Merkel declines invitation to G7 summit in the U.S., citing coronavirus

German Chancellor Angela Merkel declined President Trump's invitation to attend an in-person G7 summit in Washington, D.C. at the end of June, the New York Times reports.

Why it matters: Deborah Birx, the lead White House coronavirus task force coordinator, told reporters last week that D.C., Maryland and Virginia have the highest percentage of coronavirus cases in the U.S.

• Trump said last week that he was "considering" holding the summit at Camp David — located in Maryland — and inviting world leaders to attend in-person.

What they're saying: “The chancellor thanks President Trump for his invitation to the G-7 summit in Washington at the end of June,” a spokesperson for the chancellor told the Times. “As of today, considering the overall pandemic situation, she cannot agree to her personal participation, a trip to Washington.”

Go deeper: Coronavirus is greatest challenge since World War II, Merkel warns