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2020.03.16 09:41 GMT+8

Coronavirus: Latest updates in the U.S.

Updated 2020.03.16 09:41 GMT+8
CGTN

There are now more than 3,000 cases of the novel coronavirus in the U.S., according to government agencies and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Here are the latest updates on the coronavirus situation in the country: 

U.S. clinical trial for coronavirus vaccine reported to begin Monday

A clinical trial to evaluate a vaccine designed to protect against the new coronavirus will begin on Monday, the Associated Press reported, citing an unnamed U.S. government official.

The first participant in the trial, which has not been publicly announced yet, will receive the experimental vaccine on Monday, the AP reported.

Public health officials say it will take a year to 18 months to fully validate any potential vaccine.

CDC recommends canceling or postponing events involving more than 50 people for eight weeks

The CDC published interim guidance on Sunday recommending "that for the next eight weeks, organizers cancel or postpone in-person events that consist of 50 people or more throughout the United States."

This does not include "day to day operations of organizations such as schools, institutes of higher learning or businesses," according to the center. 

U.S. stock futures tumble after Fed slashes rates

U.S. stock futures plunged late Sunday after the U.S. Federal Reserve made its second emergency rate cut in less than two weeks, cutting the benchmark borrowing rate to a range of 0-0.25 percent and pledged to keep it there "until it is confident that the economy has weathered recent events." 

U.S. stock-index futures tumbled to limit down levels with the Dow Jones Industrial average futures dropping more than 1,000 points after the Fed's move.

(With input from agencies)

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