(COVID-19)Novel Coronavirus Update
Online John Hopkins CSSE Coronavirus Dashboard
WHO Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV) website
European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, Novel coronavirus in China page
LDH website
The number of cases worldwide continues to climb. According to health officials, there have been 145,374 confirmed cases of COVID-19. More than 71,717 people have recovered, and 5,429 people have died.
Louisiana Cases
(Updated 3/13/2020 4:30 p.m.) |
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In the U.S., confirmed coronavirus cases in the United States have climbed to 2,174, even with sparse testing, and the death toll has risen to at least 48. West Virginia was the only state yet to report a known case of the virus by Friday evening. President Donald Trump has declared a national emergency to help handle the growing outbreak of coronavirus. The declaration allows the federal government to tap up to $50bn in emergency relief funds. The move loosens regulations on the provision of healthcare. The United States is facing the prospect that those numbers could soar, as they did in China, Italy, South Korea and other countries. Due to the pandemic, the U.S. House passes a sweeping relief package as the coronavirus spreads to 49 states. The measure includes two weeks of paid sick leave and up to three months of paid family and medical leave for Americans who work for businesses with less than 500 employees or the government and are infected by the virus, quarantined, have a sick family member or are impacted by school closures. The relief package also includes enhanced unemployment benefits, free virus testing for those who lack insurance, and additional food aid and federal funds for Medicaid. Additionally, the Pentagon on Friday said it was halting all official travel for military service members in the United States beginning on Monday for nearly three months. The new travel restrictions apply to service members, civilians employed by the Department of Defense, and families who are assigned to Department of Defense facilities in the United States . They only apply to official travel. In an unsigned statement, the department said there may be exemptions for “compelling cases” in which the travel is essential to a mission, warranted for humanitarian reasons or necessary because of “extreme hardship.” Regarding testing, up to 500,000 additional coronavirus tests will be available by early next week, though authorities are not recommending tests without clear need; private labs and vaccine developers will be able to provide five million coronavirus tests within the month, though authorities are not recommending tests for those without symptoms.
Italy has recorded its highest daily toll yet – 250 over the past 24 hours, taking the total to 1,266, with 17,660 infections in the country. The country remains on lockdown with only supermarkets and pharmacies windows are open. Only one person from each household can go on a shopping run. Police write tickets for people who are out wandering. Lines form outside the markets sometime because only so many people are allowed to shop at one time, and they must remain 1 meter (about 3 feet) apart.
In South Korea, for a second day in a row, the number of coronavirus patients released from South Korean hospitals has exceeded the number of newly confirmed infections, a potential sign that the country’s aggressive test-and-treatment approach is paying off. Heath officials said it was still too early to say that the country’s outbreak was under control, but they were encouraged by the recent figures. The number of recovered patients surpassed that of new infections by 177 to 110 on Friday, and by 204 to 107 on Saturday. The country has reported 8,806 total cases.
In the U.K., The number of confirmed cases of the virus in the UK rose to 801 and a total of 11 people have died. But the government estimates the true number of cases to be around 5,000 to 10,000 around the UK. It is understood ministers are working on plans to stop various types of public events. Emergency legislation – including compensation for organizations affected by a temporary ban on big events – is due to be published next week. Catholic churches in England are “preparing for a time” when the celebration of mass may have to “come to an end”, the Catholic leader in England and Wales has said.
In Australia, Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced on Friday, March 13, that all non-essential public gatherings of more than 500 people are banned from Monday, March 16, to limit the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19). The 2020 Australian Grand Prix scheduled on Sunday, March 15, in Melbourne has subsequently been canceled. The directive does not include public transport, educational institutes, businesses, commercial centers, or hospitals. Some businesses are enforcing work-from-home policies. Prime Minister Morrison also reminded all individuals of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade’s (DFAT) current Level 3 travel alert for all overseas travel advising to “reconsider your need for overseas travel at this time.” DFAT’s red warnings (advising “Do Not Travel”) remain in place as of Saturday, March 14, for China, Iran, and the Lombardy region or the Italian provinces of Modena, Parma, Piacenza, Reggio nell’ Emilia, Rimini, Pesaro and Urbino, Alessandria, Asti, Novara, Verbano-Cusio-Ossola, Verceli, Padova, Treviso, and Venezia. As of Wednesday, March 11, all foreign nationals traveling from or through Italy in the 14 days prior to their scheduled arrival to Australia will be denied entry to the country. This is in addition to entry bans for foreign nationals traveling from or through mainland China, Iran, and South Korea. Australian citizens and permanent residents returning from the aforementioned countries will be required to undergo a 14-day self-quarantine. Qantas Airways has reduced and canceled a number of its international flight routes between late-March and September to meet changing demand. More detailed information can be found on the airline’s website here. As of 06:30(local time) on March 14, the Department of Health (DOH) has confirmed 200 cases of COVID-19 nationwide and three associated fatalities. With 91 confirmed cases, New South Wales state has the highest number of recorded cases as of March 14.
