A collection of key developments in the fight against COVID-19 (the actual virus is SARS-COV-2), posted throughout the week for those who just want the signal and not the noise. If there’s something you think we should include, sound off in the comments thread attached to the post.
Visit our Wuhan coronavirus status page and learn how to prepare for possible spread to your area. Scenarios, shopping lists, background info, and everything else you need, all in one place.
Previously: The previous day’s key developments post is here.
There are 102,044 cases around the globe, with 107 deaths today. Italy had the largest number of deaths today, totaling 49. Five new US states are added to the list.
The testing scandal continues with fewer than 2,000 Americans tested to date. The Federal tally of positive cases does not match what individual State health departments report.
The city of Austin declares a local disaster and SXSW is cancelled. One or more people are being tested for the pandemic virus in Austin. Organizers hope to reschedule the music festival—one of the largest interactive, film, and music conferences in the world. SXSW had over 400,000 attendees last year.
VP Pence says that 21 aboard the Grand Princess cruise ship are ill—19 of them crew members. The ship is being held at port outside of San Francisco as passengers are awaiting testing and clearance. Trump says he wants the ship held off the coast because of what the numbers will look like if the sick are allowed to be treated in the State:
“I like the numbers being where they are. I don’t need to have the numbers double because of one ship that wasn’t our fault.”
A second medical screener from LAX has tested positive.
More deaths in the Washington cluster, 11 from the Kirkland hospital. UW closes classrooms for the rest of the term, opting for online curriculum.
The Vatican has its first case, but the Vatican spokesman does not reveal who it is. Pope Francis is said to be recovering from his cold.
Macron says the SARS-CoV-2 outbreak is likely to grow to the highest level of epidemic in France; asserts that protecting the elderly is a national priority.
Despite the ongoing, massive growth of positive cases outside of China, Trumps says, “We’ve closed it down. We stopped it.”
Coronavirus expert says this is the most frightening disease he’s seen in his career:
"This is the most frightening disease I've ever encountered in my career."
Richard Hatchett, the doctor leading efforts to find a vaccine for coronavirus, says it is much more lethal than normal flu. pic.twitter.com/1tjJ2ed0Hq
— Channel 4 News (@Channel4News) March 6, 2020
Oil prices are plummeting, and OPEC is in crisis. The slow down in economic activity related to the COVID-19 global epidemic is decreasing demand for oil. OPEC will have to cut 1.5 million barrels per day. Growing US oil production is also threatening OPEC stability.
The EU is experiencing supply strain. Solidarity is urged and EU officials recommended easing controls on personal protective equipment (PPE). Europe’s reliance on the importation of PPE has left countries less resilient to the current public health crisis.
OJ is ready. Are you?
Coronavirus? Who’s afraid? pic.twitter.com/nNIxVwwGLB
— O.J. Simpson (@TheRealOJ32) March 6, 2020
ICU doubling time in Italy estimated to cause hospital system collapse in as few as two weeks:
Added new data point on the exponential italian ICU trend (doubling every 2.6 days)
It's one of the most alarming charts I've ever seen because
1. Trend has been very stable for weeks even with Italy mitigation measures
2. If it continues health sys. collapses within 2 weeks pic.twitter.com/rohZouVzrC
— epsilon (@epsilon3141) March 6, 2020
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