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COVID-19 news update for 3/2/2020
Hello again everyone. I just got back from picking up a prescription at the pharmacy in our local Albertsons and found that all masks and hand sanitizer are gone. After looking on Amazon for Purell, I found two 8oz bottles on sale for $40.00! -Crazy! Well, I'm going to read the news about this virus.
The Times of Israel:
Joint US-Israeli military exercise mothballed due to coronavirus
‘Eagle Genesis’ drill was to have included paratroopers from the 173rd Airborne Brigade stationed in Italy; IDF says massive biannual Juniper Cobra drill still on, for now
The United States military and Israel Defense Forces called off a joint exercise that was due to be held in Israel over concerns stemming from the new coronavirus, according to officials from both countries.
The “Eagle Genesis” exercise between the IDF’s Ground Forces and US European Command (EUCOM) was set to include American paratroopers from the 173rd Airborne Brigade stationed in Italy, where there has been a significant outbreak of the virus among the general public. As of Monday, 52 people have died in Italy, where there was also a sharp jump in diagnosed cases over the weekend.
https://www.timesofisrael.com/joint-us-israeli-military-exercise-mothballed-due-to-coronavirus/
2 more Israelis diagnosed with coronavirus, bringing number of sick to 12
Health Ministry says the two were recently in Italy, where there has been an outbreak of the virus; will publish info on what flights they took, where they visited after returning
https://www.timesofisrael.com/2-more-israelis-diagnosed-with-coronavirus-bringing-number-of-sick-to-12/
Out of quarantine, into the polling station. Then back to quarantine
‘The chance of the wrong person leading the country is worse than coronavirus’: 16 special polling stations across the country serve the 5,630 people in quarantine over virus fears
Three hours after some 10,000 polling stations on Monday morning opened their doors across the country for Israel’s 6,453,255 citizens eligible to vote, 16 specially equipped voting booths opened their tent flaps for the 5,630 voters who were under home quarantine due to precautions to prevent the spread of the coronavirus in Israel.
So far, 10 Israelis have tested positive for COVID-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus. Israel has taken far-reaching steps to prevent an outbreak, banning entry to foreigners who were in China, Hong Kong, Macau, Thailand, Singapore, South Korea, Japan and Italy in the 14 days prior to arriving, and compelling all Israelis recently in these areas to self-quarantine for 14 days.
https://www.timesofisrael.com/out-of-quarantine-into-the-polling-station-then-back-to-quarantine/
‘Eagle Genesis’ drill was to have included paratroopers from the 173rd Airborne Brigade stationed in Italy; IDF says massive biannual Juniper Cobra drill still on, for now
The United States military and Israel Defense Forces called off a joint exercise that was due to be held in Israel over concerns stemming from the new coronavirus, according to officials from both countries.
The “Eagle Genesis” exercise between the IDF’s Ground Forces and US European Command (EUCOM) was set to include American paratroopers from the 173rd Airborne Brigade stationed in Italy, where there has been a significant outbreak of the virus among the general public. As of Monday, 52 people have died in Italy, where there was also a sharp jump in diagnosed cases over the weekend.
https://www.timesofisrael.com/joint-us-israeli-military-exercise-mothballed-due-to-coronavirus/
2 more Israelis diagnosed with coronavirus, bringing number of sick to 12
Health Ministry says the two were recently in Italy, where there has been an outbreak of the virus; will publish info on what flights they took, where they visited after returning
https://www.timesofisrael.com/2-more-israelis-diagnosed-with-coronavirus-bringing-number-of-sick-to-12/
Out of quarantine, into the polling station. Then back to quarantine
‘The chance of the wrong person leading the country is worse than coronavirus’: 16 special polling stations across the country serve the 5,630 people in quarantine over virus fears
Three hours after some 10,000 polling stations on Monday morning opened their doors across the country for Israel’s 6,453,255 citizens eligible to vote, 16 specially equipped voting booths opened their tent flaps for the 5,630 voters who were under home quarantine due to precautions to prevent the spread of the coronavirus in Israel.