In Poland, Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki announced on Friday, March 13, that all foreign nationals will be barred from entering Poland for ten days from Sunday, March 15, to limit the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19). All Polish citizens and residents will be allowed to return to the country but will be required to undergo a 14-day quarantine. All international inbound flights and trains will be suspended from 00:00 (local time) on Sunday, with the exception of some charter flights transporting returning Poles. Authorities also announced that all restaurants, bars, and casinos will close – although food delivery can continue. Shopping malls will close from Saturday, March 14, except for drugstores and grocery shops. However, all shops outside of malls can continue operating. Prime Minister Morawiecki also announced a ban on public gatherings of more than 50 people. As of March 14, there are 68 confirmed cases of COVID-19 nationwide, and two associated fatalities.
In Saudi Arabia, the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced on Saturday, March 14, that all international travel will be suspended for two weeks starting Sunday, March 15, amid the ongoing spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19). The government had previously banned travel to and from EU, Switzerland, India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Philippines, Sudan, South Sudan, Ethiopia, Eritrea, Kenya, Djibouti, and Somalia. Saudi Arabia also previously suspended travel by air and sea to and from Oman, Turkey, UAE, Kuwait, Bahrain, Lebanon, Syria, South Korea, Egypt, and Iraq on Monday, March 9. However, MOFA representatives said that exceptions will be made for shipping, trade, and evacuations between the Kingdom and these countries. Other travel restrictions remain in place since Wednesday, March 4, including requiring travelers from a Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) country to remain there for 14 continuous days and show no symptoms of the virus in order to gain entry into Saudi Arabia. Meanwhile, visas for tourists from dozens of countries where the Kingdom considers the spread of the virus to be a threat, including China, Italy, Japan, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, and Singapore, remain temporarily suspended since March 4.To prevent further spread of the virus, authorities ordered a temporary lockdown of the eastern Qatif region, on Sunday, March 8, after 11 individuals from the area tested positive for the virus. All entry and exit into Qatif has been halted, and work at all government and private institutions has been suspended. The education minister announced on Sunday that all schools and universities nationwide will be suspended from Monday, March 9, until further notice. Officials have confirmed 86 cases of COVID-19 nationwide as of March 14.
In the Ukraine, the Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council (NSDC) of Ukraine Oleksiy Danilov announced on Friday, March 13, that authorities will bar entry to foreign nationals at all border crossing points for two weeks from Sunday, March 15, to limit the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19). He said that the government will reassess the situation at the end of the two weeks depending on how the situation develops. Danilov specified that while the measure does not prevent Ukrainian nationals from returning to Ukraine, those that return from significantly affected countries will be required to undergo “observation procedures.” The Minister of Internal Affairs Arsen Avakov also announced on Friday that authorities will close some border crossing points to limit the spread of the virus, however, the exact list of affected border crossing points was not immediately specified. Ukraine’s Press Service of the Cabinet confirmed on Thursday, March 12, that about 70 percent of all checkpoints are expected to close. Authorities closed all schools and universities from March 12 through Friday, April 3. Mass gatherings of more than 200 people remain banned through April 3.Cinemas and entertainment areas in shopping malls have been temporarily closed; public transport will continue to operate. As of March 13, officials have confirmed three cases of COVID-19 in the country.
Due to the ongoing outbreak, CDC recommends that travelers avoid all nonessential travel to the below countries. Entry to the U.S. of foreign nationals from these destinations has been suspended except South Korea. The public health agency has issued the following travel guidance related to COVID-19:
- China (Level 3 Travel Health Notice)
- Iran (Level 3 Travel Health Notice)
- Most of Europe (Level 3 Travel Health Notice)
- South Korea (Level 3 Travel Health Notice)
CDC recommends that older adults or those who have chronic medical conditions consider postponing travel to the following destinations: Global Outbreak Notice (Level 2 Travel Health Notice)
The US State Department also issued an advisory telling Americans to “reconsider travel” to all countries because of the global effects of the coronavirus. It is the department’s second-strongest advisory, behind “do not travel.”
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