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Coronavirus Live Updates: Trump’s Advisers Spar Over Untested Drug Coronavirus Live Updates: U.S. Has More Detected Infections Than Italy and Spain Combined
(about 1 hour later)
新冠病毒疫情最新消息新冠病毒疫情最新消息
President Trump doubled down Sunday on his push for the use of an anti-malarial drug against the coronavirus, issuing medical advice that goes well beyond scant evidence of the drug’s effectiveness as well as the advice of doctors and public health experts. White House officials warned Americans to brace for a terrible week ahead of “death” and “sadness,” as the number of confirmed cases in the country surged past the combined totals of detected infections in Italy and Spain — the two hardest-hit countries in Europe.
With testing still lagging in many parts of the United States, and with as many as half of all those infected showing no symptoms but still able to spread the virus, the more than 336,000 confirmed cases almost inevitably understates the enormity of the crisis. Even the surging death toll, approaching 10,000 by Monday morning, failed to capture the true scale of the epidemic, public health officials said.
Like the broader fight against the virus, the basic task of counting the dead has been hampered by a patchwork approach reflecting a chaotic and disorganized federal effort, with the states employing inconsistent protocols and struggling with a lack of resources.
The halting federal response has left states and counties fighting with one another for critical supplies and has led governors to impose restrictions such as mandatory quarantines on neighboring states. Florida set up checkpoints to identify cars from New York City and Louisiana, another hot spot, and Texas officials said they would screen drivers entering from Louisiana.
New York City remained the epicenter for the outbreak, with harrowing scenes of panicked doctors and besieged hospitals.
The virus is now enveloping New Jersey’s densely packed cities and suburbs, and it has seeded itself in all 50 states, with cities including Los Angeles, Miami and New Orleans seeing the number of cases doubling every two to five days.
The pandemic showed little sign of letting up around the world, but the slowing death rate in Italy and signs of some stability in Spain, led investors early Monday to send global stocks higher.
But for many countries, the toughest days lie ahead.
Britain saw the fastest growth in daily deaths in recent days.
The illness has ripped through the ranks of royalty and government alike, with Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who has the virus, heading to a hospital Sunday evening for tests, the government said. And Prince Charles opened the new Nightingale hospital in London by video link while he continued his recuperation.
Queen Elizabeth II gave a rare televised address Sunday night, seeking to bolster hope and confidence in the nation.
“We should take comfort that while we may have more still to endure, better days will return,” she said. “We will be with our friends again; we will be with our families again; we will meet again.”
President Trump doubled down on Sunday on his push for the use of an anti-malarial drug against the coronavirus, issuing medical advice that goes well beyond scant evidence of the drug’s effectiveness as well as the advice of doctors and public health experts.
Mr. Trump’s recommendation of hydroxychloroquine, for the second day in a row at a White House briefing, was a striking example of his brazen willingness to distort and outright defy expert opinion and scientific evidence when it does not suit his agenda.Mr. Trump’s recommendation of hydroxychloroquine, for the second day in a row at a White House briefing, was a striking example of his brazen willingness to distort and outright defy expert opinion and scientific evidence when it does not suit his agenda.
Mr. Trump suggested he was speaking on gut instinct, and acknowledged he had no expertise on the subject.Mr. Trump suggested he was speaking on gut instinct, and acknowledged he had no expertise on the subject.
“But what do I know? I’m not a doctor,” Mr. Trump said, after recommending the anti-malaria drug’s use for coronavirus patients as well as medical personnel at high risk of infection.“But what do I know? I’m not a doctor,” Mr. Trump said, after recommending the anti-malaria drug’s use for coronavirus patients as well as medical personnel at high risk of infection.
“If it does work, it would be a shame we did not do it early,” Mr. Trump said, noting again that the federal government has purchased and stockpiled 29 million doses of the drug. “If it does work, it would be a shame we did not do it early,” Mr. Trump said, noting again that the federal government had purchased and stockpiled 29 million doses of the drug.
“What do you have to lose?” Mr. Trump asked, for the second day in a row.“What do you have to lose?” Mr. Trump asked, for the second day in a row.