So far, 10 Israelis have tested positive for COVID-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus. Israel has taken far-reaching steps to prevent an outbreak, banning entry to foreigners who were in China, Hong Kong, Macau, Thailand, Singapore, South Korea, Japan and Italy in the 14 days prior to arriving, and compelling all Israelis recently in these areas to self-quarantine for 14 days.
https://www.timesofisrael.com/out-of-quarantine-into-the-polling-station-then-back-to-quarantine/
Kuwait Times:
Egypt ‘fully respects’ Kuwait’s decision to stop visas as precaution against COVID-19
KUWAIT: Following up Kuwait’s Interior Ministry decision to suspend the issuance of all visit and work visas for Egyptians until further notice, the Egyptian Ministry of Manpower stressed full respect of the Kuwaiti decision taken as part of precautionary measures to fight the spread of COVID-19. In this regard, the ministry’s official spokesperson Haitham Saaduddin said:
“The ministry fully respects the Kuwaiti authorities’ decision as it is a domestic matter and Egypt has nothing to do with it, as one of the measures taken for Kuwait’s greater good and to protect its citizens and visitors.” Saaduddin said his ministry will look into the complaints filed by Egyptian holders of entry visas to Kuwait, noting that as it is not the summer vacation, their numbers are limited and will be discussed and sorted out.
Meanwhile, Egyptian ambassador to Kuwait Tareq Al-Qouni said the embassy is closely watching the coronavirus developments in Kuwait, and emphasized that no infections have so far been detected amongst Egyptians living in Kuwait or amongst those who arrived in Kuwait through various border posts in the past period.
https://news.kuwaittimes.net/website/egypt-fully-respects-kuwaits-decision-to-stop-visas-as-precaution-against-covid-19/
2 more weeks of school closure eyed as coronavirus cases hit 56 in Kuwait
KUWAIT: Ten coronavirus cases were registered in Kuwait in the past 24 hours, taking the total number to 56, the health ministry said yesterday. Assistant Undersecretary Dr Buthaina Al-Mudhaf told the daily briefing that the new cases are patients who were in Iran. All cases are of Kuwaitis, she affirmed, adding that all of them are in a stable condition and recovering.
HH the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah has ordered to honor individuals tasked with containing the coronavirus outbreak in the country, which includes spiritual and financial support, HH the Prime Minister said. At the start of a Cabinet meeting, the prime minister shared a letter from HH the Amir, which heaped praise on his fellow compatriots who formed special teams to fight the virus “day and night”. Those individuals should rightfully be honored in recognition of their herculean efforts to keep the deadly disease at bay, according to the letter.
Educational sources said the education ministry is considering suspending school for two more weeks after the 10 cases were detected, noting that the ministry asked supervisors to report on the possibility of constricting the curriculum if the extension is needed. There has been no official confirmation by the education ministry in this regard. MP Osama Al-Shaheen also called on the government to consider extending the suspension of schools because things don’t seem to be under full control.
https://news.kuwaittimes.net/website/2-more-weeks-of-school-closure-eyed-as-coronavirus-cases-hit-56-in-kuwait/
KUWAIT: Following up Kuwait’s Interior Ministry decision to suspend the issuance of all visit and work visas for Egyptians until further notice, the Egyptian Ministry of Manpower stressed full respect of the Kuwaiti decision taken as part of precautionary measures to fight the spread of COVID-19. In this regard, the ministry’s official spokesperson Haitham Saaduddin said:
“The ministry fully respects the Kuwaiti authorities’ decision as it is a domestic matter and Egypt has nothing to do with it, as one of the measures taken for Kuwait’s greater good and to protect its citizens and visitors.” Saaduddin said his ministry will look into the complaints filed by Egyptian holders of entry visas to Kuwait, noting that as it is not the summer vacation, their numbers are limited and will be discussed and sorted out.
