Letter from Stanford’s president, dated March 13, 2020 (yesterday), available here: https://healthalerts.stanford.edu/2020/03/13/new-covid-19-actions-letter-from-university-president-marc-tessier-lavigne/
First coronavirus-related death reported in New York
From CNN’s Linh Tran
An 82-year-old woman who tested positive for coronavirus died in a New York City hospital Friday, New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo confirmed on a media conference call today, marking the state’s first coronavirus-related death.
The woman was “long suffering with emphysema,” Cuomo said.
New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio confirmed the death today. The woman had “advanced emphysema, was admitted to the hospital last week as one of our first cases and had been in critical condition ever since,” de Blasio said.
“We’ve known from the outset that these people are the most at risk in this pandemic, and today’s news is a sad confirmation of that reality. I want to thank the staff of Wyckoff Medical Center for their efforts to save this woman’s life, and all the medical professionals on the front lines protecting our most vulnerable,” de Blasio said. "We all have a part to play here. I ask every New Yorker to do their part and take the necessary precautionary measures to protect the people most at risk.”
Georgia governor declares a state of emergency over coronavirus
From CNN’s Artemis Moshtaghian
Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp declared a public health state of emergency in a press conference this morning.
As of Saturday morning, there are 64 cases of COVID-19 in Georgia which is the largest increase in a 24-hour period to date, Kemp said.
There were 42 coronavirus cases reported in Georgia as of Friday afternoon, according to CNN Health’s tally of US cases that are detected and tested in the United States through US public health systems
The state is working on establishing independent test sites in every major region of Georgia, locations of which will be announced early next week, Kemp said. The state has appropriated $100 million in emergency funding to address the spread of coronavirus in Georgia.
Georgia is currently processing 100 specimens per day and by the end of the week the state plans on doubling specimen processing to 200 per day with the addition of new equipment and staffing.
The governor has fully activated the Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency state operation center in response to coronavirus.
China sends medical supplies and experts to Italy to help fight virus
From CNN’s Helena de Moura in Atlanta
A nine-member delegation of Chinese medical experts arrived at Rome’s Fiumicino airport Friday bringing medical supplies on a charter flight, the Xinhua News Agency reported.
Chinese President Xi Jinping has offered Italy “full strategic support” to fight against the coronavirus outbreak, Italy’s state-run ANSA news agency reported Saturday.
In a letter to his Italian counterpart Sergio Matarella, Xi said his government and the Chinese people will “sustain with determination” Italy’s fight against the pandemic that has strained the European nation’s medical system, ANSA reported.
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Planes turn around mid-air because of flight restrictions
From CNN’s Tim Lister and Nada Bashir in London
British travel company Jet2 has canceled all flights to mainland Spain, the Balearic Islands and the Canary Islands.
The company said on Saturday the cancellations were in response to local measures introduced by the Spanish government.
At least five Jet2 flights from the United Kingdom to Malaga and Alicante in Spain were turned around mid-air on Saturday, according to data obtained by Flightradar24, after the airline confirmed it would be cancelling all flights to Spain “with immediate effect.”
“We have taken the decision to cancel all flights to Mainland Spain, the Balearic Islands and the Canary Islands with immediate effect,” a Jet2 spokesman confirmed to CNN in a statement, asserting that the health and safety of customers is the airline’s “number one” priority.
On Thursday, the Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez declared a 15-day state of emergency over the coronavirus pandemic. Daily life has been severely restricted in several Spanish provinces and cities, with large gatherings cancelled, restaurants shut and beaches closed to public.
Millions of students out of schools in the US
From CNN’s Alta D. Spells in Atlanta
At least 46,000 schools across the United States have closed, are scheduled to close, or were closed and later reopened, because of the virus outbreak.
At least 21 million students in the United States have been or will be affected by the closures, according to the Coronavirus and School Closures map maintained by Education Week.
The organization reports schools are closing for many reasons related to coronavirus, including exposures, cleaning, or planning for extended closures.
There are 132,853 public and private schools in the U.S. and almost 50.8 million public school students and 5.8 million private school students, according to the National Center for Education Statistics.
