Update on the latest news, sports, business and entertainment at 11:20 p.m. EDT

AP-VIRUS-OUTBREAK

As pandemic spreads, China's ex-epicenter down to 1 new case

MADRID (AP) — The battle to contain the coronavirus reached new urgency, as more governments locked down borders and ordered new closures and restrictions. Pleas went out to funnel masks and ventilators to places struggling with soaring numbers of sick patients. The growing sense of crisis rocked financial markets and the Dow Jones Industrial Average plunged 12.9%. The shift in the battle lines was made clear by tallies showing infections outside China have surpassed those inside it and Spain now has the fourth-most cases in the world. On Tuesday, just one new case was confirmed in Wuhan, the central Chinese city where the illness was first detected in late December.

AP-FINANCIAL MARKETS-BOX

How major US stock indexes fared Monday

The Dow industrials sank nearly 3,000 points Monday as fears deepened on Wall Street that the coronavirus outbreak will throw the global economy into recession. The 12.9% drop in the Dow was its worst since 1987. The losses accelerated in the last hour of trading as President Donald Trump advised Americans to avoid large gatherings. He also said he sees a chance of recession and promised help to the struggling airline industry. The losses came as huge swaths of the economy come closer to a standstill due to the outbreak as businesses and travel shut down.

NEW ZEALAND-STIMULUS PACKAGE

New Zealand announces economic stimulus equal to 4% of GDP

WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) — New Zealand's government announced it will spend billions of dollars supporting companies as it tries to shore up an economy headed for recession because of the new coronavirus. The stimulus package is equivalent to 4% of GDP. A large chunk of the new spending will go to businesses that can show they have lost more than 30% of their income as a result of the downturn. Other money will go toward health costs, income support, and the airline industry. The country has so far been largely spared from cases of COVID-19 but the vital tourism industry has been hard hit.

AP-US-VIRUS-OUTBREAK-CONGRESS

As Congress eyes economic package, Democrats seek $750B

WASHINGTON (AP) — Congress is rushing to develop a sweeping economic lifeline for American households and businesses suddenly capsized by the coronavirus outbreak. Democrats say at least $750 billion will be needed, with Senate party leader Chuck Schumer calling for “big, bold, urgent federal action.” And top White House officials say a similar-sized package needs to pass. A separate package already passed by the House — with sick pay, free testing and emergency food — could get a Senate vote as early as Tuesday. The rush to inject cash and resources into the economy is an effort unlike any since the 2008 economic crisis.

VIRUS OUTBREAK-WASHINGTON

US tells older people to stay home, all ages to avoid crowds

WASHINGTON (AP) — The White House is out with sweeping new guidelines on the coronavirus. It's urging all older Americans to stay home, everyone to avoid crowds and eating out at restaurants, and gatherings to be limited to no more than 10 people. The guidelines are for the next 15 days as the country tries to blunt the pandemic. President Donald Trump now is acknowledging that the pandemic may send the economy into a recession. The stock market had its worst day since 1987, America's largest school system shut its doors and questions remain about the administration's ability to test for the virus and provide hospital space for those who fall ill.

AP-US-VIRUS-OUTBREAK-GOVERNORS

US governors expand shut downs amid coronavirus concerns

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) — A growing number of governors across the U.S. are ordering the temporary closure of certain businesses such as dine-in restaurants, fitness centers and movie theaters because of concerns over the coronavirus. Other governors on Monday were still leaving those decisions to local officials or the businesses themselves. That's created a patchwork of precautions nationwide in the absence of the type of national directives that have occurred in some other countries. Some governors expressed a desire Monday for greater direction from the federal government. Others said such decisions are best made by mayors, county officials or school boards who are more closely in touch with their communities.

AP-US-VIRUS-OUTBREAK-ELECTIONS

Health chief halts Ohio primary; 3 other states forge ahead

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Ohio's health director has ordered polls closed just hours before they were to open there and in three other states for presidential primaries. Gov. Mike DeWine's office said late Monday that Health Director Amy Acton declared a health emergency and order the polls closed for fears of exposing voters and volunteer poll workers to coronavirus. Arizona, Florida and Illinois were proceeding with their presidential primaries. DeWine failed to get a judge to halt the primary Monday evening and said the election results wouldn't be viewed as legitimate in light of the pandemic that has paralyzed the nation.

ELECTION 2020

How the coronavirus is upending American politics

WASHINGTON (AP) — The most elemental act of American democracy — voting — is facing a big test Tuesday as four states scheduled to hold presidential primaries confront the impact of a global pandemic that has turned everyday life upside-down. As health officials warned against gatherings of greater than 10 people, President Donald Trump said elections should proceed. Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine said late Monday that the state's health director will declare a health emergency and order the polls closed. Elections officials in Arizona, Illinois and Florida said they were moving forward with plans to vote.

AP-US-ELECTION-2020-WASHINGTON-STATE

Biden wins Washington primary, capturing 5 out of 6 states

WASHINGTON (AP) — Joe Biden has been declared the winner of last week's Democratic presidential primary in Washington state, giving him victories in five out of six states that voted March 10. After nearly a week of counting votes, the former vice president on Monday held onto a small lead over Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders that turned out to be insurmountable. Washington was a state that Sanders had been hoping to win. In 2016, he won more than two-thirds of the delegates from the Washington caucuses over Hillary Clinton. Biden won four other states last Tuesday: Missouri, Mississippi, Michigan and Idaho. Sanders won North Dakota.

PLANETARY LINEUP

Stuck home? Planets, moon providing predawn entertainment

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) — Stuck at home this week? The planets and our moon are providing some early morning entertainment. Mars, Jupiter and Saturn will be clustered together in the southeastern sky just before daybreak, along with a crescent moon. Mercury will peek above the horizon. All this is happening amid the earliest March equinox in more than a century. The spring equinox _ or autumn equinox in the Southern Hemisphere _ occurs late Thursday night in the U.S. This is also a good time to spot Sirius. Barely 8.6 light-years away, Sirius is especially bright this time of year.

Copyright © The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.