Trump decides not to quarantine NYC

President Trump backed away from calling for a quarantine for coronavirus hotspots in New York, New Jersey and Connecticut, instead directing Saturday night that a “strong Travel Advisory” be issued to stem the spread of the outbreak.

After consulting with the White House task force leading the federal response and the governors of the three affected states, Trump said: “I have asked the @CDCgov to issue a strong Travel Advisory, to be administered by the Governors, in consultation with the Federal Government. A quarantine will not be necessary.“

Trump said Saturday that he may order an “enforceable quarantine” for New York City and surrounding areas in New Jersey and Connecticut — prompting surprise and shock from New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo.

Cuomo likened such a quarantine to a “federal declaration of war” on the city and state.

NEW YORK

Nurses plead for protective gear

Nurses battling New York’s coronavirus outbreak made anguished pleas Saturday for more protective equipment, saying officials’ claims of adequate supplies are falling short of reality. At a news conference outside Jacobi Hospital, nurses called for more masks and other gear to safeguard themselves against the virus that has so far sickened more than 44,000 people and killed over 500 in New York state, mostly in the city. At least one health care worker, Mount Sinai West assistant nursing manager Kious Kelly, 36, has died of the virus.

RHODE ISLAND State announces its first deaths

Rhode Island announced its first two deaths from the coronavirus on the same day that the state National Guard was expected to go door to door in coastal communities to find visitors from New York. There are now only three states with zero reported deaths: Hawaii, West Virginia and Wyoming. The Guard was said to be asking people if they are visiting from New York and telling them about the mandatory 14day quarantine.

IDAHO

Ski haven latest hot spot for epidemic

A scenic Idaho county known as a skivacation haven for celebrities and the wealthy has a new, more dubious distinction: It has one of the highest percapita rates of confirmed coronavirus infections in America. Numbers from Johns Hopkins University show that with more than 80 confirmed cases of COVID19, the illness caused by the coronavirus, Blaine County has the highest rate of cases outside New York City. The county includes tony Sun Valley Resort and draws skiers from around the world. During ski season, roughly 30,000 people land at the county airport. The ski resort town of Park City, Utah, has also had high percapita infection rates.

Governor issues stayathome order

Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly has issued a statewide order for people to stay at home as part the effort to slow the spread of the coronavirus. Kelly issued the order for the state’s roughly 2.9 million residents after local officials in Kansas’ most populous counties issued their own versions within the past week. More than 2.1 million residents were already under or facing stayathome orders .. Kansas is one of nearly two dozen states to issue stayathome orders.

DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA Mayor declares state of emergency

The District of Columbia has announced 37 new infections from the COVID19 coronavirus, bringing the total up to 304, including four deaths. Mayor Muriel Bowser has declared a state of emergency, shuttered all schools and ordered all nonessential businesses to close. Police have blocked off dozens of streets to prevent crowds coming to see Washington’s signature blooming cherry blossom trees.

Kathy Willens / Associated Press New York nurses seek more protective gear to safeguard themselves against a virus that has killed more than 500 in the city.