New coronavirus deaths in US as lawmakers reach USD 8.3 bn funding deal

death toll in United States from new coronavirus rose to 11 on Wednesday, as lawmakers in Congress agreed to provide more than USD 8 billion to fight rapidly spreing disease.

California Goverr Gavin Newsom declared an emergency as he reported state's first fatality from COVID-19 illness -- an elderly person who h taken a cruise to Mexico -- while health officials in nearby Washington state said a 10th person h died re.

" State of California is deploying every level of government to help identify cases and slow spre of this coronavirus," Newsom told reporters.

"This emergency proclamation will help state furr prepare our communities and our health care system in event it spres more broly." Earlier in day, Los Angeles County officials reported six new cases in West Coast metropolis, while number of confirmed cases in New York state rose to 11.

One of Los Angeles cases concerns a medical screener at city's international airport checking overseas travelers for symptoms.

Department of Homeland Security said worker was under self-quarantine at home along with family members and was showing mild symptoms.

That person's last shift at airport was on February 21 and symptoms began on February 29, a statement said.

"DHS is happy to report that this individual was highly trained and did everything right both on job and when y began to feel sick," statement said.

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"We are told individual wore all correct protective equipment and took necessary protections on job." Nationwide, more than 130 people have so far been infected, with virus detected in more than a dozen states. Most of deaths have been in Washington state including residents of a nursing home.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi meanwhile said Republicans and Democrats h reached a deal to fund response to outbreak to tune of $8.3 billion. House of Representatives passed measure, and Senate was to vote on Thursday.

Vice President Mike Pence, who is White House's pointman on crisis, told reporters he would be traveling to Minnesota on Thursday to visit a 3M plant manufacturing personal protective equipment including masks.

He will n visit Washington state and meet with Goverr Jay Inslee to review containment efforts in Seattle area.

All of newly infected individuals in Los Angeles were exposed to COVID-19 through close contact, health officials said.

Barbara Ferrer, director of Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, said three of cases concerned travelers who h gone toger to rrn Italy -- a virus hotspot with more than 100 deaths.

Two or cases involved individuals who h come in contact with a family member who h virus and last was airport screener.

" step we're taking today is about preparation, t panic," said Mayor Eric Garcetti of emergency declaration.

Officials said y expected number of infections in California to rise in coming days and urged families to brace for possible school closures and cancelation of public events.

Statewide, more than 50 people are kwn to be infected, most of any state.

In Washington state, officials in King County, which includes Seattle and where most of deaths have taken place, said y were purchasing an 85-bed motel to house patients stricken with virus. 

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