Defense Secretary Mark Esper on Saturday approved a request to prepare 14-day quarantine housing for up to 1,000 people returning to the U.S. from overseas travel, amid concerns about the spread of the strain of coronavirus first detected in Wuhan, China, CNN reports.
Why it matters: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention confirmed the eighth case of coronavirus in the U.S. on Saturday. The U.S. declared the virus a public health emergency on Friday.
A 44-year-old man — who was a Wuhan resident but died in the Philippines Saturday — has become the first person outside of China to die from the novel coronavirus, the World Health Organization (WHO) confirmed in a statement.
This is the first reported case outside of China. However, we need to keep in mind that he came from Wuhan, China."
Starbucks, Apple and McDonalds are among the American companies temporarily shuttering stores throughout China as the coronavirus affects thousands within the country.
The state of play: Apple announced Saturday that it is closing all 42 retail stores in China, as well as corporate offices and contact centers through Feb. 9, the Financial Times reports. The company said it hopes to reopen stores "as soon as possible."
A man in his 20s who returned to the U.S. from Wuhan, China, the epicenter of the coronavirus outbreak, has contracted the virus, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention alerted health officials in Boston on Saturday. His is the eighth known case in the U.S.
Details: Rita Nieves, executive director of the Boston Public Health Commission, said officials "are not asking Boston residents to do anything differently" and that "risk to the general public remains low." The man was isolated soon after returning to Massachusetts, and his "few close contacts" are being monitored for symptoms.
States and school districts around the country are passing legislation to allow students to take mental health days as young people struggle with depression and anxiety, the Washington Post reports.
Why it matters: The changes come as the suicide rate among young people continues to rise. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported suicide was the second leading cause of death among people ages 10-24 in 2017.
Students and staff on college campuses across the country are on edge as rumors swirl surrounding the coronavirus outbreak, The New York Times reports.
Why it matters: University campuses can be breeding grounds for infectious and viral diseases. Illnesses can also spread quickly considering the close proximity in which students reside.