When a reporter asked Dr. Anthony S. Fauci, the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, to weigh in on the question of using hydroxychloroquine, Mr. Trump stopped him from answering. As the reporter noted that Dr. Fauci was the president’s medical expert, Mr. Trump made it clear he did not want the doctor to answer.When a reporter asked Dr. Anthony S. Fauci, the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, to weigh in on the question of using hydroxychloroquine, Mr. Trump stopped him from answering. As the reporter noted that Dr. Fauci was the president’s medical expert, Mr. Trump made it clear he did not want the doctor to answer.
“He’s answered the question 15 times,” the president said, stepping toward the lectern where Mr. Fauci was standing. “He’s answered the question 15 times,” the president said, stepping toward the lectern where Dr. Fauci was standing.
On Saturday, Dr. Fauci had privately challenged rising optimism about the drug’s efficacy during a meeting of the coronavirus task force in the White House’s Situation Room, according to two people familiar with the events. The argument was first reported by the website Axios.On Saturday, Dr. Fauci had privately challenged rising optimism about the drug’s efficacy during a meeting of the coronavirus task force in the White House’s Situation Room, according to two people familiar with the events. The argument was first reported by the website Axios.
Peter Navarro, the president’s trade adviser who is overseeing supply chain issues related to the coronavirus, plopped a sheaf of folders on the table and said he had seen several studies from various countries, as well as information culled from C.D.C. officials, showing the “clear” efficacy of chloroquines in treating the coronavirus.Peter Navarro, the president’s trade adviser who is overseeing supply chain issues related to the coronavirus, plopped a sheaf of folders on the table and said he had seen several studies from various countries, as well as information culled from C.D.C. officials, showing the “clear” efficacy of chloroquines in treating the coronavirus.
Dr. Fauci pushed back, echoing remarks he has made in a series of interviews in the last week that rigorous study is still necessary. Mr. Navarro, an economist by training, shot back that the information he had collected was “science,” according to the people familiar with what took place.Dr. Fauci pushed back, echoing remarks he has made in a series of interviews in the last week that rigorous study is still necessary. Mr. Navarro, an economist by training, shot back that the information he had collected was “science,” according to the people familiar with what took place.
The nation’s leading infectious disease specialist said Sunday night that as many as half the people infected with the virus may not have any symptoms, a much larger estimate than the director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention gave last week. With new cases of the coronavirus rapidly increasing in Tokyo and other cities in Japan, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said on Monday that he would declare a state of emergency in seven prefectures that include the country’s largest population centers.
“It’s somewhere between 25 and 50 percent,” said the specialist, Dr. Anthony S. Fauci, during a briefing by President Trump and members of his coronavirus task force on Sunday. He cautioned, however, that it was only an estimate, adding that even the scientists helping lead the nation’s fight against the virus, “the friends that we are, we differ about that.” Mr. Abe, whose country faces a deep recession as the virus hinders trade and tourism, also announced an economic stimulus package worth nearly $1 trillion. He said that the government would suspend $240 billion in tax and social security payments and pay about $55 billion to households whose incomes have been affected by the pandemic.
In an interview with National Public Radio last week, Dr. Robert Redfield, the director of the C.D.C., said as many as 25 percent of people with the virus exhibit no symptoms. The large number of symptom-free cases — and scientists’ changing understanding of just how common such cases are — helps explain why the C.D.C. last week changed its guidance, recommending that all Americans wear a cloth face covering in public settings like grocery stores and pharmacies where they cannot ensure keeping a safe distance from others. The seven prefectures to be covered by the state of emergency, which Mr. Abe said would last about a month, are Chiba, Fukuoka, Hyogo, Kanagawa, Osaka, Saitama and Tokyo.
It also underscores the extraordinary challenge of controlling the virus’s spread. Dr. Fauci emphasized that for now his estimate was only a guess and that more testing was needed to figure out exactly how many Americans are carrying the virus without realizing it.
“Then we can answer the question in a scientifically sound way,” he said. “Right now, we’re just guessing.”
With new cases of the coronavirus rapidly increasing in Tokyo and other large cities in Japan, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is moving toward declaring a state of emergency to help contain the epidemic, according to NHK, the public broadcaster.
