US coronavirus cases pass 1,600

The number of known coronavirus cases in the United States surpassed 1,600 on Wednesday in 38 states, and the nation's capital with at least 31 patients dying.

Overseas, thousands of people have died and tens of thousands have been infected.

Confirmed cases abroad reached 121,061 Wednesday in 115 countries and regions, according to data from Johns Hopkins University. More than 4,360 people have died.

In Germany, Chancellor Angela Merkel said up to 70 percent of the population could get infected with the virus, and that her government's strategy was to slow down the contagion to avoid health-care providers becoming overwhelmed

"The virus has arrived in Europe, it is here and we must all understand that," Ms. Merkel said. "As long as there is no immunity in the population, no vaccines and no therapy, then a high percentage of the population — experts say 60% to 70% —will become infected."

On Tuesday, Italy, which is under a nationwide lockdown, saw the biggest rise in coronavirus deaths since the outbreak began in the southern European nation. At least 168 people have died in the past 24 hours, said Angelo Borrelli, head of Italy's Civil Protection Agency, on Tuesday.

The US has 1,622 cases, according to data from Johns Hopkins University on Wednesday. The number of people with the disease has doubled since Sunday alone.

Washington state, where a nursing home in Kirkland is at the center of the outbreak, is still the hardest hit. California and New York each have more than 100 cases and Massachusetts is nearing 100.

States are declaring states of emergency, allowing them to access federal resources and funding.

Companies in virus-hit states are telling employees to work from home. Amazon said Tuesday it is setting up a $5 million fund to help small businesses near its Seattle headquarters cope with losses as the tech giant's estimated 50,000 employees work from home.

Universities and colleges are suspending classes, ending the semester early, or conducting online classes. Some told students going on spring break not to return until notified.

Major events have been canceled or postponed. The New York International Auto Show has been rescheduled to August.

Chicago canceled its St. Patrick's Day parade and organizers postponed the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival for six months.

In France, confirmed cases jumped to 1,784 on Tuesday from 204 one week earlier, with 33 deaths from coronavirus. At least seven people in France's National Assembly have tested positive for the disease, including five representatives. 

In Britain, junior health minister Nadine Dorries tested positive for coronavirus. She reportedly fell ill shortly after attending an event with Prime Minister Boris Johnson and was recovering at home.

Iran on Wednesday confirmed 63 new deaths from the virus, bringing the total number of fatalities to 354.

Japan and South Korea also saw an increase in cases on Tuesday. Japan now has 1,264 confirmed cases and 19 deaths. Authorities in South Korea confirmed 242 new cases, bringing the national total to 7,755.