As the novel coronavirus known as COVID-19 continues to wreak havoc on American life, with schools, entertainment venues, and events cancelled or postponed, more than 3,000 people have been confirmed to have the virus with the death toll in the United States climbing to at least 60 as of Sunday morning.
The most recent death was a 53-year-old in Louisiana who had underlying health conditions, according to Gov. John Bel Edwards.
At least 49 states (along with Washington D.C. and Puerto Rico), have confirmed at least one case in their jurisdiction. Globally, the virus has infected more than 156,000 people with at least 5,800 people in 142 countries dying from the disease.
Here is your update on the coronavirus pandemic for Sunday, March 15.
Long Lines at Airports Frustrate Travelers Amid European Travel Ban
Thousands of passengers returning home to the U.S. were caught up in hours-long lines while waiting to go through customs over the weekend as they went through an enhanced coronavirus screening by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Customs and Border Protection at airports around the country.
Photos posted to social media showed hundreds of people crowded in hallways at O'Hare International Airport in Chicago
Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker called the long lines "unacceptable" and that they needed to be "addressed immediately."
In a tweet tagging both President Trump and Vice President Mike Pence, Pritzker wrote that they needed to do "something NOW."
"The crowds & lines O’Hare are unacceptable & need to be addressed immediately. @realDonaldTrump @VP since this is the only communication medium you pay attention to—you need to do something NOW," Pritzker wrote on Twitter.
The crowds were waiting to get through customs, which is under federal jurisdiction. According to a tweet from Chad Wolf, acting secretary of the Department of Homeland Security:
"DHS is aware of the long lines for passengers who are undergoing increased medical screening requirements. Right now we are working to add additional screening capacity and working with the airlines to expedite the process.
"In these unprecedented times, we ask for your patience. It currently takes ~60 seconds for medical professionals to screen each passenger," Wolf said. "We will be increasing capacity but the health and safety of the American public is first & foremost," Wolf wrote overnight on Twitter.
Dr. Anthony Fauci Says Americans Should be Prepared to 'Hunker Down'
In an interview with NBC's "Meet the Press" on Sunday, Dr. Anthony Fauci, the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, said Americans need to be prepared that "they're going to have to hunker down significantly more than we as a country are doing" if we want to properly fight the novel coronavirus pandemic.
With more than 3,000 cases confirmed across the country, Dr. Fauci was asked whether President Trump should consider a 14-day national shutdown, much like what's happened in Italy or Spain.
"I would prefer as much as we possibly could," said Fauci. "I think we should really be overly aggressive and get criticized for over-reacting."
Fauci's advice comes as dozens of events have been canceled or postponed and major sports leagues have suspended their seasons. Several major universities have canceled in-person classes for the rest of the semester, with some even postponing graduation events.
The goal by using this 'social distancing' technique, would help "blunt" the curve of the number of confirmed cases, which can help healthcare systems across the U.S. from becoming overwhelmed by the number of cases.
"If you let the curve get up there, then the entire society is going to be hit," Fauci said.
When it came to those who are elderly or might have underlying health conditions, Fauci said they should "really hunker down."
Fauci also said elective surgeries should be delayed in an effort to keep beds open for anyone who might need one for critical care.
Walmart Cutting Hours at 24-Hour Stores and Other Locations Amid Coronavirus Pandemic
Walmart announced that they would be cutting some store hours in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Now, stores normally open 24-hours a day, will see their hours cut to only be open between 6 a.m. and 11 p.m. until further notice. Other stores, which are typically open until midnight, will also see their hours reduced.
"This will help ensure associates are able to stock the products our customers are looking for and to perform cleaning and sanitizing," Dacona Smith, executive vice president and chief operating officer, Walmart U.S., wrote in a blog post over the weekend. "Stores currently operating under more reduced hours (for example they regularly close at 10 p.m. or open at 7 a.m.) will keep their current hours of operation."
"As we make this change, associates will continue to work the hours and shifts they are scheduled, and our supply chain and trucking fleet will continue to move products and deliver to stores on their regular schedules," Smith wrote. "As a reminder, we have a temporary COVID-19 emergency leave policy to support associates at this unprecedented time."
The coronavirus pandemic has seen shoppers rush to the stores in their neighborhood to stock up on things like cleaning wipes, toilet paper and peanut butter as they prepare to hunker down for an extended period of time.
To keep up to date on the latest news about the coronavirus and to understand what you need to stay safe and healthy, check out the Coronavirus: Fact vs. Fiction podcast from CNN Chief Medical Correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta.
Photo: Getty Images