Two dozen new cases of coronavirus were reported in the US over the weekend |

[bhaigan]

The total number of coronavirus cases in the US jumped by two dozen over the weekend, as the first two deaths from the outbreak were confirmed.

New cases of the virus were announced in Oregon, Rhode Island, Washington state, and Florida on Sunday, bringing the US total to 89.

The new cases prompted emergency declarations in at least two states and sparked new warnings and travel restrictions.

Washington outbreak: One of the deaths was among four new cases confirmed Sunday -- all residents of a long-term nursing facility in Kirkland, Washington, where officials have been investigating a possible outbreak of coronavirus.

More than 50 residents and staff from the Life Care Center are experiencing symptoms, and will be tested for coronavirus, said Jeffrey Duchin, health officer for Seattle and King County. The facility has about 108 residents and 180 staff members.

The investigation was sparked after two people linked to the facility -- a resident and a health care worker -- both tested positive for the coronavirus, Duchin said.