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California Reports First Coronavirus Death as Symptoms Swirl on Cruise Ship California Reports First Coronavirus Death as Symptoms Swirl on Cruise Ship
(about 8 hours later)
Gov. Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency as California confronted a deepening sense of crisis over the spread of the coronavirus on Wednesday, when an older patient in the Sacramento area died from the virus and a cruise ship carrying 21 people with symptoms was held off the coast of San Francisco.Gov. Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency as California confronted a deepening sense of crisis over the spread of the coronavirus on Wednesday, when an older patient in the Sacramento area died from the virus and a cruise ship carrying 21 people with symptoms was held off the coast of San Francisco.
The person who died, in Placer County, was the 11th death linked to the virus in the United States, and the first outside of Washington State. The patient had underlying health conditions and was most likely exposed to the virus last month during international travel that included a cruise to Mexico, officials said.The person who died, in Placer County, was the 11th death linked to the virus in the United States, and the first outside of Washington State. The patient had underlying health conditions and was most likely exposed to the virus last month during international travel that included a cruise to Mexico, officials said.
Eleven passengers and 10 crew members who are still on that ship, the Grand Princess, were showing symptoms on Wednesday, Mr. Newsom said in an evening news conference. “That number may significantly understate” the scope of infection, he said, or “it may indeed be abundance of caution.” Public health officials prepared to screen everyone aboard the ship, which was not yet allowed to return to shore, Mr. Newsom said.Eleven passengers and 10 crew members who are still on that ship, the Grand Princess, were showing symptoms on Wednesday, Mr. Newsom said in an evening news conference. “That number may significantly understate” the scope of infection, he said, or “it may indeed be abundance of caution.” Public health officials prepared to screen everyone aboard the ship, which was not yet allowed to return to shore, Mr. Newsom said.
The Grand Princess is owned by Princess Cruises, the same company that runs the Diamond Princess, a coronavirus-stricken cruise ship that was quarantined off the coast of Japan last month. On Thursday, the company said in a statement that while there were no confirmed cases onboard the vessel, the U.S. Coast Guard would deliver testing kits to the ship by helicopter.The Grand Princess is owned by Princess Cruises, the same company that runs the Diamond Princess, a coronavirus-stricken cruise ship that was quarantined off the coast of Japan last month. On Thursday, the company said in a statement that while there were no confirmed cases onboard the vessel, the U.S. Coast Guard would deliver testing kits to the ship by helicopter.
The company said the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention had identified “fewer than 100” passengers and crew members to be tested before their arrival in San Francisco. A medical team on board will administer the tests, and the samples will be sent in batches by helicopter to a lab in Richmond, Calif., the statement said.The company said the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention had identified “fewer than 100” passengers and crew members to be tested before their arrival in San Francisco. A medical team on board will administer the tests, and the samples will be sent in batches by helicopter to a lab in Richmond, Calif., the statement said.
Among the new California cases of coronavirus announced on Wednesday were six in Los Angeles County: three people who had traveled together in Northern Italy; two relatives who had been in contact with a family member who previously tested positive; and a medical contractor for the Department of Homeland Security, whose job included screening passengers at Los Angeles International Airport.Among the new California cases of coronavirus announced on Wednesday were six in Los Angeles County: three people who had traveled together in Northern Italy; two relatives who had been in contact with a family member who previously tested positive; and a medical contractor for the Department of Homeland Security, whose job included screening passengers at Los Angeles International Airport.
While local officials said they had traced all six cases to known exposure sources, federal officials said they could not say whether the airport screener had contracted the virus while working or as a result of the virus spreading in the community.While local officials said they had traced all six cases to known exposure sources, federal officials said they could not say whether the airport screener had contracted the virus while working or as a result of the virus spreading in the community.
Three more cases in Santa Clara County were also announced, and the many developments represented a significant escalation of the situation in California, which has had at least 54 cases of the virus, the most of any state. Officials in Los Angeles County — with 10 million residents, the largest county in the nation — declared a state of emergency, warning that the number of confirmed cases was likely to rise.Three more cases in Santa Clara County were also announced, and the many developments represented a significant escalation of the situation in California, which has had at least 54 cases of the virus, the most of any state. Officials in Los Angeles County — with 10 million residents, the largest county in the nation — declared a state of emergency, warning that the number of confirmed cases was likely to rise.
“This is a call for preparedness,” Dr. Barbara Ferrer, the director of the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, said at a news conference on Wednesday. “Know what you might do should we see an explosion of cases.”“This is a call for preparedness,” Dr. Barbara Ferrer, the director of the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, said at a news conference on Wednesday. “Know what you might do should we see an explosion of cases.”
While seeking to tamp down public anxieties, officials also warned that a worsening spread of the coronavirus could potentially lead to a grim new reality. Officials could order “extreme measures of social distancing.” Major sporting events could be played without spectators. Schools could shut down.While seeking to tamp down public anxieties, officials also warned that a worsening spread of the coronavirus could potentially lead to a grim new reality. Officials could order “extreme measures of social distancing.” Major sporting events could be played without spectators. Schools could shut down.