Meanwhile, Egyptian ambassador to Kuwait Tareq Al-Qouni said the embassy is closely watching the coronavirus developments in Kuwait, and emphasized that no infections have so far been detected amongst Egyptians living in Kuwait or amongst those who arrived in Kuwait through various border posts in the past period.
https://news.kuwaittimes.net/website/egypt-fully-respects-kuwaits-decision-to-stop-visas-as-precaution-against-covid-19/
2 more weeks of school closure eyed as coronavirus cases hit 56 in Kuwait
KUWAIT: Ten coronavirus cases were registered in Kuwait in the past 24 hours, taking the total number to 56, the health ministry said yesterday. Assistant Undersecretary Dr Buthaina Al-Mudhaf told the daily briefing that the new cases are patients who were in Iran. All cases are of Kuwaitis, she affirmed, adding that all of them are in a stable condition and recovering.
HH the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah has ordered to honor individuals tasked with containing the coronavirus outbreak in the country, which includes spiritual and financial support, HH the Prime Minister said. At the start of a Cabinet meeting, the prime minister shared a letter from HH the Amir, which heaped praise on his fellow compatriots who formed special teams to fight the virus “day and night”. Those individuals should rightfully be honored in recognition of their herculean efforts to keep the deadly disease at bay, according to the letter.
Educational sources said the education ministry is considering suspending school for two more weeks after the 10 cases were detected, noting that the ministry asked supervisors to report on the possibility of constricting the curriculum if the extension is needed. There has been no official confirmation by the education ministry in this regard. MP Osama Al-Shaheen also called on the government to consider extending the suspension of schools because things don’t seem to be under full control.
https://news.kuwaittimes.net/website/2-more-weeks-of-school-closure-eyed-as-coronavirus-cases-hit-56-in-kuwait/
The Jordan Times:
Jordan confirms first case of coronavirus
AMMAN — The Kingdom has registered its first coronavirus case after a Jordanian citizen arriving from Italy tested positive for the virus, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported on Monday.
The citizen was being housed in a quarantine centre for days prior to being transferred to the epidemic isolation ward at Prince Hamzah Hospital.
Health Minister Saad Jaber said that the Jordanian citizen arrived in the Kingdom with his friend from Italy two weeks ago.
The minister noted that a specialised medical team has been dispatched to the house of the patient to sterilise the residence and impose house quarantine on his family for 14 days, according to Petra.
http://www.jordantimes.com/news/local/jordan-confirms-first-case-coronavirus-0
AMMAN — The Kingdom has registered its first coronavirus case after a Jordanian citizen arriving from Italy tested positive for the virus, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported on Monday.
The citizen was being housed in a quarantine centre for days prior to being transferred to the epidemic isolation ward at Prince Hamzah Hospital.
Health Minister Saad Jaber said that the Jordanian citizen arrived in the Kingdom with his friend from Italy two weeks ago.
The minister noted that a specialised medical team has been dispatched to the house of the patient to sterilise the residence and impose house quarantine on his family for 14 days, according to Petra.
http://www.jordantimes.com/news/local/jordan-confirms-first-case-coronavirus-0
DW:
Coronavirus latest: Global cases top 90,000
COVID-19 is spreading at a slower pace in China, but global infections have topped 90,000. The World Trade Organization has warned of a "substantial" impact on trade while the EU raised the virus risk level. Latest here.
More than 90,000 cases confirmed globally, with over 3,000 deaths
More than 2,100 cases confirmed in the EU, and Senegal and Tunisia have reported their first cases
Coronavirus cases in Germany rise to 157, with a fresh death in France
Wuhan closes first of 16 hospitals built to treat coronavirus patients
All updates in Coordinated Universal Time (UTC/GMT).
22:40 European holiday company TUI to cut its administrative budget and freeze hiring after weaker bookings since the coronavirus spreads rapidly across the continent. The bookings took a hit after the first cases were confirmed in northern Italy last month.
22:30 Google has asked its 8,000 employees at its European headquarters in Dublin to work from home on Tuesday after one of the staffers reported coronavirus symptoms. Last week, Ireland confirmed its first case of COVID-19.
(MORE) https://www.dw.com/en/coronavirus-latest-global-cases-top-90000/a-52601618
South Korea church leader apologizes for coronavirus spread
Lee Man-hee of the Shincheonji Church of Jesus faces possible murder charges after being accused of failing to cooperate in efforts to contain the virus. The sect leader got down on his hands and knees to apologize.
