Covid–19 Headlines Mar 17, 2020 – Jesse Santiano M.D.

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Covid-19 Headlines

Coronavirus confirmed in all 50 states with first West Virginia diagnosis-The Hill

Americans Rush To Buy Firearms As COVID-19 Stokes Fear Of Unrest- ZH

First it was food, now it’s guns.

Americans worried about the impact of coronavirus have been lining up at gun stores across the country, arming themselves as fear of social unrest and food shortages have sparked a surge in preparedness.

South Korea university develops recyclable facial masks-UPI

SEOUL, March 16 (UPI) — A team of South Korean researchers have developed a recyclable face mask, the Korea Advanced Institute of Science & Technology said Monday.

The team headed by Professor Kim Il-doo said people can reuse the cotton mask, which is equipped with a nanofiber filter, even after washing it more than 10 times.

Coronavirus: testing in US accelerates as companies step in where government failed

At a press briefing in the White House on Tuesday, assistant health secretary Brett Giroir said government diagnostic laboratories carried out 31,878 tests and private labs another 27,000 or so.
While the numbers are still woefully short for a country of 327 million people and a virus spreading exponentially, momentum is picking up. Some 8,000 of those tests involving commercial labs were recorded in the previous 24 hours, Giroir said.

India could be next coronavirus hotspot with ‘avalanche’ of cases

India could become the next global hotspot for virus cases, with experts warning containment measures that proved successful elsewhere in Asia may not work in the world’s second-most populous country.
The South Asian nation, which has so far reported 137 infections and three deaths, is trying to contain the virus by closing its borders, testing incoming travellers and contact tracing from those who tested positive.

State of calamity in Philippines for 6 months

MANILA, Philippines — President Duterte has declared a nationwide state of calamity for six months to address the outbreak of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in the country.

Shelter in place? NYC braces but governor knocks idea down

7 pm EST update. An increase of 7,593 cases and 398 deaths. The death rate of 5%

ice_screenshot_20200317-185823

Coronavirus can be transmitted through faeces, Chinese University study confirms, with experts suggesting stool tests as alternative screening tool-SCMP

5 Reasons why Covid-19 Spreads Fast

Iran warns virus could kill ‘millions’ in Islamic Republic-AP

People with blood type A may be more vulnerable to coronavirus, China study finds-SCMP

There are other factors other than blood type. Age and the presence of underlying medical illnesses.

Protecting At-Risk People from Covid-19

Belgium will go into lockdown for nearly three weeks-Guardian

Italy now has more than 31,000 confirmed cases-CNN

German company might have a vaccine against coronavirus by the autumn-Guardian

The head of the European Union executive has said a German company might have a vaccine against coronavirus by the autumn

Coronavirus ‘shutdown’ could last 18 months: Another warning from the experts who triggered Boris Johnson U-turn by telling him 250,000 could die-Daily Mail

Team of experts at Imperial College London made sobering predictions in a report to advise Government

It had become clear ‘in the last few days’ that the original plan of ‘mitigating’ the outbreak wouldn’t work

The Government yesterday announced a dramatic move to shut down the UK and try to stop the virus

Millions are now working from home and everyone is told to avoid socialising, travelling or going out

Predictions suggest even a best-case scenario will overwhelm NHS intensive care units

NYC will be able to run up to 5,000 tests per day by Thursday-CNN

Georgia bans minibuses, restricts services of gyms and swimming pools from March 18, PM says-Reuters

Trump wants quick checks sent to public in virus response-CNN

All synagogues in the UK should be closed-Guardian

All synagogues in the UK should be closed, the chief rabbi has urged, saying that extraordinary times call for extraordinary measures.

Coronavirus: China pessimistic over global powers’ efforts to save world economy amid distrust-SCMP

Iran temporarily frees 85,000 from jail, including political prisoners, amid coronavirus-Reuters

Why do You Need an Excellent Performance Status?

