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Coronavirus in the U.S.: 29 Confirmed Cases, More Tests Underway Coronavirus in the U.S.: 29 Confirmed Cases, More Tests Underway
(8 days later)
The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in the United States nearly doubled on Monday after federal officials announced that 14 Americans evacuated from a cruise ship in Japan and flown back to this country had tested positive for the virus. That brought the number of known cases in this country to 29.The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in the United States nearly doubled on Monday after federal officials announced that 14 Americans evacuated from a cruise ship in Japan and flown back to this country had tested positive for the virus. That brought the number of known cases in this country to 29.
Though the vast majority of coronavirus cases have been in China, where more than 1,700 people have died and thousands more have been diagnosed, public health officials in the United States are racing to stop the virus from spreading widely in this country.Though the vast majority of coronavirus cases have been in China, where more than 1,700 people have died and thousands more have been diagnosed, public health officials in the United States are racing to stop the virus from spreading widely in this country.
Flights have been canceled. Travelers have been quarantined on military bases. Plans have been upended.Flights have been canceled. Travelers have been quarantined on military bases. Plans have been upended.
Here’s what we know about those patients.Here’s what we know about those patients.
The largest single group of Americans with the virus was flown to the United States in two chartered flights on Monday, and officials said they were being placed in isolation to receive medical attention.The largest single group of Americans with the virus was flown to the United States in two chartered flights on Monday, and officials said they were being placed in isolation to receive medical attention.
The passengers were among more than 300 Americans flown back to this country after being aboard a cruise ship that had been quarantined in Yokohama, Japan, for more than 10 days. U.S. officials initially said that they would not allow infected people to board the evacuation flights, but they appeared to reverse that decision early Monday.The passengers were among more than 300 Americans flown back to this country after being aboard a cruise ship that had been quarantined in Yokohama, Japan, for more than 10 days. U.S. officials initially said that they would not allow infected people to board the evacuation flights, but they appeared to reverse that decision early Monday.
“During the evacuation process, after passengers had disembarked the ship and initiated transport to the airport, U.S. officials received notice that 14 passengers, who had been tested 2-3 days earlier, had tested positive for COVID-19,” the State Department and Department of Health and Human Services said in a joint statement, referring to the disease caused by the new coronavirus.“During the evacuation process, after passengers had disembarked the ship and initiated transport to the airport, U.S. officials received notice that 14 passengers, who had been tested 2-3 days earlier, had tested positive for COVID-19,” the State Department and Department of Health and Human Services said in a joint statement, referring to the disease caused by the new coronavirus.
The infected passengers — who officials said were asymptomatic and “fit to fly” — were moved into a specialized containment area on the evacuation aircraft, where they were to be isolated and monitored during the flights.The infected passengers — who officials said were asymptomatic and “fit to fly” — were moved into a specialized containment area on the evacuation aircraft, where they were to be isolated and monitored during the flights.
The two planes landed early Monday, one at Travis Air Force Base in Fairfield, Calif., and the other at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio. Some of the Americans who had tested positive for coronavirus were then flown to Omaha and taken to the University of Nebraska Medical Center, which was used in 2014 to treat Ebola patients.The two planes landed early Monday, one at Travis Air Force Base in Fairfield, Calif., and the other at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio. Some of the Americans who had tested positive for coronavirus were then flown to Omaha and taken to the University of Nebraska Medical Center, which was used in 2014 to treat Ebola patients.
All the cruise ship passengers, including those who initially tested negative for the virus, will be placed in a 14-day quarantine on a U.S. military base.All the cruise ship passengers, including those who initially tested negative for the virus, will be placed in a 14-day quarantine on a U.S. military base.
Three people who had been flown to the United States from Wuhan, the center of the outbreak, on flights arranged by federal authorities have tested positive for the virus. Two were being held as part of a federally-mandated 14-day quarantine at a military base in San Diego, and a third was in quarantine at the San Antonio base.Three people who had been flown to the United States from Wuhan, the center of the outbreak, on flights arranged by federal authorities have tested positive for the virus. Two were being held as part of a federally-mandated 14-day quarantine at a military base in San Diego, and a third was in quarantine at the San Antonio base.
Hundreds of people — mostly Americans — have been evacuated from Wuhan since Jan. 29, and kept on five military bases, in Nebraska, Texas and California, for 14 days.Hundreds of people — mostly Americans — have been evacuated from Wuhan since Jan. 29, and kept on five military bases, in Nebraska, Texas and California, for 14 days.