Italy shuts down most civilian flights
From CNN’s Livia Borghese in Rome
The Italian Civil Aviation Authority, known as Enac, said Saturday that it has suspended all civilian flight operations at a number of the country’s major airports, including Rome Ciampino, as part of the country’s emergency lockdown measures to contain the COVID-19 outbreak.
According to Enac, all regular flights operating at Rome Ciampino, Bergamo Orio al Serio, Florence, Reggio Calabria, Brindisi, Trieste and Treviso are to be suspended.
As of Monday, flights operating at Milan Linate will also be suspended, while Terminal 1 at Rome Fiumicino – the capital’s main airport – will be closed the following day, Enac added.
According to the Civil Aviation Authority, the suspension will not affect flights operated by emergency health services or state authorities.
Czechs shut restaurants, pubs and most shops amid outbreak
The Czech government has issued more coronavirus-related bans on Saturday morning.
The country – which has the world’s highest per capita beer consumption – has shut pubs and restaurants for 10 days starting Saturday morning.
The government has previously restricted pubs’ opening hours, but said Saturday stricter measures are needed to prevent further spreading of the virus.
It has also ordered most shops – except food supermarkets, pharmacies, gas station and other stores selling vital items – to close.
Trump says he took the test on Friday night. Results in a day or two.
European Parliament proposes new support for hospitals
From CNN’s Nada Bashir in London
The European Parliament is stepping up its efforts to help tackle the outbreak of the novel coronavirus in Europe, which is now the center of the global pandemic.
The Parliament’s President David Sassoli said Saturday the “serious” nature of the situation requires a collective response, as opposed to unilateral action.
He said:
This situation is so serious that no European government could think of responding alone…to save our countries, we must act together in Europe.
All European countries will receive support for their health systems. This means the supply of materials, support to hospitals, and financing research to develop a vaccine as soon as possible.
According to Sassoli, the new measures will also include commitments to safeguard and protect jobs and businesses, while sustaining the European economy.
“Enough with austerity. Countries are authorized to spend everything that is necessary to guarantee support for employees, self-employed workers, businesses, and banks,” Sassoli said.
The EU has earmarked at least 37 billion euros ($41.2 billion) from the budget for programs designed to help European states tackle the economic impact of the crisis.
How to keep coronavirus fears from affecting your mental health
From CNN’s AJ Willingham
Coronavirus is a serious situation and deserves your vigilance and attention – but the deluge of information, precautions and warnings can take a real toll on your mental health.
Here are some tips on maintaining a happy medium:
Pare down your sources of information. Find a few sources you trust, like the CDC or a community authority, and stick with them. Limit the frequency of your updates, be disciplined with your social media use and know when to walk away.
Name your fears. It may help to sit down and really consider what specific threats worry you. If your fears are practical ones, think about a plan: What are other options if you can’t telework? Do you have savings or support? Being prepared for your fears will help keep them in scale.
Think outside yourself: Since action can allay our anxieties, you may want to also consider what you can do to help others who may be more affected by the outbreak than you, like service or hourly workers who may have to put themselves in disproportionate danger.
Seek support, but do it wisely. If you want to run to a friend to discuss the latest outbreak cluster or your family’s contingency plans, try not to create an echo chamber where overwhelmed people further overwhelm each other.
Look for someone who is handling it differently, or for professional help if it’s an available option.
Pay attention to your basic needs. Don’t forget the essential, healthy practices that affect your wellbeing every day – getting enough sleep, proper nutrition, physical activity, and getting outside as much as possible.
Don’t chastise yourself for worrying. You are allowed to worry or feel bad, and those feelings are valid in times of crisis. The key is to work toward understanding and contextualizing your fears so they don’t keep you from living your healthiest life.
US hospitals aren’t prepared for coronavirus pandemic, experts warn
From CNN’s Jen Christensen, Elizabeth Cohen and John Bonifield
As the coronavirus spreads throughout the US, some health experts are warning that hospitals are not prepared to manage the anticipated number of patients if there is a spike in severe cases.
It’s unclear exactly how many people might need to be hospitalized, but doctors are trying to figure that out as healthcare systems prepare for what could be a large influx of patients.
