CLEVELANDURBANNEWS.COM- Democratic presidential hopefuls former vice president Joe Biden and U.S. Sen Bernie Sanders of Vermont, who were originally scheduled to hold separate campaign rallies today in Cleveland, have canceled their events in response to the outbreak of the coronavirus in Cuyahoga County, which includes Cleveland.

Ohio Gov Mike DeWine announced this week that three Ohioans, all of them residents of Cuyahoga County, have tested positive for the new strain of coronavirus, COVID-19.

Biden's campaign event was scheduled for Cuyahoga Community College Recreation Center this evening and Biden's, also this evening, at the Huntington Convention Center in downtown Cleveland.

Mike Casca, communications director for the Sanders campaign, said campaign officials will evaluate future events on a “case by case basis.”

Likewise, Kate Bedingfield, communications director for the Sanders campaign, said in a statement that “we will continue to consult with public health officials and make announcements about future events in the coming days.”

It is the first occurrence of the cancellation of a major campaign event by a presidential candidate since the unprecedented outbreak of the virus in the U.S.

Symptoms include a dry cough, fever and difficulty breathing.

The virus has plagued China where thousands are dead.

It has infected more than 108,000 people around the world coupled with some 3,800 deaths, more than 700 cases occurring in the U.S.

Both campaign events were to be free and open-to-the public on a first-come-first-serve basis.

Ohio will hold its primary election on March 17 with the general election Nov. 3.

Clevelandurbannews.com and Kathywraycolemanonlinenewsblog.com, Ohio's most read Black digital newspaper and Black blog.Tel: (216) 659-0473 and Email: editor@clevelandurbannews.com. Kathy Wray Coleman, editor-in-chief, and who trained for 17 years at the Call and Post Newspaper in Cleveland, Ohio. We interviewed former president Barack Obama one-on-one when he was campaigning for president. As to the Obama interview, CLICK HERE TO READ THE ENTIRE ARTICLE AT CLEVELAND URBAN NEWS.COM, OHIO'S LEADER IN BLACK DIGITAL NEWS.