A Christian sect leader apologized Monday for the coronavirus spreading across South Korea after accusations his church was responsible for a majority of the infections in the Asian country.
Lee Man-hee, the leader of the Shincheonji Church of Jesus, made his first public appearance since the virus broke out in South Korea more than two weeks ago. He knelt down as a gesture to illustrate his remorse.
The 88-year-old leader of the church confirmed that one member had infected numerous others, calling the epidemic a "great calamity." He added: "We did our best but were not able to stop the spread of the virus."
https://www.dw.com/en/south-korea-church-leader-apologizes-for-coronavirus-spread/a-52613891
COVID-19 is spreading at a slower pace in China, but global infections have topped 90,000. The World Trade Organization has warned of a "substantial" impact on trade while the EU raised the virus risk level. Latest here.
More than 90,000 cases confirmed globally, with over 3,000 deaths
More than 2,100 cases confirmed in the EU, and Senegal and Tunisia have reported their first cases
Coronavirus cases in Germany rise to 157, with a fresh death in France
Wuhan closes first of 16 hospitals built to treat coronavirus patients
All updates in Coordinated Universal Time (UTC/GMT).
22:40 European holiday company TUI to cut its administrative budget and freeze hiring after weaker bookings since the coronavirus spreads rapidly across the continent. The bookings took a hit after the first cases were confirmed in northern Italy last month.
22:30 Google has asked its 8,000 employees at its European headquarters in Dublin to work from home on Tuesday after one of the staffers reported coronavirus symptoms. Last week, Ireland confirmed its first case of COVID-19.
(MORE) https://www.dw.com/en/coronavirus-latest-global-cases-top-90000/a-52601618
South Korea church leader apologizes for coronavirus spread
Lee Man-hee of the Shincheonji Church of Jesus faces possible murder charges after being accused of failing to cooperate in efforts to contain the virus. The sect leader got down on his hands and knees to apologize.
A Christian sect leader apologized Monday for the coronavirus spreading across South Korea after accusations his church was responsible for a majority of the infections in the Asian country.
Lee Man-hee, the leader of the Shincheonji Church of Jesus, made his first public appearance since the virus broke out in South Korea more than two weeks ago. He knelt down as a gesture to illustrate his remorse.
The 88-year-old leader of the church confirmed that one member had infected numerous others, calling the epidemic a "great calamity." He added: "We did our best but were not able to stop the spread of the virus."
https://www.dw.com/en/south-korea-church-leader-apologizes-for-coronavirus-spread/a-52613891
BBC:
Coronavirus: World in 'uncharted territory'
The world is in "uncharted territory" on the coronavirus outbreak, the World Health Organization (WHO) has said.
Its chief, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, said the virus was "unique" but could be contained with the right measures.
Deaths globally have passed 3,000. Most are in China but over the past day there were nine times more new infections outside China than inside.
Dr Tedros insisted: "We can push this virus back". He also said stigma was more dangerous than the disease itself.
The WHO chief said the development of the Covid-19 disease globally was not a "one-way street" and could be combated if countries acted quickly and effectively - starting with containment measures.
"There is no choice but to act now," he said.
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-51712437
Coronavirus cases in UK could rise 'significantly', says PM
There could be a "very significant expansion" of the number of cases of coronavirus in the UK, Prime Minister Boris Johnson has warned.
Speaking to BBC political editor Laura Kuenssberg, Mr Johnson said the possibility of further transmission of the virus was "clearly on the cards".
It comes as the number of cases in the UK rose to 39 on Monday.
Meanwhile, the EU has raised the coronavirus risk level in member states to "moderate to high".
There were four new UK cases announced on Monday, all of whom had travelled to Italy - which has seen the largest outbreak in Europe.
They are from Hertfordshire, Devon and Kent and tracing their contacts has started, England's chief medical officer Prof Chris Whitty said.
It was earlier reported that this took the total to 40. However, a hospital in Middlesex where a doctor was thought to have contracted the virus on Sunday said further tests have proved negative.
https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-51708550
Coronavirus: Big increase in tests carried out in Northern Ireland
More than 50 people have been tested for coronavirus in Northern Ireland since Friday, bringing the total to 150 - with one person testing positive.
