(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
The number of cases worldwide continues to climb. According to health officials, there have been 182,424 confirmed cases of COVID-19. More than 79,433 people have recovered, and 7,155 people have died. Many countries have put their citizens under partial or total lockdown. France has issued restrictive measures that require all vehicle and pedestrian movements to be justified and Malaysia will impose a nationwide movement control order that bars citizens from traveling abroad, while foreign tourists and visitors will be restricted from entering the country. Countries all over the world have closed borders, expanding restrictions on travel and daily life, issued bans on public gatherings and told citizens to work from home or not to leave the house.
Please go to http://ldh.la.gov/Coronavirus/ for official information on Presumptive Positive Test Results and locations. It is updated at 9 am and 4:30 pm daily. Below is current info.
As of last report there are 11 of 64 parishes with reported cases with 136 cases of COVID-19 and 3 deaths across the state. LDH officials reported the following:
Parishes with cases:
· Ascension – 1
· Bossier – 1
· Caddo – 3
· Lafourche – 2
· Jefferson – 21
· Orleans – 94
· St. Charles – 3
· St. John the Baptist – 1
· St. Tammany – 6
· St Bernard – 2
· Terrebonne – 2
In the U.S., the White House has advised people not to gather in groups of more than 10, as US cases passed 4,661 with at least 87 fatalities. A growing number of US states and cities have announced widespread mandatory closures as part of attempts to curb the spread of the virus. The White House on Monday issued new guidelines designed to slow the rapid spread of coronavirus, asking nearly every American to stay home from work or school for the next fifteen days. In many major cities, bars and restaurants have been told to close or only offer take-out and delivery services.
Top health care officials in the U.S. warned that the country does not have enough stockpiled medical equipment like masks and gloves to deal with the coronavirus pandemic, media reported Tuesday. Officials from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services told medical professionals on a conference call that there was not enough personal protective equipment in the Strategic National Stockpile to fulfill anticipated gaps in state and local supplies. These crucial equipment include masks, gowns, and gloves.
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.”
In China, authorities in Beijing announced that all arrivals from overseas will be required to complete a 14-day quarantine at a designated facility, while some will be allowed to undergo a 14-day home quarantine, to limit the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19) from Tuesday, March 17. Hubei province officials issued a similar directive effective 00:00 (local time) on March 17. The decision follows after the country’s National Health Commission recorded more imported cases than local transmissions for the fourth consecutive day. The Health Commission confirmed just one new case on Monday, March 16, in Wuhan (Hubei province) but 20 new imported cases on the same day across mainland China. The total number of imported cases stands at 143 nationwide as of 00:00 on March 17. A significant proportion of large businesses, and many small- and medium-sized businesses have resumed operations nationally. However, Hubei province remains under strict lockdown. As of March 17, the National Health Commission has confirmed 81,053 cases of COVID-19 nationwide, including 68,679 recoveries and 3226 associated fatalities. At the original epicenter in Hubei province, authorities have confirmed 67,799 cases of the virus. Officials in Wuhan closed the last of its 15 makeshift temporary hospitals on Tuesday, March 10, after the number of new cases per day reduced significantly. Nevertheless, further spread of the virus is anticipated in the coming days and weeks.
In Germany, German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas urged German citizens to stay home today, after a dramatic leap in the country’s coronavirus cases. This comes after the country reported 1,174 new infections within 24 hours between Sunday and Monday — its largest single-day rise in cases. Germany has 7,272 coronavirus cases, including 17 deaths. The government also issued drastic new restrictions yesterday, closing bars, clubs, theaters, concert halls, museums, and other public spaces.
In Canada, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced on Monday, March 16, that all foreign nationals except those from the US will be denied entry to Canada to limit the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19). The measure does not apply to air crews, travelers transiting in Canada only, diplomats, immediate family members of Canadian citizens, or permanent residents. He also announced that international flight arrivals will only be permitted at four airports: Toronto Pearson (YYZ), Vancouver (YVR), Montreal-Trudeau (YUL), and Calgary (YYC). Domestic flights and flights from the US, Mexico, the Caribbean, and St. Pierre-et-Miquelon can continue to operate as normal. However, any individual presenting symptoms of the virus will not be allowed to board an international flight from their point of departure. All airlines are therefore expected to carry out health screenings. Prime Minister Trudeau also advised against all non-essential travel until further notice, and for all arrivals to Canada to self-isolate for 14 days upon entry. As of March 16, health officials have confirmed 439 cases of COVID-19 nationwide and four associated fatalities. Officials have recorded the highest number of cases in Ontario and British Columbia provinces at 177 and 103 respectively.
