Covid–19 Headlines Mar 14, 2020 – Jesse Santiano M.D.

Covid-19 is the disease caused by the virus SARS-CoV-2.

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Ecuador has announced sweeping restrictions

NHS and private hospitals join forces to fight coronavirus crisis

News of the unprecedented partnership came as 245 scientists and mathematicians denounced the government plan to achieve “herd immunity” by delaying measures to prevent the virus spreading, saying acting now would save “thousands of lives”.

Social Distancing works but only for a limited time. Here is the study. After that, it will be useless.

The UK government wants people to get exposed to the virus and develop a “herd immunity”. The problem with that is the British herd may be much smaller after their experimentation

Scientists urge government to enforce social distancing now

Hundreds of scientists have written to the government urging immediate “more restrictive measures” be brought in to enforce social distancing, following the action plan it announced on Thursday.

The 245 UK people supporting the open letter include scientists from a wide range of departments, while it is also backed by 29 international signatories.

The letter says: “In particular, we are deeply preoccupied by the timeline of the proposed plan, which aims at delaying social distancing measures even further. The current data about the number of infections in the UK is in line with the growth curves already observed in other countries, including Italy, Spain, France, and Germany. The same data suggests that the number of infected will be in the order of dozens of thousands within a few days.

Boris Johnson is calling on British manufacturers to boost production of ventilators and other medical equipment

The British Prime Minister will allow the UK people to get infected by not enforcing social isolation and at the same time ask the manufacturers to make more ventilators!

Mind-boggling! This policy makes the next story make sense.

Coronavirus: Hong Kong could add Britain to list of countries with travel restrictions, after top health official says they are watching developments closely

A top health official in Hong Kong has not ruled out extending coronavirus travel restrictions already in place for most of Europe to Britain as well.

NBC News reached out to all 50 state health departments for information on how they are handling testing and what recommendations they have for people seeking tests. More at the link

Italians defy coronavirus with mass singing, applause for doctors

MILAN (Reuters) – Italians came out on Saturday to sing together from windows and balconies and applaud their hard-pressed doctors and nurses as the death toll from Europe’s worst coronavirus outbreak kept climbing.

But as the death toll rose to 1,441 with 21,157 cases, the highest in the world outside China, there has been widespread acceptance of the measures.

Underlining the international dimension of the crisis, a group of Chinese specialists arrived in Italy with medical equipment, including 40 ventilators and some 31 tonnes of other material and advice, Foreign Minister Luigi Di Maio said.

Italy’s death rate is 6.8%!

7 pm EST update. An increase of 5,381 cases and 201 deaths. Death rate of 3.7 %

ice_screenshot_20200314-185742

Canada’s hardest hit province limits virus testing as demand grows for swabs

OTTAWA/TORONTO (Reuters) – Canada’s most populous province of Ontario, which has reported more than 100 new coronavirus cases, on Saturday said it would limit testing for the respiratory illness until it can guarantee a more steady supply of swabs.

France closes shops, restaurants, tells people to stay home

PARIS (Reuters) – France will shut most shops, restaurants and entertainment facilities from midnight on Saturday and people should stay home as much as possible as the spread of coronavirus is accelerating, Prime Minister Edouard Philippe announced.

Oregon looks to provide childcare when schools close

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — As Oregon schools close next week, child care regulators are considering whether to let some day care providers take in more children than currently allowed.

Oregon has 30 confirmed cases of the coronavirus, including eight that have been diagnosed in the past two days among residents of a veterans’ nursing home in the town of Lebanon, about 80 miles (130 kilometers) south of Portland.

What does Britain know about coronavirus that the rest of Europe doesn’t?

London (CNN)There was something contradictory in Boris Johnson’s speech about Britain’s response to the coronavirus on Thursday.

Flanked by the country’s chief scientific and medical advisers, the Prime Minister announced that his government was moving to the “delay” phase of its plan to tackle the outbreak, and warned Britons that they were facing their “worst public health crisis for a generation” and should be prepared “to lose loved ones before their time.”

Israel to shut malls, restaurants, hotels to counter coronavirus

JERUSALEM (Reuters) – Israel will shut malls, hotels and restaurants in a partial shutdown of its economy starting on Sunday and use anti-terrorism tracking technology to minimize the risk of coronavirus transmission, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said.

