Finally… took them long enough.
IRAN - 1,075 new cases totaling 10,075 and 75 new deaths totaling 429.
SPAIN - 726 new cases totaling 3,003 and 29 new cases totaling 84.
Another Utah Jazz player has coronavirus
The Utah Jazz said another player on the team has tested positive for coronavirus. The Jazz did not name the player.
Here’s the Jazz statement:
As a follow-up to yesterday’s positive COVID-19 test, Oklahoma health officials tested all members of the Utah Jazz traveling party, confirming one additional positive outcome for a Jazz player. We are working closely with the CDC, Oklahoma and Utah state officials, and the NBA to monitor their health and determine the best path moving forward. (CNN)
The selfishness of some people is just unbelievable!
Man tests positive just before a flight but gets on board anyway.
European leaders “disapprove” of US travel ban
From CNN
European Union leaders said Thursday they disapprove of President Trump’s decision to ban travel from Europe to the US amid the coronavirus pandemic.
In a statement, the Presidents of the European Council and the European Commission, Charles Michel and Ursula von der Leyen, respectively, said that the outbreak is a “global crisis, not limited to any continent and it requires cooperation rather than unilateral action.”
“The European Union disapproves of the fact that the US decision to impose a travel ban was taken unilaterally and without consultation,” the statement read.
In the UK, Donald Trump’s decision was received with skepticism by Rishi Sunak, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, who said there “isn’t evidence that interventions like closing borders or travel bans are going to have a material effect on the spread of infection.”
Speaking to the BBC, Sunak – effectively the country’s Finance Minister – suggested the UK was not considering a similar ban, saying all decisions “with regard to flight bans are always guided by the science.”
Talking to Talk Radio, Sunak also said the ban “will have significant impact” in the UK’s economy but only “but temporarily.”
“More and more restrictions” are coming in New York City, mayor says
CNN
New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio said while he is a believer in not destroying peoples livelihoods — but said “more and more restrictions” are likely coming as the coronavirus outbreak spreads.
He said the new restrictions would “certainly” come today and tomorrow. When asked what kind of restrictions, he said “we are going to put the details out there.”
“We are going to very quickly put out guidance about having to reduce crowds and audiences while still having a certain amount of activity,” he said.
De Blasio said the city has been bracing and preparing, adding many New Yorkers and Americans have been adapting in a way that in people in China and Italy had no chance to do. “People are really changing their habits," he said.
“We still have a chance to stay ahead of this relative to them," he said of the countries with the first outbreaks.
Here’s what de Blasio said about how coronavirus could affect certain New York systems and attractions:
Broadway: When asked about New York’s Broadway shows, he said guidance would come today or tomorrow. “I don’t want to see Broadway go dark, if we can avoid." de Blasio said. He said he would like to strike a balance.
The subway system: He said that if you shut down a subway system, you shut down New York City’s economy. He encouraged employers to stagger commuters, and has asked them to allow workers to telecommute if you can.
New York City schools: De Blasio was asked about schools and noted the states protocol – if a case is identified in the school a temporarily closure will follow, the city will identify any close contacts, alert parents, give the facilities a thorough cleaning and “then we want that school back up and running." He said we don’t want to get into a “slippery slope” of many schools closing.
“We’re making steady progress,” says VP Pence on coronavirus testing
Vice President Mike Pence said the US was “working on making tests broadly available across the country,” in an interview on CNN’s New Day Thursday.
“One of the things we are working on is a central reporting website,” he added.
Pence said that the “American people can be confident” in the country’s handling of the outbreak, adding: “We’re making steady progress.”
The Vice President told CNN that “last week we changed the criteria for testing” and that the “Washington state, California (and) New York clusters are now subject to tough CDC guidance.”
New Day
@NewDay
The CDC website shows the number of tests for coronavirus in the US have gone down in the past few days. VP Pence says the numbers “may not be complete because we don’t necessarily collect today all the information from state laboratories about the tests that are being done.”
