- Seven US states so far have declared states of emergency in response to the coronavirus outbreak.
- Washington declared a state of emergency last month after the first coronavirus death was confirmed there.
- Maryland's first positive cases and California's first death from coronavirus triggered those states to follow suit.
- By March 7, other states, including New York, Georgia, Kentucky, and Utah, in addition to several US cities and counties, have also declared public health emergencies.
- The US has reported more than 401 COVID-19 cases, including 61 in California, but due to a nationwide testing shortage the true figure is likely much higher.
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Seven US states so far have declared states of emergency in response to the coronavirus outbreak.
The country has reported more than 401 COVID-19 cases across 29 states, but due to a nationwide testing shortage the true figure is likely higher.
Of those known cases, authorities confirmed at least 19 deaths as of March 6: 14 in Washington state, two in Florida, and one in California.
The first week of March saw leaders in states across the country begin to ramp up their responses to the virus, which has killed more than 3,300 people and infected more than 98,000 globally. The coronavirus causes a respiratory disease known as COVID-19.
On March 5, Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan declared a state of emergency after announcing the state's first three positive cases of coronavirus. The patients contracted the virus while traveling overseas and are quarantined in their homes.
"In order to further mobilize all available state resources in response to this threat to public health, I have issued a proclamation declaring a state of emergency in Maryland," Hogan said.
California declared a state of emergency on March 4 after reporting the first death from coronavirus in the state. Gov. Gavin Newsom made the declaration to receive emergency federal funding to battle the outbreak.
The proclamation also includes provisions to protect consumers from price gouging and allows for out-of-state healthcare workers to assist facilities at the frontlines of the coronavirus battle.
"The State of California is deploying every level of government to help identify cases and slow the spread of this coronavirus," Newsom said. "This emergency proclamation will help the state further prepare our communities and our health care system in the event it spreads more broadly."
The California Department of Public Health said it was working closely with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to respond to the outbreak of COVID-19 in the state, including screening incoming passengers at both Los Angeles International (LAX) and San Francisco International (SFO) airports.
Washington Gov. Jay Inslee declared a state of emergency in the state last month after the first coronavirus death was confirmed. The state has confirmed more than 70 cases of the virus and 11 deaths.
San Francisco Mayor London Breed also declared a state of emergency in the city last month, while several other US cities and counties have also declared public health emergencies over the new coronavirus.
New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo declared a state of emergency March 7 as the total number of confirmed cases in the state reached 76 and Amtrak canceled its non-stop service between Manhattan and Washington, DC.
Despite the possibly alarming news, declaring an emergency is a strategic announcement that can help states activate emergency response plans and state emergency operation centers. It also can help governments get reimbursed for money they spend on preparedness from the state and federal government, and it authorizes leaders to use funds to deploy additional personnel, buy equipment, and prepare stockpiles.
The response from state leadership is in stark contrast to President Donald Trump's repeated downplaying of the outbreak and rocky public appearances in addressing officials' response to the virus.
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