“Half Of America Will Get Sick”: Here Is What Goldman Told 1,500 Clients In Its Emergency Sunday Conference Call-ZeroHedge

Cape Cod opens drive-through testing site for coronavirus-AP

Cape Cod Healthcare officials said the location in the parking lot at Cape Cod Community College in Barnstable will be open only for patients with a doctor’s order who are showing symptoms of the virus, such as fever, coughing or shortness of breath.

Elderly residents and those who have serious medical conditions will be also prioritized, they said.

U.S. Drive-Thru Covid-19 Testing Brings Fresh Hope

Drive-Thru Testing for Covid-19

To keep seniors safe at home, Medicare expands telemedicine

WASHINGTON (AP) — Medicare said Tuesday it will immediately expand coverage for telemedicine nationwide to help seniors with health problems stay home to avoid the coronavirus.

The new option will allow millions of older people to take care of ongoing medical problems as well as new concerns, while heeding public health advice to stay home during the outbreak.

Philippine Airlines to suspend flights as coronavirus spreads

Trump says “we’re starting the process” of helping New York increase hospital capacity

Trump said the federal government has the equipment in stock and they are “looking at a few different sites” in New York. He added that the Army Corp is “ready, willing and able” and just waiting for his go-ahead. “We think we can have quite a few units up very rapidly,” Trump said.

Not enough U.S. hospital beds once Covid-19 epidemic is full-blown

Mall of America closing as Minnesota fights against COVID-19-AP

Over 70s should stop having Sunday lunch with their families, says UK’s top science adviser

Protecting At-Risk People from Covid-19

Top doctor says “it’s possible” US could see peak in coronavirus cases in 45 days

Top US infectious disease doctor Anthony Fauci said at a news conference “it’s possible” the country could see a peak in the number of cases in 45 days, around May 1.

Drive-through COVID-19 test sites built with few specific details

BURIEN, Wash. — For six hours Monday, while crews moved in to erect two very large drive-through tents in the parking lot of Burien’s CVS Pharmacy at 117 SW 160th St, neighbors like Jeff Pike had questions:

US Military Accuses North Korea of Lying About Coronavirus Infection Rate of Zero

Cruise ships stranded after countries adopt virus measures-AP

Are You Ready for High-Intensity Life Situations?

Four-year-old girl with coronavirus symptoms started ‘panting, shaking and vomiting’ after her father gave her ibuprofen to combat illness – as NHS withdraws advice telling sufferers to take it

Amelia Milner was given ibuprofen which made her symptoms worse

The first warning about the painkiller came from France’s health minister

‘If your child has symptoms of coronavirus, DO NOT give them ibuprofen,’ Amelia’s step-father warned

Do you have a coronavirus story? Email sam.blanchard@mailonline.co.uk

I know someone personally who became worse after taking Ibuprofen for an upper respiratory infection. Anti-inflammatories like Ibuprofen stops the inflammation that is necessary to fight infections.

Dollar General: Let senior citizens shop when stores open-AP

GOODLETTSVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Dollar General is dedicating the first hour of its daily store operations to senior citizens in response to the new coronavirus.

12-noon EST update. An increase of 7.086 cases and 339 deaths. Death rate of 3.9%

ice_screenshot_20200317-120001 — JHU CSSE

A recession is likely, say economists and even President Trump. What does it mean?

Former chair of Royal College of GPs who caught virus describes how it REALLY felt – from NHS 111 not replying, to a throat like knives, raging fever and how her ’60-year-old body’ defended itself… and won

Dr Clare Gerada, 60, a GP in London, and former chair of the Royal College of GPs tested positive last week

Said she was just a little out of sorts initially and thought it was probably jetlag after flying back from New York

It started with a new dry cough and then it soon developed into a sore throat before she became feverish

Dr Gerada described her experience as the PM advised against social contact to delay the spread of infection

Symptoms that can be interpreted as something else like a “jet lag” can be the beginning of Covid-19 infection. At the earliest stage, from the first to the fifth day of the symptoms, the patients are VERY infectious.

