Thread by @MSNBC

Coronavirus latest: nbcnews.to/3dcAT7Z

• 220,000+ cases globally in 150+ countries, 8,000+ cases in US

• Italy extends lockdown as death toll surges

• Up to 20,000 UK military personnel to go on standby nbcnews.to/2J0lZE0

Dow down 400+ in early Thursday trading.

Minnesota has classified grocery store workers as emergency personnel, allowing them to access free child care provided by the state amid the coronavirus outbreak. nbcnews.to/2JbysF7

In the absence of vaccines or antiviral drugs, researchers at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore say the key to slowing and treating the coronavirus might be hidden in the blood of those who’ve already recovered from the disease. nbcnews.to/2J0wYgI

LIVE on @MSNBC: NY Gov. Cuomo gives latest coronavirus updates.

NEW: NY Gov. Cuomo says no more than 25% of a company’s workforce can come to the office in effort to prevent spread of coronavirus; down from 50% on Wednesday.

NEW: Gov. Cuomo announces 1,769 new coronavirus cases in New York, bringing total to 4,152 with a 19% hospitalization rate; 2,469 cases in NYC.

Gov. Cuomo cites increased testing for sharp rise in cases.

Latest: As of 10:30 a.m. ET, March 19, there are 9,015 coronavirus cases in the US, and 153 deaths -- up from 6,264 cases and 112 deaths from same time on March 18.

LIVE on @MSNBC: White House task force briefing.

NEW: US surpasses 10,000 coronavirus cases.
nbcnews.to/2Qshw0M

Spain’s death toll from coronavirus soared by 209 in 24 hours to 767 deaths, the health ministry says on Thursday.

Spain is the second worst affected country in Europe, as only Italy has had more cases and deaths. nbcnews.to/3bdmd6T

China on Thursday reported no new domestic coronavirus cases for the first time since the outbreak began, a milestone in the fight against the global pandemic. nbcnews.to/2Qv4z6s

Local officials in Florida towns and cities are taking it upon themselves to close beaches amid the coronavirus outbreak after Gov. Ron DeSantis refused to. nbcnews.to/2WyEh7r

There are early signs that an experimental drug for people who become very sick from the coronavirus may start working within 24 hours of the first dose. nbcnews.to/2UkE2tN

President Trump is pushing federal health officials to fast track potential treatments for the coronavirus.

During a press briefing Thursday, Trump mentioned three treatments under investigation. nbcnews.to/2IW44OO

NEW: US hospitals and medical professionals are asking for $100,000,000,000 in direct financial assistance from Congress to respond to the coronavirus pandemic, with some hospitals already running short of supplies for patients and health care workers. nbcnews.to/397Y6Vr

LATEST: Negotiations heat up on a $1T coronavirus bill that would include direct payouts to Americans. nbcnews.to/2x58Jv3

JUST IN: US State Dept. is expected to raise the global travel advisory to Level 4, the highest level, warning Americans against traveling abroad amid the coronavirus pandemic, two officials with knowledge tell @NBCNews. nbcnews.to/2WDAllV

Utah Rep. Ben McAdams on his coronavirus experience: “I felt like I had a belt around my chest, and so I couldn't breathe deeply." nbcnews.to/33xvhkj

NEW: Monaco's Prince Albert II tests positive for coronavirus, the palace says in a statement Thursday. nbcnews.to/2UlC38v

NEW: NYC Mayor de Blasio says there are now 3,615 coronavirus cases in the city, and 22 deaths:

• 1,030 cases in Brooklyn
• 980 in Queens
• 976 in Manhattan
• 436 in the Bronx
• 165 in Staten Island

Live now on @MSNBC.

Extreme social-distancing measures in San Francisco, New York City and the Seattle area are likely contributing to temporary drops in pollution, early observations show.
nbcnews.to/2Ul8Kmz