March 12 coronavirus news

By Jessie Yeung, Adam Renton, Sheena McKenzie and Meg Wagner, CNN

Updated 10:06 PM ET, Thu March 12, 2020
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9:43 p.m. ET, March 12, 2020

Our live coverage of the coronavirus pandemic has moved here.

9:06 p.m. ET, March 12, 2020

No deal reached tonight on coronavirus response package, Pelosi says

From CNN's Phil Mattingly

Top negotiators were unable to clinch a final agreement on a sweeping legislative package to address the economic fallout of the growing escalating coronavirus crisis tonight, pushing talks into Friday as they sought to close out a handful of outstanding issues. 

After hours of talks and trading of proposals, including eight separate phone calls over the course of the day between House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin -- who is President Donald Trump’s point person on the talks -- negotiators are still attempting to iron out differences on specific language over a package that is expected to include paid leave, expanded food assistance, extended unemployment insurance and free coverage for coronavirus testing. 

“It’s fair to say we’re close to an agreement, subject to the exchange of paper, and hope to have an agreement tomorrow,” Pelosi told reporters outside of her office this evening. “We’ve resolved most of our differences and those we haven’t, we’ll continue the conversation because there will be other bills.” 

Asked if she was confident that there would be a vote on a deal on Friday, Pelosi responded: “One way or another.”

9:01 p.m. ET, March 12, 2020

Singer Billie Eilish postpones tour dates over coronavirus outbreak

From CNN's Keith Allen

In a series of tweets on her verified Twitter account, American singer Billie Eilish announced she is postponing a host of upcoming tour dates due to concerns related to the coronavirus outbreak.

“It is with great sadness to announce the following Billie Eilish ‘WHERE DO WE GO’ North American tour dates have been postponed until further notice,” Eilish tweeted Thursday evening. "I’m so sad to do this, but we need to postpone these dates to keep everyone safe, we’ll let you know when they can be rescheduled, please keep yourselves healthy.”

The postponed shows were to take place in Philadelphia, New York, Newark, Washington, Boston, Brooklyn, Detroit, Chicago, Indianapolis, Nashville and St. Louis.

Tickets for the postponed shows will be honored for the new dates, which will be announced soon, Eilish tweeted.

 

8:57 p.m. ET, March 12, 2020

SOON: CNN's coronavirus town hall

CNN’s Anderson Cooper and Dr. Sanjay Gupta will host a two-hour special "CNN Global Town Hall - Coronavirus: Fact and Fears with Facebook and Instagram" later tonight focusing on the coronavirus.

The town hall will begin at 10 p.m. ET.

8:38 p.m. ET, March 12, 2020

Disney World, Disneyland Paris Resort to close over coronavirus concerns

From CNN’s Frank Pallotta

Due to concerns over the coronavirus outbreak, Walt Disney World Resort in Florida and Disneyland Paris Resort will close at the end of the business day Sunday through the end of the month, the company said in a statement tonight.

Disney Cruise Line will also suspend all new departures beginning Saturday through the end of the month, the company added.

Disney cast members will be paid during the closure period, and hotels and dining complexes at both Disney World and Disneyland Paris will stay open until further notice, according to the company statement.

8:30 p.m. ET, March 12, 2020

Pennsylvania Department of Corrections suspending most prison visits starting tomorrow

From CNN's Carolyn Sung

The Pennsylvania Department of Corrections is suspending all prison visits, with some exceptions, starting tomorrow for two weeks, according to a tweet from the organization.

“Only staff, vendors and contractors will be allowed to enter any of the state prisons—pending results of a screening,” the department said in the tweet.

8:21 p.m. ET, March 12, 2020

New Mexico to close all K-12 public schools for 3 weeks

From CNN's Andy Rose

New Mexico will close all public elementary and secondary schools starting Monday, according to a press release from the office of Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham. 

The shutdown will last three weeks to try to slow the spread of coronavirus.

The governor’s office says more details about the closure will be released Friday, but the state wanted to get the word out earlier so parents can begin planning for child care next week.

The school closure announcement came shortly after the state announced its sixth confirmed coronavirus case.

8:10 p.m. ET, March 12, 2020

NBA's Cleveland Cavaliers to compensate all stadium employees regular wages

From CNN's Homero DeLaFuente

The NBA’s Cleveland Cavaliers announced today that they plan to compensate all Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse employees, hourly and event staff team members, as if every game and every event is still taking place.

The announcement comes after the team's Kevin Love announced a $100,000 donation to the arena’s staff.

Yesterday: The NBA suspended its season after a player preliminarily tested positive for coronavirus, stunning fans and players.

Utah Jazz all-star center Rudy Gobert tested positive, according to ESPN and other media outlets, shortly before his team's game Wednesday night against the host Oklahoma City Thunder.

7:59 p.m. ET, March 12, 2020

Kansas announces first coronavirus death

Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly announced the state’s first death from coronavirus today.

The patient is a male in his 70s who lived in a long-term care facility in Wyandotte County, Kelly said.

According to the governor, the man had other underlying health conditions and was receiving care at a local hospital before he passed away.

The man was not mobile, so the state is treating this as a case of community spread and health officials are now conducting public health contact tracing.

Some context: Kelly said this situation demanded that she declare an emergency, which will grant her administration the ability to activate state resources and mobilize personnel to assist where needed.

This death is the state’s fifth confirmed case of coronavirus.

This is the 41st death in the US.