The virus, which causes the COVID-19 disease and was first detected in Wuhan city of the Hubei province of China, has infected more than 81,000 people in China and more than 108,000 outside the country. More than 80,000 people have recovered from infection, according to the data.
The outbreak has slowed down in China, which is now reporting only a trickle of new cases. But it continues to spread in the U.S., where every state except for West Virginia has reported cases. West Virginia has four pending tests and 80 that have been negative, its health department said.
Washington state, New York and California continue to see the largest number of cases, while Vermont, Wyoming, and Alaska have reported the fewest, according to the latest report from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
At least 46 of the cases are passengers from the Diamond Princess cruise ship, which was quarantined in Japan last month for two weeks after a guest from Hong Kong was diagnosed.
A further 245 cases have resulted from close contact with an infected person and 229 have been travel-related cases, according to the latest report from the CDC.
There were also 28 Americans aboard the Grand Princess, another vessel from Princess Cruises, which docked in California, who have tested positive, USA Today reported.
Death toll reaches at least 92
There are at least 92 fatalities across the country, according to the latest figures from Johns Hopkins University. They include 48 from Washington state, 11 from California, 10 from New York, five in Florida, four from Louisiana and three from New Jersey. Texas, Nevada, Indiana, Kentucky, South Carolina, Oregon, Kansas, Virginia, South Dakota, Georgia, and Colorado have also reported a death.
President Donald Trump issued stricter guidelines to help curb the spread of the virus. Precautions outlined in the new guidelines include avoiding social gatherings of more than 10 people, avoiding eating and drinking at bars and restaurants, as well as “discretionary travel, shopping trips and social visits,” according to a statement from The White House.
The new advice also tells Americans to stop visiting nursing homes or other long-term care facilities for the time being. “Even if you are young and otherwise healthy, you are at risk—and your activities can increase the risk of contracting the coronavirus for others,” the White House said in a statement.
The graphic below, provided by Statista, illustrates the recovery curve compared to the infection curve of the virus.
First deaths in Nevada, Indiana, South Carolina, Kentucky
Nevada reported its first death by a person who contracted the virus on Monday. The patient was a man in his 60s from Clark County who had underlying health conditions, according to a statement from the Southern Nevada Health District.
“We must continue to emphasize how important it is to protect those who are most vulnerable to the impacts of the virus and urge our community to support the public health measures and recommendations that are in place,” said Dr. Fermin Leguen, the acting chief health officer of the Southern Nevada Health District.
There are reported to be 35 confirmed cases in Clark County, the health district reports. Nine others are reported in Washoe County, while Carson City also has one, bringing the state total to 45, News 3 Las Vegas reports.
Indiana reported its first two deaths, as of Monday, the state’s Department of Health confirmed. It is one more death in the state than recorded, at the time of writing, by the Johns Hopkins University tracker.
The state has reported 30 positive cases so far. Both patients were reported to have been over 60 years old. One was a resident of Marion County who had underlying health conditions and the other was a resident of Johnson County who was hospitalized, IndyStar reported.
South Carolina also saw its first fatality, the state’s Department of Health confirmed in a statement. The deceased was reported to be an elderly person from Lexington County and a resident of Lexington Medical Center Extended Care Skilled Nursing Facility. Health officials were said to be tracing the person’s contacts for those at risk of possible infection.
Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear also confirmed the death of a 66-year-old man from Bourbon County at a press conference on Monday. He was reported to have been admitted to the hospital because of a stroke but also had pneumonia. He was tested for the virus after being admitted to the hospital, according to a spokesperson for Baptist Health Lexington, where the man was treated.
The state has 21 confirmed cases across Kentucky, including in the counties of Fayette, Jefferson, Harrison, Nelson, Clark, Bourbon and Montgomery, the Lexington Herald Leader reported.
Vaccine trial begins in Seattle
The first-ever human trial of a vaccine for COVID-19 began in Washington state, which currently has among of the highest number of deaths (at least 48) and cases (at least 904) in the U.S., according to the latest figures from the state’s health department.
The first shots of the vaccine were given at Seattle’s Kaiser Permanente Washington Health Research Institute. The trial continues over six weeks and will see 45 healthy individuals, aged between 18 and 55, given two shots about a month apart, USA Today reported.
The vaccine, which was developed by experts from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) and the biotechnology company Moderna, “directs the body’s cells to express a virus protein that it is hoped will elicit a robust immune response,” the institute explained in a statement.
“Finding a safe and effective vaccine to prevent infection with SARS-CoV-2 [COVID-19] is an urgent public health priority,” Dr. Anthony Fauci, the director of the NIAID, who is also on the coronavirus task force led by Vice President Mike Pence, said in the statement.
“This Phase 1 study, launched in record speed, is an important first step toward achieving that goal,” he added.
New York City opens first drive-thru testing site
New York has ramped up its response to curb the spread of the virus. Among its latest measures is the first drive-thru mobile testing facility in New York City, which will open in Staten Island. Last Friday, the state also launched a drive-thru testing center in New Rochelle.
Drive-thru mobile testing centers help keep people who are sick or at risk of having contracted the virus out of hospitals and other medical facilities where they may infect others.
The state also aims to build around 9,000 additional hospital beds, converted from existing properties, to accommodate the growing number of infected patients. The total confirmed cases in New York City alone has reached at least 644, according to the city’s health department.
“Our main priority right now is reducing the rate of spread of this virus so it can be managed by our healthcare system,” New York Governor Andrew Cuomo said in a statement on Monday.
“We have never fought a virus like this with this potential consequence, and I am taking executive action to reconfigure and increase capacity at hospitals across the state to ensure our healthcare facilities can handle a potentially massive surge of patients.
“We are fighting a war against this virus and the state will continue taking every step necessary to prepare for and mitigate the impacts of this virus.”
The graphic below, provided by Statista, illustrates the spread of the COVID-19 virus in the U.S., as of March 17.
Clean hands frequently with soap and water, or alcohol-based hand rub. Wash hands after coughing or sneezing; when caring for the sick; before; during and after food preparation; before eating; after using the toilet; when hands are visibly dirty; and after handling animals or waste. Maintain at least 1 meter (3 feet) distance from anyone who is coughing or sneezing. Avoid touching your hands, nose and mouth. Do not spit in public. Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or bent elbow when coughing or sneezing. Discard the tissue immediately and clean your hands.
Medical advice
If you feel unwell (fever, cough, difficulty breathing) seek medical care early and call local health authorities in advance. Stay up to date on COVID-19 developments issued by health authorities and follow their guidance.
Mask usage
Healthy individuals only need to wear a mask if taking care of a sick person. Wear a mask if you are coughing or sneezing. Masks are effective when used in combination with frequent hand cleaning. Do not touch the mask while wearing it. Clean hands if you touch the mask. Learn how to properly put on, remove and dispose of masks. Clean hands after disposing of the mask. Do not reuse single-use masks.
