Covid–19 Headlines Mar 21, 2020



Tip: The epidemic is forecasted to last months. Is it a good time to start vegetable gardening?

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Coronavirus: 17 new infections confirmed in Hong Kong with 20 more people testing positive

  • 20-month-old child among 37 people revealed on Saturday as either confirmed as infected or testing initially positive
  • Most of the newly confirmed patients have travel history, as confirmed city total rises to 273

AP Exclusive: 1st fed inmate tests positive for coronavirus

WASHINGTON (AP) — An inmate at a federal jail in New York City has tested positive for coronavirus, marking the first confirmed case in the federal prison system.

The inmate, who is housed at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn, complained of chest pains on Thursday, a few days after he arrived at the facility, the federal Bureau of Prisons told The Associated Press. He was taken to a local hospital and was tested for COVID-19, officials said.

Spain warns the ‘worst is yet to come’ as coronavirus deaths surpass 1,300

MADRID (Reuters) – The Spanish government said on Saturday it would do whatever was needed to combat the coronavirus pandemic and warned that “the worst is yet to come” after the national toll surpassed 1,300 deaths and reached close to 25,000 cases.

Italy coronavirus deaths jump by almost 800, government shuts most workplaces

ROME (Reuters) – Italy recorded a jump in deaths from coronavirus of almost 800 on Saturday, taking the toll in the world’s hardest-hit country to almost 5,000.

First coronavirus cases in Gaza strip-The Guardian

The first two cases of coronavirus have been confirmed in the densely populated Gaza Strip, Palestinian health officials have said.

Two Palestinians who had travelled from Pakistan and entered Gaza through Egypt had tested positive for the virus late on Saturday and have been in quarantine in Rafah, a town near the Egyptian border, since their arrival on Thursday, the Gaza health ministry said.

Coronavirus vaccine trials: Chinese volunteers recount their experiences-SCMP

108 people aged 18-60 from Wuhan have been injected with a potential vaccine developed by a Chinese pharmaceutical firm and the military

One says that by taking part she can ‘rise above the simple interests of a normal person for once’

Boris Johnson urges against visiting parents on Mothers’ Day

Boris Johnson has warned the coronavirus outbreak is “accelerating”, as he urged people not to visit their parents on Mothers’ Day.

In stark message to the country, he said the NHS was in danger of being “overwhelmed” in the same way as the Italian healthcare system unless people heeded government advice on “social distancing”.

Nursing home outbreaks lay bare chronic industry problems

NEW YORK (AP) — Burgeoning coronavirus outbreaks at nursing homes in Washington, Illinois, New Jersey and elsewhere are laying bare the industry’s long-running problems, including a struggle to control infections and a staffing crisis that relies on poorly paid aides who can’t afford to stay home sick.

7 pm EST. An increase of 15,942 cases and 1,045 deaths since 12 noon. Death rate 4.2%

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France COVID-19 toll jumps 112 to 562-CNA

Jerusalem’s Sepulchre church tells visitors to keep distance due to coronavirus

JERUSALEM (Reuters) – Leaders of Jerusalem’s Church of the Holy Sepulchre, revered as the site of Jesus’s crucifixion and burial, urged worshippers on Saturday to maintain social distancing to help fight the coronavirus.

Church leaders at the ancient holy site in Jerusalem’s walled Old City called on visitors to “avoid any act of devotion that might include physical contact such as touching and kissing the stones, touching icons, vestments and the personnel.”

89 work passes revoked over breach of entry approval, stay-home notice requirements: MOM-CNA

SINGAPORE: A total of 89 work pass holders have had their passes revoked as of Saturday (Mar 21) for breaching entry approval and stay-home notice requirements.

In a press release, the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) said that the workers have been permanently banned from working in Singapore.

Spain’s coronavirus deaths surpass 1,300, close to 25,000 cases: Health Ministry-Reuters

Vaccine scientist: ‘Everything is so new in dealing with this coronavirus-The Guardian

Hanneke Schuitemaker, head of viral vaccine discovery and translational medicine at Janssen Pharmaceuticals, is working to develop just such a vaccine, and answers Observer science editor Robin McKie’s questions.

LVMH orders 40 million masks from China for France

PARIS (Reuters) – LVMH (LVMH.PA), the world’s biggest luxury goods group, is ordering 40 million health masks from a Chinese supplier to help France cope with the coronavirus outbreak.