Under an emergency law enacted last month, Mr. Abe can ask prefectural governors to close schools, request that residents refrain from going out or holding events, and order building owners to contribute their facilities for medical use. He cannot issue stay-at-home orders or force businesses to close, as other countries have done.Under an emergency law enacted last month, Mr. Abe can ask prefectural governors to close schools, request that residents refrain from going out or holding events, and order building owners to contribute their facilities for medical use. He cannot issue stay-at-home orders or force businesses to close, as other countries have done.
Mr. Abe said that public transit would continue to run and that supermarkets would remain open.
Nearly three months into its outbreak, Japan is continuing to record new daily highs in confirmed infections, with the health ministry announcing 383 on Monday. Japan’s total number of cases has more than doubled, to 3,654, in the last eight days.Nearly three months into its outbreak, Japan is continuing to record new daily highs in confirmed infections, with the health ministry announcing 383 on Monday. Japan’s total number of cases has more than doubled, to 3,654, in the last eight days.
Japan has so far not reported the sort of explosive rise in cases that other countries have experienced, even though it has not taken aggressive steps like restricting people’s movements or testing widely for the virus. Its leaders have said for weeks that they have managed to contain the outbreak by quickly identifying clusters and tracing close contacts to infected people, but experts fear that the limited testing has allowed the virus to spread.Japan has so far not reported the sort of explosive rise in cases that other countries have experienced, even though it has not taken aggressive steps like restricting people’s movements or testing widely for the virus. Its leaders have said for weeks that they have managed to contain the outbreak by quickly identifying clusters and tracing close contacts to infected people, but experts fear that the limited testing has allowed the virus to spread.
In remarks to reporters, Yoshihide Suga, Mr. Abe’s chief cabinet secretary, said that “in urban areas, including Tokyo, the number of infections is rapidly increasing, and the number of infections that cannot be tracked is increasing.”In remarks to reporters, Yoshihide Suga, Mr. Abe’s chief cabinet secretary, said that “in urban areas, including Tokyo, the number of infections is rapidly increasing, and the number of infections that cannot be tracked is increasing.”
In Tokyo on Sunday, the governor, Yuriko Koike, announced 143 new cases, a record high. Tokyo has now reported a total of 1,033 cases and 30 deaths.In Tokyo on Sunday, the governor, Yuriko Koike, announced 143 new cases, a record high. Tokyo has now reported a total of 1,033 cases and 30 deaths.
The situation in Japan presents a contrast to the trajectory of the coronavirus outbreak in neighboring South Korea. That country, which has tested 466,804 people for the virus, more than 10 times the number in Japan, announced only 47 new cases on Monday, down from 78 a week earlier.The situation in Japan presents a contrast to the trajectory of the coronavirus outbreak in neighboring South Korea. That country, which has tested 466,804 people for the virus, more than 10 times the number in Japan, announced only 47 new cases on Monday, down from 78 a week earlier.
Queen Elizabeth II, in a rare televised address on Sunday, tried to rally her fellow Britons to confront the coronavirus pandemic with the resolve and self-discipline that have seen the nation through its greatest trials. Prime Minister Boris Johnson remained in the hospital on Monday after being admitted the day before for tests under his doctor’s advice, more than a week after he tested positive for the virus.
“I am speaking to you at what I know is an increasingly challenging time,” the queen said in taped remarks from Windsor Castle. The virus has infected at least 40,000 people in Britain, including her eldest son and heir, Prince Charles, and Prime Minister Boris Johnson. Mr. Johnson, 55, had been in isolation in his residence next door to 10 Downing Street after announcing in a video message on March 27 that he was infected and had been experiencing a fever and other mild symptoms. But a spokesman for Mr. Johnson said on Sunday that the prime minister was still dealing with the effects of the virus and had gone to the hospital as a precautionary measure.
Mr. Johnson was admitted to the hospital for tests, the government said later on Sunday evening, underscoring how the virus has threatened the country’s political establishment. Downing Street said Mr. Johnson, who was running a high temperature, remained at the helm of the government.
A spokesman for Mr. Johnson, 55, said on Sunday that the prime minister was still dealing with symptoms of the virus and went to the hospital as a precautionary measure. Downing Street said Mr. Johnson, who was running a high temperature, remained at the helm of the government. “This is a precautionary step, as the prime minister continues to have persistent symptoms of coronavirus 10 days after testing positive,” a spokesman said Sunday.