Health Minister Robins Swann told the assembly there had been 57 tests since Friday.
He said "detailed plans" were in place in case of the virus becoming a pandemic.
Stormont has contributed to the UK-wide virus action plan, due to be published on Tuesday.
https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-northern-ireland-51712592
The world is in "uncharted territory" on the coronavirus outbreak, the World Health Organization (WHO) has said.
Its chief, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, said the virus was "unique" but could be contained with the right measures.
Deaths globally have passed 3,000. Most are in China but over the past day there were nine times more new infections outside China than inside.
Dr Tedros insisted: "We can push this virus back". He also said stigma was more dangerous than the disease itself.
The WHO chief said the development of the Covid-19 disease globally was not a "one-way street" and could be combated if countries acted quickly and effectively - starting with containment measures.
"There is no choice but to act now," he said.
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-51712437
Coronavirus cases in UK could rise 'significantly', says PM
There could be a "very significant expansion" of the number of cases of coronavirus in the UK, Prime Minister Boris Johnson has warned.
Speaking to BBC political editor Laura Kuenssberg, Mr Johnson said the possibility of further transmission of the virus was "clearly on the cards".
It comes as the number of cases in the UK rose to 39 on Monday.
Meanwhile, the EU has raised the coronavirus risk level in member states to "moderate to high".
There were four new UK cases announced on Monday, all of whom had travelled to Italy - which has seen the largest outbreak in Europe.
They are from Hertfordshire, Devon and Kent and tracing their contacts has started, England's chief medical officer Prof Chris Whitty said.
It was earlier reported that this took the total to 40. However, a hospital in Middlesex where a doctor was thought to have contracted the virus on Sunday said further tests have proved negative.
https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-51708550
Coronavirus: Big increase in tests carried out in Northern Ireland
More than 50 people have been tested for coronavirus in Northern Ireland since Friday, bringing the total to 150 - with one person testing positive.
Health Minister Robins Swann told the assembly there had been 57 tests since Friday.
He said "detailed plans" were in place in case of the virus becoming a pandemic.
Stormont has contributed to the UK-wide virus action plan, due to be published on Tuesday.
https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-northern-ireland-51712592
CBC:
Travellers from Iran asked to self-isolate for 14 days after arriving in Canada
Several new cases of COVID-19 traced to Iran, Public Health Agency of Canada says
Travellers arriving in Canada from Iran will be asked to self-isolate for two weeks to prevent the spread of COVID-19, the respiratory illness caused by the new coronavirus.
Chief Public Health Officer Dr. Theresa Tam said the new measure is being imposed because new cases confirmed in Canada have been traced to travel in Iran, a pattern she called "very concerning."
During a teleconference with reporters Monday, Tam said travellers arriving in Canada will be asked to tell officials at the airport whether they're coming from Iran. Those coming from Iran will be asked to report any symptoms that may be linked to the virus, or to self-isolate for 14 days if they are asymptomatic.
https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/coronavirus-covid19-economy-monreau-tam-1.5482640
3 new coronavirus cases confirmed in Toronto, bringing Ontario total to 18
Ontario reported three new cases of the coronavirus in the Toronto area on Monday, bringing the total in the province to 18.
The province's chief medical officer of health, Dr. David Williams, provided details about the new cases at a news conference at the legislature.
For now, health officials are only saying these cases are travel-related and those affected are in self-quarantine.
A spate of new cases was reported over the weekend, all of them people who had recently travelled to Iran or Egypt, or family members of those who had visited the countries.
"It sounds like there was an event in Egypt and people were there at the same time and in the same place by happenstance," said Williams. The infections do not appear to be linked to any particular flight from Egypt.
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/covid-19-toronto-march-2-1.5482173
'This will not be contained': Experts cast doubt that spread of COVID-19 can be stopped
While the World Health Organization has said the risk of COVID-19 spreading worldwide is now "very high", officials have suggested that efforts to combat the coronavirus are still in the containment phase.
But some medical experts believe that the containment stage has long since passed, that the spread of the COVID-19 is inevitable, and that living with the coronavirus could become a reality. COVID-19 is the respiratory illness caused by the new coronavirus.