The first order, for a total of 10 million masks, will be delivered in coming days, LVMH said in a statement on Saturday. This initial batch will be given to the French health service for distribution to those in need early next week.

Virus brings worry, waiting at NYC’s most famous eateries

They’re some of New York City’s most iconic eateries, feeding New Yorkers and on visitors’ must-see lists for decades, some for more than a century.

They’ve been through a lot in those years — wars, financial crises, blackouts, a terrorist attack. But this pandemic, and the steps New York and other places are taking to fight it, like shutdowns and social distancing? It’s like nothing they’ve ever seen.

Shame on you, Britain tells coronavirus panic-buyers

LONDON (Reuters) – Britain on Saturday told people who were panic-buying and hoarding food due to the coronavirus outbreak to calm down, pointing to a video on social media showing an exhausted nurse driven to tears by finding shelves bare after her shift.

Factories pivot to fight coronavirus, but challenges abound

DETROIT (AP) — Factories that crank out cars and trucks looking into making much-needed ventilators. Distilleries intended for whiskey and rum to instead turn out hand sanitizers and disinfectants. And an electronics maker that builds display screens repurposed for surgical masks.

All are answering the call of duty amid a pandemic that has so far claimed more than 11,000 lives and sickened 260,000 people globally.

But redirecting plants to make completely different products will take a long time and a huge effort — possibly too long for some companies to help with medical gear shortages that are becoming more acute every day.

Malaysian Medical Association urges National Disaster Agency to resolve facial mask shortage

KUALA LUMPUR, March 21 — The Malaysian Medical Association (MMA) is calling on the National Disaster Management Agency (NADMA) and relevant ministries to resolve the shortage of face masks for healthcare workers. 

Its president Dr N. Ganabaskaran said some doctors had gone to the extent of recycling their masks while seeing patients and some had chosen to close their clinics because there are no face masks and hand sanitizers to protect themselves and their patients. 

Bolivia announces nationwide, 14-day quarantine to stem spread of coronavirus

LA PAZ (Reuters) – Bolivia’s interim government announced on Saturday a countrywide mandatory quarantine for 14 days to combat the spread of coronavirus in the Andean nation.

Italy’s tally of coronavirus cases and deaths keeps rising, with new day-to-day highs: 793 dead and 6,557 new cases.

ROME (AP) — Italy’s tally of coronavirus cases and deaths keeps rising, with new day-to-day highs: 793 dead and 6,557 new cases.

Coronavirus: 17 new infections confirmed in Hong Kong with 20 more people testing positive

  • 20-month-old child among 37 people revealed on Saturday as either confirmed as infected or testing initially positive
  • Most of the newly confirmed patients have travel history, as confirmed city total rises to 273

New Jersey governor issues stay-at-home order

TRENTON, N.J. (AP) — New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy tweeted Saturday that he has ordered residents to stay home and nonessential retail businesses to close by 9 p.m. Saturday.

He also said all gatherings are canceled.

Eritrea has confirmed its first coronavirus case-The Guardian

The patient is a traveller who arrived in the country from Norway.

German hospitals to treat some coronavirus patients from eastern France

FRANKFURT (Reuters) – Hospitals in the German state of Baden-Wuerttemberg have offered to treat some critically ill coronavirus patients from the neighboring Alsace region in France, which is struggling to cope with a rising number of cases.

Four teaching hospitals and an army hospital in the south-western German state will take in 10 French patients requiring ventilation, and the state is checking with other hospitals for more spare beds in intensive care units, Baden-Wuerttemberg’s science and research ministry said in a statement on Saturday.

New Hampshire officials urge medical supply distribution

CONCORD, N.H. (AP) — New Hampshire’s governor and the four members of its congressional delegation are urging President Donald Trump to take additional action to get critical medical supplies to the state.

The letter to the president came as the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services changed its recommendations for who should be tested for COVID-19, focusing on people who could be at highest risk.

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New York scours for medical supplies, scouts hospital sites

ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — New York is scouring the globe for desperately needed medical supplies and scouting field hospital locations in New York City and its suburbs as confirmed coronavirus cases soared above 10,000 statewide, Gov. Andrew Cuomo said Saturday.

The goal is to quickly boost the state’s hospital capacity from around 50,000 beds to 75,000 beds, Cuomo said at a news briefing. The state has already hospitalized 1,600 people due to the outbreak.

Counties explore converting former prison for COVID-19 care

BENSON, Minn. (AP) — With the new coronavirus expected to spread further, three western Minnesota counties are exploring whether they can turn part of a former prison into a COVID-19 medical center.