Ferrari suspends production over coronavirus

ROME: Italian luxury carmaker Ferrari said on Saturday (Mar 14) it was suspending production for two weeks at two of its factories, citing “serious difficulties” related to Italy being in lockdown due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Bolivia bans entry of passengers from China, South Korea, Italy and Spain

LA PAZ (Reuters) – Bolivia will ban the entry of passengers from China, South Korea, Italy and Spain in an effort to contain the spread of coronavirus, interim President Jeanine Anez said on Saturday.

Thousands of police seal Philippine capital to fight virus

MANILA, Philippines (AP) — Thousands of Philippine police, backed by the army and coast guard, started sealing the densely populated capital from most domestic travelers Sunday in one of Southeast Asia’s most drastic containment moves against the coronavirus.

Mayors also announced plans to impose a night curfew in Metropolitan Manila, home to more than 12 million people, who have been asked to stay home except for work and urgent errands under monthlong restrictions that took effect Sunday.

Coronavirus: BTS’ world tour delayed as K-pop industry reels from axed concerts

The boy band is among a host of popular artists that have cancelled events in South Korea and overseas, leaving entertainment firms bracing themselves for sharp losses

Meanwhile, Daegu-born stars, including Oscar winner Bong Joon-ho and BTS member Suga, have each donated US$83,000 to the virus-stricken city’s relief efforts

Chile quarantines 1,300 aboard two cruise ships

SANTIAGO: Chile has quarantined more than 1,300 people aboard two cruise ships after an elderly Briton aboard one of them tested positive for the coronavirus, the health ministry announced on Saturday (Mar 14).

Kuwait closes shopping malls and children’s entertainment centers

CAIRO (Reuters) – Kuwait decided on Saturday to close all shopping malls except for those related to food supplies, the state news agency reported on Twitter.

COVID-19 pandemic: Spain imposes 15-day nationwide lockdown as France shuts ‘non-essential’ public places

Spain plans to put its 47 million inhabitants under partial lockdown from Monday as part of a 15-day state of emergency plan to combat the coronavirus, Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez has announced.

Four more African nations confirm coronavirus, new controls put in place

KIGALI (Reuters) – Mauritania, Rwanda, Seychelles and Central African Republic confirmed their first coronavirus cases on Saturday, bringing to 23 the number of African countries that have reported positive tests for the virus.

Colombia to expel four European visitors for violating quarantine

BOGOTA (Reuters) – Colombia will expel four Europeans for violating compulsory quarantine protocols designed to halt the spread of coronavirus, just hours after it closed its border with Venezuela, the government said on Saturday.

UK to order four-month isolation for elderly: ITV

LONDON (Reuters) – People in Britain aged over 70 will be instructed soon by the government to stay in strict isolation for four months as part of a planned response to coronavirus, broadcaster ITV’s political editor said.

Protecting At-Risk People from Covid-19

Indonesia minister tests positive for coronavirus amid sharp rise in infections

Indonesia’s transport minister is in intensive care after testing positive for the novel coronavirus, an official said Saturday, as schools and tourist attractions were ordered to close over the health threat.

Egypt shuts schools, universities for two weeks as virus cases increase

CAIRO (Reuters) – Egypt said it will close schools and universities for two weeks to prevent the spread of the coronavirus as the number of cases rises, reaching 110 on Saturday with two deaths.

Mexico coronavirus fight gives students earlier, longer Easter vacations

MEXICO CITY (Reuters) – In Mexico 33 million students will head into earlier and longer Easter vacations at the end of next week after Education Minister Esteban Moctezuma on Saturday announced measures to help avoid the spread of the coronavirus.

Greece reports two more coronavirus fatalities, bans all flights to Italy

ATHENS (Reuters) – Greece said on Saturday it banned all flights that were still operating to and from Italy, after reporting two more fatalities from the coronavirus, raising the total number of deaths in the country to three.

Latvia to close borders to stop virus from spreading

RIGA: Latvia will stop nearly all foreigners entering the country from Tuesday (Mar 17) in an attempt to prevent the spread of coronavirus, the country’s prime minister said on Saturday.

Washington confronts coronavirus with new tools and angst

WASHINGTON (AP) —

President Donald Trump announced Saturday that the United States will expand its European travel restrictions to include Britain and Ireland as the U.S., armed with new tools against the pandemic, braced for it to get worse before it gets better. The government’s top infection expert warned that COVID-19 may surge within the nation in coming days.

Spain limits movements, closes shops to stem virus spread

MADRID (AP) — Spain’s government announced Saturday that it is placing tight restrictions on movements and closing restaurants and other establishments in the nation of 46 million people as part of a two-week state of emergency to fight the sharp rise in coronavirus infections.