“On the advice of his doctor, the prime minister has tonight been admitted to hospital for tests,” a spokesman said Sunday. “This is a precautionary step, as the prime minister continues to have persistent symptoms of coronavirus 10 days after testing positive for the virus.” On Saturday, Mr. Johnson’s 32-year-old girlfriend, Carrie Symonds, disclosed that she, too, was suffering symptoms. Ms. Symonds is pregnant.
The British foreign secretary, Dominic Raab, is expected to lead the daily cabinet meeting on the pandemic on Monday. Under the government’s succession plan, Mr. Raab would take up Mr. Johnson’s duties if he became incapacitated.
The announcement of Mr. Johnson’s hospitalization came hours after Queen Elizabeth II issued a rare televised address on Sunday, attempting to rally her fellow Britons to confront the coronavirus pandemic with the resolve and self-discipline that have seen the nation through its greatest trials.
“I am speaking to you at what I know is an increasingly challenging time,” the queen said in taped remarks from Windsor Castle. The virus has infected at least 40,000 people in Britain, including her eldest son and heir, Prince Charles, and several members of the government.
The queen called it “a time of disruption in the life of our country: a disruption that has brought grief to some, financial difficulties to many, and enormous changes to the daily lives of us all.”The queen called it “a time of disruption in the life of our country: a disruption that has brought grief to some, financial difficulties to many, and enormous changes to the daily lives of us all.”
The appearance was only the fourth time in her 66-year reign that the queen has addressed the British people, apart from her annual Christmas greeting — and it carries a distinct echo of the celebrated radio address her father, George VI, delivered in September 1939, as Britain stood on the brink of war with Germany. The appearance was only the fourth time in her 66-year reign that the queen has addressed the British people, apart from her annual Christmas greeting — and it carries a distinct echo of the celebrated radio address that her father, George VI, delivered in September 1939, as Britain stood on the brink of war with Germany.
“I hope in the years to come, everyone will be able to take pride in how they responded to this challenge,” the queen said, “and those who come after us will say that the Britons of this generation were as strong as any. That the attributes of self-discipline, of quiet good-humored resolve and of fellow-feeling still characterize this country.”“I hope in the years to come, everyone will be able to take pride in how they responded to this challenge,” the queen said, “and those who come after us will say that the Britons of this generation were as strong as any. That the attributes of self-discipline, of quiet good-humored resolve and of fellow-feeling still characterize this country.”
Mr. Johnson had been in isolation in his residence next door to 10 Downing Street. While the queen fully adopted social distancing early in the pandemic, the British government came late to such measures, with Mr. Johnson initially balking at ordering pubs and restaurants to close. He is now an ardent convert and recorded a video from his quarantine urging people — without much success — not to flock to London parks during a sun-kissed spring weekend.
On Saturday, his 32-year-old girlfriend, Carrie Symonds, disclosed that she, too, is suffering symptoms. Ms. Symonds is pregnant. Britain’s response to the pandemic has improved since that shaky start. The government has vowed to conduct 100,000 virus tests a week by the end of April.
The British foreign secretary, Dominic Raab, is expected to lead the daily cabinet meeting on the pandemic on Monday. Under the government’s succession plan, Mr. Raab would take up Mr. Johnson’s duties if he is incapacitated. The United Nations has expressed alarm at a “horrifying global surge in domestic violence” linked to lockdowns imposed in response to the coronavirus pandemic.
While the queen fully adopted social distancing early in the pandemic, the British government came late to the need for such measures, with Mr. Johnson initially balking at ordering pubs and restaurants to close. He is now an ardent convert and recorded a video from his quarantine urging people — without much success — not to flock to London parks during a sun-kissed spring weekend. António Guterres, the secretary general of the United Nations, appealed to nations across the world to put the prevention of domestic violence at the center of their national response plans.
Britain’s response to the pandemic has improved since that shaky start. The government has vowed to conduct 100,000 virus tests a week by the end of April, a tenfold increase over the current rate. “For many women and girls, the threat looms largest where they should be safest: in their own homes,” he said in a video message, noting that necessary lockdowns and quarantines can “trap women with abusive partners.”