The Swift County Monitor reports the plan involves a pod at the Prairie Correctional Facility in Appleton. Hospitals in Chippewa, Lac qui Parle and Swift counties have asked prison owner CoreCivic about the possibility, and the company is open to the idea.

UK coronavirus death toll rises to 233-Guardian

The coronavirus death toll in the UK has reached 233 after NHS England said a further 53 people had died in England after testing positive.

Imports of medical supplies plummet as demand in US soars

The critical shortage of medical supplies across the U.S., including testing swabs, protective masks, surgical gowns and hand sanitizer, can be tied to a sudden drop in imports, mostly from China, The Associated Press has found.

Trade data shows the decline in shipments started in mid-February after the spiraling coronavirus outbreak in China led the country to shutter factories and disrupted ports. Some emergency rooms, hospitals and clinics in the U.S. have now run out of key medical supplies, while others are rationing personal protective equipment like gloves and masks.

Confined by virus, Frenchman runs marathon on his balcony

PARIS (AP) — In the age of confinement, Elisha Nochomovitz figured out a way to run a marathon anyway – back and forth on his balcony.

That’s right. He ran 42.2 kilometers (26.2 miles) straight, never leaving his 7-meter-long (23-foot) balcony.

Central Asia tightens restrictions as coronavirus spreads

ALMATY (Reuters) – Authorities in Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan have announced fresh restrictions aimed at preventing the spread of coronavirus as the number of cases in Central Asia snowballed.

12 noon EST update. An increase of 11,770 cases and 519 deaths since 5:30 this am. Death rate 4.1%

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Wakes allowed, measures to handle COVID-19 bodies in place: NEA

SINGAPORE: Wakes for COVID-19 victims will be permitted as long as there is no contact with the body, the National Environment Agency (NEA) said on Saturday (Mar 21).

Russia Registers 53 New Coronavirus Cases, Total Toll Reaches 306 – Monitoring Centre

MOSCOW (Sputnik) – Russia has registered 53 new cases of the coronavirus in 18 regions over the last 24 hours, which brings the total toll of those infected to 306, the country’s coronavirus response centre reported on Saturday.

Army Blocks Streets in Milan Amid Coronavirus Pandemic

Italy is the country that has been hit hardest by the coronavirus outside China, where the disease originated. As of Friday, more than 42,000 were infected by the virus in the country, with more than 4,000 fatalities since the beginning of the outbreak.

Haitians rush for supplies after first COVID-19 cases found

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (AP) — Haitians rushed to buy food, gas, soap and face masks Friday after the announcement of two imported cases of the coronavirus sparked worries that the Western Hemisphere’s poorest nation could be overwhelmed by the illness.

Singapore reports 47 new cases of COVID-19, more than 80% imported

SINGAPORE: Singapore on Saturday (Mar 21) confirmed 47 new cases of COVID-19, of which 39 were imported cases.

Nine more people have been discharged, taking the total number of patients who have recovered to 140, said the Ministry of Health (MOH).

US tourists stranded abroad don’t know when they’ll return

Linda Scruggs and Mike Rustici trained for months to hike the winding trails leading to Machu Picchu’s complex of Inca ruins. So they were thrilled when their flight landed last Friday in the Peruvian capital.

They managed to do part of their trek but now they are trapped in a Lima hotel room and do not know when they will make it back to the U.S. The couple, like thousands around the world, are trapped after nations closed their borders to try to stop the spread of the coronavirus.

China Starts Clinical Trials of COVID-19 Vaccine – Reports

BEIJING (Sputnik) – China has started clinical trials to test the safety and effectiveness of newly developed vaccines for the coronavirus disease, media reported on Saturday, adding that more than 100 volunteers are participating in the testing.

Dalai Lama Placed Under Quarantine As Precautionary Measure – Spokesperson

MOSCOW (Sputnik) – The leader of Tibet’s Buddhists has been placed under a quarantine, as a precautionary measure in the wake of the COVID-19 outbreak, his spokesman in Russia said.

Spain’s Chinese community’s fight against coronavirus and xenophobia started early

  • Weeks before the country went into lockdown, many Chinese-run shops had closed and workers in the remainder wore masks
  • When the infection arrived, fears of racially motivated insults were realised from abuse on the street to social media attacks

Hong Kong civil servants to return to work-from-home arrangements, with DSE exams to be postponed, Lam says

Hong Kong will make civil servants work from home again and postpone university entrance exams as the city faces a resurgent coronavirus threat because of imported and community-spread infections, the chief executive said at a Saturday night press conference.