Rhode Island has 20 confirmed coronavirus cases, up from 14

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) — The number of confirmed cases of the coronavirus in Rhode Island has risen from 14 to 20, state officials announced Saturday.

Lithuania shuts borders to foreign visitors as Balts expand virus fight

VILNIUS: Lithuania said on Saturday (Mar 14) it would shut its borders to most foreign visitors while fellow Baltic EU members Estonia and Latvia imposed security measures of their own to stem the spread of the novel coronavirus.

Seychelles confirms two coronavirus cases: health commissioner

VICTORIA (Reuters) – The Seychelles confirmed two coronavirus cases on Saturday, the health ministry said in a statement.

Swedish government advises against all non-necessary trips abroad

STOCKHOLM (Reuters) – The Swedish government is advising its citizens against all non-necessary trips abroad, it said in a statement on Saturday.

UK set to follow Europe in banning large events as virus toll jumps

LONDON, March 14 — British Prime Minister Boris Johnson is preparing to follow other European countries in banning mass gatherings, media reported Saturday as the country registered a jump in its number of coronavirus cases and deaths.

Thermo Fisher to produce millions of coronavirus diagnostic tests

Thermo Fisher, the largest maker of scientific tools, said Friday it plans to produce up to 5 million kits of a new test to detect the novel coronavirus that causes Covid-19.

The company, based in Waltham, Mass., plans to reach that level of production by the week of April 3, according to Ron O’Brien, a company spokesman.

Massachusetts eases virus test rules, creates command center

BOSTON (AP) — Massachusetts relaxed rules on who can get tested for the coronavirus Saturday in an effort to slow the spread of the outbreak as more cases in the state were announced.

U.S. internet well-equipped to handle work from home surge

BOSTON (AP) — The U.S. internet won’t get overloaded by spikes in traffic from the millions of Americans now working from home to discourage the spread of the new coronavirus, experts say. But connections could stumble for many if too many family members try to videoconference at the same time.

How to clean the bundle of germs that is your phone

NEW YORK (AP) — You’re washing your hands countless times a day to try to ward off the coronavirus.

You should also wash that extension of your hand and breeding ground for germs — your phone. Tests done by scientists show that the virus can live for two to three days on plastic and stainless steel. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends cleaning all “high-touch” surfaces daily, including phones, keyboards and tablet computers. More at the link

Wuhan soccer team leaving Spain to escape virus

MADRID (AP) — The Chinese soccer team that was originally stuck in Spain because of the coronavirus outbreak is going back home to try to avoid its rapid spread in Europe.

Canada urges citizens to get home while they can

The Canadian government says any Canadian who’s abroad should get back to Canada while it’s still possible. That’s a step up from previous advice, which urged travelers outside the country to think about doing so because of the pandemic.

White House steps up safeguards as Trump awaits test results

WASHINGTON (AP) — After days of resistance, President Donald Trump said Saturday that he was tested for the coronavirus and is awaiting his results as the White House stepped up precautions around him following his repeated direct and indirect exposures to COVID-19.

How this South Korean company created coronavirus test kits in three weeks

While some nations have struggled to get enough test kits to diagnose suspected patients, South Korea has provided free and easy access to testing for anyone who a doctor deems needs it. The country’s Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (KCDC) says the country has 118 facilities that can test — and all report their results to KCDC. To date, the country has tested more than 230,000 people.

Will warmer weather help fight the coronavirus? Singapore and Australia suggest maybe not

But what if the virus does not behave like influenza? Could we be dealing with infection rates that remain high throughout the year? More than 100 cases have been confirmed in Singapore, where it’s hot and muggy pretty much year round. Australia, Brazil and Argentina, all currently in the middle of summer, have also reported dozens of cases.

Greece reports two more coronavirus fatalities, suspends all flights to Italy

Coronavirus testing is starting to get better — but it has a long way to go-STAT

The technology behind the tests for detecting the virus, called the polymerase chain reaction or PCR, was invented in the U.S. in 1983. Advances in other approaches to detect viruses, such as antibodies or gene sequencing, were pioneered here, too. But the U.S. health care system has proven unable to test its own people for the virus, SARS-CoV-2, and the disease it causes, Covid-19. To date, the U.S. has seen 1,629 cases and 41 deaths, although those numbers may not reflect reality because of low testing rates.