Here’s one estimate by Dr. James Lawler at the University of Nebraska Medical Center:
On March 5, he predicted that over the next two months, 4.8 million patients will be hospitalized in the US because of the coronavirus – including 1.9 million stays in the intensive care unit.
“This estimation is just that, an estimation,” Lawler said in an emailed statement. “However it is based upon the best epidemiological modeling and opinion of experts in pandemics and respiratory viral disease.”
The US healthcare system will likely struggle. Lawler’s prediction of 4.8 million hospital patients could mean trouble for the US – the entire country doesn’t even have 1 million hospital beds, according to the American Hospital Association.
Of course, this 4.8 million figure wouldn’t all happen at once. Rather, it would be spread out over many weeks, with outbreaks peaking at different times in different communities. Resources will still be severely stretched – but not in all areas at once.
We can still lower these numbers if we act now. Lawler’s estimate “assumes no attempt to lessen the outbreak” – so the numbers can be altered if people follow official guidance like social distancing, avoiding gatherings, and practicing good hygiene, he said.
Test kits are “no longer available” in parts of Australia, health chief says
Stocks of coronavirus test kits have run out in parts of Australia – and supplies elsewhere are running low, the government’s chief medical officer has warned.
Dr. Brendan Murphy addressed fellow healthcare professionals in an open letter, posted to the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners’ website.
“Unfortunately, the extreme pressure on our personal protective equipment (PPE) stocks continues, and the situation regarding pathology test kits, reagents and swabs is deteriorating rapidly, with kits no longer being available in some regions of the country,” he wrote.
“Pathology collection centres have also experienced large backlogs in testing appointments in some parts of Australia, and emergency testing facilities have had to be established in some areas to ensure that urgent patients can get access to testing.”
To address the issue, he urged medical staff to only refer patients for a coronavirus pathology test if they meet the following criteria:
Traveled internationally in the 14 days before illness onset, OR close or casual contact with a confirmed case in the 14 days before illness onset.
Have symptoms of fever OR acute respiratory infection (shortness of breath, cough, sore throat) with or without fever.
Australia is bracing for a wave of infections. The country has 189 cases, according to the World Health Organization, and the number will likely keep rising.
Health officials in the state of Queensland say they are preparing for the possibility that up to 25% of the its population may be infected in the next six months. According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, Queensland’s population is 5 million – meaning officials are preparing to deal with 1.25 million infections.
Across the border in New South Wales, officials say they expect 20% of the state’s population – about 1.6 million people – will be infected.
“De Blasio refuses to shutter NYC schools over coronavirus despite union pressure”
Adam Shaw By Adam Shaw
Donald Trump is asked whether he is going to extend the Europe travel ban to the UK and Ireland. He said: “We’re looking at it very seriously because they have had a little bit of activity unfortunately. We actually have looked at it already and that is going to be announced.”
Donald Trump has been asked why he has still been shaking people’s hands at press conference, contrary to official guidance. He said: “People come up to me … they put their hands out. It’s sort of a natural reflex. We’re all getting out of that.”
Donald Trump attended the press briefing and spoke first, wearing a blue “USA” baseball cap and a suit and shirt but no tie.
Eventually, he said he had taken a coronavirus test – a subject of contention for days after he had contact with a number of people who have since tested positive.
The president opened by praising state and local measures around the coronavirus and the US taskforce, members of which were ranged behind him at the podium. He also thanked members of Congress for passing a coronavirus economic relief bill on Friday night. It still has to pass the Senate.
Trump thanked Steve Mnuchin, his treasury secretary who negotiated the bill with Nancy Pelosi. He did not directly thank the House speaker.
He also boasted about the effect on the stock markets of his Friday Rose Garden press conference, in which he declared a national emergency and announced measures to prepare for the pandemic, but also made a series of claims which were immediately questioned and attacked a reporter who asked about cuts to White House pandemic preparedness teams.
Behind Trump stood surgeon general Jerome Adams, Dr Deborah Birx, housing secretary Ben Carson and Medicare and Medicaid administrator Seema Verma and Dr Anthony Fauci, all for the most part expressionless.
Trump tried to leave without answering questions but was kept in the room.
