Coronavirus Outbreak: Live Updates
- The new coronavirus disease outbreak,
initially identified in China, is continuing to grow more than 3 months
after it was first detected in December.
- More than 135,000 people have contracted
the virus. Over 4,900 deaths have resulted from the
disease.
- The disease is called COVID-19 and is
caused by infection from the new coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2, which is one of
multiple coronaviruses that can infect humans.
- Other examples include SARS, MERS, and
even the common cold.
President bans
travel from Europe; Biden speaks about outbreak
The
spread of the new disease COVID-19 has started to take a toll in the United
States in both large and small ways.
President
Donald Trump and former Vice President Joe Biden both took the opportunity to
explain what they believe are the most effective actions we can take against
the current COVID-19 crisis.
In only
the second Oval Office address of Mr. Trump’s presidency, he laid out his plan
to deal with the health crisis currently facing the United States, one facet of
which is restricting international travel.
“To keep
new cases from entering our shores, we will be suspending all travel from
Europe to the United States for the next 30 days. The new rules will go into
effect Friday at midnight. These restrictions will be adjusted subject to
conditions on the ground,” said Trump during his address.
Some
exemptions may be made for Americans or permanent residents who undergo
screening before they return.
Former
Vice President Joe Biden, in his own speech on the pandemic emphasized the universal
nature of the risk COVID-19 presents.
“This
disease could impact every nation and any person on the planet, we need a plan
about how we’re going to aggressively manage here at home,” said Biden. He also
forcefully disagreed that restricting travel is an effective method of
containing the virus.
The
Former Vice President also derided the Administration for a shortage of
coronavirus testing kits, and insisted, “The White House should measure and
report each day how many tests have been ordered, how many tests have been
completed, and how many have tested positive.”
NBA suspends
season; Broadway goes dark
The NBA
has suspended the rest of the season after a player
on the Utah Jazz tested positive for the virus. Players on five other teams the
Jazz played in recent days will also need to be quarantined.
This
morning, team officials announced a second player on the team had tested
positive for the virus.
New York
Governor Andrew Cuomo announced a ban on gatherings of 500 people, which
effectively means all shows on Broadway will be canceled.
This
afternoon the President of the NCAA announced that the iconic March Madness
basketball tournament will be canceled.
Actor Tom
Hanks and his wife Rita Wilson announced they have contracted the novel
coronavirus. They were in Australia, where Hanks is shooting a movie when they
started to develop symptoms.
The World
Health Organization (WHO) has officially declared COVID-19 a worldwide
pandemic.
Cases of
the disease have topped 135,000 in less than 3 months. More than 4,900 people
have died from the disease globally. U.S. cases have now topped 1,500 with 39 deaths,
according to the New York Times.
Dr.
Tedros Ghebreyesus, the director-general of the WHO, pointed out that cases
outside of China have increased “13-fold” in just 2 weeks.
BREAKING
"We have therefore made the assessment that #COVID19 can be characterized as a pandemic"-@DrTedros #coronavirus
Dr. Anthony Fauci, the director of the National Institute of
Allergy and Infectious Diseases, said in a congressional hearing
Mar. 11 that Americans should be prepared for the outbreak to get worse in the
coming days and weeks.
“We have
got to assume it is going to get worse and worse and worse,” he said according
to the New York Times.
He
continued, “We cannot look at it and say, ‘Well, there are only a couple of
cases here, that’s good.’ Because a couple of cases today are going to [be]
many, many cases tomorrow.”
Virus
shedding is high early in illness, study finds
A new study examined 9 people with the new
coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2. The researchers wanted to understand virus shedding (when the virus leaves its host)
during illness to determine how infectious the disease may be.
Conducted
by German researchers, though not yet peer-reviewed, the findings suggest that
viral shedding occurred in high levels from the throat during early phases of
illness for the patients studied.
