Coronavirus Watch: 100,000+ cases worldwide

The total number of confirmed coronavirus cases has surpassed 100,000 worldwide, with more than 200 cases in the U.S. Meanwhile, thousands of people aboard the Grand Princess cruise ship are still stuck at sea off the coast of California, awaiting the results of dozens of lab tests.

It's Friday, and this is the Coronavirus Watch from the Paste BN Network, where we'll be sending updates on everything you need to know about COVID-19.

If you missed our earlier editions, here's how this newsletter works: Up top, we'll provide you with the crucial stuff you need to know. Scroll down and we've curated the day's 10 most important articles that will give you the best picture of what's going on, from national news to travel policy updates to the latest safety recommendations.

Here's the latest, as of 1 p.m. ET:

• There are at least 240 confirmed cases in the U.S. across 19 states, and several states have declared states of emergency. At least 12 people in the U.S. have died. Here's a map of confirmed cases.
• More than 100,600 people have been infected worldwide, and more than 3,400 have died, according to data compiled by Johns Hopkins University.
• More than 3,500 people remain on board Princess Cruises' Grand Princess. Medical personnel have tested 45 people who had either exhibited symptoms or had been on a previous voyage with a 71-year-old man who died from the disease, according to the cruise line.
• Trump on Friday signed a $8.3-billion spending package to combat the spread of coronavirus approved by Congress earlier this week. 
• The Vatican confirmed its first case Friday and closed some offices as a precaution. Officials say Pope Francis is recovering from a cold.

Thanks for reaching out to us with your questions! Many of you have asked: What else can I do to prepare? Is the virus seasonal? Can you get it twice? How long is it going to take for the vaccine?

We've put together an explainer that answers many of these questions. What else would you like to know?

Dennis from Greendale, Wisconsin, asks: What about possible coronavirus contagion of inanimate objects that are touched frequently, like library books and other rentals, money or currency, daily mail, and package deliveries?

It's possible that you can become infected if you touch your face after touching a surface or object that has the virus on it, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. That's why you should regularly disinfect frequently touched household items. But note: Scientists don't think that this is the main way the virus spreads.

The virus cannot spread through goods manufactured in China or any country reporting coronavirus cases, according to the World Health Organization. While the virus can stay on surfaces for a few hours or up to several days (depending on the type of surface), it is very unlikely that the virus will persist on a surface after being moved, traveled and exposed to different conditions and temperatures, the WHO says.

At the same time, the WHO is reportedly encouraging people to use as many digital payment options as possible. Viruses can survive on hard surfaces like coins for days in some cases. U.S dollars, a blend of fabric and paper, are harder for viruses to stick to.

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Here are today's coronavirus need-to-knows.

— Grace Hauck, Breaking News Reporter, @grace_hauck