Jordan blows sirens for start of nationwide curfew to combat coronavirus: witnesses

AMMAN (Reuters) – Jordan blew sirens at the start of a nationwide curfew on Saturday, limiting the mobility of its 10 million citizens indefinitely to combat the spread of coronavirus, witnesses and officials said.

Coronavirus: four accused of breaking home quarantine in Hong Kong face prosecution as defiance emerges online

Four people who broke home quarantine will be prosecuted, Hong Kong’s leader said on Saturday as images emerged on social media showing how to remove the tracking devices that enforce the new coronavirus policy.
Thousands of the digital wristbands have been given to Hong Kong arrivals from overseas to check they are complying with the 14-day home quarantine orders that came into force on Thursday to tackle the predicted surge of imported Covid-19 cases.

Indonesia confirms 81 new coronavirus cases, six more deaths

JAKARTA: Indonesia has confirmed 81 new coronavirus cases and six more deaths, bringing the total number of cases to 450 and deaths to 38, a health ministry official told reporters on Saturday (Mar 21).

South Korea advises 15-day facilities suspension as experts prepare for ‘long battle’ against coronavirus

SEOUL (Reuters) – South Korea on Saturday advised its public to close facilities and forgo socializing for 15 days, keeping to its policy of voluntary social distancing but warning of consequences if the rules are not followed to slow the coronavirus outbreak.

Shane Warne turns gin distillery over to hand sanitizer

SYDNEY (AP) — Legendary Australia leg-spinner Shane Warne has turned his hand from making gin to making hand-sanitizer as shortages frustrate attempts to control the coronavirus outbreak.

Panic buying, lockdowns may drive world food inflation: FAO, analysts

SINGAPORE (Reuters) – Lockdowns and panic food buying due to the coronavirus pandemic could ignite world food inflation even though there are ample supplies of staple grains and oilseeds in key exporting nations, a senior economist at FAO and agricultural analysts said.

Italy calls in military to enforce coronavirus lockdown as 627 people die in 24 hours

BOGOTA (Reuters) – Colombia’s usually cacophonous capital Bogota was hushed on Friday as residents took part in a quarantine drill meant to prepare people for longer isolation, as the city seeks to reduce coronavirus infections.

Colombia to hold 19-day quarantine to fight coronavirus

BOGOTA (Reuters) – Colombia will enter a nationwide quarantine from Tuesday night, President Ivan Duque said late on Friday, the most drastic measure implemented so far by the South American country as it seeks to prevent the spread of the fast-moving coronavirus.

Trump vs Fauci: President and doctor spar over unproven drug

WASHINGTON (AP) — In an extraordinary exchange, President Donald Trump and the government’s top infectious disease expert, Dr. Anthony Fauci, publicly sparred Friday on whether a malaria drug would work to treat people with coronavirus disease.

The scene played out on national television during the daily White House briefing on the outbreak. Anxious for answers, Americans heard conflicting ones from a just-the-facts scientist and a president who operates on gut instinct.

Cuba bars entry to foreign tourists in bid to contain coronavirus spread

HAVANA (Reuters) – Cuba will bar foreign visitors from entering the country for a month starting Tuesday in a bid to contain the spread of the novel coronavirus in the Caribbean island nation, President Miguel Diaz-Canel said on Friday.

Singapore reports 2 deaths from COVID-19-CNA

SINGAPORE: Two patients in Singapore have died from complications due to COVID-19, the first deaths in the country linked to the infection.

The patients – a 75-year-old Singaporean woman and 64-year-old Indonesian man – died on Saturday morning (Mar 21), the Ministry of Health (MOH) said.

She had a history of chronic heart disease and hypertension and had not travelled recently to affected countries and regions, the ministry said. 

The second patient, known as Case 212, was a 64-year-old Indonesian man with a history of heart disease.

Kickboxing match in Bangkok leads to spike in infections

BANGKOK (AP) — Kickboxing aficionados came from all over Thailand to attend a major Muay Thai match at Bangkok’s indoor Lumpini Stadium on March 6. More than 100 went home unknowingly carrying the coronavirus.