“By the way, I had my temperature taken coming into the room … and I also took the test,” he said.
He did not reveal the result.
Trump also explained why he continues to shake people by the hand, as he did conspicuously in the Friday press conference.
“Maybe people shouldn’t be shaking hands for the long term,” the famous germaphobe said, though he said he still did it because he had to, as president, as people expected it.
All Guardian
From Andy Slavitt on Twitter: Apple just closed all stores outside China. They know what’s in this thread. That’s a major signal.
NYC just had its first death & there are major concerns hospitals will be overwhelmed. If you live in NYC, stop any social contact.
Speaking of antivaxxers, I wonder if many of them will change their minds if a vaccine for COVID-19 is developed in the near future.
Not current events, you might move this to the other thread, but a view of how the idea of quarantine has been with us for hundreds of years and choices have always had to be made between public health, economics, and politics. The article discusses the failure to quarantine a ship with plague at a French port in the 1700s.
The death toll from the coronavirus outbreak in Lombardy, the Italian region that has been worst affected by the crisis, rose by 76 to 966 on Saturday, according to the region’s senior health official Giulio Gallera.
The number of new cases rose by 1,865 to 11,685, he told a news conference.
The latest national death toll is due to be released later in the day. On Friday, the Italy-wide tally stood at 1,266. (Guardian)
Denmark has confirmed its first coronavirus-related death, according to Reuters.
Egypt is set to close all schools and universities for two weeks, Reuters are reporting.
Hundreds of members of the scientific community have sent two open letters to the British government, voicing their concerns about the response to the coronavirus outbreak.
One comes from 198 academics in the field of maths and science, calling for urgent measures of social distancing across the UK.
It says: “Going for ‘herd immunity’ at this point does not seem a viable option, as this will put NHS at an even stronger level of stress, risking many more lives than necessary.”
Another letter has been signed by 164 behavioural scientists. It raises concerns about the idea of “behavioural fatigue” – the idea that if the public are instructed to take preventative measures too early, they’ll eventually revert back to prior behaviour.
The letter suggests that this has been a cornerstone of British government policy on coronavirus and sheds doubt on the evidence behind this.
“While we fully support an evidence-based approach to policy that draws on behavioural science, we are not convinced that enough is known about ‘behavioural fatigue’ or to what extent these insights apply to the current exceptional circumstances,” it says.
“If ‘behavioural fatigue’ truly represents a key factor in the government’s decision to delay high-visibility interventions, we urge the government to share an adequate evidence base in support of that decision. If one is lacking, we urge the government to reconsider these decisions,” it ends. (Guardian)
Pence announces suspension of all travel to UK and Ireland effective midnight ET on Monday.
Maybe a silly question, but if schools are closing for a minimum of two weeks, is it really necessary to “deep clean” the buildings? From what has been reported, it seems that any potential virus contamination would no longer be viable after 2 weeks.
Denmark closes all borders to fight coronavirus; New Zealand implements strict restrictions”
By Associated Press,Updated March 14, 2020, 6:51 a.m
Seems like some of USA moves criticized, by some pundits, this week are becoming the right thing to do. I think it may be correct in the short term to take these more draconian short term steps like New Zealand and Denmark . And coordinating with every country in advance isn’t practical if it’s a blanket closure.
Denmark did say it talked to neighbor countries before the shutdown.
From an interview with an epidemiologist at UW-Madison:
Why is your main piece of advice to stay home?
A week ago, I was a lot more cautious. People who are in positions where they have to make decisions about canceling events, it’s a tough balance to strike. You don’t want to overreact and shut down society and the economy and do potential harm for no reason. A week ago, I was sort of like, well, this looks like it could turn into a thing. Let’s keep an eye on it. I wouldn’t book any new travel. But this week, it’s really clear that we have a serious public health problem. This outbreak is here in the United States, it’s circulating in the community.
The solution to that really is these what’s called social distancing measures.
I skipped to the end so pardon if I’m repeating. With all these school kids at home and results of testing coming in about 2 weeks from now, I think its going to be very strange times in the big cities. Census says that most Americans live in cities. The kids are already bored and antsy after having their spring break plans cancelled.