Pearl Jam postpones 1st leg of tour over coronavirus concerns

LOS ANGELES — Pearl Jam is postponing the North American leg of its Gigaton world tour because of concerns over the new coronavirus, the band announced Monday.Seventeen U.S. and Canadian performances, beginning on March 18 in Toronto through April 19 in Oakland, California, were indefinitely postponed, according to the band's website.Pearl Jam said it was announcing the postponements “with deep frustration and regret."“The levels of risk to our audience and their communities is simply too high for our comfort level," a band statement said. “Add to that we also have a unique group of passionate fans who travel far and wide.

'Challenging time:' Red Cross urges healthy individuals to give blood amid coronavirus concerns

MILWAUKEE -- The American Red Cross strongly urges healthy, eligible individuals who are feeling well to give blood or platelets to help maintain a sufficient blood supply and prevent shortages as concerns about the outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019, or COVID-19, rise in the U.S.“We’re asking the American people to help keep the blood supply stable during this challenging time.

Ohio State University suspends classroom instruction through March 30

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WJW) - Ohio State University is suspending classroom instruction through at least March 30 because of coronavirus, the school announced in a letter on Monday.There are no confirmed cases of coronavirus associated with the OSU campus.

Thousands on virus-hit cruise ship wait their turn to leave

OAKLAND, Calif. — Thousands of increasingly bored and restless passengers aboard a cruise ship struck by the coronavirus waited for their turn Tuesday to get off the vessel and go into two weeks of quarantine at military bases around the U..S.After days of being forced to idle off the Northern California coast, the Grand Princess docked Monday at Oakland with about 3,500 passengers and crew, including at least 21 who tested positive for the new virus.“We’re trying to stay calm and were trying to stay positive, but it’s getting harder and harder.

Stocks give up much of an early surge day after huge plunge

NEW YORK — Stocks gave up most of an early surge on Wall Street and briefly dipped into the red a day after the market's biggest drop since 2008.The Dow had been up 945 points in the early going, dipped into the red and then went higher again shortly after noon.Markets bumped up after Vice President Mike Pence said the nation's big health insurers would cover co-pays for coronavirus testing.

CVS pharmacy temporarily waives at-home prescription delivery fees

NEW YORK -- In a push to help at-risk patients stay safe from coronavirus, pharmacy giant CVS is waiving fees for its prescription home delivery service.The CVS announcement coincides with new recommendations from the CDC, which is asking higher-risk patients to stay at home in order to avoid potential contact with the virus.Aetna Health Care is also waiving early refill limits on 30-day prescription maintenance medications for its members -- as long as they have the benefits administered through CVS Caremark.CVS said it is working with state governments to provide the same prescription options for Medicaid members where allowable.

Pabst Theater Group taking precautions as coronavirus concern grows among patrons, employees

MILWAUKEE -- The Pabst Theater Group has announced added health precautions at each of its four Milwaukee venues as concerns over the spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus grow.At the Riverside Theater, Pabst Theater, Turner Hall Ballroom and Back Room @ Colectivo, cleaning products approved by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are being used to wipe down surfaces.

3 Cardinal Stritch University students under quarantine after exposure to coronavirus

MILWAUKEE -- Three Cardinal Stritch University students are now under quarantine after having had direct contact with a COVID-19 positive person during a spring break trip to Washington state.

'Quite a few wearing masks:' In emails to travelers, airlines reassure planes are clean amid coronavirus

MILWAUKEE -- The Wisconsin Department of Health Services and the Pierce County Public Health Department announced Monday, March 9 that a second person tested positive for COVID-19 — coronavirus.

Dow Jones plummets after opening bell, coronavirus fears to blame

MILWAUKEE -- Coronavirus fears hit the stock market for another week as the Dow and the S&P plummeted after the opening bell Monday, March 9.Taking the biggest hit -- oil prices -- which plunged 30% amid growing concerns over a dispute between oil-producing countries like Russia and Saudi Arabia."A lot of people are panicking," Financial Advisor Brad Allen said. "Because nobody knows how it's going to affect the global markets at this point."

Pro sports to restrict access to locker rooms to protect players from exposure to coronavirus

NEW YORK — The NBA, NHL, Major League Baseball and Major League Soccer are closing access to locker rooms and clubhouses to all non-essential personnel in response to the coronavirus crisis, the leagues announced in a joint statement Monday night.The leagues said they made the decision “after consultation with infectious disease and public health experts.” The NBA, in a call with teams earlier Monday, stressed that the move is not to ban reporters but to ensure the safety of players and staff in those areas.The statement, in part, read: “Given the issues that can be associated with close contact in pre- and post-game settings, all team locker rooms and clubhouses will be open only to players and essential employees of teams and team facilities until further notice.

'It's not a pandemic:' WI doctor says focus here is preventing spread of coronavirus

MILWAUKEE -- Officials with the Wisconsin Department of Health Services on Monday, March 9 announced 36 negative tests for coronavirus and two positive test -- the Dane County resident who returned from China and was placed under quarantine at the end of January -- who recovered, and a new case announced Monday -- a patient in Pierce County.

Pierce County patient who tested positive for coronavirus attended event at Prescott, Osceola schools

PIERCE COUNTY -- The Wisconsin Department of Health Services and the Pierce County Public Health Department announced Monday, March 9 that a second person in the state tested positive for COVID-19 -- coronavirus.DHS officials said the person was exposed while traveling within the U.S. and was in isolation at home.County health officials in an update Tuesday afternoon said the patient attended a practice Destination Imagination event at a school in Prescott on Friday, March 6, and an all-day Destination Imagination event on Saturday, March 7 at Osceola High School.

FDA warns 7 companies over fraudulent coronavirus claims

WASHINGTON -- U.S. regulators warned seven companies to stop selling soaps, sprays and other concoctions with false claims that they can treat the new coronavirus or keep people from catching it.The warnings were emailed Friday to companies based in the U.S., Canada, and the U.K. and were announced Monday.

Italy imposes nationwide restrictions to contain new virus

MILAN — Italian Premier Giuseppe Conte says travel restrictions are being imposed nationwide to try to stop the spread of the new coronavirus.Conte said Monday night that a new government decree will require all people in Italy to demonstrate a need to work, health conditions or other limited reasons to travel outside the areas where they live.The restrictions will take effect on Tuesday and like those in northern Italy will last until April 3, he said."There won't be just a red zone,'' Conte told reporters referring to the quarantine order he signed for a vast swath of northern Italy with a population of 16 million over the weekend."There will be Italy" as a protected area, he said.The premier also took to task the young people in much of Italy who have been gathering at night to drink and have a good time during the public health emergency that started on Feb. 21."This nightlife...we can't allow this anymore," Conte said.Pubs had been closed in northern Italy, with eateries and cafes also ordered to close at dusk.

Dow drops 7.8% as free-fall in oil, coronavirus fears slam markets

NEW YORK — The Dow Jones Industrial Average tumbled 7.8% Monday, its steepest drop since the financial crisis of 2008, as mounting fears over the coronavirus combined with a crash in oil prices to send a shudder through world markets.The staggering losses immediately raised fears that a recession might be on the way in the U.S. and the record-breaking 11-year bull market in the U.S. might be coming to an end.The drop on Wall Street was so sharp that it triggered the first automatic halt in trading in more than two decades.