Amid the coronavirus fears, the Democratic National Committee and local officials said Monday the upcoming debate between former Vice President Joe Biden and Sen. Bernie Sanders will still take place.

Sunday’s debate will be the first time Biden and Sanders, I-Vt., are set to appear on stage after Biden’s strong Super Tuesday showing in which Biden took a double-digit delegate lead over Sanders for the party's presidential nomination.

DNC spokeswoman Xochitl Hinojosa told The Arizona Republic on Monday the debate will proceed.

"We are in touch with local officials and will follow their guidance," Hinojosa wrote in a statement to The Republic. "There are no plans to cancel the debate."

A spokesperson for Sanders said the senator "plans to be in Phoenix on Sunday for the debate." A spokesman for Biden did not issue a statement.

As alarm over the new coronavirus’ rapid spread grew in Arizona and worldwide, Democratic and local officials told The Republic they are taking precautions to minimize spread at the debate, which will bring together a large gathering of the candidates’ campaign teams, the public and reporters in downtown Phoenix at the Arizona Federal Theatre.

Annie DeGraw, a spokeswoman for Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego, told The Republic that officials with the city, county, state, public health, the airport, the Democratic National Convention, CNN, Phoenix Convention Center and the theater "are in daily contact ... to discuss precautions being taken against COVID-19."

She added: "We understand the responsibility that comes with hosting an event under these circumstances. We are taking strong precautions, and, most importantly, breaking down communication silos. From now until post-debate we will be convening these stakeholders daily to discuss precautions we are taking.

"We understand that the fear felt by residents is real, which is why we want to ensure transparency and efficiency in the dissemination of information on this topic. At this time, we are working with the understanding that the debate is moving forward as planned and taking proper safety precautions in the lead up to Sunday. Based on this information, we will reassess daily what possible changes need to be made."

Worldwide, the novel coronavirus has infected more than 100,000 people and left 3,400 dead.

Arizona’s count of new coronavirus cases stood at five as of Monday morning, but additional tests were pending. All of the confirmed and presumptive positive cases were in Maricopa and Pinal counties.

Arizona is one of a minority of states where “community transmission” of the virus has occurred, meaning one individual was not known to have traveled to an affected area and had no known contact with anyone infected with the virus.

Public health experts have said people at high risk should avoid large gatherings and keep a safe distance from others, particularly at large gatherings, which could provide prime breeding grounds for the virus. The warnings have prompted cancellations of annual events, from the South by Southwest event in Texas to the BNP Paribas Open in Southern California.

Have news to share about Arizona's U.S. senators or national politics? Reach the reporter on Twitter and Facebook. Contact her at yvonne.wingett@arizonarepublic.com and 602-444-4712.

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