.
.
Courtesy of CDC
.
As displayed on this map, COVID-19, also known as the coronavirus, is affecting 209 countries and territories around the world. As heads of state, doctors, researchers and their staff race to find a solution or even a cure to this highly contagious virus, the number of new cases continue to rise. Worldwide affected cases are at 1,346,036 and continue to show signs that it will not slow down anytime soon.
.
The United States
While the United States government is doubling its efforts to combat the Coronavirus, the nation has now surpassed China as the world’s leading country with 367,004 affected cases. Cities such as New York, Los Angeles and Dallas have been issued “stay at home” orders in an attempt to stop the spread of the virus.
.
New York City
The unimaginable empty streets of New York City gives the impression of an old ghost town of the American Southwest.
.
Mexico
Despite another 296 new cases in Mexico, which brings their caseload to 2,439 and resisting calls to amp up the fight against the Coronavirus, Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador and his top aides continued to defend a strategy they say balances public health needs with potential damage to the country’s faltering economy.
.
Mexico has taken some measures, such as extending schools’ Holy Week break, urging people to work from home and encouraging social distancing. Some states and cities have mandated additional measures. Mexico City has ordered bars, gyms, churches and museums closed, and banned gatherings of more than 50 people but restaurants and other shops remain open and some street life continues.
.
Australia
Australia has now passed 5,800 coronavirus cases, as authorities in hardest-hit New South Wales warn the growing community transmission without a clear source is a “cause for concern.”
.
It comes after a horror 24 hours that saw four people die, three in Victoria and one in Western Australia. There are now around 20 in intensive care in New South Wales alone, with fears ICUs could be overwhelmed within 10 days. Total confirmed cases, based on a tally of numbers provided by each state and territory, stand at 5,895.
.
State and territory leaders have beefed up police enforcement to crack down on returning travellers to ensure they are self-isolating, and of businesses to ensure social distancing directives are being followed.
.
Spain
With more than 136,675 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and 13,341 deaths, Spain is the second hardest-hit country in Europe. 514 new deaths were registered in a 24-hour period, the worst increase since the outbreak began. Retirement homes have been particularly affected.
.
One privately owned retirement home in Madrid reported 20 deaths and 75 infections, claiming it didn’t have adequate material to take care of the sick residents and dead bodies. In Spain, around 19% of the population is older than 65; the country has one of the longest life expectancies in the world. Sadly, that life expectancy is being threatened by the virus.
.
Health Minister Salvador Illa said residential care homes are “a high priority during this time” for the Spanish government, and it will exert “maximum control” over these centers. Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has called for the nationalization of all privately owned nursing homes, just as he had previously called for the nationalization of private hospitals, to help ensure better access as well as adequate staff and equipment.
.
Courtesy of AP
Testing kits and testing locations are becoming more available for the general public. Because of this availability, many medical experts agree that the number of affected cases may spike even higher before they plateau and begin to decline.
.
Courtesy of AP
In the United States the FDA amended their emergency policy around diagnostic testing for SARS-CoV-2, the novel coronavirus that causes COVID-19. Following a change made March 16, 2020, the agency opened the door for a number of specific private entities and labs to develop and distribute tests that can provide results on the spot in as little as 15 minutes.
.
Many of these tests are in the beginning stages and yet to be approved by the FDA but there is hope that they will find a quick and efficient way to test and gather data to be analysed and developed to find a vaccine.
.
File / Archive
TopicalWave.Com will continue to update on the status of the outbreak in the hope that the information provided will be helpful to you and your loved ones.
.
© 3 / 2020 TopicalWave.Com, LLC.