New Study Explains the Rapid Spread of Covid-19

5 Reasons why Covid-19 Spreads Fast

Sex workers face ruin amid virus fears, brothel closures-AP

“Over the past week business has gone down by 50%,” Marx said, blaming the decline on the general drop in nightlife that’s occurred since the virus arrived in Berlin.

Britain needs ‘big increase in testing’ – government adviser-Guardian

Britain needs a big increase in testing, MPs have been told by Britain’s chief scientific adviser, who added that he is “pushing for it very hard”

“The quicker we can get to a true community-based test the better,” said Sir Patrick Vallance.

Life in San Francisco area screeches to a halt amid shutdown

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — First, people were advised to avoid large gatherings.

Californians adjusted. Life went on. Kids went to school, some people worked from home, but mostly it was business as usual.

Then came the shutdown of almost all California’s schools, and restrictions on smaller and smaller gatherings. The call for bars and wineries to close down.

Coronavirus: Europe to shut border for a month as France braces for a 15-day lockdown amid coronavirus pandemic

Europe experiencing “critical shortages” of medical supplies, WHO official says

Not enough U.S. hospital beds once Covid-19 epidemic is full-blown

Facebook, Twitter, Google and other tech giants join forces to fight coronavirus fake news

They Say Coronavirus Isn’t Airborne—but It’s Definitely Borne By Air-Wired

…But I’m afraid this standard line—this single, calming fact about the new coronavirus—may not be as simple as it seems. When health officials say the pathogen isn’t “airborne,” they’re relying on a narrow definition of the term, and one that’s been disputed by some leading scholars of viral transmission through the air. More at the link.

Dunkin’ to remove tables and chairs from restaurants, to limit service to take-out, delivery and drive-thru

India closes Taj Mahal, Pakistan cases spike after quarantine errors

Mumbai, a densely populated metropolis of 18 million people, also authorised hospital and airport authorities to stamp wrists of those ordered to self-isolate with indelible ink reading “Home Quarantined” and displaying the date the quarantine ends.

The moves, announced late on Monday, come just days after the city shut down schools, cinemas, malls and gyms, and also banned mass gatherings.

Seattle will offer $800 grocery store vouchers to 6,000 families

Food drive extended to help food banks during coronavirus

FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — An annual Kentucky food drive is being expanded and extended to support food banks seeing an increased need due to the coronavirus.

The Kentucky Legal Food Frenzy initiative traditionally runs through March 14 and seeks food and monetary donations from the legal community for Feeding Kentucky, the statewide network of food banks.

Philippines reports 45 new COVID-19 infections, airlines suspend operations

MANILA: The Philippines’ health ministry on Tuesday (Mar 17) reported 45 new confirmed cases of coronavirus, bringing the country’s total to 187.

Malaysia confirms first COVID-19 death, victim is pastor from Sarawak

KUALA LUMPUR: A 60-year-old pastor from Sarawak has become the first patient with COVID-19 to die in Malaysia, the secretariat for Sarawak’s state disaster management committee said on Tuesday (Mar 17).

The global coronavirus recession is beginning

As restaurants, shops, airlines and factories shut down around the world, from New York to Paris and Madrid, economists are warning that a global recession is no longer a looming threat. It’s here.

Singaporeans urged not to travel as ‘it puts everyone at risk’ of COVID-19: Lawrence Wong

SINGAPORE: National Development Minister Lawrence Wong on Tuesday (Mar 17) urged Singaporeans to comply with the Ministry of Health’s (MOH) advisory to defer non-essential travel, after the emergence of more imported COVID-19 cases involving Singapore residents who had returned from overseas.

Coronavirus: more rescue flights planned for Hongkongers stranded in Hubei, epicentre of the Covid-19 outbreak

As well as Wuhan, they will pick up city residents stuck in the cities of Xianning, Xiaogan and Huangshi

Plans announced as Hong Kong records seven more confirmed infections

Food, freight from Malaysia to Singapore not hit by border closure

SINGAPORE (Reuters) – The flow of food and other goods from Malaysia to Singapore will go on as normal, Singapore’s prime minister said on Tuesday, calming fears of shortages after Malaysia announced a border closure in its fight against the coronavirus

South Korea dials up COVID-19 testing with hospital ‘phone booths’

SEOUL: A South Korean hospital has introduced phone booth-style coronavirus testing facilities that allow medical staff to examine patients from behind the safety of a plastic panel, the latest innovation in the country’s drive to track down infections.

