COVID-19 Update 3-24-2020

(COVID-19)Novel Coronavirus  Update       

Online John Hopkins CSSE Coronavirus Dashboard

WHO Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV) website      

US CDC 2019-nCoV webpage

European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, Novel coronavirus in China page 

LOUISIANA

Please go to http://ldh.la.gov/Coronavirus/ for official information on Presumptive Positive Test Results and locations.  It is updated 12 noon daily.  LDH officials’ latest report: As of last report there are 41 of 64 parishes with reported cases with 1,172 cases of COVID-19 and 34 deaths across the state.

WILL FORWARD UPDATED LOUISIANA INFO AS SOON AS IT IS PUBLISHED.

Orleans  –  567 case(s)  |  20 death(s)

Jefferson  –  252 case(s)  |  5 death(s)

East Baton Rouge  –  43 case(s)  |  1 death(s)

Ascension  –  26 case(s)  |  1 death(s)

Ouachita  –  9 case(s)  |  1 death(s)

Rapides  –  8 case(s)  |  1 death(s)

St. James  –  8 case(s)  |  1 death(s)

West Baton Rouge  –  4 case(s)  |  1 death(s)

Webster  –  3 case(s)  |  1 death(s)

Washington  –  2 case(s)  |  1 death(s)

Catahoula  –  1 case(s)  |  1 death(s)

 

St. Tammany  –  47 case(s)  |  0 death(s)

Caddo  –  34 case(s)  |  0 death(s)

 

St. John the Baptist  –  16 case(s)  |  0 death(s)

Lafourche  –  15 case(s)  |  0 death(s)

St. Bernard  –  15 case(s)  |  0 death(s)

St. Charles  –  15 case(s)  |  0 death(s)

Terrebonne  –  14 case(s)  |  0 death(s)

Bossier  –  12 case(s)  |  0 death(s)

Iberville  –  10 case(s)  |  0 death(s)

 

Lafayette  –  9 case(s)  |  0 death(s)

Plaquemines  –  8 case(s)  |  0 death(s)

De Soto  –  5 case(s)  |  0 death(s)

Livingston  –  5 case(s)  |  0 death(s)

Calcasieu  –  4 case(s)  |  0 death(s)

Iberia  –  3 case(s)  |  0 death(s)

St. Landry  –  3 case(s)  |  0 death(s)

Tangipahoa  –  3 case(s)  |  0 death(s)

 

Allen  –  2 case(s)  |  0 death(s)

Claiborne  –  2 case(s)  |  0 death(s)

Evangeline  –  2 case(s)  |  0 death(s)

Lincoln  –  2 case(s)  |  0 death(s)

Natchitoches  –  2 case(s)  |  0 death(s)

Richland  –  2 case(s)  |  0 death(s)

 

Acadia  –  1 case(s)  |  0 death(s)

Assumption  –  1 case(s)  |  0 death(s)

Avoyelles  –  1 case(s)  |  0 death(s)

Beauregard  –  1 case(s)  |  0 death(s)

Bienville  –  1 case(s)  |  0 death(s)

Grant  –  1 case(s)  |  0 death(s)

St. Mary  –  1 case(s)  |  0 death(s)

 

In the U.S., the total number of cases surged past 46,450 with a death toll over 550 with many areas on mandatory “stay at home” orders.  While the Senate’s top Democrat and the treasury secretary said on Monday night they were close to a deal on a nearly $2 trillion economic stabilization package to respond to the coronavirus pandemic. The announcement came hours after Democrats voted for the second time to block action until they secured more worker protections and restrictions on bailed-out companies. Additionally, New York City has about a third of the nation’s confirmed coronavirus cases, making it the new epicenter of the outbreak in the United States. Nearly 1 in 1,000 people in the New York metropolitan area have contracted the virus, five times the rate of the rest of the country, Dr. Deborah L. Birx, the White House’s coronavirus response coordinator, said on Monday afternoon. Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo of New York will issue an order requiring hospitals to increase capacity by at least 50 percent, he said on Monday. New York State saw a one-day increase of nearly 5,000 cases, putting the total at 21,689 as of Monday night.

