Americans woke to a new reality on Monday as multiple states and jurisdictions across the country enact new restrictions as part of their effort to curb the spread of the novel coronavirus, COVID-19.

School districts across the country have shuttered schools, bars and nightclubs have been closed, and restaurants are increasingly serving take-out food only. With at least 3,485 confirmed cases and 65 fatalities in the U.S., officials have taken drastic measures to encourage social distancing, changing how Americans eat, work, and study. Globally, the number of fatalities have surpassed 6,500, according to an estimate from Johns Hopkins University.

Here is your COVID-19 update for Monday, March 16.

CDC Recommends All Events of 50 People or More Be Canceled or Delayed Until May

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommended on Sunday that people begin avoiding groups or events of 50 people or more until at least early May.

"Large events and mass gatherings can contribute to the spread of COVID-19 in the United States via travelers who attend these events and introduce the virus to new communities. Examples of large events and mass gatherings include conferences, festivals, parades, concerts, sporting events, weddings, and other types of assemblies. These events can be planned not only by organizations and communities but also by individuals," the CDC said on its website.

"Events of any size should only be continued if they can be carried out with adherence to guidelines for protecting vulnerable populations, hand hygiene, and social distancing. When feasible, organizers could modify events to be virtual," the statement added.

The recommendation doesn't apply to day-to-day operations of places like schools, institutes of higher learning, or businesses.

The recommendation would mean most public events in the U.S. would be shutdown over the next eight weeks.

The CDC noted that its guidance wasn't "intended to supersede the advice of local public health officials."

The recommendation from the CDC is meant to encourage "social distancing" which health experts say can help the country's health care system from being overwhelmed by "flattening the curve" - or the rate of infections.

Dozens of major events have been cancelled over the last week with the NBA, NHL and MLB all suspending or pushing back the start of their seasons. Several states have also elected to issue orders, or ask that bars and restaurants be closed in an effort to curb the spread of the virus.

On Sunday, Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti ordered that all bars, nightclubs, restaurants (except takeout/delivery), entertainment venues and gyms to be closed until March 31.

Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer is also expected to order all bars and restaurants close at 3 p.m. ET today. Restaurants will still be allowed to serve takeout and delivery.

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