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National Guard to deploy against coronavirus in NY, California, Washington

Additional medical stations will also be established, the president announced.

March 23, 2020, 2:27 AM

The number of novel coronavirus cases around the world has reached at least 335,974 with Italy and the United States behind China as the countries with the most cases of COVID-19 infections, according to data compiled by the Center for Systems Science and Engineering at Johns Hopkins University.

The number of U.S. cases has surpassed 31,000, and as the number rises, some states are acting quickly by ordering variations of stay-at-home orders for residents. Oregon issued such an order on Friday night, joining states that include California, Illinois and New York.

The respiratory virus, known officially as COVID-19, has reached every continent except Antarctica, and every state in America since emerging in the Chinese city of Wuhan in December.

PHOTO: Maryland Cleaning and Abatement Services employees Graham Sevy (L), Bob Wiglesworth, (C) and Alec Pine (R) ride in an elevator before preforming a preventative fogging and damp wipe treatment on March 21, 2020 in Hunt Valley, Maryland.
HUNT VALLEY, MARYLAND - MARCH 21: Maryland Cleaning and Abatement Services employees Graham Sevy (L), Bob Wiglesworth, (C) and Alec Pine (R) ride in an elevator before preforming a preventative fogging and damp wipe treatment at an office building on March 21, 2020 in Hunt Valley, Maryland. The outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic has sparked more proactive measures at businesses to combat the spread of the coronavirus. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
Rob Carr/Getty Images

Globally, there are at least 14,356 coronavirus-related deaths, according to Johns Hopkins. More than 95,000 people have recovered worldwide.

Sunday's biggest developments:

  • Senate will revisit financial relief plan at noon Monday
  • National Guard to be deployed in NY, California, Washington
  • Sen. Rand Paul says he's contracted virus
  • Italy, Spain announce significant increases in death totals
  • U.S. now has third highest total of COVID-19 cases globally
  • Here's how the news developed Sunday. All times Eastern.

    1:31 a.m.: Senate adjourns, will revisit relief plan at noon Monday

    After meetings into the early morning hours failed to produce an agreement on the massive coronavirus relief plan, members of Congress will reconvene at noon Monday in hope of approving the next phase of the agreement.

    Senate Majority Leader McConnell had recommended the Senate reconvene Monday morning. but Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said he was having ongoing meetings with Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin, and that he was hopeful of having an agreement by noon.

    McConnell said he was concerned about the delay rattling the financial markets when they open in the morning, but nevertheless adjourned Sunday's marathon session and scheduled the Senate to be back in session at noon Monday.

    The nearly $2 trillion plan is expected to provide broad financial relief to American families and businesses, including cast payments directly to individuals.

    11:49 p.m.: Major Disaster Declarations OK'd for California, Washington

    The Federal Emergency Management Agency announced that federal emergency funds had been approved for Major Disaster Declarations in the states of California and Washington.

    The declarations make federal funding available for emergency protective measures in all areas impacted by COVID-19, as well as for crisis counseling for affected individuals, according to FEMA.

    New York state received Major Disaster Declaration approval on Friday.

    10:54 p.m.: Oahu, Maui issue 'stay at home' orders

    Honolulu, Hawaii, Mayor Kirk Caldwell issued a "stay at home" order for Oahu that goes into effect Monday afternoon for everyone except those in essential services.

    Shortly after, Maui's mayor followed suit by enacting a 'stay at home' order that goes into effect Wednesday.

    10:42 p.m.: Negotiations continue after Senate votes down relief plan

    Lawmakers are working to find common ground after the Senate failed to advance the coronavirus relief package, now expected to reach close to $2 trillion.

    Senate Democrats on Sunday evening failed to back a procedural vote to advance the measure over concerns that it prioritizes corporations over individuals.

    Sen. Joe Biden accused President Trump and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell of "trying to put corporate bailouts ahead of families."