However,
the rate of shedding dropped after the fifth day in all patients except for two
experiencing signs of pneumonia. They continued to shed COVID-19 at high levels
until the 10th or 11th day, according to researchers.
“The
present study shows that COVID-19 can often present as a common cold-like
illness. SARS-CoV-2 can actively replicate in the upper respiratory tract, and
is shed for a prolonged time after symptoms end, including in stool,” the study
authors wrote.
Scientists
also found that people with COVID-19 may shed over 1,000 times more virus than
emitted during peak shedding of the 2003 SARS infection. They say this could
explain why COVID-19 has spread so rapidly.
As the
outbreak continues, New Jersey has declared the first death in that state from
COVID-19, a 69-year-old man from Bergen County, according to NBC News.
In
Massachusetts, the total number of confirmed cases has risen to 92, according
to Mar. 10 figures from that state’s Department of Public
Health.
New York
Governor calls in national guard for ‘containment zone’
Governor
Andrew Cuomo has called in the national guard to assist with the creation of a
containment zone in the town of New Rochelle, New York where the state’s
outbreak has been located.
Large
gatherings and schools will be barred in the town, which is north of New York
City. The national guard will be used to help with cleaning public spaces and
ensuring everyone has access to food.
We
are implementing new emergency measures in New Rochelle, which has the biggest
cluster of #Coronavirus cases in the state.
Starting on Thursday for 2 wks, there will be a containment zone with a 1 mile radius around the site of the most cases in New Rochelle.
Starting on Thursday for 2 wks, there will be a containment zone with a 1 mile radius around the site of the most cases in New Rochelle.
COVID-19 has
5-day incubation period; CDC warns at-risk groups to prepare
Researchers
at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health analyzed publicly available
data to find COVID-19 has roughly a 5-day incubation period from exposure to
onset of symptoms.
The analysis also
suggests that about 98 percent of people who develop symptoms will do so within
11.5 days of exposure.
Researchers
said this average time from exposure to onset of symptoms suggests that the
CDC’s 14-day quarantine period for people who were likely exposed to the virus
is reasonable.
“Based on
our analysis of publicly available data, the current recommendation of 14 days
for active monitoring or quarantine is reasonable, although with that period
some cases would be missed over the long-term,” said senior study author Justin Lessler, PhD, associate professor at Johns
Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, in a statement.
Another recent study from Sun Yat-sen University in
China has discovered that SARS-CoV-2 may have an ideal temperature at which it
spreads most easily.
Researchers
analyzed the cumulative number of all confirmed cases in all affected cities
and regions from Jan. 20 to Feb. 4, 2020. Their findings suggest it spreads
most easily at about 48°F (8.89°C).
“The
study found that, to certain extent, temperature could significant[ly] change
COVID-19 transmission, and there might be a best temperature for the viral
transmission, which may partly explain why it first broke out in Wuhan,” wrote
the study authors. “It is suggested that countries and regions with a lower
temperature in the world adopt the strictest control measures to prevent future
reversal.”
The CDC
now estimates that over the next year, many people in the United States will be
exposed to SARS-CoV-2. However, most won’t be severely affected.
“It’s
fair to say that, as the trajectory of the outbreak continues, many people in
the United States will at some point in time, either this year or next, be
exposed to this virus. And there’s a good chance many will become sick,” Nancy
Messonnier, director of the National Center for Immunization and Respiratory
Diseases (NCIRD), said in a telebriefing with
reporters on Mar. 9.
“But
again, based on what we know about this virus, we do not expect most people to
develop serious illness,” Messonnier added.
Messionnier
also warned that people who are at high risk, including people older than 60 or
those with underlying health conditions, should start to prepare for the
outbreak by stocking up on supplies in case they get sick or don’t want to
venture out in the community for groceries.
Italy faces
lockdown to curb spread of virus
In Italy,
where cases of COVID-19 have soared in recent weeks, the government is
effectively locking down the country.
The prime
minister of Italy declared that virtually all commerce will be
banned except for grocery stores and pharmacies.
