U.S. confirms first deaths from COVID-19; country ups travel restrictions

This story was updated on Monday, March 2 at 9:32 a.m.

The U.S. reported more than two dozen new COVID-19 cases over the weekend, along with the first deaths from the virus in the country.

According to CNN, new cases of the virus were announced in Oregon, Rhode Island, Washington state, New York and Florida on Sunday; this brings the U.S. total to 89 as of Monday morning, up from 65 on Friday night.

The U.S. has also seen two deaths from the virus, both of which took place in Washington State's King County: two men, in their 50s and 70s respectively, who both suffered from underlying health conditions.

In response to the spread of the virus, the Trump administration has unveiled additional travel restrictions affecting Iran, Italy and South Korea.

READ MORE: WHO upgrades COVID-19 global risk to 'very high'

Vice President Mike Pence said Saturday the existing travel ban on Iran now extends to foreign nationals who have been in the country for the past 14 days. 

The State Department has also upped its travel warnings, advising U.S. citizens not to travel to regions in Italy and South Korea impacted by COVID-19.

According to the latest stats from the World Health Organization (WHO), there are currently 83,652 cases of coronavirus worldwide, which has resulted in almost 2,800 deaths.

America’s first reported coronavirus death came shortly after U.S. President Donald Trump told supporters at a rally in North Charleston Friday night that the virus was a “new hoax” orchestrated by Democrats.

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