Under lockdown, Italy’s social and family life goes virtual

NEW YORK/LONDON (Reuters) – As 60 million Italians face a coronavirus country-wide lockdown, many daily interactions among family, friends and colleagues have moved to messaging platforms such as Facebook Inc’s WhatsApp and Microsoft’s Corp Skype.

Ministry reports 17 new coronavirus cases in Qatar; total now 337

Doha: Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) today announced 17 new confirmed cases of coronavirus 2019 (Covid-19) in Qatar taking the total number of cases to 337.

The US is starting to look like Italy on coronavirus lockdown. It could learn a thing or two

(CNN)And so it begins. In the United States, schools are starting to close, overseas travel is restricted and even Mickey Mouse has had to hang up his little white gloves — Disneyland, too, is off limits.

Why do You Need an Excellent Performance Status?

Satellite images show Iran building burial pits for coronavirus victims

(CNN)Iran has been rapidly expanding a major cemetery in Qom, the area worst hit by the country’s novel coronavirus outbreak, satellite images obtained by CNN reveal.

The country has reported at least 10,075 confirmed coronavirus cases and 429 deaths, the third-highest number of cases after mainland China and Italy.

Coronavirus: 60% of UK population need to become infected so country can build ‘herd immunity’, government’s chief scientist says

The UK’s chief scientific adviser has said the government wants 60 per cent of the population to catch coronavirus to try and create “herd immunity” to protect against the virus becoming an annual crisis.

Sir Patrick Vallance told BBC Radio 4’s Today Programme that he thought the coronavirus was likely to become an “annual virus” and that the strategy was to limit the impact on the NHS but not stop the virus completely.

Virus cases balloon around the world as China recovers

BEIJING (AP) — As the rest of the world mobilized to fight the widening coronavirus pandemic on Saturday, China continued to ease up lockdown measures in its hardest-hit region, where the number of new cases has dwindled.

The virus that first emerged in central China late last year has in recent weeks spread exponentially in the Middle East, Europe and North America, leading President Donald Trump to declare a state of emergency for the United States on Friday.

Hong Kong customs officials arrest four persons for selling masks with dangerous bacterial count

The masks – with bacterial count exceeding limit by 0.4 to 11.5 times – could be dangerous for the elderly, children or those with weak immunity

Two brands came from Turkey and Nepal, while the source of two other brands are still under investigation

MANILA, Philippines — The number of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases in the country breached 100 as the Department of Health (DOH) documented 47 new cases yesterday, bringing the total to 111.

Fatalities, meanwhile, rose to eight following the death of three patients, including a 54-year-old Filipino male from Lanao del Sur who had no history of travel abroad or exposure to an infected person.

BEIJING/SHANGHAI (Reuters) – Beijing’s city government said on Saturday that patients with imported coronavirus will have to cover all treatment fees if they are not enrolled for basic health insurance.

HANOI (Reuters) – Vietnam on Saturday confirmed five more cases of the coronavirus, including a British, a Czech and three Vietnamese citizens, bringing the country’s total cases to 53.

Coronavirus: shifting protective gear guidelines frustrate some, but are ‘reasonable’, Hong Kong’s Hospital Authority chief says

Updates to city’s recommendations necessary as knowledge of the global pandemic grows, Tony Ko says

Some changes, including ones governing the use of water-resistant gowns, have been driven by first-hand experience

Iran is one of the countries worst affected by the pandemic outside China, with a death toll of 514 and 11,364 infections

Iran’s security forces will clear the streets nationwide within 24 hours in a bid to stop the virus spreading

Puerto Rico announces its first confirmed coronavirus cases

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) — Tests have confirmed three cases of the new coronavirus in Puerto Rico, the first for the U.S. territory, Gov. Wanda Vazquez said Friday night.

Coronavirus conspiracy theories: US and Chinese politicians rush in where experts fear to tread

A Chinese foreign ministry spokesman who promoted online theories about the origins of Covid-19 is the latest high-profile figure to make unverified claims

Beijing angered by US politicians who have characterised it as a ‘Chinese virus’ and Senator Tom Cotton’s suggestion it came from a lab in Wuhan

For Chinese, US visa halt puts jobs, citizen hopes at risk

BEIJING (AP) — Courtney Huang fell in love with the U.S. as a nursing student in Texas. She ended up staying 13 years and wants to become a U.S. citizen.

But Huang now finds her job, future, and dreams of citizenship on the line since the Trump administration barred entry last month to non-U.S. citizens and residents flying in from China over the coronavirus outbreak.