If you are among the more than 6 million Americans applying for unemployment insurance this month, you are likely doing so for the first time. It’s important to understand how unemployment works and how it can help you in this time of need. Plus, tips for making a will and starting an emergency fund. “Over the past weeks, as economic and social pressures and fear have grown, we have seen a horrifying global surge in domestic violence,” he said.
In many countries, social services are already stretched to the breaking point. Health care workers have been overwhelmed by the coronavirus outbreak. The police have been coping with infections among their ranks. Support groups have had to limit their reach and some domestic violence shelters are closed.
The United Nations reports that, since the pandemic began, nations have been detailing a rise in cases of abuse and calls for support.
In Lebanon and Malaysia, the number of calls to domestic violence help lines was double that of the same month last year, while in China, they are three times higher.
In Britain, the National Domestic Abuse Helpline has seen a 25 percent increase in calls and online requests for support since the lockdown began, the charity Refuge said. In Kosovo, the Ministry of Justice reported a 17 percent increase in gender-based violence cases.
A tiger at the Bronx zoo has Covid-19, in what is believed to be a case of what one official called “human-to-cat transmission.”
“This is the first instance of a tiger being infected with Covid-19,” according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, which noted that although only one tiger had been tested, the virus appeared to have infected other animals as well.
“Several lions and tigers at the zoo showed symptoms of respiratory illness,” according to a statement by the Agriculture Department.
Public health officials say they believe that the large cats caught the virus from a zoo employee. The tiger appeared visibly sick by March 27.
In a statement, the Agriculture Department suggested that those infected with the virus should, “out of an abundance of caution,” avoid contact with their pets and other animals.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has said that it is “aware of a very small number of pets outside the United States reported to be infected” but that it does not have evidence that pets can spread the coronavirus.
If you are among the more than six million Americans applying for unemployment insurance this month, you are most likely doing so for the first time. It’s important to understand how unemployment works and how it can help you in this time of need. We also have tips for making a will and starting an emergency fund.
The nation’s leading infectious disease specialist said Sunday night that as many as half the people infected with the virus may not have any symptoms, a much larger estimate than the director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention gave last week.
“It’s somewhere between 25 and 50 percent,” said the specialist, Dr. Anthony S. Fauci, during a briefing by President Trump and members of the coronavirus task force on Sunday. The doctor cautioned, however, that it was only an estimate, adding that even the scientists helping lead the nation’s fight against the virus, “the friends that we are, we differ about that.”
In an interview with National Public Radio last week, Dr. Robert Redfield, the director of the C.D.C., said that as many as 25 percent of people with the virus exhibited no symptoms. The large number of symptom-free cases — and scientists’ changing understanding of just how common such cases are — helps explain why the C.D.C. last week changed its guidance, recommending that all Americans wear a cloth face covering in public settings like grocery stores and pharmacies where they cannot ensure keeping a safe distance from others.
It also underscores the extraordinary challenge of controlling the virus’s spread. Dr. Fauci emphasized that for now his estimate was only a guess and that more testing was needed to figure out exactly how many Americans were carrying the virus without realizing it.
“Then we can answer the question in a scientifically sound way,” he said. “Right now, we’re just guessing.”
Indian health officials have identified what is believed to be the country’s first “superspreader” of the coronavirus, tracing more than a quarter of the country’s infections to gatherings held by a Muslim missionary group in New Delhi.Indian health officials have identified what is believed to be the country’s first “superspreader” of the coronavirus, tracing more than a quarter of the country’s infections to gatherings held by a Muslim missionary group in New Delhi.
The cluster of infections, linked to events held last month at the Tablighi Jamaat Center in India’s capital, has set off frantic efforts to trace thousands of attendees around India, many of them foreigners visiting from Southeast Asia.The cluster of infections, linked to events held last month at the Tablighi Jamaat Center in India’s capital, has set off frantic efforts to trace thousands of attendees around India, many of them foreigners visiting from Southeast Asia.
India has 4,067 confirmed cases and 109 deaths, with officials linking more than 1,000 of those cases to adherents of Tablighi Jamaat, an influential Islamist movement that urges Muslims to model their religious behavior and dress after the prophet, Muhammad.India has 4,067 confirmed cases and 109 deaths, with officials linking more than 1,000 of those cases to adherents of Tablighi Jamaat, an influential Islamist movement that urges Muslims to model their religious behavior and dress after the prophet, Muhammad.
