Coronavirus Cases Rise Globally Over Six Continents

More than 400 cases of the coronavirus have been confirmed in Italy.

Following an announcement by Brazil of its first confirmed case of the coronavirus Wednesday, the mysterious flu-like virus that originated in the city of Wuhan in China just three months ago has now affected every continent on the planet except Antarctica. 

Globally more than 2800 people have died and over 8200 have been infected, with the World Health Organization calling it a public emergency of international concern. 

The potential for a global pandemic has prompted countries around the world to prepare to combat the virus including the United States. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention warned Americans that an outbreak was likely and would certainly have an effect on everyday life. 

Vice President Mike Pence will head up U.S. efforts to combat the coronavirus.

President Donald Trump announced Wednesday that Vice President Mike Pence would be in charge of the US coronavirus response and urged calm claiming his administration was on top of controlling any outbreaks even as congress called for 8 billion in emergency funding for anti-coronavirus efforts. 

AROUND THE WEB 

WASHINGTON POST: Mike Pence was criticized for his handling of Indiana’s HIV outbreak. He will lead the U.S. coronavirus response.

AL JAZEERA: World 'on brink of coronavirus pandemic'

BBC: Countries Scramble to Respond As Virus Spreads 

USA TODAY: Trump addressed the nation on coronavirus. We checked the facts.