Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom announced an order for the 40 million residents of California to stay at home in order to prevent the further spread of the coronavirus pandemic in the Golden State.

Newsom explained the reasoning behind his order in an address Thursday.

"We need to bend the curve in the state of California," he explained, "and in order to do that, we need to recognize reality. The fact is, the experience we're having on the ground throughout the state of California, the experience that's manifesting all across the United States and, for that matter, around the rest of the world, requires us to adjust our thinking and to adjust our activities."

There have been 19 deaths reported in California, and 958 have tested positive for the coronavirus.

Newsom also thanked President Donald Trump and Vice President Mike Pence for their support of his efforts to address the virus.

"There's a mutuality, and there's a recognition of our interdependence, that requires of this moment that we direct a statewide order for people to stay at home," Newsom continued.

"It's time for all of us to recognize as individuals and as a community, we need to do more," he said.

California is the third largest state in the union by square footage and the largest by population. If it were its own nation, it would be the fifth largest economy in the world.

Here's more about Newsom's order: