Coronavirus in the US

Parent Cafe
6521

NY Update (Department of health).

Data last updated 12:30pm March 14, 2020
Positive Cases
Albany County: 3
Broome County: 1
Delaware County: 1
Dutchess County: 3
Herkimer County: 1
Monroe County: 2
Nassau County: 68
Orange County: 6
Rockland County: 10
Saratoga: 3
Schenectady: 1
Suffolk County: 33
Tioga County: 1
Tompkins County: 1
Ulster County: 5
Westchester County: 172
New York State (Outside of NYC) 311

New York City: 213

Total Positive Cases (Statewide) 524

NYC now has more cases than Westchester County
More than 100 cases in the last 24 hours.

6522

Israel further tightens coronavirus restrictions, limits gatherings to 10 people
From CNN’s Andrew Carey, Oren Liebermann and Amir Tal

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu further tightened restrictions on Israelis Saturday in an attempt to combat the spread of coronavirus, including limiting gatherings to 10 people and closing all leisure and entertainment venues effective Sunday morning.

Netanyahu said all cafes, restaurants, theaters and other such venues would close. He urged Israeli citizens to work from home if possible and to refrain from non-essential travel.

We are at war against an invisible enemy,” Netanyahu said. “Defeating it depends on the steps that each of you takes. We must do everything in order not to infect and not to become infected.”
There was no indication of how long these measures would remain in effect.

Pharmacies, supermarkets and all essential services would remain open, Netanyahu said. He also promised there would not be shortages of food, medicine, fuel and money.

Netanyahu said he planned to utilize counterterrorism tools to fight the virus’s spread. The tools would provide digital and electronic monitoring of coronavirus patients to see where they had been and whom they might have put at risk. Such tools, Netanyahu said, have never been used for civilian purposes, only for combating terrorism, and he said he was seeking permission from the Ministry of Justice to use them.

Israel currently has 193 identified cases of coronavirus, according to Health Ministry officials.

[ This is the strictest I’ve read about - 10 people - outside of a whole lockdown. I also find the counterterrorism tool bit creepy. I don’t think China even did that. Maybe they did but just didn’t talk about it. All this stuff makes book and movie plots feel tame. ]

6523

Spanish Prime Minister announces tighter restrictions on travel
From CNN’s Laura Perez Maestro and Jennifer Hauser

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez announced at a news conference Saturday that people in Spain are banned from leaving their houses with the exception of:

Going to work
Buying food or essential supplies
Going to a hospital
Supporting an elderly person or a minor under their care
If people do leave their houses for any of those exceptions, they must go out by themselves, Sanchez said.

Current tallies: 6,391 cases, up 1,159 today. 195 deaths, up 62 today.

6524

North Carolina closing schools for at least 2 weeks
From CNN’s Hollie Silverman

Gov. Roy Cooper speaks at a news conference in Raleigh, North Carolina, on March 14.
Gov. Roy Cooper speaks at a news conference in Raleigh, North Carolina, on March 14. WNCN
All public schools in North Carolina will be closed for at least two weeks starting Monday, Gov. Roy Cooper announced during a Saturday news conference.

The governor is issuing an executive order banning any gatherings of 100 people or more, he said.

The executive order is in response to people not following the guidance previously given by the governor’s office, Cooper said.

6525

France has declared that all non-essential stores, restaurants, movie theaters and cafes will be shut down starting Sunday to prevent the spread of coronavirus throughout the country.

6526

Louisiana reports its first coronavirus death
From CNN’s Hollie Silverman

The first coronavirus death in the state of Louisiana was reported Saturday, a news release from Gov. John Bel Edwards said.

The fatality was a 58-year-old Orleans Parish resident with underlying health conditions who was being treated at Touro Infirmary Hospital and Medical Center, according to the release.

South Carolina medical and nursing boards to issue emergency licenses
From CNN’s Hollie Silverman

The South Carolina Board of Medical Examiners and the state’s Board of Nursing will begin issuing temporary licenses to out-of-state medical professionals during the coronavirus outbreak, according to a news release from Gov. Henry McMaster.

This is another great tool to combat this virus’ potential impact to our state," McMaster said. “The ability to expedite this licensure process gives us greater assurance that we will have the medical health professionals and resources we need in order to keep South Carolinians safe.”

The Medical Board can issue temporary licenses for out-of-state physicians, physician assistants and respiratory care practitioners within 24 hours, the release said. There is no fee for these 90-day temporary licenses, the release said.

For nurses, South Carolina is part of the Enhanced Nursing Licensure Compact (eNLC), meaning registered nurses (RNs) and licensed practical nurses (LPNs) from 32 other states can work in South Carolina at any time, the release states. The SC Board of Nursing can also expedite licenses of advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs), as well as RNs and LPNs from non-compact states. The license is good for 15 days, but may be renewed, the release said.

6527

Dallas Municipal Court rescheduling trials and jury duty because of coronavirus
From CNN’s Hollie Silverman

The Dallas Municipal Court is rescheduling trials and jury duty in an effort to reduce the spread of coronavirus, according to a news release from the city of Dallas.

All cases set for trial from Monday to April 3 will be rescheduled to a later date, the release said.

All other hearings – including pre-trial, contested and show cause hearings – will continue as normal, according to the release.

Bahamas won’t permit cruise ship to dock due to coronavirus
From CNN’s Patrick Oppmann in Havana

The Bahamas is not allowing the MS Braemar cruise ship, which has five coronavirus cases on board, to dock.

“The Ministry of Transport and local government reiterates that the MS Braemar cruise ship will not be permitted to dock at any port in the Bahamas and no persons will be permitted to disembark the vessel … the government of the Bahamas will provide the Braemar with humanitarian assistance,” a statement from the Bahamas Ministry of Transport said.

6528

This is lame. Jeff Bezos will surely have to match the approach they announced for amazon employees.

“Whole Foods—owned by the world’s richest man, Jeff Bezos—should be asked to give their own accrued paid sick days to their co-workers who have either contracted the deadly virus or been forced to take time out of work because of what is now a global pandemic.”

Source:

https://www.rawstory.com/2020/03/14

6529

Two cruise ships with about 1,300 people on board are now quarantined off the coast of Chile as one passenger tested positive for coronavirus, Chile’s Health Minister Jaime Manalich said during a press conference in Santiago on Saturday.

Manalich said an 83-year-old English man tested positive and is being treated at the Coyhaique hospital “in good condition." He was on board the Silver Explorer, a luxury expedition cruise ship.

The Silver Explorer is now docked in the city of Castro, the minister said.

The vessel is carrying 111 passengers and 120 crew members, according to Chilean officials.

And a second ship, the Azamara Pursuit, has not reported any cases but remains under quarantine; there are two suspected cases on that ship.

“We have a cruise ship with the name of Azamara which originated in the Argentinean city of Ushuaia that began its journey on March 8 carrying 675 passengers and 389 crewmembers,” the minister said. (CNN)

[Ugh.]

White House starts temperature checks for those who come into contact with Trump, Pence
From CNN’s Jason Hoffman and Veronica Stracqualursi

A White House Physicians office staff member checks the temperature of a journalist at the White House on March 14.
A White House Physicians office staff member checks the temperature of a journalist at the White House on March 14. Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images
The White House said today it will start conducting temperature checks for individuals who come into close contact with President Trump and Vice President Mike Pence amid the coronavirus outbreak.

“Out of an abundance of caution, temperature checks are now being performed on any individuals who are in close contact with the President and Vice President,” Judd Deere, deputy press secretary, said in a statement.
On Saturday, a member of the White House physician’s office, accompanied by a press aide, made the rounds, taking the temperature of members of the media ahead of Trump, Pence and the White House task force’s news conference.

Earlier today: A journalist was denied entry into the press briefing after having a temperature of 99.9 degrees.

The reporter, who was trying to gain access to the briefing, was turned away and held by the press office on the White House driveway. CNN was present for one of the temperature checks and saw the thermometer read 99.9 degrees.

6530

White House starts temperature checks for those who come into contact with Trump, Pence
From CNN’s Jason Hoffman and Veronica Stracqualursi

The White House said today it will start conducting temperature checks for individuals who come into close contact with President Trump and Vice President Mike Pence amid the coronavirus outbreak.

“Out of an abundance of caution, temperature checks are now being performed on any individuals who are in close contact with the President and Vice President,” Judd Deere, deputy press secretary, said in a statement.
On Saturday, a member of the White House physician’s office, accompanied by a press aide, made the rounds, taking the temperature of members of the media ahead of Trump, Pence and the White House task force’s news conference.

Earlier today: A journalist was denied entry into the press briefing after having a temperature of 99.9 degrees.

The reporter, who was trying to gain access to the briefing, was turned away and held by the press office on the White House driveway. CNN was present for one of the temperature checks and saw the thermometer read 99.9 degrees.