China lends a hand to Africa’s coronavirus fight

  • Chinese health experts are sharing their knowledge and millions of test kits and other equipment are on their way to the continent
  • Ethiopia will be central distribution point as concerns grow about pressure on weak public health systems in some countries

Indonesia confirms 81 new coronavirus cases, six more deaths

JAKARTA: Indonesia has confirmed 81 new coronavirus cases and six more deaths, bringing the total number of cases to 450 and deaths to 38, a health ministry official told reporters on Saturday (Mar 21).

Iran’s coronavirus deaths rise to 1,566, health ministry says

DUBAI (Reuters) – Iran’s death toll from the coronavirus outbreak rose on Saturday by more than 100 to 1,556, and the total number of people infected now exceeds 20,000, a health ministry official said.

Ruby Princess logged 158 cases of illness before passengers disembarked without coronavirus testing

The Ruby Princess cruise ship, which docked in Sydney this week and has been linked to six confirmed Australian coronavirus cases, had previously logged 158 instances of illness onboard, according to a News Corp report.

Almost 2,700 passengers were allowed to disembark from the ship at Circular Quay in Sydney on Thursday, before NSW Health had conducted testing for coronavirus among passengers who had been unwell.

War-ravaged Syria takes new steps against coronavirus, says no recorded cases yet

BEIRUT (Reuters) – Syria, already shattered by nine years of war, has banned entry for foreigners arriving from many countries hit by the coronavirus as part of widening measures to combat the epidemic.

Air raid sirens mark start of virus lockdown in Jordan

AMMAN, Jordan (AP) — Air raid sirens echoed across Jordan’s capital early Saturday to mark the start of a three-day curfew, the latest mass lockdown in the region aimed at containing the new coronavirus.

In one of the strictest measures yet, Jordan has ordered all shops to close and all people to stay off the streets until at least Tuesday, when it plans to announce specific times for shopping. Anyone caught violating the curfew faces up to one year in prison.

Confirmed coronavirus cases in Mexico rise to more than 200

MEXICO CITY (Reuters) – Mexico’s health ministry said on Friday that confirmed coronavirus cases in the country now total 203, up by nearly a quarter from the previous day’s tally of 164.

Bangkok to shut malls as COVID-19 cases in Thailand jump

BANGKOK: Thailand reported its largest daily increase in coronavirus infections on Saturday (Mar 21), with 89 new cases taking the national tally to 411.

Taweesin Wisanuyothin, a Public Health Ministry spokesman, said the new cases were linked to earlier infections from a boxing match, an entertainment complex and a religious gathering in neighbouring Malaysia.

Philippines reports 77 new COVID-19 cases; infection count now at 307-PhilStar

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines reported 77 new coronavirus infections on Saturday afternoon, continuing an upward trend that brought the national tally to 307.

According to the Department of Health, the newly reported number of cases was the biggest daily jump so far.

Paraguay confirms first death due to coronavirus: health ministry

ASUNCION (Reuters) – Paraguay on Friday confirmed the first death in the country due to coronavirus, the health ministry said on Twitter.

Taiwan reports 18 new coronavirus cases, all imported

TAIPEI: Taiwan reported 18 new coronavirus cases on Saturday (Mar 21), all imported from people coming from countries including the United States, Britain, South Africa and Indonesia or those having contact with them, bring the total number of infected to 153.

While Taiwan’s initial efforts to control the spread of the virus have won praise at home and abroad, it is now facing an upsurge in cases from people bringing the virus with them to the island, as are some other places in Asia.

‘You’re not on holiday’: Chile’s Pinera under pressure to declare national quarantine over coronavirus

SANTIAGO (Reuters) – Chilean president Sebastian Pinera is under growing pressure to announce a national quarantine by opposition leaders, medical experts and local mayors, who have launched their own measures to try to curb the spread of the new coronavirus.

The drive-in, relic of yesterday, finds itself suited to now

NEW YORK (AP) — The drive-in theater, long a dwindling nostalgia act in a multiplex world, is experiencing a momentary return to prominence.

With nearly all of the nation’s movie theaters shuttered due to the coronavirus pandemic, some drive-in owners think they’re in a unique position to give moviegoers a chance to do something out of the house while keeping distance from others. This weekend, some drive-ins aren’t the only show in town. They’re the only show in the country.

China’s imported coronavirus cases jump as students, expats flock home

SHANGHAI/BEIJING (Reuters) – China reported a record rise in imported coronavirus cases on Friday as expatriates returned home from the United States and Europe, sparking fears of a second wave of infections just as the country recovers from the initial outbreak.

First weekend of California stay-at-home order hits millions

LOS ANGELES (AP) — California has never seen a weekend quite like this.

