Almost every US states have declared states of emergency in response to the coronavirus outbreak.

The country has reported more than 4,660 infections of the novel coronavirus, but amid a nationwide testing shortage the true figure is probably much higher. As of Thursday, almost every state had reported a case.

Business Insider is tracking the cases in the US:

The first week of March saw leaders in states across the country begin to ramp up their responses to the virus, which has killed more than 7,100 people and infected more than 182,000 globally. The coronavirus causes a respiratory disease known as COVID-19.

Mayor London Breed of San Francisco also declared a state of emergency in the city last month, while several other US cities and counties have also declared public-health emergencies over the new coronavirus.

Despite the possibly alarming news, declaring an emergency is a strategic announcement that can help states activate emergency response plans and state emergency operation centers. It also can help governments get reimbursed for money they spend on preparedness from the state and federal government, and it authorizes leaders to use funds to deploy additional personnel, buy equipment, and prepare stockpiles.

President Donald Trump declared a national emergency on March 13.

For the coronavirus, it's given government leaders the opportunity to implement restrictive measures to stop the spread of the virus — Gov. Jay Inslee of Washington is reportedly banning gatherings and events of more than 250 people in the Seattle metro area.

The response from state leadership is in stark contrast to President Donald Trump's repeated downplaying of the outbreak and rocky public appearances in addressing officials' response to the virus.

Here are the states that have declared emergencies.