Seattle mayor to halt residential evictions due to coronavirus
From CNN’s Artemis Moshtaghian

Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan signed an emergency order to halt residential evictions in order to prevent Seattle families from losing their homes as a result of the coronavirus outbreak, according to a statement released from the mayor’s office on Saturday.

The temporary moratorium goes into effect immediately for any residential eviction action related to the non-payment of rent, the statement reads.

“We have entered an unprecedented era for our city. Too many families are already struggling, and COVID-19 virus has disproportionately affected the communities who can least afford it. As we take steps to slow the spread of the virus across Seattle’s communities, a part of that response is to ensure that families are not displaced and forced into homelessness,” Durkan said.

6531

Test results in the USA take at least 24 - 48 hours from what I understand.

I can’t find the recommendation, and it might not be right, so take this as coming from someone you don’t know on the internet who isn’t a doctor, but I read that using a neti-pot type thing could potentially push the virus deeper into a person. It isn’t doing that much in one’s nose but if it gets into the lungs then that’s when there is trouble. What they recommended instead, and again, this could be bad advice but it makes sense to me, is to wash one’s hands very well, then wash inside one’s nostrils using fingers up to make the first knuckle, with soap and then with water on the finger that you put into your nostrils, then blow your nose well so stuff goes out, not into your. Then wash your hands again. Sorry if that is grossing some people out.

6532

I did see this one Whole Foods’ Covid-19 statement:

The health and wellness of our dedicated Team Members remains a top priority, and we’ve taken the following steps to support them during this time of uncertainty:

All Team Members diagnosed with COVID-19 or placed into quarantine will receive up to two weeks of pay.

We have increased funds available through our Team Member Emergency Fund, which is available to all Team Members faced with an unforeseeable emergency or critical situation. Amazon has committed an additional $1.6M to support the fund.

6533

Businesses face losses, and their employees face layoffs and hours cuts in many industries.

https://www.sfchronicle.com/business/article/Bay-Area-layoffs-mount-amid-the-coronavirus-15128141.php

Some low lights:

  • Party supplier sees 80% business drop, will lay off one third of employees.
  • Caterer has lost all business for the next two weeks, has laid off a quarter of employees and is not calling on-call caterers.
  • Hotel occupancy has fallen from 80% to 20%. A hotel housekeeper sees shifts disappear and hopes that her union can negotiate continued health care coverage during the work drought.
  • 3,000 union hotel, event, and banquet workers, and 200 different union hotel front desk and office workers are out of work, and the number could double within a few weeks.
  • Various unions representing entertainment industry workers report over 4,600 out of work.
  • Shipping container volume at the Port of Oakland is down 40%, with resulting loss of work for owner-operator truckers who pick up the containers. However, volume from China has started to increase some.
6534

Exactly-and my brother is healthy and entitled to return home.

6535

Ecuador has announced sweeping restrictions, hours after the second person to die from Covid-19 in the Andean country was reported.

Starting tonight, foreigners will be banned from entering Ecuador, whether that is by land, sea or air. Citizens and residents will be able to enter until Monday, after which they will also face restrictions. Gatherings larger than 30 people have also been banned.

The bodies of those that die from the disease will be cremated.

Ecuador’s vice president Otto Sonnenholzner announced the measures – the strictest in South America – on Saturday.

“This a problem for all of Ecuador, which could affect all of us,” Sonnenholzner said at an emergency operations committee meeting in Quito on Saturday afternoon.

The country has confirmed 28 cases and two deaths.

The Swedish government is advising its citizens against all non-necessary trips abroad, it said in a statement on Saturday.

“Due to the widespread spread of the new coronavirus and the rapidly changing and uncertain situation that exists for travellers, the ministry of foreign affairs advises against unnecessary travel to all countries,” the government said.

Sudan has ordered the closure of schools and universities for one month from Saturday to stop the spread of coronavirus, a statement from the prime minister’s office said.

The statement said all public gatherings, such as weddings and social events, will also be banned.

Meanwhile, Rwanda, Seychelles and Central African Republic confirmed their first coronavirus cases on Saturday – bringing the total number of African countries that have reported positive tests for the virus to 23.

More on Spain - Spanish prime minister Pedro Sanchez has also announced that medium-distance rail transport will be reduced as part of the government’s state of emergency measures.

This restriction on freedom of movement will come into effect on Saturday. Armed forces will be available to help in the response effort if needed.

Sanchez added that it would not be reasonable to hold planned regional elections in Galicia and the Basque country amid the coronavirus lockdown.

All Guardian

6536

Morocco has suspended flights to and from at least 25 countries as the country’s total number of confirmed coronavirus cases rose to 17.

On Saturday Morocco’s foreign ministry announced it would extend an earlier travel ban that covered China, Spain, Italy, France and Algeria.

Other countries with which air travel is now suspended are Austria, Bahrain, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Chad, Denmark, Egypt, Germany, Greece, Jordan, Lebanon, Mali, Mauritania, Netherlands, Niger, Norway, Oman, Portugal, Senegal, Switzerland, Sweden, Tunisia, Turkey and the UAE.

Morocco has closed all schools and cancelled gatherings of more than 50 people to stop the coronavirus spreading. One person has died and another has recovered from the virus. (Guardian)

Virginia reports first coronavirus death
From CNN’s Hollie Silverman

Virginia reported its first coronavirus death Saturday, according to a news release from the state Department of Health.

The patient was a male in his 70s who died from respiratory failure and contracted the infection from an unknown source, the release said.

US now has over 2,600 coronavirus cases and 56 deaths
From CNN

There are at least 2,655 cases of the novel coronavirus in the United States, according to the state and local health agencies, governments and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

A total of 56 people have died.

According to the CDC there are 70 cases from repatriated citizens.

According to CNN Health’s tally of US cases that are detected and tested in the United States through US public health systems, there are 2,655 cases in 49 states, the District of Columbia and US territories.

[ At this point, I wonder how many additional cases aren’t in the tally since the CDC isn’t currently tracking private testing. ]

6537

91 cases in Santa Clara County, Cal., where Stanford is located.

6538

Vice President Mike Pence pens letter telling White House employees to ‘avoid physical contact’
From CNN’s Kristen Holmes

Vice President Mike Pence urged the Executive Office staff to follow some guidelines to reduce the spread of coronavirus, according to a letter to Pence wrote that was obtained by CNN.

It’s imperative each one of us do our part to take the proper precautions to keep ourselves and our colleagues safe," Pence wrote. “As an employee aboard the White House Complex, we have an additional duty to protect the health of our Executive Branch and those working with us.”

Some of the steps listed to reduce transmission included:

Washing hands for 20 seconds
Social distancing, or limiting oneself to large, in-person gatherings
Avoiding physical contact
Wiping down personal work stations
Staying home if sick

6539

Details continue to emerge of Israel’s plans to use anti-terrorism tracking technology to minimise the risk of coronavirus transmission.

Cyber tech monitoring would be deployed to locate people who have been in contact with those carrying the virus, subject to cabinet approval, Netanyahu told a news conference in Jerusalem.

“We will very soon begin using technology … digital means that we have been using in order to fight terrorism,” Netanyahu said.

He said he had requested Justice Ministry approval because such measures could infringe patients’ privacy.

The Shin Bet, Israel’s internal security service, confirmed that it was examining the use of its technological capabilities to fight coronavirus, at the request of Netanyahu and the Health Ministry.

Avner Pinchuk, a privacy expert with the Association for Civil Rights in Israel, said such capabilities could include real-time tracking of infected persons’ mobile phones to spot quarantine breaches and backtracking through meta-data to figure out where they had been and who they had contacted.

“I am troubled by this announcement. I understand that we are in unique circumstances, but this seems potentially like over-reach. Much will depend on how intrusive the new measures are,” Pinchuk told Reuters news agency. (Guardian)

6540

Syria elections postponed over coronavirus

Syria said its parliamentary elections scheduled for next month would be postponed as part of measures to protect the war-battered country against the coronavirus epidemic.

The president’s office said on its official social media accounts that the vote will be pushed back to May 20, from the original date of April 13.

In other “social distancing” steps adopted by Damascus, which has not to date reported any case of the disease, weekly Friday prayers in mosques have been suspended as well as prayer gatherings.

Jordan stops all international passenger flights

Jordan said it would stop all incoming and outgoing passenger flights into the country from Tuesday as it tightens border controls to combat the spread of coronavirus.

Announcing the move, Prime Minister Omar Razzaz said universities and schools would be closed for two weeks and all tourist sites and all sports and cinemas would also be shut.

Religious event in Malaysia connects 41 new cases

Malaysia reported 41 new coronavirus cases, all linked to a religious event on the outskirts of Kuala Lumpur that was attended by about 10,000 people from several countries.

Following the new findings, the total number of infected people rose to 238, the health ministry said in a statement.

A total of 81 cases in the country have now been confirmed as connected to the same event held at a mosque between February 27 and March 1.

To contain the wave of infections, Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin cancelled or postponed all gatherings, including international meetings, sport, social and religious events until after April, he said.

All Al Jazeera