Coronavirus Watch: More than 20k confirmed infections in US

Nearly 800 more people have died after contracting the coronavirus in Italy. Millions of people across at least six states in the U.S. are facing stay-at-home orders. And senators are still negotiating a stimulus package that would send direct payments of $1,200 to individuals and provide assistance to businesses affected by the pandemic.

It's Saturday, and this is Coronavirus Watch from the Paste BN Network, where we update you on everything to know about COVID-19.

Here's the latest, as of 3 p.m. ET:

• President Donald Trump clarified that he has not required private companies to produce extra medical equipment under the Defense Production Act. That’s because companies are acting on their own, he said. Trump did not clarify when, exactly, hospitals will receive supplies. 
• New Jersey has joined other states in announcing strict stay-at-home orders. California, Connecticut, Illinois, Oregon and New York have announced similar measures.
• More than 22,000 people have been infected in the U.S., and at least 278 have died. See a map of all confirmed cases here.
• U.S. health officials are recommending that you cancel any elective medical procedures and that you not get a test unless you're sick. Tests are being prioritized for seniors, symptomatic healthcare works, people who are hospitalized and people who have underlying conditions.
• More than 195,000 coronavirus tests have been completed in the U.S. at public health labs, according to the assistant secretary for health. That figure does not include tests conducted at hospital or other healthcare labs.
• For the week, the Dow dropped more than 17%, its worst one-week percentage drop since October 2008.
• United Airlines is reducing international flights by 95% in April, in light of the U.S. government advising Americans not to travel abroad.

Thank you for sending us your questions! You can find pertinent information about the virus here. We also published a new reader Q&A answering more of your questions. But keep them coming: What else are you curious about?

Jennie from Louisville, Tennessee, asks: Will the proposed stimulus of $1,200 per citizen include the ones on Social Security and Disability?

McConnell's current plan would include people on Social Security and Disability but would scale back the payments if a person's income exceeds $75,000, with income including Social Security.

Finally, thank you all for subscribing. We appreciate you trusting the Paste BN Network with this important information. Know someone who would benefit from this newsletter? Please forward this email so they can sign up here. Want to speak with other concerned subscribers? Join our Facebook group, where we're connecting our communities, providing conversation, resources and answering your questions. 

— Grace Hauck, Breaking News Reporter, @grace_hauck