Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, would not say whether President Trump Donald John TrumpHR McMaster says president's policy to withdraw troops from Afghanistan is 'unwise' Cast of 'Parks and Rec' reunite for virtual town hall to address Wisconsin voters Biden says Trump should step down over coronavirus response MORE and his remaining rivals are at risk after CNN's Alisyn Camerota pressed him on if it is safe for "70-plus-year-old men" to participate in campaign events amid the coronavirus outbreak.

"They're campaigning. They're out pressing the flesh. They're in big crowds. Do you ever worry about Bernie Sanders Bernie SandersMcConnell accuses Democrats of sowing division by 'downplaying progress' on election security The Hill's Campaign Report: Arizona shifts towards Biden | Biden prepares for drive-in town hall | New Biden ad targets Latino voters Why Democrats must confront extreme left wing incitement to violence MORE or Joe Biden Joe BidenCast of 'Parks and Rec' reunite for virtual town hall to address Wisconsin voters Biden says Trump should step down over coronavirus response Biden tells CNN town hall that he has benefited from white privilege MORE or Donald Trump?" Camerota asked Fauci on "New Day" on Monday, referring to the Vermont senator and former vice president, respectively, who are leading the 2020 Democratic field. Sanders, Biden and Trump are all in their 70s.

"They have made a commitment of their life to serve publicly. And that's what they're doing. And there are just risks that people take," Fauci replied. "And there are relative risks. And each individual makes up their mind for their own safety. What I'm saying in general, for the general public, if you fall into that category, be careful. Don't put yourself at an extra risk. But within that, individuals will make their own choice."

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"You're saying, from where you sit, they are taking a risk," Camerota pressed.

"I don't know, really, hardly anything about the underlying conditions of these people. I'm not just talking about elderly people. I'm talking about elderly people with underlying conditions," Fauci replied, without naming the three candidates specifically.

“Above all, don’t go near a cruise ship. Don’t go on a cruise ship,” says. Dr. Anthony Fauci, head of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, who is also on the White House coronavirus task force.https://t.co/qtXipy5YBQ pic.twitter.com/9Rfp1DufHY — New Day (@NewDay) March 9, 2020

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Fauci also echoed the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and State Department recommendation for travelers to avoid cruise ships as the novel coronavirus spreads worldwide.

The CDC underscored that cruise ship passengers are at an “increased risk” because the virus can seemingly spread more easily between people in close quarters.

A cruise ship containing at least 21 infected passengers, the Grand Princess, will dock in California on Monday.

U.S. citizens will be transferred for treatment at medical facilities or quarantined at military bases if showing no sign of symptoms.