[ So, the party line a few days ago was we don’t collect from private labs, now we don’t collect from public labs either 
Still working on reporting website I see. ]
No “confusion” in Trump’s travel ban, Vice President Mike Pence tells CNN
Vice President Mike Pence has insisted there was no “confusion” following President Trump’s shock travel ban announcement.
“I don’t think there was confusion,” Pence told CNN’s New Day on Thursday.
“The President took another historic step, just like he did in January with China,” Pence said of earlier travel restrictions.
“The epicenter of the coronavirus has shifted from China to Europe,” he added.
“The health team came into the Oval Office, presented (the latest information) to the President, and he made the decision on the spot after hearing from all sides that the best thing we could do is suspend all travel,” said Pence.
Pandemic could end by June if enough measures taken, says Chinese respiratory expert
From CNN
A glimmer of hope from Chinese respiratory expert Zhong Nanshan on Thursday, who told a press conference that the coronavirus pandemic could end by June if the hardest hit countries take enough measures.
Zhong, the director of China’s National Clinical Research Center for Respiratory Disease, originally made the prediction on March 9, and said he still stands by it.
“If some countries do not pay attention to the harm and infectiousness of the pandemic, and do not carry out strong intervention, it may take longer,” Zhong said during the conference held by the Guangdong provincial government.
“Normally, in the summer when the temperature is relatively high, the virus is relatively less active.”
Zhong is known for his work against SARS and has previously predicted that the virus in China would peak by mid-to-late February and be under control by the end of April.
AUSTRIA - announces first coronavirus death - a 69-year-old man who had recently travelled to Italy.
Austria has 56 new cases today for a total of 302.
China’s Hubei province is preparing to go back to normal
From CNN
China’s Hubei province, the epicenter of the pandemic, was reporting thousands of infections per day just weeks ago. Yesterday, there were only eight new infections reported there, the country’s National Health Commission said.
Hubei authorities said in a statement Wednesday that the government will gradually allow businesses to reopen and bring public transport back online, key steps in the push to get life back to normal.
This will help the battered economy: Beijing’s decision to keep factories shut and restrict the movement of tens of millions of people has affected everything from property sales, to local business operations and major supply chains in the world’s second-biggest economy.
Wyoming reports its first coronavirus case – making it the 44th US state with infections
“Lab testing at the Wyoming Public Health Laboratory has identified the first known case of a state resident with coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19)," the release said.
The patient is a woman from Sheridan County who has recently traveled domestically.
44 states infected: That means 44 out of 50 states, plus the District of Columbia, have now reported coronavirus cases.
The number of patients in the United States has doubled since Sunday.
Pope urges Italians to support the government during pandemic
From CNN
Pope Francis dedicated Thursday’s homily to Italian authorities, asking people to support the government during the coronavirus pandemic.
Authorities often feel “alone” during times like these, but “it’s for everyone’s common good,” the Pope said.
“Let’s pray for our leaders that have to take these decisions over these measures, let them feel supported by the people,” he said.
There are 208 employees at a Seoul call center. A total of 80 have tested positive for the virus
Among 208 employees of a call center in Seoul, who all work on the same floor, 80 have tested positive for the coronavirus, according to the South Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
There are also confirmed cases from other floors in the same building.
The call center was identified as a new cluster earlier this week, with a spike in cases in Seoul after a few days of diminishing daily cases.
Some 553 other employees on different floors of the building are now under self-quarantine and are being tested, as health officials continue their investigation into the cluster transmission at the call center.
The building has been closed and disinfected, and the area where it’s located has been designated an “infectious disease special zone.”
Health authorities are now trying to figure out whether the confirmed cases on different floors are linked or separate cases, according to Kwon Joon-wook, vice-director of the KCDC. (CNN)
Greece reports its first coronavirus death
CNN
A 66-year-old Greek man is the first coronavirus patient to die in the country
Greece has confirmed a total of 99 coronavirus cases.
