Authorities across the United States reported 301 cases of coronavirus and 15 deaths in latest updates.

According to the New York Times the West Coast is bearing the brunt of the toll.

Washington State has recorded the most cases — more than 80 — and the highest number of deaths, 14.

Most of the fatal cases emerged from a Seattle-area nursing home. Officials in King County, said 15 residents of the facility, Life Care Centre, had been taken to hospitals over the past 24 hours.

The number given for infections in the US does not count the 21 people who have tested positive aboard a cruise ship off California.

Vice President Mike Pence — recently appointed as the US government's point man on the coronavirus outbreak — said the cruise ship Grand Princess will be brought to an unspecified non-commercial port where all 2,400 passengers and 1,100 crew will undergo another round of tests.