In the U.K., Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced several measures on Monday, March 16, to limit the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19) in the UK. All individuals are advised to limit public gatherings – particularly in crowded places such as pubs, restaurants, and other entertainment venues – and to avoid all non-essential travel. Theaters and music venues nationwide subsequently announced that they will close on Monday. Any person with a persistent cough or fever is urged to home-quarantine for 14 days, along with all other members of their household. Health officials are expected to contact all residents with serious health conditions in the coming days to advise them to avoid social contact for around 12 weeks. While schools remain open as of March 16, Prime Minister Johnson said “drastic action” was needed and further restrictions are expected in the coming days. He highlighted London as an area requiring special attention due to the more rapid spread of the virus than anywhere else in the UK, and warned that the nation was approaching “the fast growth part of the upward curve” in the number of cases. The national carrier, British Airways, and budget airlines EasyJet and Jet2 have not announced as of March 16 any further restrictions to its flight operations. However, the airlines have said that they are closely monitoring the Foreign and Commonwealth Office’s (FCO) travel advisory and adhering to all flight suspensions and entry restrictions issued by other countries. More information regarding entry restrictions for individuals coming from the UK or British nationals can be found on the FCO website. As of 09:00 (local time) on March 16, Public Health England (PHE) officials have confirmed 1553 cases of COVID-19 nationwide and 55 associated fatalities.
In Australia, On Monday, March 16, Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews declared a State of Emergency for four weeks in the state starting from 12:00 (local time) in response to the ongoing coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak. Under the State of Emergency, authorities have enforced a 14-day self-isolation for all travelers entering Australia and banned non-essential mass gatherings of more than 500 people such as cultural and sporting events, as well as conferences. However, essential gatherings such as public transport, food markets, workplaces, schools, and universities will be allowed to continue. A number of cultural institutions, including the National Gallery of Victoria, the State Library, and Museums Victoria have also announced temporary closures. The state of emergency will also give health officials the authority to detain people, search premises without a warrant, and force areas into lockdown when required. Individuals who do not comply with the directives from health officials could receive a fine of up to AUD 20,000, while corporations that do not comply could be fined up to AUD 100,000. The Department of Health has confirmed 377 cases of COVID-19 in Australia, including five fatalities and 27 recoveries.
In India, The Bureau of Immigration issued new travel restrictions for several countries aimed at limiting the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19). Immigration officials suspended travel from Afghanistan, Philippines, and Malaysia with immediate effect on Tuesday, March 17, through Tuesday, March 31. Officials said that flights from these countries will be suspended after 15:00 (local time) on Tuesday. Additionally, all individuals coming from the European Union (EU), the European Free Trade Association (Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland), Turkey, and the UK are prohibited from entering India via air, land, or sea from 17:30 from Wednesday, March 18, through March 31. Previous entry restrictions also remain in place, including:
- All individuals traveling from Italy or South Korea must provide a certificate proving that they have tested negative for COVID-19.
- All individuals that traveled in or from China, Italy, Iran, South Korea, France, Spain, or Germany after Saturday, February 15, must undergo at least a 14-day quarantine from the time of departure.
- All individuals traveling from the UAE, Qatar, Oman, and Kuwait must undergo a 14-day quarantine from 17:30 on March 18.
The government previously suspended all tourist visas from Friday, March 13, to Wednesday, April 15, except for diplomatic, official, or UN missions, or for international organization, employment, and project visas. Officials continue to advise against all non-essential travel. All foreigners have been prohibited from entering Sikkim state, while Kerala state has suspended all public functions, closed cinemas and primary schools, and declared a state of high alert.
As of March 17, Ministry of Health officials have confirmed 119 cases of COVID-19 nationwide and three associated fatalities. The highest number of confirmed cases is in Maharashtra state with 36 cases, followed by Kerala with 22 cases.
CDC recommends that travelers avoid all nonessential travel to the following destinations. Most foreign nationals who have been in one of these countries during the previous 14 days will not be allowed to enter the United States.
- China
- Iran
- Most European Countries
- United Kingdom and Ireland
- South Korea (Level 3 Travel Health Notice)
BUREN R. (Ric) MOORE
GOHSEP Intelligence Officer
Louisiana State Analytical & Fusion Exchange (LA-SAFE) Liaison
Office: 225.925.3674
In the case of terrorism, to wait for an indication of crime before investigating it is to wait too long. There is no guarantee of success, but there has to be a guarantee of effort. Let’s make it hard to hurt us. If you see something suspicious, report it.
