Over 1,600 COVID-19 cases, 41 deaths reported in the U.S.

Members of a Servpro cleanup crew wearing hazardous material suits prepare to enter Life Care Center of Kirkland, the Seattle-area nursing home at the epicenter of one of the biggest coronavirus outbreaks in the United States, in Kirkland, Washington, March 11, 2020. /Reuters

The state of Kansas announced its first death from COVID-19 on Thursday, as the U.S. nationwide death toll increased to 41. Over 1,600 cases have been confirmed in the country.

A female diplomat from the Philippines mission to the United Nation tested positive for the coronavirus, making her the first reported case at the New York-based UN headquarters, according to a note sent to UN missions.

Three states, New York, Montana and Virginia, declared states of emergency due to the coronavirus. A total of 24 states and Washington D.C. have announced emergency response to the virus outbreak, according to CNN's tally.

U.S. stocks closed on Thursday with their worst day since the 1987 "Black Monday" crash, as Wall Street officially fell into a bear market.

Multiple American sports associations announced cancellation or suspension of events to protect athletes and spectators.

The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) canceled the annual Division I men's and women's basketball tournaments, also known as "March Madness."

The 2020 Major League Baseball (MLB) season originally scheduled to start on March 26 will be delayed by at least two weeks.

The National Hockey League (NHL) and The Major League Soccer (MLS) both announced to suspend their current season.

The entertainment industry has also taken a hit. Disneyland in Los Angeles and Broadway theaters in New York are all shut until next month. Several Hollywood movies, including Disney's Mulan, have postponed their opening dates.

CNN earlier reported that President Trump was in close physical proximity with the Brazilian president's press secretary, who tested positive for the coronavirus, on Saturday night.

The White House issued a statement on Thursday saying that "both the President and Vice President had almost no interactions with the individual who tested positive and do not require being tested at this time."

(Cover photo: Signage advising on how to prevent the spread of respiratory viruses is seen on the subway platform at the Times Square station after further cases of coronavirus were confirmed in New York, March 6, 2020. /Reuters)