 

The number of cases worldwide continues to climb. According to health officials, there have been 382,644 confirmed cases of COVID-19. More than 101,911 people have recovered, and 16,587 people have died.  The coronavirus “pandemic is accelerating,” World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus warned Monday.Almost every country in the world has reported cases, he announced in a Geneva press conference. “It took 67 days from the first reported case to reach the first 100,000 cases. Eleven days for the second 100,000 and just four days for the third 100,000,” he said.

 

In China, the central Chinese city of Wuhan, where the global outbreak started, said on Tuesday that public transportation would resume within 24 hours and residents would be allowed to leave the city beginning April 8 as infections appeared to be dwindling after a weeks-long lockdown.  Even as local infections across China appeared to approach zero,  the Wuhan government on Tuesday said a doctor who was working in a local hospital  tested positive, adding to evidence that Hubei Province, of which Wuhan is the capital, has not beaten the virus. In Wuhan, authorities continue to turn up cases of people with the virus but without symptoms, fueling growing fears among the Chinese public that the government has failed to disclose or discover a much larger number of infections than the 81,558 cases that have been reported.

 

Italy has reported 602 new deaths from the coronavirus on Tuesday, bringing the total to 6,077 with the tally of cases in the country, a major hotspot, rising to 63,928.  The country remains on lock down.

 

While South Korea on Tuesday reported 76 new confirmed cases of the coronavirus and nine more deaths. South Korea now has a total of at least 9,037 cases and 120 deaths.

 

Iranian health officials have confirmed at least 23,049 cases of coronavirus (COVID-19) nationwide as of Monday, March 23. An additional 1812 associated fatalities have also been reported. In an effort to prevent further spread of the virus, shopping centers in the capital Tehran were closed on Sunday, March 22. Only pharmacies and shops that provide essential goods will be allowed to remain open. Educational institutions and libraries have been closed and cultural and sporting events have been suspended. Entry into the provinces of Golestan, Mazandaran, Guilan, Ardabil, Zanjan, Hamedan, Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari, Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad, and Kerman is prohibited except for residents.

 

In Germany,  authorities announced a ban on gatherings of more than two people to prevent further spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19). German citizens are also advised to reduce contact with people outside of their own household to a minimum, and keep a  distance of at least 1.5 meters (5 ft.), preferably two meters (6.5 ft.), between themselves and others in public. The restrictions are expected to  last for at least two weeks.  On Monday, March 16, the federal government and states have agreed to close non-essential shops and public spaces until further notice. This includes restaurants, bars, clubs, theaters, museums, and churches. Grocery stores, pharmacies, petrol stations, banks, post offices, and delivery services are excluded from the ban. Schools and day-care centers have also been closed.  As of March 24, health officials have confirmed 29,560 cases of COVID-19 in the country and 126 related deaths.

 

In the U.K.,  Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced new stay-at-home restrictions for Britons and ordered nonessential businesses to close to curb the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak within the country. Johnson instructed British citizens to only leave their homes to shop for necessities as infrequently as possible, engage in one form of exercise per day alone or with members of one’s household, satisfy medical needs (i.e. to provide care or help an individual vulnerable to COVID-19), or to travel to and from work when working from home is not possible. Johnson cautioned that police forces may issue fines and disperse gatherings of people refusing to adhere to the orders.  All nonessential businesses and public venues have been ordered to close, all public gatherings of more than two people have been prohibited (excluding people living together), and all social events have been canceled, excluding funerals. Notably, parks remain open for exercise, but “gatherings will be dispersed,” according to Johnson.  As of March 23, over 6700 cases of COVID-19 have been confirmed in the UK.

 

In Canada, authorities in Ontario and Quebec announced additional restrictions due to community transmission of the coronavirus (COVID-19) in the regions. All non-essential businesses, except for groceries, pharmacies, gas stations, banks, SAQ, and SQDC outlets, and public transport including airports and taxis, will be closed from 11:59 (local time) on Tuesday, March 24, until Monday, April 13. In Quebec, elderly in care homes will not be allowed to leave their residences as a precautionary measure. In addition, all indoor and outdoor gatherings have been banned. A state of emergency was also declared in Toronto by Mayor Josh Tory on Monday, March 23, following the city’s first fatality from the virus. Meanwhile, the US-Canada border will remain closed for all non-essential travel until Monday, April 20. The Canadian government has also advised the public to practice social distancing to prevent further spread of the virus.  As of March 23, the government has confirmed 2091 cases of COVID-19 nationwide, including 24 fatalities. Ontario and Quebec have confirmed 503 and 628 cases of the virus.

 

In Iraq, authorities announced a nationwide lockdown due to the ongoing spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19), until Saturday, March 28. While many provinces established curfews, the decision applies to the entire country. The country’s airports are closed, as are schools, universities, religious sites, and other gathering places.  In Baghdad, a travel ban prohibiting any travel into or out of the city, first implemented on Tuesday, March 17, will be extended until 23:00 (local time) on March 28. It is unclear whether exceptions will be made. As of March 24, the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Iraq has risen to 266 with 23 fatalities.

 

In KSA, Saudi authorities announced a nationwide curfew will be implemented beginning Monday, March 23, following an increase in the number of coronavirus (COVID-19) cases. The curfew will run from 19:00 to 06:00 (local time) for 21 days. The government suspended all domestic transportation services for 14 days from 06:00 (local time) on Saturday, March 21, affecting domestic flights, trains, buses, and taxis. All international travel has been suspended for two weeks from Sunday, March 15, and most private sector business have been ordered to suspend operations for 15 days. Only businesses providing vital food, health, or utility services will remain operational. Malls, restaurants, coffee shops, and public parks are also closed. 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. As of March 24, there are 562 confirmed COVID-19 cases in Saudi Arabia.

 

In Kenya, the government announced on Monday, March 23, that all international flights to and from the country will be suspended from 23:59 (local time) on Wednesday, March 25. Only cargo flights will be allowed to operate but crew must follow strict regulations. All individuals who enter the country before the restriction comes into effect must undergo a 14-day quarantine at a government designated facility at their own expense. Foreign nationals who are currently under self-isolation may break quarantine only if they are asymptomatic and are leaving Kenya immediately before international flights are suspended.  Other containment measures remain in effect as of Monday. All individuals who entered Kenya from a country with reported COVID-19 cases since March 1 must self-quarantine for 14 days or until they have been symptom free for over 14 day from their time of entry. Temperature screening measures are in place at all points of entry. All pubs were closed on Sunday, March 22, and citizens are being asked to stay indoors unless travel is essential.

As of March 23, 16 cases of COVID-19 have been confirmed in the country.

 

In Australia, Prime Minister Scott Morrison has announced a nationwide partial lockdown effective 12:00 (local time), on Monday, March 23, in efforts to stem the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Non-essential services will be suspended and public spaces including bars, clubs, cinemas, gyms, indoor sporting venues, and places of worship will be closed. Australians have been asked to stay at home except to go to work or buy food, medicine, and other essentials.  Supermarkets, shopping centers, office buildings, banks, petrol stations, pharmacies, and convenience stores are amongst the businesses allowed to remain open. Cafés and restaurants are allowed to remain open, but only for take-out and delivery services.  As of March 24, 2044 cases of COVID-19 have been confirmed in the country, alongside seven associated fatalities and 119 recoveries.

 

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.

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 has issued a “Do Not Travel”health advisory.  The Department of State advises U.S. citizens to avoid all international travel due to the global impact of COVID-19.  In countries where commercial departure options remain available, U.S. citizens who live in the United States should arrange for immediate return to the United States, unless they are prepared to remain abroad for an indefinite period.  U.S. citizens who live abroad should avoid all international travel.

 

 

BUREN R. (Ric) MOORE

GOHSEP Intelligence Officer

Louisiana State Analytical & Fusion Exchange (LA-SAFE) Liaison

7667 Independence Blvd.

Baton Rouge, LA  70806

Office: 225.925.3674

[email protected]

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.