Venezuela, already in crisis, reports 1st coronavirus cases

CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) — Venezuela confirmed its first two cases of the coronavirus Friday, deepening anxiety in a crisis-stricken nation where many hospitals lack basics such as water and soap and struggle to treat even basic ailments.

Cambodia has banned entry of visitors from Italy, Germany, Spain, France and the US.

The ban will last for 30 days, beginning on March 17, the Ministry of Health has announced.

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Democratic-controlled House, with President Donald Trump’s support, early Saturday passed a bill to provide free testing for the coronavirus, as well as paid sick and family leave, strengthened unemployment insurance and increased food aid to ease the hardship on families. The legislation will be taken up by the Senate next week.

Duterte’s lockdown of Manila is ‘a mockery’, as millions of commuters to be allowed in

So many exemptions have been made to the ‘total’ ban on land, sea and air travel to the Philippine capital that the move no longer makes sense, expert says

Commuters, business owners and government officials are among those who may be given a waiver

House passes aid bill after Trump declares virus emergency

“We did what we said we were going to do: Put families first,” said Pelosi, flanked by Democratic lawmakers, including many freshmen. The House passed the bill after midnight on a bipartisan vote, 363-40. It now goes to the Senate.

Czech government closes most shops, restaurants to fight coronavirus

PRAGUE (Reuters) – The Czech government said it was shutting most shops and restaurants on Saturday for 10 days as part of measures to contain the spread of the new coronavirus.

Philippines declares night curfew in Manila to fight virus

MANILA, Philippines (AP) — Philippine officials on Saturday announced a night curfew in the capital and said millions of people in the densely populated region should leave their homes during the daytime only for work or urgent errands under restrictions imposed to fight the coronavirus.

Manila’s new measures to fight the spread of Covid-19 include putting 12 million people in the capital region under lockdown from Sunday

Some are concerned about the safety of their relatives in the Philippines as well as about the quarantine measures they may face if they return home

Why did China’s multimillion-dollar early warning system fail?

n March 2019 the Chinese infectious diseases watchdog said a Sars-like epidemic would not happen again

Did this new disease spread so quickly because health experts who visited Wuhan, where it first emerged, hid the truth?

Africa’s Rwanda, Mauritania confirms 1st cases: AP

The African nations of Rwanda and Mauritania have recorded their first cases of the coronavirus.

Rwanda’s health ministry says an Indian citizen has tested positive. The central African nation’s health ministry said in a statement Saturday that the man showed no symptoms when he arrived in Rwanda from the Indian city of Mumbai on March 8. It said that on March 13 the man checked himself into a health facility where he was immediately tested and is now in stable condition.

UFC: Conor McGregor vents at ‘stupid’ coronavirus pandemic after aunt dies in Ireland

Former UFC champion reveals he received phone call telling him ‘my lovely little auntie Anne had passed away’

‘Ireland you amazing country, I believe we have this virus contained,’ McGregor writes in emotional Instagram post

Coronavirus: Singaporeans tread with caution, but a ‘new normal’ appears: SCMP

Life in the city is slowly going back to normal, albeit with a little more hand hygiene

Singapore’s prime minister has warned the virus outbreak could be around for up to a year

Taiwan says travelers from Europe to undergo quarantine

TAIPEI (Reuters) – Taiwan will from March 17 require travelers from countries in Europe’s Schengen border-free travel zone as well as Britain and Ireland to undergo a 14-day quarantine upon arrival to control the spread of the coronavirus, its government said on Saturday.

Tensions bubble over at Sea Mountain estate in Yingcheng after man is detained for providing alternative to government-sanctioned suppliers

People tired of having to pay inflated prices for food and other essential items, resident says

Australia has recorded more than 200 confirmed cases of coronavirus

The Chief Medical Officer Brendan Murphy has defended advice he provided to the federal cabinet after Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton became one of the now more than 200 Australians to become infected.

‘I was stupidly overconfident’: a South Korean coronavirus survivor’s tale

University professor Park Hyun took pains to ensure his health, but thought the outbreak was ‘not his problem’

After recovering from Covid-19, he turned to Facebook to share his experience with friends and loved ones looking to ward off the disease

South Korea’s coronavirus response is the opposite of China and Italy – and it’s working-SCMP

Seoul’s handling of the outbreak emphasises transparency and relies heavily on public cooperation in place of hardline measures such as lockdowns

While uncertainties remain, it is increasingly viewed by public health experts as a model to emulate for authorities desperate to keep Covid-19 in check

With about 8,000 confirmed cases and more than 65 deaths, it was until recently the country with the most confirmed cases outside China – but South Korea has since emerged as a source of inspiration and hope for authorities around the world as they scramble to fight the pandemic. More at the link.