The two people who were found to have coronavirus in San Diego had no apparent connection. They arrived on different planes and were housed in separate facilities on the same base, according to the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. At least one of them, a woman, had been released from a hospital and returned to the military base after officials erroneously reported that she had been cleared in testing for the virus. Officials blamed mislabeling of a testing sample for the error, and the woman was later found to have tested positive for coronavirus and returned to the hospital.The two people who were found to have coronavirus in San Diego had no apparent connection. They arrived on different planes and were housed in separate facilities on the same base, according to the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. At least one of them, a woman, had been released from a hospital and returned to the military base after officials erroneously reported that she had been cleared in testing for the virus. Officials blamed mislabeling of a testing sample for the error, and the woman was later found to have tested positive for coronavirus and returned to the hospital.
“At this time there is no indication of person-to-person spread of this virus at the quarantine facility, but C.D.C. will carry out a thorough contact investigation as part of its current response strategy to detect and contain any cases of infection with this virus,” said Dr. Chris Braden, a C.D.C. official.“At this time there is no indication of person-to-person spread of this virus at the quarantine facility, but C.D.C. will carry out a thorough contact investigation as part of its current response strategy to detect and contain any cases of infection with this virus,” said Dr. Chris Braden, a C.D.C. official.
Many of the coronavirus cases have been in the western United States, including eight in California. “The novel coronavirus is a serious public health concern,” Dr. Sonia Angell, the director of the California Public Health Department, said in a statement announcing three cases on Feb. 2. “However, the risk to the general public in California remains low.”Many of the coronavirus cases have been in the western United States, including eight in California. “The novel coronavirus is a serious public health concern,” Dr. Sonia Angell, the director of the California Public Health Department, said in a statement announcing three cases on Feb. 2. “However, the risk to the general public in California remains low.”
Two cases were diagnosed in both Santa Clara County, which includes San Jose, and in bordering San Benito County. Two other patients received treatment in Southern California, one in Los Angeles County and one in Orange County.Two cases were diagnosed in both Santa Clara County, which includes San Jose, and in bordering San Benito County. Two other patients received treatment in Southern California, one in Los Angeles County and one in Orange County.
Twelve of the first 15 patients in the United States had traveled recently near Wuhan, the Chinese city at the center of the outbreak. At least two of those people were believed to have lived in Wuhan, while others were residents of the United States who had visited China, then returned home.Twelve of the first 15 patients in the United States had traveled recently near Wuhan, the Chinese city at the center of the outbreak. At least two of those people were believed to have lived in Wuhan, while others were residents of the United States who had visited China, then returned home.
Updated June 24, 2020
Scientists around the country have tried to identify everyday materials that do a good job of filtering microscopic particles. In recent tests, HEPA furnace filters scored high, as did vacuum cleaner bags, fabric similar to flannel pajamas and those of 600-count pillowcases. Other materials tested included layered coffee filters and scarves and bandannas. These scored lower, but still captured a small percentage of particles.
A commentary published this month on the website of the British Journal of Sports Medicine points out that covering your face during exercise “comes with issues of potential breathing restriction and discomfort” and requires “balancing benefits versus possible adverse events.” Masks do alter exercise, says Cedric X. Bryant, the president and chief science officer of the American Council on Exercise, a nonprofit organization that funds exercise research and certifies fitness professionals. “In my personal experience,” he says, “heart rates are higher at the same relative intensity when you wear a mask.” Some people also could experience lightheadedness during familiar workouts while masked, says Len Kravitz, a professor of exercise science at the University of New Mexico.
The steroid, dexamethasone, is the first treatment shown to reduce mortality in severely ill patients, according to scientists in Britain. The drug appears to reduce inflammation caused by the immune system, protecting the tissues. In the study, dexamethasone reduced deaths of patients on ventilators by one-third, and deaths of patients on oxygen by one-fifth.
The coronavirus emergency relief package gives many American workers paid leave if they need to take time off because of the virus. It gives qualified workers two weeks of paid sick leave if they are ill, quarantined or seeking diagnosis or preventive care for coronavirus, or if they are caring for sick family members. It gives 12 weeks of paid leave to people caring for children whose schools are closed or whose child care provider is unavailable because of the coronavirus. It is the first time the United States has had widespread federally mandated paid leave, and includes people who don’t typically get such benefits, like part-time and gig economy workers. But the measure excludes at least half of private-sector workers, including those at the country’s largest employers, and gives small employers significant leeway to deny leave.
So far, the evidence seems to show it does. A widely cited paper published in April suggests that people are most infectious about two days before the onset of coronavirus symptoms and estimated that 44 percent of new infections were a result of transmission from people who were not yet showing symptoms. Recently, a top expert at the World Health Organization stated that transmission of the coronavirus by people who did not have symptoms was “very rare,” but she later walked back that statement.
Touching contaminated objects and then infecting ourselves with the germs is not typically how the virus spreads. But it can happen. A number of studies of flu, rhinovirus, coronavirus and other microbes have shown that respiratory illnesses, including the new coronavirus, can spread by touching contaminated surfaces, particularly in places like day care centers, offices and hospitals. But a long chain of events has to happen for the disease to spread that way. The best way to protect yourself from coronavirus — whether it’s surface transmission or close human contact — is still social distancing, washing your hands, not touching your face and wearing masks.