"This will not be contained, this has not been contained," said Isaac Bogoch, an infectious disease physician at Toronto General Hospital.
Massive public health efforts have been helpful in slowing down the spread of the infection and reducing the pace and frequency of exported cases from China to the rest of the world, but containment has not worked, Bogoch said.
https://www.cbc.ca/news/world/coronavirus-covid-19-containment-who-1.5478766
Several new cases of COVID-19 traced to Iran, Public Health Agency of Canada says
Travellers arriving in Canada from Iran will be asked to self-isolate for two weeks to prevent the spread of COVID-19, the respiratory illness caused by the new coronavirus.
Chief Public Health Officer Dr. Theresa Tam said the new measure is being imposed because new cases confirmed in Canada have been traced to travel in Iran, a pattern she called "very concerning."
During a teleconference with reporters Monday, Tam said travellers arriving in Canada will be asked to tell officials at the airport whether they're coming from Iran. Those coming from Iran will be asked to report any symptoms that may be linked to the virus, or to self-isolate for 14 days if they are asymptomatic.
https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/coronavirus-covid19-economy-monreau-tam-1.5482640
3 new coronavirus cases confirmed in Toronto, bringing Ontario total to 18
Ontario reported three new cases of the coronavirus in the Toronto area on Monday, bringing the total in the province to 18.
The province's chief medical officer of health, Dr. David Williams, provided details about the new cases at a news conference at the legislature.
For now, health officials are only saying these cases are travel-related and those affected are in self-quarantine.
A spate of new cases was reported over the weekend, all of them people who had recently travelled to Iran or Egypt, or family members of those who had visited the countries.
"It sounds like there was an event in Egypt and people were there at the same time and in the same place by happenstance," said Williams. The infections do not appear to be linked to any particular flight from Egypt.
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/covid-19-toronto-march-2-1.5482173
'This will not be contained': Experts cast doubt that spread of COVID-19 can be stopped
While the World Health Organization has said the risk of COVID-19 spreading worldwide is now "very high", officials have suggested that efforts to combat the coronavirus are still in the containment phase.
But some medical experts believe that the containment stage has long since passed, that the spread of the COVID-19 is inevitable, and that living with the coronavirus could become a reality. COVID-19 is the respiratory illness caused by the new coronavirus.
"This will not be contained, this has not been contained," said Isaac Bogoch, an infectious disease physician at Toronto General Hospital.
Massive public health efforts have been helpful in slowing down the spread of the infection and reducing the pace and frequency of exported cases from China to the rest of the world, but containment has not worked, Bogoch said.
https://www.cbc.ca/news/world/coronavirus-covid-19-containment-who-1.5478766
NZ Herald:
Coronavirus: Infections nine times higher outside of China
The coronavirus has appeared for the first time in New York, Moscow and Berlin as clusters of the disease surged around the world.
New cases in China dropped to their lowest level in six weeks on Monday and hundreds of patients were released from hospitals at the epicentre of the outbreak.
In a sign the virus is entering a chilling new phase, almost nine times more cases were reported outside China than inside it over the past 24 hours, news.com.au reported.
But World Health Organisation executive director of emergencies Dr Mike Ryan pointed out that even regions that have taken less aggressive measures than the extraordinary lockdowns implemented by China have managed to keep the virus in check.
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/world/news/article.cfm?c_id=2&objectid=12313325
Coronavirus: An Olympics without fans? The drastic measure suggested for Tokyo Games
A British sports boss has suggested the Tokyo Olympics could go ahead without fans, due to the coronavirus outbreak.
British Cycling chief Stephen Park told the Daily Mail he was confident the event will go ahead.
Last week the Tokyo marathon featured just elite runners while the Sunwolves Super Rugby side have had to move home games to Australia. Overnight it was announced baseball's final qualifying event in Taiwan for the Olympics has been postponed from April to June.
The Olympics are set to take place from July 24 to August 9.
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=12313321
The coronavirus has appeared for the first time in New York, Moscow and Berlin as clusters of the disease surged around the world.
