Yesterday there were 589 reported cases in Spain and 17 deaths. Today’s numbers for Spain reflect a greater than 50% increase to 1,036 reported cases and 26 deaths.
Meanwhile a popular Study Abroad company (CIEE) is emailing American students who have registered for upcoming programs and telling them that coronavirus will be globally widespread soon, including in the United States, but that 82% of cases in college age students are mild with 99.8% recovery…
Not sure if this belongs here so be kind ?.
So my electronic medical record system just announced 3/12/2020 we can order the test for the virus through our system with Quest Laboratory.
IRAN - 595 new cases in the past day including 43 deaths. The new totals are now: 7,161 total infections and 237 deaths, with 2,394 confirmed recoveries. [Iran seems to be reporting recoveries much more quickly than other countries, considering their tallies only peaked in the past week.]
Saudi Arabia bans shisha nationwide over coronavirus fears
From CNN
Saudi Arabia has suspended the serving of shisha in cafes and restaurants across the kingdoM…Shisha is tobacco smoked on a water pipe popular in cafes around the Middle East.
A total of 11 cases have been confirmed in Saudi Arabia as of yesterday, according to state media.
The kingdom has also taken other measures to battle coronavirus including suspending the Mecca pilgrimage, temporarily prohibiting travel to and from Al Qateef province, and halting flights from several countries.
EGYPT - "The tour guides association in Luxor, southern Egypt, has told its members that trips have been cancelled for the day, including big archeological sites, hot air balloon rides and a film festival.
According to one guide, who spoke to the journalist Ruth Michaelson, the lockdown is being enforced by local police, with tourists shut in their cabins on cruise ships or inside hotel rooms…
Officials from Egypt’s health ministry are travelling to Luxor today to screen tourists for Covid-19 amid indications of a large outbreak. The city welcomed extra visitors this week for the film festival, which suspended some events due to the outbreak.
The health ministry said overnight that 55 people were now infected with Covid-19 nationwide…reported its first death from the virus on Monday, a German tourist who was infected in Luxor and died in the resort town of Hurghada.
A tally of officially reported cases indicates the German man was not included in the previous toll of those infected, despite official insistence that Egypt is being “transparent” on this issue. Officials have tried to project an image of business as usual, sending the minister of tourism to inspect cruise ships after 45 passengers aboard one in Luxor tested positive for the virus. But the number of visitors developing symptoms after leaving the country in recent weeks has risen sharply. At least 25 foreign nationals have reported signs of the virus since returning home. This includes a Taiwanese national, reported to be the source of the outbreak on the Asara cruise ship in Luxor, who after returning home in late February.
Workers on the vessel contracted Covid-19 but remained on board to welcome new passengers last week, increasing the spread. Several cruise ship staff in the city have quit because of rising concern over the spread of the virus." (Guardian)
@1NJParent so to take that a step further the advice on travel if you have an at risk person in your life. Let’s say your family takes that trip and you come home. Best to stay away from your as risk family members for a couple of weeks following that travel, right? I mean, I feel like the finer points are not really defined here. Personally, with having 3 kids I don’t feel I can be around my 87 year old father in law who has COPD and a 15% ejection fraction at all. I don’t think we should see Grandpa kids. Travel or no travel!
The father and sister of Missouri’s first coronavirus patient broke self-quarantine to attend a father daughter dance at the Ritz Carlton Hotel. So now they’ve exposed students from two schools and guests of the hotel to the virus. The selfishness of some people is just astounding.
CDC recommends travelers not to travel on any cruise worldwide.
How would free lunch access be continued if students are home?
@CTTC they are still working on those details but I would imagine it would be a pick-up location. They offer free lunches during the summer to be picked up to these students as well.
@mom517 I think the advice is to avoid unnecessary activities that could potentially put your loved ones and others, who may be more vulnerable than yourself, at risk. I’d also add that if you can’t avoid these activities, then take as many precautions as you can.
New York City officials confirm three additional coronavirus cases
From CNN
Three additional coronavirus cases were confirmed in New York City bringing the total to 16 confirmed cases, according to Mayor Bill de Blasio’s spokesperson Freddi Goldstein.
India replaces cell phone ringing tone with coronavirus prevention tips
From CNN
If you make a call in India, you might get some health tips. A voice message featuring tips on how to protect yourself against coronavirus has replaced the usual ringing tone for mobile phone users in India.
Nearly 1.2 billion subscribers of telecoms networks, including BSNL, MTNL Reliance Jio, Airtel and Vodafone-Idea, have been hearing a recorded message when they dial out…
The voice message begins with a cough. “Always protect your face with a handkerchief or tissue while coughing or sneezing. Wash your hands with soap frequently," the announcement, voiced by a woman, goes on to say.
