- Nineteen US states so far have declared states of emergency in response to the coronavirus outbreak.
- Washington was the first state to declare 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 11, other states, including Arizona, Michigan, New York, Kentucky, and Utah, in addition to several US cities and counties, have also declared public health emergencies.
- The US has reported more than 1,300 COVID-19 cases, but due to a nationwide testing shortage the true figure is likely much higher.
- Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.
Ninteen US states so far have declared states of emergency in response to the coronavirus outbreak.
The country has reported more than 1,300 COVID-19 cases across 36 states, but due to a nationwide testing shortage the true figure is likely higher.
Of those known cases, authorities confirmed 38 coronavirus deaths: 38 in Washington state, two in Florida, four in California, one in New Jersey, and one in South Dakota.
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 4,500 people and infected more than 123,000 globally. The coronavirus causes a respiratory disease known as COVID-19.
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.
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.
For the coronavirus, it's given government leaders the opportunity to implement restrictive measures to stop the spread of the virus— Washington Governor Jay Inslee is rreportedly banning gatherings and events of more than 250 people in the Seattle metro area.
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.
Here are the states that have declared emergencies.
Washington
Washington Gov. Jay Inslee declared a state of emergency in the state on February 29 after the first coronavirus death was confirmed.
On Wednesday, the Inslee is expected to announce further measures being taken by the state to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. One extreme measure Inslee will reportedly announce is a ban on gatherings and events of more than 250 people in the entire Seattle metro area, the Associated Press reported.
By March 10, the state had confirmed 25 deaths from the virus and more than 260 cases.
California
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.
Maryland
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.
Kentucky
On March 6, Gov. Andy Beshear announced the state's first confirmed case of the virus and a state of emergency.
"While the overall threat to Kentuckians is still low, we as a state are going to take every necessary action to protect our people," Beshear said during a press conference.
As of March 10, the state had eight confirmed cases.
Utah
Gov. Gary Herbert declared a state of emergency as an anticipatory measure hours before the state's Department of Health announced Utah's first case of COVID-19 on March 6.
The Salt Lake Tribune reported that the state's first case was a person over age 60 whom officials believe was exposed on a previous voyage they took on the Grand Princess cruise ship, which has been docked and quarantined in recent days. Despite the individual's positive diagnosis, officials stressed that they didn't believe there was a larger threat of infection.
New York
New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo declared a state of emergency on March 7 as the total number of confirmed cases in the state reached 76.
Amtrak canceled its non-stop service between Manhattan and Washington, DC.
Florida
On March 7, Gov. Ron DeSantis declared a level 2 state of emergency, an escalation from the public health emergency he declared on March 1.
When the public health warning was announced, the state had two confirmed cases of the virus, which reached 14 by March 10. Two people had also died from the virus.
Oregon
Gov. Kate Brown announced the declaration on March 8, which will remain in effect for 60 days but could be extended.
The announcement came as seven new cases were announced, some of which stemmed from contact with people in northwestern Washington, according to The Associated Press.
Indiana
A state of emergencywas issued by Gov. Eric Holcomb on March 6.
Indiana currently has 11 confirmed cases.
New Jersey
Gov. Phil Murphy declared a state of emergency on March 9, after 11 people in the state had tested positive for the virus.
NJ.com reported that officials had closed some schools and said that 24 other possible cases were under investigation in the state by the NJ Department of Health.
Colorado
Colorado Gov. Jared Polis made the declaration on March 10 after the state confirmed its 15th case, all of which had surfaced over the course of a few days.
Business Insider's Julie Bort reported that the state was dealing with especially concerning diagnoses that came from all over the state, including high-traffic tourist and urban areas.
Polis said that the state's Department of Labor and Employment would institute "emergency rulemaking" to accommodate workers across the state in food handling, hospitality, child care, health care, and education.
Under the emergency, new rules would allow those workers to get tested and take sick leave while waiting for results if they exhibit flu-like symptoms, and unemployment insurance for those who don't have leave. Additionally, the department is creating a drive-through testing facility to fulfill doctors' orders and DMV will temporarily allow residents older than 65 to renew their driver's licenses online and avoid public spaces.
Iowa
As of March 9, Gov. Kim Reynolds signed a Proclamation of Disaster Emergency, local news agencies reported.
Iowa has 14 confirmed cases. The proclamation will free up funds for state agencies to use to handle the outbreak.
Illinois
Gov. J.B. Pritzker issued a state of emergency on March 9, according to the Southern Illinoisian.
The state has 25 confirmed coronavirus cases.
Massachusetts
Gov. Charlie Baker declared a state of emergency on March 10 amid a "significant uptick" of cases, bringing the number of identified ill in the state to 92.
"This declaration will give our administration more flexibility to respond to this evolving outbreak," Baker said after state officials announced they were examining 51 additional "presumptive positive" cases.
North Carolina
Gov. Roy Cooper declared a state of emergency on March 10 to stop the spread of the virus.
North Carolina currently has seven confirmed cases of COVID-19.
Michigan
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer declared a state of emergency of March 10, after Michigan had its first two cases of COVID-19.
"I have declared a state of emergency to harness all of our resources across state government to slow the spread of the virus and protect families," Whitmer said in a tweet.
Arizona
Gov. Doug Ducey declared a state of emergency on Wednesday, according to local media outlets.
The measure comes after Arizona confirmed it's 9th COVID-19 case.
Connecticut
Gov. Ned Lamont issued a state of emergency on March 10.
The state has 3 confirmed COVID-19 cases.
Louisiana
Gov. John Bel Edwards signed a state of emergency on March 11.
The state currently has 13 COVID-19.
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