“This is the time for people to have a plan for what they would do should their child’s school need to close,” Dr. Ferrer said.“This is the time for people to have a plan for what they would do should their child’s school need to close,” Dr. Ferrer said.
Dr. Jonathan Fielding, a public health expert at the University of California, Los Angeles, said that the number of cases in California, a large state that is a frequent entry point for travel from Asia, was likely to rise, particularly as officials increase their capacity to test and diagnose cases.Dr. Jonathan Fielding, a public health expert at the University of California, Los Angeles, said that the number of cases in California, a large state that is a frequent entry point for travel from Asia, was likely to rise, particularly as officials increase their capacity to test and diagnose cases.
“What was unfortunately predictable has now come into direct line of consciousness for many people who were hoping it would not happen,” said Dr. Fielding, who previously worked as the public health director for Los Angeles County. He added, “It’s very likely that it’s going to get worse before it gets better.”“What was unfortunately predictable has now come into direct line of consciousness for many people who were hoping it would not happen,” said Dr. Fielding, who previously worked as the public health director for Los Angeles County. He added, “It’s very likely that it’s going to get worse before it gets better.”
The 11 deaths in the United States are a small fraction of the more than 3,000 deaths that have been traced to the virus worldwide. Early estimates of the coronavirus death rate from China, the epicenter of the outbreak, have been around 2 percent. On average, seasonal flu strains kill about 0.1 percent of people who become infected.The 11 deaths in the United States are a small fraction of the more than 3,000 deaths that have been traced to the virus worldwide. Early estimates of the coronavirus death rate from China, the epicenter of the outbreak, have been around 2 percent. On average, seasonal flu strains kill about 0.1 percent of people who become infected.
The first coronavirus deaths in the United States were reported over the weekend in King County, Wash., which includes Seattle. On Wednesday, officials announced that a 10th person had died in Washington State, as ramped-up testing offered troubling evidence of how widely the virus had spread.The first coronavirus deaths in the United States were reported over the weekend in King County, Wash., which includes Seattle. On Wednesday, officials announced that a 10th person had died in Washington State, as ramped-up testing offered troubling evidence of how widely the virus had spread.
Updated June 12, 2020 Updated June 16, 2020
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.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.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.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.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.
Mass protests against police brutality that have brought thousands of people onto the streets in cities across America are raising the specter of new coronavirus outbreaks, prompting political leaders, physicians and public health experts to warn that the crowds could cause a surge in cases. While many political leaders affirmed the right of protesters to express themselves, they urged the demonstrators to wear face masks and maintain social distancing, both to protect themselves and to prevent further community spread of the virus. Some infectious disease experts were reassured by the fact that the protests were held outdoors, saying the open air settings could mitigate the risk of transmission.Mass protests against police brutality that have brought thousands of people onto the streets in cities across America are raising the specter of new coronavirus outbreaks, prompting political leaders, physicians and public health experts to warn that the crowds could cause a surge in cases. While many political leaders affirmed the right of protesters to express themselves, they urged the demonstrators to wear face masks and maintain social distancing, both to protect themselves and to prevent further community spread of the virus. Some infectious disease experts were reassured by the fact that the protests were held outdoors, saying the open air settings could mitigate the risk of transmission.
Exercise researchers and physicians have some blunt advice for those of us aiming to return to regular exercise now: Start slowly and then rev up your workouts, also slowly. American adults tended to be about 12 percent less active after the stay-at-home mandates began in March than they were in January. But there are steps you can take to ease your way back into regular exercise safely. First, “start at no more than 50 percent of the exercise you were doing before Covid,” says Dr. Monica Rho, the chief of musculoskeletal medicine at the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab in Chicago. Thread in some preparatory squats, too, she advises. “When you haven’t been exercising, you lose muscle mass.” Expect some muscle twinges after these preliminary, post-lockdown sessions, especially a day or two later. But sudden or increasing pain during exercise is a clarion call to stop and return home.
States are reopening bit by bit. This means that more public spaces are available for use and more and more businesses are being allowed to open again. The federal government is largely leaving the decision up to states, and some state leaders are leaving the decision up to local authorities. Even if you aren’t being told to stay at home, it’s still a good idea to limit trips outside and your interaction with other people.States are reopening bit by bit. This means that more public spaces are available for use and more and more businesses are being allowed to open again. The federal government is largely leaving the decision up to states, and some state leaders are leaving the decision up to local authorities. Even if you aren’t being told to stay at home, it’s still a good idea to limit trips outside and your interaction with other people.
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.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 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.)