“Live updates: Brazilian official who met Trump on Saturday at Mar-a-Lago tests positive for coronavirus”
BREAKING: A Brazilian official who met President Trump and Vice President Pence at Mar-a-Lago on Saturday has tested positive for coronavirus. Fabio Wajngarten, a spokesman for Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro, tested positive for covid-19, Brazilian officials said. Wajngarten stood next to Trump and Pence in a photograph that was taken in Florida.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2020/03/12/coronavirus-live-updates/
Brazilian president’s press secretary tests positive for coronavirus
From CNN
Fabio Wajngarten, the press secretary for Brazilian president Jair Bolsonaro, tested positive for coronavirus on Thursday, according to two sources who spoke to CNN.
The health of the Brazilian president is being monitored.
Wajngarten was with Jair Bolsonaro on last weekend’s US trip, during which the Brazilian president dined with President Trump at Mar-a-Lago. Wajngarten posted a picture of himself with Trump [and Pence all shoulder to shoulder] on Instagram a few days ago.
Why Iran likely has many more cases of coronavirus than it’s reporting, according to researchers
From CNN
Iran’s estimates for the number of coronavirus infections early on in the epidemic are likely to be wildly inaccurate, according to research by a team from Toronto University.
The team estimated that Iran’s official figures could be off by nearly 400 times.
The number of infected people in Iran could have been “around 18,000” — not the 50 that were officially acknowledged, according to assistant professor Ashleigh Tuite, one of the team members who modeled data from infections among people who had left Iran and been diagnosed elsewhere.
She said that the estimates today, based on the work they published in February, would be up in the “hundreds of thousands.”
“Basically by looking at the number of infections that we were seeing in returning travelers, people who had been in Iran and then were diagnosed with COVID-19 in other countries, we were able to use that information, along with information that we have on the number of people who travel every month between Iran and different countries to estimate the number of expected cases that would have to be circulating within Iran," she said.
“While Trump did mention that major health insurance companies would waive copays for coronavirus treatment, insurance industry group America’s Health Insurance Plans contradicted the president’s statement and said it would only apply to coronavirus testing, not treatment.”
It appears that insurance co-pays for coronavirus treatment will not be waived.
The majority of coronavirus infections may be spread by people who have recently caught the virus and have not yet begun to show symptoms, scientists have found.
An analysis of infections in Singapore and Tianjin in China revealed that two-thirds and three-quarters of people respectively appear to have caught it from others who were incubating the virus but still symptom-free.
The finding has dismayed infectious disease researchers as it means that isolating people once they start to feel ill will be far less effective at slowing the pandemic than had been hoped.
[This is a bit of a departure from what the WHO has been saying. Early on, in China, reporting was coming out saying asymptomatic people were contagious. Then, as the virus s;read elsewhere reports seemed to move away from that, implying that asymptomatic people could be contagious but only slightly. Now we have this. Once again, I think there is a lot that is still unknown. ]
Scotland bans mass gatherings of more than 500 people
Scotland’s first minister, Nicola Sturgeon, has announced a ban on gatherings of over 500 people in Scotland.
She also said that at the Cobra meeting it was decided that the UK had moved from the “contain” phase into the delay phase.
The London School of Economics has said it will switch to online-only classes and lectures for all undergraduate and taught postgraduate courses from 23 March, while summer exams will be replaced by online assessments.
Source: Guardian
The director of the World Health Organization, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, has urged government’s to “double down” on efforts to control the Covid-19 pandemic.
In a briefing today he said:
We are deeply concerned that some countries are not approaching this threat with the level of political commitment needed to control it.
Let me be clear: describing this as a pandemic does not mean that countries should give up. The idea that countries should shift from containment to mitigation is wrong and dangerous.
On the contrary, we have to double down.
This is a controllable pandemic. Countries that decide to give up on fundamental public health measures may end up with a larger problem, and a heavier burden on the health system that requires more severe measures to control.
All countries must strike a fine balance between protecting health, preventing economic and social disruption, and respecting human rights.
We urge all countries to take a comprehensive approach tailored to their circumstances – with containment as the central pillar.
Colombia has ordered the cancelation of all events of more than 500 people in the latest attempt to contain the spread of the coronavirus.