"Avoid touching your face, eyes, or nose. If someone has cough, fever, or breathlessness maintain one meter distance. If needed, visit your nearest health center immediately,” it adds.
In New Delhi, the public service announcement is said in Hindi and then English. It ends when the receiver picks up the call.
India currently has 43 confirmed cases of the virus.
Yep. Tatin posted it last night in the other thread.
@mom517 wrote: »
Our school district has already sent out communications regarding working on internet access for those without it, special needs children, and providing continued free lunch access.
@mom517 - How does your district plan to implement the online instructions - teach classes online in real-time, or something else?
Have they communicated how they plan to accommodate students who have to stop attending in person early because of high medical risk?
UAE - 14 new cases totaling 59
Among the new cases are four Emiratis, three Italians, two each from Bangladesh and Nepal, and a Russian, Syrian and Indian.
Saudi Arabia to fine people hiding health details on entry
Saudi Arabia will impose a fine of up to 500,000 riyals ($133,000) on people who do not disclose their health-related information and travel details at entry points, a statement from the kingdom’s public prospector said.
China develops system to recognize faces behind masks
"A Chinese company says it has developed the country’s first facial recognition technology that can identify people when they are wearing a mask - as most are using them because of the coronavirus - to help in the fight against the disease.
China employs some of the world’s most sophisticated systems of electronic surveillance, including facial recognition. But the coronavirus has resulted in almost everyone wearing a surgical mask outdoors in the hope of warding off the virus - posing a particular problem for surveillance.
Now Hanwang Technology Ltd, which also goes by the English name Hanvon, said it has devised technology that can successfully recognise people even when they are wearing masks.
“If connected to a temperature sensor, it can measure body temperature while identifying the person’s name, and then the system would process the result, say, if it detects a temperature over 38 degrees,” Hanwang Vice President Huang Lei told Reuters in an interview. " (Al Jazeera)
New rules for mask purchases in South Korea
"South Korea has adopted a new distribution system for face masks and rationed the number each person can buy each week.
People can now buy masks only on the weekday corresponding to the last digit of their birth year.
That means people born in years ending with one or six can buy masks on Mondays, while those born in a year ending with three or eight can buy on Wednesdays.
No one is allowed to buy more than one a week." (Al Jazeera)
Princeton now online through April 5th and are recommending students stay home after spring break ends. Not super clear if kids have the option to come back to campus since the wording just “strongly recommends” remain at home.
GERMANY - confirms another 256 cases, bringing national total to 1,153. No deaths.
The health minister Jens Spah has appealed to citizens to travel as little as possible, to work from home, when possible, and to contact doctors by telephone in cases where the virus is suspected. Spahn advised people to avoid public transport and to “go by bike or foot,” where possible, stressing that the main goal was to slow down the development of the virus to avoid over burdening Germany’s health service, which has a total of 28,000 emergency beds.
“The longer we can slow down the development of the virus, the better,” he said, adding that the restrictions people would face to their daily lives “will last for months rather than weeks”.
He urged people to act just as they would if they wanted to avoid catching the flu or getting a cold. “Every individual should weigh up and decide what it is easier to avoid, and what is harder,” he said, adding that going to work was more important than going to a football match.
He said he was not in favour of shutting schools and kindergartens, because that would leave tens of thousands of medical staff unable to go to work which would have a hugely detrimental effect on the health system. He said that organisers of large events had so far been too hesitant to cancel them.
Yesterday he followed France’s example, by recommending the cancellation of all gatherings of 1000 people or more, although because of Germany’s federal system, he cannot enforce the recommendation, but could only trust that regional authorities would implement the recommendation. " (Guardian)
"A university in Germany’s Rhineland-Palatinate state has closed due to coronavirus fears, marking the first such instance in the country.
The WHU-Otto Beisheim School of Management, one of Europe’s top business schools, issued a statement “By order of the Mayen Koblenz Health authority, our campus must close until March 13, 2020. The closure of the campus is a precautionary measure that will help the Mayen Koblenz Health Department to identify possible infection chains,’’ the statement said.” (CNN)
"New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio said there’s a “high bar” for closing public schools during the coronavirus outbreak.
He told CNN that temporary closures of specific schools where coronavirus cases are found are possible — but he said he doesn’t anticipate mass closures.
“I don’t want to see mass closures, I want pinpoint response,” he said on CNN.