Recently,
Dr. Tedros Ghebreyesus called on countries to make fighting the disease their
“highest priority.”
"In the past 24h, 2736 cases of #COVID19 were reported from 47 countries
& territories.
There is now a total of 98,023 reported cases globally & 3380 deaths.
We are now on the verge of reaching 100,000 confirmed cases"-@DrTedros #coronavirus
There is now a total of 98,023 reported cases globally & 3380 deaths.
We are now on the verge of reaching 100,000 confirmed cases"-@DrTedros #coronavirus
"As
#COVID19 cases increase, we are
continuing to recommend that all countries make containment their highest
priority.
We continue to call on countries to find, test, isolate and care for every case, and to trace every contact"-@DrTedros #coronavirus
We continue to call on countries to find, test, isolate and care for every case, and to trace every contact"-@DrTedros #coronavirus
A cruise
ship that’s been held off the coast of California after passengers tested
positive for the virus was finally able to dock this week.
The ship
docked at the Port of Oakland, but passengers and crew weren’t able to simply
disembark.
Anyone
with symptoms of COVID-19 will be taken to a healthcare facility. Everyone else
on board will have to spend 14 days quarantined in a federally run facility.
The crew
will remain on board for 14 days for their quarantine.
At least
21 passengers or crew members tested positive for SARS-CoV-2.
“The City
of Oakland, Alameda County, and the Port of Oakland are stepping up in a major
way, and their residents deserve universal praise. They are showing the world
what makes our state great — coming to the rescue of thousands of people
trapped aboard this ship and helping tackle a national emergency,” California
Governor Gavin Newsom said in a statement.
Health
officials in Placer County, California, said the first person to die from the
virus in California had likely contracted the virus while on the cruise ship
from San Francisco to Mexico. The person was an older adult with underlying
health conditions.
Local U.S.
health departments warn they don’t have enough tests
With
increasing numbers of people reporting symptoms of COVID-19 across the country,
local health departments are warning they don’t have enough testing kits.
This
month, a letter from Dr. Raul Perea-Henze, the deputy
mayor of health and human services in New York, reported the city was given
just two test kits.
“New York
City must receive additional testing kits as soon as they are available from
the CDC,” Perea-Henze wrote. “With multiple positive cases, NYC needs maximum
testing capacity to enable successful implementation of the public health
strategies that best protect New Yorkers. The slow federal action on this
matter has impeded our ability to beat back this epidemic.”
After
initial test kits sent by the CDC were delayed in February, the federal
government has come under increased pressure to provide test kits in order
to gauge the extent of the outbreak in the United States.
Vice
President Mike Pence said that testing would be more widely available to
Americans over the coming weeks, according to The New York Times.
But he
also said, “We don’t have enough tests today to meet what we anticipate will be
the demand going forward.”
Nurses sound
alarm over coronavirus response
A survey by the union that represents nurses,
National Nurses United, found a significant portion of nurses say they feel
hospitals are unprepared for a major outbreak of the new coronavirus.
The
survey included responses by 6,500 nurses in 48 states. It found a significant
number of them don’t have clear information about how to handle patients who
may be suspected of having SARS-CoV-2.
But
nearly a quarter said they’re not sure if there’s a plan to isolate patients
with COVID-19 symptoms. Just under 30 percent report they know there’s a plan
to isolate patients with symptoms of COVID-19.
Additionally,
access to medical supplies is becoming an issue. Only 63 percent of nurses
report having access to the N95 respirator face mask in their workplace.
In
addition to the survey, during a press conference, a statement was read from a
nurse in California who cared for a patient with COVID-19.
The
unnamed nurse reported they developed symptoms of COVID-19 but haven’t been
tested yet despite both their doctor and county health officials wanting them
to be tested.
According
to their statement, the CDC determined that because they were wearing
protective gear while caring for the patient, they weren’t able to contract the
virus.
