Secretary of State Mike Pompeo announced at a White House briefing Friday that the U.S.-Mexico border will close to all non-essential travel for at least the next 30 days.
On the next episode of "Axios on HBO," national political reporter Jonathan Swan asks China’s Ambassador to the U.S. Cui Tiankai whether the Chinese Communist Party wanted to apologize for its initial "cover up" of the coronavirus. Catch the full interview on Sunday, March 22 at 6 p.m. ET/PT on all HBO platforms.
Haiti reported its first two cases of the novel coronavirus on Thursday, President Jovenel Moise announced in a press conference, per multiplereports.
Why it matters: There is only one doctor or nurse per 3,000 people in the country, the World Health Organization found in 2016 — and Haiti's spending in the public health sector "is among the lowest in the world." Haiti is the poorest country in the Western hemisphere, per the CIA World Factbook.
Several African countries recorded their first coronavirus cases this week, and case numbers accelerated in countries including South Africa, escalating fears that Africa could be the pandemic's next frontier.
Why it matters: While there are still just 600 cases across Africa — fewer than several European countries are recording each day — many countries will find it difficult to control the spread once it begins, or treat those who fall most seriously ill.
President Trump has canceled the in-person G7 summit scheduled for June at Camp David due to the coronavirus pandemic, opting instead to host a video-teleconference, according to the White House.
Why it matters: G7 meetings — which consist of leaders from the United States, France, Germany, Canada, Japan, Italy and the United Kingdom — tackle pressing global issues. The cancellation of the summit suggests the White House believes the current crisis will extend in some form into the summer.
Israel's foreign intelligence service, Mossad, stepped in to help secure much-needed coronavirus tests from countries with which Israel does not have diplomatic relations, only to find they were the wrong ones, Israeli officials say.
Why it matters: Israel has serious shortages of medical equipment needed to fight the outbreak, leaving Israeli embassies and even intelligence agencies scrambling to get their hands on everything from medical masks to test kits.
Prince Albert II of Monaco has tested positive for COVID-19, the palace announced Thursday.
Why it matters: The 62-year-old monarch is the first known head of state to contract the virus, per AP. The palace says Albert is in good health and is being treated by doctors from the Princess Grace Hospital. He is still working from his home office in the palace.
President Trump called on the Syrian government to release American journalist Austin Tice during a White House press conference on Thursday.
What Trump's saying: "Recovering Americans held captive and imprisoned abroad continues to be a top priority for my administration. We have one young gentleman Austin Tice, and we are working very hard with Syria to get him out. We hope the Syrian government will do that. ... Syria, please work with us, and we would appreciate you letting him out."
Russia is already spreading misinformation about the coronavirus throughout the West, according to digital forensics experts and government officials.
Why it matters: The most effective misinformation plays into existing fears, especially around health, safety and well-being. Russia often takes advantage of real-world health crises to sow discord among Americans.