Taking one’s temperature to look for signs of fever is not as easy as it sounds, as “normal” temperature numbers can vary, but generally, keep an eye out for a temperature of 100.5 degrees Fahrenheit or higher. If you don’t have a thermometer (they can be pricey these days), there are other ways to figure out if you have a fever, or are at risk of Covid-19 complications.Taking one’s temperature to look for signs of fever is not as easy as it sounds, as “normal” temperature numbers can vary, but generally, keep an eye out for a temperature of 100.5 degrees Fahrenheit or higher. If you don’t have a thermometer (they can be pricey these days), there are other ways to figure out if you have a fever, or are at risk of Covid-19 complications.
The C.D.C. has recommended that all Americans wear cloth masks if they go out in public. This is a shift in federal guidance reflecting new concerns that the coronavirus is being spread by infected people who have no symptoms. Until now, the C.D.C., like the W.H.O., has advised that ordinary people don’t need to wear masks unless they are sick and coughing. Part of the reason was to preserve medical-grade masks for health care workers who desperately need them at a time when they are in continuously short supply. Masks don’t replace hand washing and social distancing.The C.D.C. has recommended that all Americans wear cloth masks if they go out in public. This is a shift in federal guidance reflecting new concerns that the coronavirus is being spread by infected people who have no symptoms. Until now, the C.D.C., like the W.H.O., has advised that ordinary people don’t need to wear masks unless they are sick and coughing. Part of the reason was to preserve medical-grade masks for health care workers who desperately need them at a time when they are in continuously short supply. Masks don’t replace hand washing and social distancing.
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.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.
If you’re sick and you think you’ve been exposed to the new coronavirus, the C.D.C. recommends that you call your healthcare provider and explain your symptoms and fears. They will decide if you need to be tested. Keep in mind that there’s a chance — because of a lack of testing kits or because you’re asymptomatic, for instance — you won’t be able to get tested.If you’re sick and you think you’ve been exposed to the new coronavirus, the C.D.C. recommends that you call your healthcare provider and explain your symptoms and fears. They will decide if you need to be tested. Keep in mind that there’s a chance — because of a lack of testing kits or because you’re asymptomatic, for instance — you won’t be able to get tested.
Before Mr. Newsom’s announcement, a spokeswoman for Princess Cruises, Negin Kamali, said the C.D.C. was investigating a “small cluster” of coronavirus cases in Northern California linked to the Grand Princess. The person who died in Placer County and at least one other passenger who later tested positive finished their cruise in San Francisco, disembarking with others on Feb. 21. But 62 passengers who were on the ship with them remain on board.Before Mr. Newsom’s announcement, a spokeswoman for Princess Cruises, Negin Kamali, said the C.D.C. was investigating a “small cluster” of coronavirus cases in Northern California linked to the Grand Princess. The person who died in Placer County and at least one other passenger who later tested positive finished their cruise in San Francisco, disembarking with others on Feb. 21. But 62 passengers who were on the ship with them remain on board.
Princess Cruises said on Wednesday that it had instructed those passengers to stay in their rooms until they were cleared by the ship’s medical staff. “You may order room service while you wait for the medical screening to be completed,” the cruise line wrote in a letter to passengers, “and we apologize for any inconvenience.”Princess Cruises said on Wednesday that it had instructed those passengers to stay in their rooms until they were cleared by the ship’s medical staff. “You may order room service while you wait for the medical screening to be completed,” the cruise line wrote in a letter to passengers, “and we apologize for any inconvenience.”
The declaration of a local emergency in Los Angeles County and elsewhere — the mayor of San Francisco previously declared a state of emergency for the city — reflects an effort by officials to allocate resources and get ahead of what they expect will be a growing number of confirmed cases.The declaration of a local emergency in Los Angeles County and elsewhere — the mayor of San Francisco previously declared a state of emergency for the city — reflects an effort by officials to allocate resources and get ahead of what they expect will be a growing number of confirmed cases.
One possible area of concern is California’s significant number of homeless people, a population that is likely to be at higher risk for severe cases of the illness. Officials said they were working with agencies that serve homeless residents to come up with a plan, should the spread of the virus begin to escalate.One possible area of concern is California’s significant number of homeless people, a population that is likely to be at higher risk for severe cases of the illness. Officials said they were working with agencies that serve homeless residents to come up with a plan, should the spread of the virus begin to escalate.
Of the six cases in Los Angeles County, one person is hospitalized and the other five were being monitored at home, officials said.Of the six cases in Los Angeles County, one person is hospitalized and the other five were being monitored at home, officials said.
A previous case in Los Angeles County had been diagnosed in January, when a person who lived in Wuhan, China, where the coronavirus originated, traveled to Los Angeles County. That person has been cleared and is no longer infectious, officials said.A previous case in Los Angeles County had been diagnosed in January, when a person who lived in Wuhan, China, where the coronavirus originated, traveled to Los Angeles County. That person has been cleared and is no longer infectious, officials said.
David Yaffe-Bellany and Zolan Kanno-Youngs contributed reporting.David Yaffe-Bellany and Zolan Kanno-Youngs contributed reporting.