The mortality rate among reported coronavirus patients is now around 3.4%, a much higher percentage than previous estimates, according to the World Health Organization.
Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, director general of the WHO, also said on Tuesday that the virus is more deadly than the flu, which kills tens of thousands of Americans each year, but does not spread as easily. In the United States, the death rate from seasonal flu is well below 1%.
Previous estimates of the global mortality rate for coronavirus were around 2%, and the latest figure is not firm as tests are still late. It is not yet known how many people have actually been infected. Still, the 3.4% death rate is worrisome, said Tedros.
“While many people around the world have developed immunity against seasonal flu strains, COVID-19 is a new virus that no one has immunity to, “said Tedros.” This means that more people are susceptible to the infection, and some will suffer from a serious illness. “
Fauci: vaccine could be in a year
Public health officials told senators on Tuesday that while scientists are working on a vaccine, it will not be available soon. Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergies and Infectious Diseases, said that potential treatments could occur before a vaccine. “The deadlines are fundamentally different,” he said.
Fauci said a vaccine would take at least a year to a year and a half. Nine people in the United States died after being infected with a coronavirus, all in Washington State. There are at least 127 confirmed cases in the country. Pharmaceutical company Gilead is testing a potential treatment: “We will know in a few months if it works,” said Fauci.
– Adrianna Rodriguez
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WHO: Shortage of masks and gloves threatens lives
A serious and growing disruption in the global supply of masks, respirators, gloves and other personal protective equipment is putting lives at risk from the new coronavirus and other infectious diseases, said WHO. The agency blamed the shortage on rising demand due to panic purchases, hoarding and abuse and called for a 40% increase in production. Doctors, nurses and other front-line workers are “dangerously ill-equipped” to care for patients with COVID-19, the WHO said.
“Without secure supply chains, the risk to healthcare workers around the world is real,” Tedros said in a statement. “Industry and governments must act quickly to increase supply, relax export restrictions and put in place measures to stop speculation and hoarding.”
Seattle Public Schools Submit Coronavirus Response Plan
There are no confirmed cases of coronavirus in public schools in Seattle – and the district wants it to continue. MPS announced Tuesday night new guidelines for its response to the new epidemic that has killed nine people in Washington state while stressing that school district staff will prioritize cleaning up common areas and heavy traffic, including bathrooms and dining rooms, several times each. day.
If a student or staff member has had “close contact” with someone diagnosed with a coronavirus, they will be asked to leave immediately and be quarantined for 14 days. If a student or staff member tests positive for coronavirus, their school will be closed indefinitely.
“You can help by staying informed, practicing good hygiene and staying at home or by keeping children at home if they have a fever or show signs of a fever,” says the district on its website.
—Steve Kiggins, USA TODAY
Washington State epidemic hits major sports
The Chicago State University men’s basketball team has canceled plans to go to Seattle for a Thursday night game. The university announced Tuesday evening that its team would not fly west, choosing instead to prioritize the “health and well-being” of its university community. The cancellation was the first of a major sport in the United States.
The state of Chicago has also cut a pair of women’s basketball games that are slated to be played on its campus this week, including a competition Thursday against the University of Seattle. The university’s decision came hours after Washington state officials announced three more deaths from the virus that started in China and has since spread around the world. Washington had 27 cases in the United States on Wednesday, including 231 under public health surveillance, state officials said.
Amazon confirms its first American coronavirus case in Seattle
One of the American technology giants, Amazon, confirmed on Tuesday its first American case of coronavirus, an employee of its large Seattle facilities. The employee returned home sick on February 25 and “has not entered Amazon offices since that time,” according to an email sent to Amazon employees. The company told USA TODAY that it learned of the positive diagnosis on Tuesday.
“We support the affected employee who is in quarantine,” the company said in a statement. The employee works in the company’s Brazilian building, a 12-story, 317,000 square foot downtown complex built in 2015, the Seattle Times reported. Amazon encouraged employees with symptoms to “stay home and see a doctor.” The company “is also continuing to improve deep cleaning and disinfection in the office”.
—Kelly Tyko, USA TODAY
Facebook offers free advertising to fight viral misinformation
Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg said the social network is stepping up its efforts to fight virus-related misinformation by offering free advertising to the World Health Organization. Zuckerberg said in a post on his Facebook account that the company is working with national health departments and global organizations such as the World Health Orgnization, the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and UNICEF to obtain precise and up-to-date information on the virus. Zuckerberg said Facebook would also provide “support and millions more in ad credits” to other unspecified organizations.
How many cases of coronavirus in the United States and where?
The number is expected to increase, however, as the CDC has stepped up its screening efforts and encouraged more testing in health centers across the country.
Common signs of infection are fever, cough, and difficulty breathing. If the infection gets worse, it can cause pneumonia, severe acute respiratory syndrome, kidney failure, and death.
What is the global death toll from coronaviruses?
The global death toll was 3,198 on Wednesday morning, with more than 2,900 in mainland China, where the epidemic began in the bustling capital of Hubei province, Wuhan. While Chinese authorities said on Tuesday that they thought the “victory” against the virus would come when new cases fell to a six-week low, Italy and Iran were among the countries under siege, making 79 and 77 dead respectively.
The number of confirmed cases worldwide was 93,158 Wednesday morning.