California closing northern schools to try to halt coronavirus spread

By Olga R. Rodriguez The Associated Press

5 years ago

California Gov. Gavin Newsom displays a bottle of hand sanitizer while saying the state would t ... — California Gov. Gavin Newsom displays a bottle of hand sanitizer while saying the state would take action against price gouging because of the coronavirus, at a Capitol news conference in Sacramento, Calif., Wednesday, March 4, 2020. (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli)

SAN FRANCISCO — A cruise ship hit by the new coronavirus and headed to the port of Oakland, California, will remain in international waters for at least another day as officials worked on plans to transport passengers to federal facilities around the country.

Local officials in California began ordering the closure of schools and public spaces to try to stop the spread of the virus.

The largest school district in Northern California canceled classes for a week for its nearly 64,000 students after it was discovered a family in the district was exposed to COVID-19.

Gov. Gavin Newsom warned Sunday that more closures are likely around the state as the virus spreads as he prepared for the Monday arrival of the Grand Princess carrying more than 3,500 people from 54 countries.