New cases in China dropped to their lowest level in six weeks on Monday and hundreds of patients were released from hospitals at the epicentre of the outbreak.
In a sign the virus is entering a chilling new phase, almost nine times more cases were reported outside China than inside it over the past 24 hours, news.com.au reported.
But World Health Organisation executive director of emergencies Dr Mike Ryan pointed out that even regions that have taken less aggressive measures than the extraordinary lockdowns implemented by China have managed to keep the virus in check.
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/world/news/article.cfm?c_id=2&objectid=12313325
Coronavirus: An Olympics without fans? The drastic measure suggested for Tokyo Games
A British sports boss has suggested the Tokyo Olympics could go ahead without fans, due to the coronavirus outbreak.
British Cycling chief Stephen Park told the Daily Mail he was confident the event will go ahead.
Last week the Tokyo marathon featured just elite runners while the Sunwolves Super Rugby side have had to move home games to Australia. Overnight it was announced baseball's final qualifying event in Taiwan for the Olympics has been postponed from April to June.
The Olympics are set to take place from July 24 to August 9.
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=12313321
NEWS.com.au
Risk of coronavirus spreading in Australia to worsen, with one month the most dangerous
The risk of the deadly coronavirus spreading in Australia is predicted to get much worse, spiking in one month in particular, modelling shows.
The risk of the deadly coronavirus spreading in Australia will increase over coming months as the mercury drops and instances of colds and flu spike, official modelling shows.
West Australian Premier Mark McGowan has revealed that authorities are bracing for the worst, as the number of countries battling the virus passes 60 and the death toll hits 3000.
“The modelling indicates that potentially, in late April or May, there may be greater spread of the illness here in Australia, and at that point in time obviously we would need to ramp up some of our activities,” Mr McGowan told reporters.
“The peak would then hit us in potentially August, which is obviously not a great month because our coldest months with the highest level of flu.”
The emergency response to the virus entered a worrying new phase yesterday, with confirmation of the first human-to-human infection.
https://www.news.com.au/lifestyle/health/health-problems/risk-of-coronavirus-spreading-in-australia-to-worsen-with-one-month-the-most-dangerous/news-story/bf607d1df71d94bcc8c799c9dde801b3
Coronavirus spreads after friends go dancing in Indonesian nightclub
When a family friend came to visit, she was taken for a night out in a city of nine million. Now it’s been revealed she had the coronavirus.
A coronavirus-infected family friend who was visiting from overseas went out dancing in a city of nine million people and passed the virus to a mother and daughter.
The cases have emerged in Indonesia, one of the world’s most populous nations, that had until today reported no cases of the deadly virus.
A 64-year-old woman and her 31-year-old daughter had become infected after contact with their female Japanese family friend, 41, who lived in Malaysia and had tested positive after returning from the trip.
The Japanese woman visited their house in Depok on the outskirts of Jakarta, a city of nine million people.
https://www.news.com.au/lifestyle/health/health-problems/coronavirus-spreads-after-friends-go-dancing-in-indonesian-nightclub/news-story/6a8374acd4fddf5abd624da7f0e4c13c
The risk of the deadly coronavirus spreading in Australia is predicted to get much worse, spiking in one month in particular, modelling shows.
The risk of the deadly coronavirus spreading in Australia will increase over coming months as the mercury drops and instances of colds and flu spike, official modelling shows.
West Australian Premier Mark McGowan has revealed that authorities are bracing for the worst, as the number of countries battling the virus passes 60 and the death toll hits 3000.
“The modelling indicates that potentially, in late April or May, there may be greater spread of the illness here in Australia, and at that point in time obviously we would need to ramp up some of our activities,” Mr McGowan told reporters.
“The peak would then hit us in potentially August, which is obviously not a great month because our coldest months with the highest level of flu.”
The emergency response to the virus entered a worrying new phase yesterday, with confirmation of the first human-to-human infection.
https://www.news.com.au/lifestyle/health/health-problems/risk-of-coronavirus-spreading-in-australia-to-worsen-with-one-month-the-most-dangerous/news-story/bf607d1df71d94bcc8c799c9dde801b3
Coronavirus spreads after friends go dancing in Indonesian nightclub
When a family friend came to visit, she was taken for a night out in a city of nine million. Now it’s been revealed she had the coronavirus.