    "The White House and the Senate Republicans have proposed a $500 billion slush fund for corporations, with almost no conditions. Donald Trump's Treasury Secretary would decide which big businesses get how much, and he can give out billions with virtually no strings attached," Biden said Sunday night. "The Trump Administration could even allow companies to use taxpayers’ money for stock buybacks and executive pay packages, and they don’t have to tell Americans where the money is going for months."

    Senator Chuck Schumer, the Senate minority leader, said he hoped a compromise would still be reached as discussions continued Sunday night.

    McConnell said late Sunday night that the Senate will vote again at 9:45 a.m. Monday, "unless we finally reach an agreement between now and then."

    “Our nation cannot afford a game of chicken," McConnell said.

    8:55 p.m.: Los Angeles to shut down most city recreation activities

    Los Angeles announced plans to shut down group sports activities as well as the city's public golf course and parking lots at Venice Beach by the weekend to enforce "physically distance."

    "This is serious," Mayor Eric Garcetti said in Sunday night. "Six feet matters … your decision to not physically distance yourself might kill someone."

    He said the city is prepared to fine violators.

    7:15 p.m.: National Guard ito be deployed in NY, California, Washington

    The National Guard will be deployed to assist in the fight against the coronavirus in the hard-hit states of New York, California and Washington, President Donald Trump announced.

    The move, announced at Sunday evening's briefing of the White House Coronavirus Task Force, will include delivery of medical supplies and the establishment of medical stations in those states.

    "The federal government will be funding 100% of the cost to deploy National Guard units to carry out approved missions to stop the virus while those governors remain in command," Trump said. "I spoke with all three of the governors today, just a little while ago, they're very happy with what we're doing."

    PHOTO: President Donald Trump speaks during a coronavirus task force briefing at the White House, Sunday, March 22, 2020, in Washington.
    President Donald Trump speaks during a coronavirus task force briefing at the White House, Sunday, March 22, 2020, in Washington.
    Patrick Semansky/AP

    In addition, Trump said, "I directed FEMA to supply the following: Four large medical stations with 1,000 beds for New York, eight large federal medical stations with 2,000 beds for California. and three large federal medical stations and four small federal medical stations with 1,000 beds for the state of Washington."

    Pete Gaynor of the Federal Emergency Management Agency said that medical supplies, including personal protective equipment, will be arriving in the affected states within 42 hours.

    Also at the briefing, officials urged that testing be prioritized toward the neediest cases.

    "We want people that have been checked into a hospital, that are being treated for what they expect to be coronavirus, to receive those tests more quickly.," said Vice President Mike Pence.

    Members of the task force said that 254,000 Americans have been tested for COVID-19, with 30,000 of those -- 11.8% -- testing positive.

    According to commercial testing labs, the U.S. should be caught up on the backlog in testing by midweek, officials said.

    5:45 p.m.: Five U.S. senators now under self-quarantine

    Following the announcement this afternoon by Sen. Rand Paul that he had contracted the coronavirus, there are now five U.S. senators under self-quarantine.

    Sen. Mitt Romney said that he had quarantined himself after having contact with Sen. Paul.

    “Since Senator Romney sat next to Senator Paul for extended periods in recent days and consistent with CDC guidance, the attending physician has ordered him to immediately self-quarantine and not to vote on the Senate floor," a Romney spokesperson said in a statement. "He has no symptoms but will be tested. He urges members to pass a relief package as quickly as possible that provides assistance for families, workers, and small businesses.”

    Sen. Mike Lee is also under quarantine after coming in contact with Sen. Paul.

    Sens. Rick Scott and Cory Gardner were already under self-quarantine after coming into contact with diplomatic delegations whose members had tested positive.

    PHOTO: People walk around Times Square as the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak continues in New York, March 22, 2020.
    People walk around Times Square as the coronavirus outbreak continues in New York, March 22, 2020.
    Eduardo Munoz/Reuters

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