As U.S. coronavirus cases increase and now top 34,000, the federal government has activated the National Guard in three of the hardest hit states: California, Washington and New York.
Nearly half all U.S. cases — 16,887 — are in New York state, making it the epicenter of the U.S. outbreak. New Yorkers, along with millions of people in at least seven other states, are facing orders from their governors aimed at keeping them home to prevent further spread.
There are 34,276 cases of coronavirus across the U.S. COVID-19, the disease caused by coronavirus, has killed at least 413 people across all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Guam, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
President Donald Trump said Sunday that the federal government was deploying National Guard units to the three hardest hit states "to carry out approved missions" and as a "backup" to state leaders. Governors will remain in command, Trump said.
The deployment comes as more than 20 million people in at least eight states face orders from their governors to stay home to curb the spread of the virus.
US surgeon general warns 'this week, it's going to get bad'
The war against coronavirus has intensified across the country as more workers are laid off, medical supplies dwindle, and authorities plead for Americans to stay home.
"I want America to understand — this week, it's going to get bad," U.S. Surgeon General Jerome Adams told NBC's "TODAY" show Monday morning.
"We really, really need everyone to stay at home. I think that there are a lot of people who are doing the right things, but...we're finding out a lot of people think this can't happen to them."
Stay at home orders
California, Illinois, New York and New Jersey were already under stay at home orders over the weekend. Ohio, Louisiana and Connecticut will join them on Monday. An order goes into effect on Tuesday in Delaware.
The orders encourage social distancing measures but make exceptions for people to leave their homes for things like buying food, picking up medicine and going to work for essential jobs. Some encourage being outside and active — as long as it isn't done in groups.