Asked if New York City could see the kinds of lockdowns that have been put into place in parts of Italy, de Blasio said it’s a “possibility,” but added this:
“It’s a possibility, but I do think people are getting a little bit ahead of ourselves and we should be careful,” he said." (CNN)
Trump administration is reconsidering a possible coronavirus stimulus package, officials say
From CNN
The Trump administration is reconsidering the possibility of major economic stimulus legislation, a senior Administration official told CNN, even though President Trump and Larry Kudlow both indicated Friday the White House wasn’t interested in such a move.
“Congress is sharing a lot of ideas. Up to the President,” the official said.
A separate Administration official told CNN that Trump aides continued discussing possible targeted stimulus ideas over the weekend. The official noted that nothing is finalized or nearing the point where they are ready to announce it.
The ideas still include possible relief for the hospitality and/or travel industries. Trump has also heard from Republican allies, including over the weekend to push for a payroll tax holiday, the official said.
The official said they expected Trump to continue going after the Federal Reserve.
Former White House economic adviser says airlines may need a bailout due to coronavirus
From CNN
Former Director of the National Economic Council Gary Cohn says that the government will likely need to bail out airlines if the coronavirus crisis persists and that monetary stimulus will not help ease the economic pain.
“If this crisis lasts another week or two, we should bail out the airlines,” said Cohn, who added that government assistance would help prevent major layoffs.
Cohn called the Fed’s decision for an emergency rate cut ineffective.
“You can’t fight an emotional and psychological war with financial easing,” Cohn said.
Another cruise ship held off the Florida coast for coronavirus concerns
From CNN
A second Florida cruise ship has been issued a “no sail” order following coronavirus concerns. The Caribbean Princess has received a temporary “no sail” order from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention after the agency learned that two crew members transferred from another ship that previously had at least one guest test positive for coronavirus, according to Princess Cruises.
One crew member transferred more than two weeks ago and the second crew member transferred more than 10 days ago. Both crew members are showing no symptoms and are remaining in their single-occupancy staterooms.
The Caribbean Princess departed Port Everglades on a 10-day Panama Canal, Costa Rica and Caribbean voyage on March 1 and is currently scheduled to end on March 11, per Princess Cruises.
Now, the Caribbean Princess will make a brief stop at Grand Cayman for test kits and then set sail for Florida. The ship is expected to remain anchored off the coast of Florida until the “no sail” order is lifted by the CDC.
This is the second ship to be held off the coast of Florida. The Regal Princess was held under similar circumstances on Sunday. Two crew members on that ship were tested for coronavirus and after the tests came back negative, the ship was allowed to dock and passengers were allowed to disembark.
NY/NJ port authority head has COVID19. (Edit- Executive Director, per Andrew Cuomo)
Didn’t catch their name or exact title.
ETA: link
2 coronavirus cases in Florida are related to an active cruise ship port
From CNN
Broward County in Florida announced that two of the three presumptive positive cases of coronavirus in the county are related to people coming through Port Everglades. Port Everglades is among the most active ports in the US for cruise ships, cargo and petroleum products.
The county government is not providing additional information about what exactly connects the cases to Port Everglades.
The Florida Department of Health has reported 13 cases of coronavirus in the state, including two deaths.
Dublin’s St Patrick’s Day Parade cancelled
The Irish government has cancelled the annual St Patrick’s Day festival amid growing concerns over the spread of the coronavirus.
The government had come under pressure over the past week to cancel the parade, which is the largest street event in the country. It usually attracts 750,000 visitors to the capital.
A cabinet sub-committee was set up to deal with the virus and on the advice of health authorities announced today that all major outdoor events will be cancelled. There are 23 cases of coronavirus on the island of Ireland. (Telegraph)
Posted by the British press (Telegraph) - a tweet from the President today.
Donald Trump, the US President, has given his own informed analysis of the new coronavirus.
Donald J. Trump
@realDonaldTrump
So last year 37,000 Americans died from the common Flu. It averages between 27,000 and 70,000 per year. Nothing is shut down, life & the economy go on. At this moment there are 546 confirmed cases of CoronaVirus, with 22 deaths. Think about that!
Andrew Cuomo (NY governor)
UPDATE: There are additional confirmed cases of #Coronavirus in NYS, bringing total to 142.
Westchester: 98
NYC: 19
Nassau: 17
Rockland: 4
Saratoga: 2
Suffolk: 1
Ulster: 1
We continue to expect more positive cases as we test.
I’m sorry–I just want to be clear on this. CIEE is telling students that, because they’re college-age, they don’t need to worry about traveling for the programs?