A study by European scientists is the first to document a strong statistical link between genetic variations and Covid-19, the illness caused by the coronavirus. Having Type A blood was linked to a 50 percent increase in the likelihood that a patient would need to get oxygen or to go on a ventilator, according to the new study.
The unemployment rate fell to 13.3 percent in May, the Labor Department said on June 5, an unexpected improvement in the nation’s job market as hiring rebounded faster than economists expected. Economists had forecast the unemployment rate to increase to as much as 20 percent, after it hit 14.7 percent in April, which was the highest since the government began keeping official statistics after World War II. But the unemployment rate dipped instead, with employers adding 2.5 million jobs, after more than 20 million jobs were lost in April.
Common symptoms include fever, a dry cough, fatigue and difficulty breathing or shortness of breath. Some of these symptoms overlap with those of the flu, making detection difficult, but runny noses and stuffy sinuses are less common. The C.D.C. has also added chills, muscle pain, sore throat, headache and a new loss of the sense of taste or smell as symptoms to look out for. Most people fall ill five to seven days after exposure, but symptoms may appear in as few as two days or as many as 14 days.
If air travel is unavoidable, there are some steps you can take to protect yourself. Most important: Wash your hands often, and stop touching your face. If possible, choose a window seat. A study from Emory University found that during flu season, the safest place to sit on a plane is by a window, as people sitting in window seats had less contact with potentially sick people. Disinfect hard surfaces. When you get to your seat and your hands are clean, use disinfecting wipes to clean the hard surfaces at your seat like the head and arm rest, the seatbelt buckle, the remote, screen, seat back pocket and the tray table. If the seat is hard and nonporous or leather or pleather, you can wipe that down, too. (Using wipes on upholstered seats could lead to a wet seat and spreading of germs rather than killing them.)
If you’ve been exposed to the coronavirus or think you have, and have a fever or symptoms like a cough or difficulty breathing, call a doctor. They should give you advice on whether you should be tested, how to get tested, and how to seek medical treatment without potentially infecting or exposing others.
[Are you or someone you know dealing with concerns related to the coronavirus? Please contact us at coronavirus@nytimes.com if you are willing to share your story.][Are you or someone you know dealing with concerns related to the coronavirus? Please contact us at coronavirus@nytimes.com if you are willing to share your story.]
Though the coronavirus can be deadly, most of the patients receiving care in the United States were said to be doing well. No deaths were reported. At least three of the people diagnosed in California had isolated themselves at home and were not hospitalized, while others were being treated in hospitals.Though the coronavirus can be deadly, most of the patients receiving care in the United States were said to be doing well. No deaths were reported. At least three of the people diagnosed in California had isolated themselves at home and were not hospitalized, while others were being treated in hospitals.
At least one United States citizen died from the coronavirus while in China, American officials said in early February. It was the first known American death from the illness.At least one United States citizen died from the coronavirus while in China, American officials said in early February. It was the first known American death from the illness.
Men with ties to Arizona State University and the University of Massachusetts Boston were diagnosed with coronavirus after returning from Wuhan.Men with ties to Arizona State University and the University of Massachusetts Boston were diagnosed with coronavirus after returning from Wuhan.
Both patients were said to be recovering in isolation, but the possibility of exposure on campus has rattled some students across the country. At Miami University in Ohio, where two students were tested for coronavirus, two basketball games were canceled because of health concerns. Days later, those students tested negative for the virus.Both patients were said to be recovering in isolation, but the possibility of exposure on campus has rattled some students across the country. At Miami University in Ohio, where two students were tested for coronavirus, two basketball games were canceled because of health concerns. Days later, those students tested negative for the virus.
“On occasions like this, it is possible for fear to get the better of any of us,” said Katherine S. Newman, the interim chancellor at Massachusetts Boston, in a letter to students after the diagnosis on her campus was announced. “Let’s remember that viruses are no one’s fault and anyone can find themselves ill.”“On occasions like this, it is possible for fear to get the better of any of us,” said Katherine S. Newman, the interim chancellor at Massachusetts Boston, in a letter to students after the diagnosis on her campus was announced. “Let’s remember that viruses are no one’s fault and anyone can find themselves ill.”
Even as American officials took steps to limit travel from China and screen those who arrived, additional coronavirus diagnoses were expected.Even as American officials took steps to limit travel from China and screen those who arrived, additional coronavirus diagnoses were expected.
“More cases are likely to be identified in the coming days, including more cases in the United States,” the C.D.C. warned on its website. “It’s also likely that person-to-person spread will continue to occur, including in the United States.”“More cases are likely to be identified in the coming days, including more cases in the United States,” the C.D.C. warned on its website. “It’s also likely that person-to-person spread will continue to occur, including in the United States.”