A coronavirus-infected family friend who was visiting from overseas went out dancing in a city of nine million people and passed the virus to a mother and daughter.
The cases have emerged in Indonesia, one of the world’s most populous nations, that had until today reported no cases of the deadly virus.
A 64-year-old woman and her 31-year-old daughter had become infected after contact with their female Japanese family friend, 41, who lived in Malaysia and had tested positive after returning from the trip.
The Japanese woman visited their house in Depok on the outskirts of Jakarta, a city of nine million people.
https://www.news.com.au/lifestyle/health/health-problems/coronavirus-spreads-after-friends-go-dancing-in-indonesian-nightclub/news-story/6a8374acd4fddf5abd624da7f0e4c13c
Reuters:
Pfizer identified some antiviral compounds with potential as coronavirus treatments
NEW YORK (Reuters) - Drugmaker Pfizer Inc (PFE.N) said on Monday that it identified certain antiviral compounds it had in development that have the potential to inhibit coronaviruses and is engaging with a third party to screen the compounds.
The company said it hopes to have the results from that screening by the end of March and if any of the compounds are successful, it would hope start testing them by the end of the year.
Pfizer Chief Scientific Officer Mikael Dolsten was one of a number of pharmaceutical executives who met with U.S. President Trump at the White House on Monday.
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-pfizer/pfizer-identified-some-antiviral-compounds-with-potential-as-coronavirus-treatments-idUSKBN20P3BJ
BeiGene warns of hit to sales and clinical trials from coronavirus outbreak
(Reuters) - China-based drugmaker BeiGene Ltd (6160.HK) (BGNE.O) said on Monday it expects the coronavirus outbreak to impact its operations in China, including sales and clinical trials, particularly in the first quarter.
The company joins U.S. drugmakers Merck & Co Inc (MRK.N) and Pfizer Inc (PFE.N), which also warned that the continued spread of the virus globally could adversely impact their financial results and clinical trials.
BeiGene, which in November won the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s approval for its lymphoma treatment Brukinsa, said it expects to launch another cancer drug tislelizumab in first quarter, despite the negative impact from the virus outbreak.
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-beigene/beigene-warns-of-hit-to-sales-and-clinical-trials-from-coronavirus-outbreak-idUSKBN20P36H
NEW YORK (Reuters) - Drugmaker Pfizer Inc (PFE.N) said on Monday that it identified certain antiviral compounds it had in development that have the potential to inhibit coronaviruses and is engaging with a third party to screen the compounds.
The company said it hopes to have the results from that screening by the end of March and if any of the compounds are successful, it would hope start testing them by the end of the year.
Pfizer Chief Scientific Officer Mikael Dolsten was one of a number of pharmaceutical executives who met with U.S. President Trump at the White House on Monday.
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-pfizer/pfizer-identified-some-antiviral-compounds-with-potential-as-coronavirus-treatments-idUSKBN20P3BJ
BeiGene warns of hit to sales and clinical trials from coronavirus outbreak
(Reuters) - China-based drugmaker BeiGene Ltd (6160.HK) (BGNE.O) said on Monday it expects the coronavirus outbreak to impact its operations in China, including sales and clinical trials, particularly in the first quarter.
The company joins U.S. drugmakers Merck & Co Inc (MRK.N) and Pfizer Inc (PFE.N), which also warned that the continued spread of the virus globally could adversely impact their financial results and clinical trials.
BeiGene, which in November won the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s approval for its lymphoma treatment Brukinsa, said it expects to launch another cancer drug tislelizumab in first quarter, despite the negative impact from the virus outbreak.
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-beigene/beigene-warns-of-hit-to-sales-and-clinical-trials-from-coronavirus-outbreak-idUSKBN20P36H
And I'm going to stop there for today. There's a lot with more news coming hourly. As usual, I didn't post about the virus in the US as the DU seems to be right on top of it. Some of the above news sources have paywalls after so many articles. I don't think I should tell you how to get around a paywall, but a simple Google search will. Until the next time!
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