The measures announced by the president, Iván Duque, also include a suspension of transiting cruise ships in the country, and follow protocols put in place on Wednesday that oblige people arriving from China, Italy, France and Spain to go into self-isolation at their homes or hotels for two weeks.
Colombia’s football league will play matches behind closed doors, Duque said, as Colombians begin to stockpile household goods and masks in anticipation of a difficult few months.
Declaring a “sanitary emergency” on Thursday morning, Duque said that “quick and exceptional measures” must be taken. He said those measures will be in place until 30 May.
Colombia, an oil exporter, continues to feel the economic fallout from the pandemic, with its peso (COP) the weakest against the dollar (USD) it has ever been when markets opened on Thursday. Colombia has confirmed nine cases of Covid-19.
source: Guardian
Is there any university or college that is still business as usual? The University of Oregon, Oregon State, the University of Illinois, Northwestern, Illinois State, DePaul, Southern Illinois…all having classes remotely.
With all major sports events postponed or cancelled, won’t Major League Baseball be next?
UK - 134 new cases totaling 590. 2 new deaths totaling 10.
The 134 daily increase is the biggest numerical rise so far, and represents a daily increase of 29.4%. At least 30k have been tested.
2 new deaths - an 89-year-old patient who was very unwell with underlying health conditions and a woman who had been very unwell with significant other health conditions.
Our thoughts and condolences are with the patient’s family at what is undoubtedly a ver
ATP suspends tennis tour for six weeks due to coronavirus concerns
From CNN
The ATP has initiated a six-week suspension of the men’s professional tennis tour due to “escalating health and safety issues” surrounding the global coronavirus outbreak.
“The worldwide nature of our sport and the international travel required presents significant risks and challenges in today’s circumstances, as do the increasingly restrictive directives issued by local authorities,” said ATP Chairman Andrea Gaudenzi in a statement.
Major League Soccer suspends games for 30 days
CNN
Major League Soccer, with teams in the US and Canada, has announced it is suspending its season for 30 days as the coronavirus pandemic grows.
The decision goes into effect immediately.
“Our clubs were united today in the decision to temporarily suspend our season – based on the advice and guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC), and other public health authorities, and in the best interest of our fans, players, officials and employees,” MLS Commissioner Don Garber said in a statement. “We’d like to thank our fans for their continued support during this challenging time.”
I get everyone’s concern. But to say the system is failing us etc etc. How is that ? Maybe it will. I do t think so despite it being a bit more painful and hard than we are used to and that’s not good. I get it.
Are there people not getting care ?
We are very lucky imho to live here and have access to our medical system. And professionals.
The massive moves with closure, travel shutdowns and crowd dispersement is unprecedented. And short term. And helpful. More to come.
There’s no government blanket to throw over a free nation, as mobile as we are, to stop this from spreading. We are not an island nation. Our borders are not impervious. Citizens aren’t always truthful about travel.
Ok. Let’s give the president today’s market decline. I still think the announcements and decisions will help.
And when the market rebounds over time I assume. We will have to give them that credit in the converse too. I bet that will happen. Sure. Lol.
I’m know a president can move markets but that’s not what’s happening here exclusively but it’s a part of it. I see the lots of the data and the trading.
Also I’ve heard from a little birdie that grand central station may be closed down for a few weeks.
Hang it there everyone. And I heard Tom hanks doesn’t even feel that sick according to his son.
I hope Dr Fauci doesn’t get fired.
A top U.S. official said the nation cannot process coronavirus tests as quickly, easily or in the same volume as other countries as the virus continues to spread across the U.S., and that’s “a failing.”
“The system is not really geared to what we need right now, what you are asking for. That is a failing,” Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, told the House Oversight and Reform Committee on Thursday at a hearing on the nation’s preparedness for the outbreak.
“The idea of anybody getting it easily the way people in other countries are doing it, we’re not set up for that. Do I think we should be? Yes. But we’re not,” Fauci testified.
I feel for Dr. Fauci. I know he’s trying to be the voice of reason and it must be terrifying to see how unprepared we are for what’s coming–despite the many, many warnings.