In recent weeks, the group’s gatherings in Malaysia and in Pakistan have also played significant roles in spreading the virus globally.In recent weeks, the group’s gatherings in Malaysia and in Pakistan have also played significant roles in spreading the virus globally.
As India’s 21-day nationwide lockdown nears its final week, the authorities have rushed to track more than 20,000 people who visited the Tablighi Jamaat Center in New Delhi, including preachers from Indonesia and the Philippines, several of whom have already died from the virus.As India’s 21-day nationwide lockdown nears its final week, the authorities have rushed to track more than 20,000 people who visited the Tablighi Jamaat Center in New Delhi, including preachers from Indonesia and the Philippines, several of whom have already died from the virus.
In the state of Uttarakhand, the police warned Tablighi Jamaat members that they could face attempt to murder charges if they did not report to health officials by Monday and were subsequently linked to an undisclosed case of the coronavirus. In the state of Uttarakhand, the police warned Tablighi Jamaat members that they could face attempt-to-murder charges if they did not report to health officials by Monday and were subsequently linked to an undisclosed case of the coronavirus.
A tiger at the Bronx zoo has been confirmed to be infected with Covid-19, in what is believed to be a case of what one official called “human-to-cat transmission.”
“This is the first instance of a tiger being infected with Covid-19,” according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, which noted that although only one tiger was tested, the virus appeared to have infected other animals as well.
“Several lions and tigers at the zoo showed symptoms of respiratory illness,” according to a statement by the Agriculture Department.
Public health officials believe that the large cats caught the virus from a zoo employee. The tiger appeared visibly sick by March 27.
In a statement, the Agriculture Department suggested that those infected with the virus should, “out of an abundance of caution,” avoid contact with their pets and other animals.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has said that it is “aware of a very small number of pets outside the United States reported to be infected,” but that it does not have evidence that pets can spread the coronavirus.
Texas set up checkpoints on its border with Louisiana on Sunday to screen people for the coronavirus, widening the scope of a mandatory quarantine order for visitors from one of the country’s emergent hot spots, the authorities said.Texas set up checkpoints on its border with Louisiana on Sunday to screen people for the coronavirus, widening the scope of a mandatory quarantine order for visitors from one of the country’s emergent hot spots, the authorities said.
Photos of the checkpoints appeared on the Facebook page of the Louisiana State Police, which advised travelers to exercise caution and remain alert for traffic congestion in a post mentioning the enforcement measures. Photos of the checkpoints appeared on the Facebook page of the Louisiana State Police, which advised travelers to exercise caution and remain alert for traffic congestion in a post mentioning the enforcement measures.
The post said that commercial motor vehicle traffic would not be obstructed.The post said that commercial motor vehicle traffic would not be obstructed.
The screening measures came a week after Gov. Greg Abbott of Texas expanded a mandatory 14-day self-quarantine for travelers arriving from Louisiana, as well as air travelers from California, Washington State, Atlanta, Chicago, Detroit and Miami. The state had previously required air travelers from the New York metropolitan region and New Orleans to self-quarantine.The screening measures came a week after Gov. Greg Abbott of Texas expanded a mandatory 14-day self-quarantine for travelers arriving from Louisiana, as well as air travelers from California, Washington State, Atlanta, Chicago, Detroit and Miami. The state had previously required air travelers from the New York metropolitan region and New Orleans to self-quarantine.
The steps taken by Texas authorities recalled an order last month by Gov. Gina Raimondo of Rhode Island, who ordered checkpoints in her state that singled out vehicles with New York license plates to enforce a similar quarantine. The steps taken by the Texas authorities recalled an order last month by Gov. Gina Raimondo of Rhode Island, who ordered checkpoints in her state that singled out vehicles with New York license plates to enforce a similar quarantine.
China on Monday said it is arranging to charter flights for overseas students in the United States to get back home to China. Losing your sense of smell when you have other flulike symptoms is a strong predictor that you are infected with the new coronavirus, according to data from more than one million users of a symptom-tracking app in Britain.
