SALT LAKE CITY (AP) - A high-ranking member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints said Sunday that the world will conquer the coronavirus.
“Even as we speak, we are waging an ‘all hands on deck’ war with COVID-19, a solemn reminder that a virus 1,000 times smaller than a grain of sand can bring entire populations and global economies to their knees,” said Jeffrey R. Holland, speaking at the church’s signature gathering.
“When we have conquered it - and we will - may we be equally committed to freeing the world from the virus of hunger and freeing neighborhoods and nations from the virus of poverty,” he said.
The church has temporarily closed 168 temples around the world to help prevent the spread of the virus. Speeches at the conference had no in-person audiences and were livestreamed to millions around the world.
On Saturday, President Donald Trump issued a disaster declaration for Utah and ordered federal assistance for the state, tribal and local recovery efforts due to the coronavirus.
The declaration makes federal funding available to state, tribal and eligible local governments and some private nonprofit organizations for emergency protective measures.
The coronavirus mainly is spread though coughs and sneezes. For most people, it causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough, that clear up in two to three weeks. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia and death.
Lee K. dePalo has been named the Federal Coordinating Officer for Federal recovery operations in the affected areas.
Utah has 1,436 confirmed cases and eight deaths because of the virus, according to a Johns Hopkins University tally on Sunday afternoon.
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