Coronavirus: Italy hits single-day record with 250 deaths

Italy on Friday recorded its highest one-day death toll yet from cases of the new

coronavirus , according to official data. There were 250 deaths recorded over the past 24 hours, taking the total to 1,266, with 17,660 infections overall, a rise of 2,547 since Thursday evening.

Moscow makes school attendance optional amid coronavirus outbreak

MOSCOW (Reuters) – Moscow will make school attendance optional starting on Monday in a bid to curb the spread of the coronavirus, its mayor said on Saturday.

Russia has recorded 45 cases of the virus as of Friday.

China’s imported coronavirus cases rise as local infections drop again

BEIJING/SHANGHAI (Reuters) – The number of new coronavirus cases imported into mainland China from overseas surpassed the number of locally transmitted new infections for the first time on Friday, according to data released by the National Health Commission.

Indonesian capital closes schools for two weeks due to coronavirus concerns

AKARTA, March 14 — Indonesia’s capital city will close all schools and ordered remote teaching for at least two weeks starting next week to curb the spread of the coronavirus, Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan said today.

5 am EST. An increase of 1,133 cases and 198 deaths since 7 pm last night. Severe 3.3%, Deaths 3.7&

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Philippine capital to undergo curfew, mall closures as coronavirus deaths rise to eight

MANILA: Mayors of Metro Manila’s 16 cities announced nighttime curfews on Saturday (Mar 14) and urged shopping malls to close for one month, in a bid to contain the spread of the new coronavirus, as the Philippines reported its eighth death.

Thailand reports seven new coronavirus cases, bringing total to 82

BANGKOK, March 14 — Thailand reported seven new coronavirus cases today, bringing the total number of cases in the Southeast Asian country to 82, health officials said.

One person has died so far. — Reuters

World closes borders, restricts travel to contain coronavirus spread

(Reuters) – Countries around the world on Saturday continued to close borders, impose strict entry and quarantine requirements and restrict large gatherings in efforts to contain the spread of the new coronavirus.

Venezuela confirms coronavirus cases amid public health concerns

CARACAS/MARACAIBO (Reuters) – Venezuela on Friday confirmed its first two cases of coronavirus amid concerns that the economically struggling South American nation is unprepared to confront a pandemic that is spreading rapidly around the globe.

COVID-19 infections in the Philippines rise to 64

MANILA, Philippines (Update 1, 9:50 p.m.) — Twelve new coronavirus disease infections were confirmed in the Philippines on Friday, raising the country’s total to 64, a day after the government announced a new set of measures in a bid to contain the contagion.

Schools scramble to feed students after coronavirus closures

ELK GROVE, Calif. (AP) — Kiyana Esco needs free school lunches and breakfasts to feed her six children. But with schools shutting down over coronavirus concerns, she’s scrambling to pick up the meals, care for her kids and keep her job.

NYC keeping schools open, defying coronavirus trend

NEW YORK (AP) — The nation’s largest public school system is staying open during the coronavirus crisis, New York City’s mayor said Friday, defying mounting pressure to close as he raised concerns about the unintended consequences of leaving more than 1.1 million students with no place to go.

Visits halted in fed prisons, immigration centers over virus

WASHINGTON (AP) — Inmates at all 122 federal correctional facilities across the country will no longer be allowed visits from family, friends or attorneys for the next 30 days, in response to the threat of the coronavirus, officials told The Associated Press on Friday.

Big 12 cancels all spring athletic competitions: AP

The Big 12 Conference has canceled all athletic competitions for the rest of the academic year.

Head of Mexico’s main stock exchange tests positive for coronavirus

MEXICO CITY (Reuters) – The president of the board of Mexico’s main stock exchange, Jaime Ruiz Sacristan, has tested positive for coronavirus, according to a statement from the exchange on Friday.

India shuts cinemas in Mumbai, bars in Bengaluru after coronavirus death

MUMBAI/BENGALURU, India (Reuters) – Two Indian states ordered the closure of public buildings, cinemas and bars in several major cities on Friday, with Mumbai and Bengaluru subject to differing restrictions, after the country reported its first death from the coronavirus.

Coronavirus cases in Germany rise by 671 to top 3,000

BERLIN (Reuters) – The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Germany has risen by 671 to reach 3,062, the Robert Koch Institute for infectious diseases said on Friday.

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