The Democratic presidential debate between Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., and former Vice President Joe Biden has been moved from Phoenix, Arizona, to Washington, D.C., and will be held without a live audience due to the coronavirus pandemic, reports CNN.
"Out of an abundance of caution and in order to reduce cross-country travel, all parties have decided that the best path forward is to hold Sunday's debate at CNN's studio in Washington, D.C., with no live audience," Democratic National Committee communications director Xochitl Hinojosa said in a statement.
Additionally, Univision anchor Jorge Ramos will no longer be the moderator as he had recently been in proximity with someone who was in direct contact with a person that tested positive for coronavirus.
"Both Mr. Ramos and the person he was in contact with are in good health and symptom free," Hinojosa said. "Despite being cleared by medical professionals and out of an abundance of caution, Jorge has decided to step aside from participating in the upcoming March 15 Democratic debate."
Biden and Sanders canceled election-night rallies in Cleveland amid concerns about the virus, which started in Wuhan, China, and has sickened thousands in the United States.
Twenty-five people have died in Washington state from the illness and the World Health Organization on Wednesday declared the virus a global pandemic.
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