COVID-19 infections in Philippines now at 187- Phil Star

MANILA, Philippines (Update 1, 4:44 p.m.) — The Philippines now has a total of 187 novel coronavirus infections on Tuesday after 45 more people tested positive, the Department of Health said.

Kazakhstan reports spike in coronavirus cases-Reuters

African countries shut doors against Europe, America to combat coronavirus-CNN

Lagos, Nigeria (CNN)Africa has so far recorded relatively few coronavirus cases compared to the rest of the world, but governments across the continent are taking no chances as they race to stop the spread of the virus on their shores.

Lockdowns in Malaysia and Philippines as global infections surpass China

Vietnam to halt issue of all visas in coronavirus battle

‘Virus at Iran’s gates’: How Tehran failed to stop outbreak

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Appearing before the cameras coughing and sweating profusely, the man leading Iran’s response to the new coronavirus outbreak promised it was of no danger to his country.

“Quarantines belong to the Stone Age,” Iraj Harirchi insisted.

A day later, he himself would be in quarantine from the virus. The story is educational from a public health perspective. Countries can learn from them.

Coronavirus: China’s economy suffers dramatic collapse in January, February in warning to rest of world-SCMP

Combined data for January and February showed that industrial production, retail sales and asset investment all declined far more than analysts expected

Lockdowns to control the coronavirus proved to be a constraint to economic growth, but with China now in recovery, data suggests what rest of the world could expect

University of Tennessee to keep classes online amid virus

Coronavirus: Hong Kong confirms five more infections as health officials express fears about rise in imported cases

Centre for Health Protection also says two students who just returned from overseas among three who test initially positive for the coronavirus

Hospital Authority officials express worries about the capacity of public hospitals with rise in imported cases

The Hong Kong story above is a good example of why this epidemic will continue for months. Even with local control, outside sources of infections can create new problems. The cases will only decrease if enough people will develop immunity against the virus which will happen after normal exposure and recovery and by a vaccine which is months away.

China designs floating hospital to combat infectious diseases

The ‘Emergency Medical Aid Ship’ will be able to handle coronavirus cases and patients with similar contagious respiratory diseases

Its quarantine functions also could be replicated on Chinese warships and even cruise liners

5 am EST. An increase of 923 cases and 46 cases since 7 pm last night. Death rate 3.9%

ice_screenshot_20200317-045907 — From Reuters

COVID-19: towards controlling of a pandemic

The link above is from Lancet, a medical journal. It has excellent information on the best practice to prevent infection. The knowledge applies to individuals and also to the community.

US tells older people to stay home, all ages to avoid crowds

WASHINGTON (AP) — Racing to stall an expected surge of coronavirus cases, the White House on Monday released a series of sweeping guidelines that for the next 15 days will temporarily rewrite the norms of American society.

Malaysia imposes nationwide movement control order

Malaysia will impose a nationwide movement control order from Wednesday until the end of the month to combat spread of coronavirus, Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin announced Monday night.

‘D’ word rears head as coronavirus-hit markets brace for recession

NEW YORK (Reuters) – The coronavirus shockwaves rippling through U.S. stocks are forcing investors to contemplate outcomes more dire than a recession, including several quarters of declining economic activity, a credit crisis or even a depression.

Military roadblocks, curfews: Latin America tightens coronavirus controls

LIMA/ASUNCION/SAN SALVADOR (Reuters) – Countries around Latin America tightened restrictions on Monday to slow the spread of the new coronavirus, with Peru putting military personnel on the streets, Costa Rica and Colombia closing their borders and other countries ordering curfews.

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