“What
kind of science-based answer is that?” questioned the registered nurse in her
statement released by the union.
She continued:
“[The CDC] claim[s] they prioritize running samples by illness severity and
that there are only so many to give out each day. So I have to wait in line to
find out the results. This is not the ticket dispenser at the deli counter;
it’s a public health emergency! I am a registered nurse, and I need to know if
I am positive before going back to caring for patients.”
“I am
appalled at the level of bureaucracy that’s preventing nurses from getting
tested,” she said. “That is a healthcare decision my doctor and my county
health department agree with. Delaying this test puts the whole community at
risk.”
You touch your
face 16 times an hour
Public
health experts have advised people to stop touching their face to cut down on
your risk of contracting the new coronavirus. But that’s easier said than done.
We talked
to experts who told us how we can train ourselves to avoid touching our face
constantly. More information can be found here.
Governors
declare state of emergency; aid bill passes
Multiple governors including those of California, New
York, Maryland, and Washington have now declared a state of emergency to better deal with the
outbreak in their states.
“The
State of California is deploying every level of government to help identify
cases and slow the spread of this coronavirus,” said Governor Gavin Newsom.
“This emergency proclamation will help the state further prepare our
communities and our healthcare system in the event it spreads more broadly.”
Health
officials have been trying to stop the virus from spreading widely in the
United States, but multiple cases of unknown origin have been detected across the country.
The
federal government recently passed an $8.3 billion aid bill to provide funds to
help fight the outbreak.
A new
summary found that one way to slow the disease may be by simply
getting a thorough travel history from patients.
How many people have it?
More than 127,000 people have contracted the virus first
detected in December.
While
first seen in China, now the disease has been found to be spreading in over 124
countries.
Over
4,700 people have died from the virus globally.
More
people have died from this new coronavirus in 3 months than in the entire
duration of the 2003 SARS outbreak.
However,
the overall death rate is still much lower for this virus (around 2–3 percent)
than the SARS virus (around 10 percent).
Other
updates on the outbreak can be found here.
The WHO says
the fatality rate is around 3 percent for COVID-19
In a
press briefing, officials from the WHO said the fatality rate for COVID-19 may
be higher than previously realized.
Ghebreyesus,
the director-general of the WHO, said in a statement that SARS-CoV-2 doesn’t
appear to spread as efficiently as the flu.
“This
virus is not SARS, it’s not MERS, and it’s not influenza. It is a unique virus
with unique characteristics,” he said.
But it
may be more deadly.
“Globally,
about 3.4 percent of reported COVID-19 cases have died,” he said. “By
comparison, seasonal flu generally kills far fewer than 1 percent of those
infected.”
He
pointed out one reason for those different fatality rates is that there are
vaccines and antiviral medications to help treat flu symptoms. But nothing yet
for COVID-19.
Additionally,
he said that according to evidence from China, only 1 percent of COVID-19 cases
have no symptoms, and many people develop symptoms later on.
"Globally,
about 3.4% of reported #COVID19 cases have died. By comparison,
seasonal flu generally kills far fewer than 1% of those infected"-@DrTedros
#coronavirus
How to stock
your medicine cabinet for the coronavirus
As the
outbreak continues to spread, there are ways you can
prepare. Among them is simply stocking up your medicine cabinet with
over-the-counter cold and flu medications.
While
they can’t cure the virus, they can help relieve symptoms of mild cases.
Research finds
new ways the virus can spread
Researchers
are studying how people with the virus shed it and what impact it’s having on
affected populations.
One new
study has found answers that many won’t find comforting.
Testing
and confirmation of SARS-CoV-2 infection is currently carried out by oral
swabs. But research published Feb. 17 in
Emerging Microbes & Infections finds evidence that there’s an oral-fecal
transmission route.
The
scientists reported that viruses’ genetic material can be detected in both anal
swabs and blood samples. Crucially, evidence of the new coronavirus was found
in anal swabs and blood — even when it wasn’t detected using oral swabs.