No sports practice for the kids. No dining out. No church services.

A little more than 24 hours after Gov. Gavin Newsom issued an unprecedented stay-at-home order to 40 million residents to help curb the coronavirus spread, most Californians were faced with how to spend two days of free time with strict limits on their freedom.

Children’s National Hospital to offer speedy coronavirus tests for doctors, nurses-ABC

Children’s National Hospital in Washington, D.C. is touting a machine they said can complete novel coronavirus testing in about 90 minutes. The machine, which is made by a company offsite, has room for three tests, hospital officials said.

China, on virus PR offensive, sends masks and experts abroad-AP

BEIJING (AP) — As the fight against a new virus shifts to Europe and beyond, China is supplying millions of masks and other desperately needed items to struggling governments, hoping to build political ties and defuse criticism that it allowed the disease to spread early on.

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How China’s coronavirus response may shape the future of its flagship Belt and Road Initiative

  • Beijing’s leading infrastructure development role may begin to look different as public health needs shape policies of partners, analysts say
  • European diplomat suggests notion of ‘health silk road’ could cover up Beijing’s mistakes in handling early stages of coronavirus outbreak

Iran to pardon 10,000 prisoners-Guardian/Reuters

Reuters is reporting that Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei will pardon 10,000 prisoners including political ones in honour of the Iranian new year on Friday, state TV reported.

South Asian governments impose coronavirus curfews, border controls

DHAKA/COLOMBO (Reuters) – Bangladesh tightened border controls while Sri Lanka arrested more than two dozen people for violating a nationwide curfew as part of increased efforts on Saturday to prevent the spread of the coronavirus in densely populated South Asia.

Understanding what works: How some countries are beating back the coronavirus-STAT

With Europe and the United States locked in deadly battle with the coronavirus that causes Covid-19, a number of countries that were hit early by the virus are doing a far better job of beating it back. More at the link

5:30 am EST. An increase of 3,840 cases and 122 deaths since 7 pm last night

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Thailand to close malls as coronavirus cases jump

BANGKOK (Reuters) – Thailand announced it will close malls in the capital Bangkok as the country reported its largest daily increase in coronavirus infections on Saturday.

Imports of medical supplies plummet as demand in US soars-AP

The critical shortage of medical supplies across the U.S., including testing swabs, protective masks, surgical gowns and hand sanitizer, can be tied to a sudden drop in imports, mostly from China, The Associated Press has found.

Trade data shows the decline in shipments started in mid-February after the spiraling coronavirus outbreak in China led the country to shutter factories and disrupted ports. Some emergency rooms, hospitals and clinics in the U.S. have now run out of key medical supplies, while others are rationing personal protective equipment like gloves and masks.

Coronavirus like a nuclear explosion, says senior clergyman-Guardian

The pandemic is like a nuclear explosion – bringing a huge initial impact and a fallout that will last for years and shape the nation’s future in unforeseeable ways, the archbishop of Canterbury has warned.

Member of U.S. Vice President Pence’s office tests positive for coronavirus

WASHINGTON (Reuters) – A member of U.S. Vice President Mike Pence’s office has tested positive for the coronavirus but neither President Donald Trump nor Pence have had close contact with the individual, Pence’s press secretary Katie Miller said in a statement on Friday.

Lockdowns multiply globally as virus strains health systems-AP

Major streets and highways were deserted in many parts of the world Saturday as curfews and lockdowns multiplied in the face of a rapidly advancing virus that is severely straining many health systems.

Three American states with a combined population of 70 million are moving to restrict residents to their homes. California started Friday and New York and Illinois were to follow this weekend. Connecticut and Oregon were preparing to do the same.

Chinese students in US face wrenching choice amid global upheaval – stay or return home

  • With classes moved online and the contagion spreading in the US, many are choosing to buy plane tickets and leave
  • But after first promoting the narrative that China is now a safe haven amid the pandemic, Beijing is discouraging its citizens from returning

NYC now ‘epicenter’ of coronavirus crisis, mayor says; 258 dead in US

There are over 19,200 diagnosed cases in the U.S., spanning all 50 states, Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico, and at least 258 of those people have died, according to ABC News’ count.

China, US urged to abandon cold war mentality to unite against ‘common enemy of human beings’

  • The pandemic has re-escalated tensions that appeared to have cooled somewhat after the signing of the phase one trade deal in mid-January
  • Officials from both sides, including US President Donald Trump, have been involved in a war of words in recent weeks

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