized a decision, nor have they settled on how far to push the deadline and who would be eligible, The Wall Street Journal reported.

New York governor questions slow US testing for virus

Gov. Andrew Cuomo of New York questioned what he called the slow pace of testing for coronavirus in the United States, NBC News reported.

“When they do the retrospective on this one, they are going to say, ‘Why did it take the United States so long to bring up the testing capacity?’” Cuomo said Wednesday on the “Today” show. “China did something like 200,000 tests per day. South Korea did about 15,000 tests per day. The United States has only done about 5,000 tests to date.”

Merkel predicts 70% of Germans may get coronavirus

German Chancellor Angela Merkel predicts that up to 70% of her nation’s population may come down with coronavirus, BBC News reports.

Merkel said with no natural immunities or a vaccine, “it’s about winning time,” according to the network.

Germany has more than 1,600 confirmed cases of coronavirus and two deaths, Johns Hopkins University reports.

TSA screeners test positive for virus in California

Three Transportation Security Administration screeners in San Jose, California, have tested positive for coronavirus, The Mercury News reports.

The screeners at Mineta San Jose International Airport are receiving medical care and all employees with whom they had contact are quarantined, according to the publication.

The TSA did not release information on when the screeners had tested positive or where they worked in the airport, The Mercury News reported.

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 suggest 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 11, 2020 at 9:10 AM with the headline "Coronavirus briefing: Tax deadline may shift and other updates for Wednesday, March 11."