According
to the study, this was particularly true for those patients receiving
supportive care for several days.
Who’s most at risk?
Although
medical staff, people with illnesses, and older adults are most at risk, more
than 80 percent of COVID-19 cases have been mild, according to a new report from the Chinese CDC.
Hubei
province in China, where the infection is believed to have originated, is the
hardest hit, according to the report.
The
province’s death rate is almost 3 percent, compared with just under a half
percent in the rest of the country.
A lack of paid
sick leave in the U.S. could make the outbreak worse
One of
the most effective
ways to prevent the spread of illnesses like COVID-19 or the
flu is simple: Encourage employees to stay home when they’re sick.
But since
the United States doesn’t have a national paid sick leave policy, taking a sick
day remains a financial sacrifice for 32 million workers who lack paid sick leave
benefits.
Without
paid sick leave, workers are more likely to come into work sick, exposing their
co-workers to an illness. This means if SARS-CoV-2 starts spreading widely in
the United States, it could be difficult to stop.
The disease gets a new name
The WHO
announced Feb. 11 in a tweet that the disease from this new coronavirus will
now be called COVID-19. The virus itself is called SARS-CoV-2.
Previously,
it had been called 2019nCoV, although many media outlets referred to the virus
simply as coronavirus — even though that refers to a larger family of viruses.
BREAKING
"We now have a name for the #2019nCoV disease:
COVID-19.
I’ll spell it: C-O-V-I-D hyphen one nine – COVID-19"
Experts
are still learning a lot about this new virus. But some have hoped that warmer
weather will mean a drop in cases, similar to how flu season ends in the
spring.
But
medical experts warn
it’s too soon to tell whether the SARS-CoV-2 outbreak will
diminish this summer.
Because
it’s a totally new virus, people lack immunity, so even in warm weather months
it may still spread across the globe.
How to treat the new coronavirus
Since
SARS-CoV-2 is so new, there’s currently no cure. But doctors have been able to
use supportive care and other antivirals to try to help patients.
Early
studies show some evidence that certain medications, including
those that treat HIV, may help fight the virus.
What to Do If You Have Symptoms of COVID-19
If you have COVID-19 or suspect you have the virus that causes
COVID-19, you should seek medical care.
If you have COVID-19 or suspect you have the virus that causes
COVID-19, you should seek medical care.
You have several options for obtaining medical care, including
being seen by your primary healthcare provider. The CDC recommends calling your
provider first so that they can take the necessary steps to prepare for your
visit and protect others from possible exposure to the virus that causes
COVID-19.
Some healthcare providers also offer virtual visits through your smartphone or
laptop, so you may not need to leave your home for an initial assessment.
If you don’t have a primary healthcare provider, you can use
this tool to find a local primary
care office in your area.
If you have a
medical emergency, call 911. Notify the operator that you have COVID-19 or
suspect exposure to the virus that causes it. If possible, put on a face mask
before emergency medical services arrive.
Will we get a vaccine soon?
Multiple
organizations are already working on a vaccine
for the new coronavirus, but it’s unlikely to be widely released
within the year.
That’s
because rigorous testing is needed to ensure that the vaccine is both safe and
effective.
Where did the
virus come from?
Experts
are still investigating, but early
research suggests the virus originated in bats and then was
transmitted to humans via an intermediary animal.
What’s
the intermediary animal? Potentially a snake or type of anteater called a
pangolin.
How to talk to
kids about the outbreak
A global
outbreak is frightening enough for adults. For kids, it can be overwhelming.
We
talked to experts about the best way for parents to talk to
their kids about what’s going on and how to reassure them.
Parents
should also check in with themselves and consider how their fears may be
influencing their children.
“When a
parent is anxious, their child is going to feel that anxiety and take it on,
regardless of how well they think they mask or hide their anxiety,” said Haley Neidich, a licensed
mental health professional and practicing psychotherapist.
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