Chinese students who are under the age of 18 and without their parents in the United States are being asked to register online if they would like to return home, the Chinese Embassy in the United States said in a notice posted to its website.
Nearly all international flights into China have been canceled as the government tries to keep its coronavirus infection numbers down. It is worried that infected travelers who return would worsen the outbreak, but leaving these students hanging risks making Beijing look like it can’t protect its own citizens.
More than a million Chinese students have been left stranded around the world. The single largest group is in the United States, where there are more than 400,000, according to official figures.
Losing your sense of smell when you have other flu-like symptoms is a strong predictor that you are infected with the new coronavirus, according to data from more than one million users of a symptom-tracking app in Britain.
The report, posted online last week at MediRx, adds to intriguing evidence that a sharply diminished sense of smell — occurring without congestion or blocked sinuses — may be a peculiar telltale sign of the virus’s presence.The report, posted online last week at MediRx, adds to intriguing evidence that a sharply diminished sense of smell — occurring without congestion or blocked sinuses — may be a peculiar telltale sign of the virus’s presence.
A research team at King’s College London developed the Covid Symptom Tracker app. It drew over 1.5 million users within a week of its start on March 24.A research team at King’s College London developed the Covid Symptom Tracker app. It drew over 1.5 million users within a week of its start on March 24.
Participants with and without symptoms of illness are encouraged to enter data about their location, age and general health, and to provide daily updates on symptoms, if any, as well as doctors’ visits, test results and self-quarantines. Participants with and without symptoms of illness are encouraged to enter data about their location, age and general health, and to provide daily updates on symptoms, if any, as well as doctors’ visits, test results and quarantining.
While data from a self-selected group does not meet the scientific gold standard of randomized sampling, researchers are able to use the information to develop models for the combination of symptoms that most accurately predicts a coronavirus infection.While data from a self-selected group does not meet the scientific gold standard of randomized sampling, researchers are able to use the information to develop models for the combination of symptoms that most accurately predicts a coronavirus infection.
Nearly 60 percent of the 579 users who said they had tested positive for infection with the coronavirus reported that one of their symptoms was losing their sense of smell. Only 18 percent of the 1,123 symptomatic users who tested negative said they could no longer smell.Nearly 60 percent of the 579 users who said they had tested positive for infection with the coronavirus reported that one of their symptoms was losing their sense of smell. Only 18 percent of the 1,123 symptomatic users who tested negative said they could no longer smell.
Reporting was contributed by Marc Santora, Meghan Specia, Michael Crowley, Katie Thomas, Maggie Haberman, Roni Rabin, Mark Landler, Stephen Castle, Neil Vigdor, Motoko Rich, Alexandra Stevenson, Tiffany May and Kai Schultz.
Hospital officials, public health experts and medical examiners say that official tallies of Americans said to have died in the pandemic do not capture the overall number of virus-related deaths, leaving the public with a limited understanding of the outbreak’s true toll.
Limited resources and a patchwork of decision making from one state or county to the next have contributed to the undercount. With no uniform system for reporting coronavirus-related deaths in the United States, and a continuing shortage of tests, some states and counties have improvised, obfuscated and, at times, backtracked in counting the dead.
Adding to the complications, different jurisdictions are using distinct standards for attributing a death to the coronavirus and, in some cases, relying on techniques that would lower the overall count of fatalities.
A coroner in Indiana wanted to know if the coronavirus had killed a man in early March, but said that her health department denied a test. Paramedics in New York City say that many patients who died at home were never tested for the coronavirus, even if they showed telltale signs of infection.
In Virginia, a funeral director prepared the remains of three people after health workers cautioned her that they each had tested positive. But only one of the three had the virus noted on the death certificate.
Doctors now believe that some deaths in February and early March were likely misidentified as influenza or only described as pneumonia.
Even under typical circumstances, public health experts say that it takes months or years to compile data that is as accurate as possible on deaths in infectious outbreaks.
But they also say that an accurate count of deaths is an essential tool to understand a disease outbreak as it unfolds: The more deadly a disease, the more aggressively the authorities are willing to disrupt normal life. Precise death counts can also inform the federal government on how to target resources, like ventilators from the national stockpile, to the areas of the country with the most desperate need.
Reporting was contributed by Michael Crowley, Katie Thomas, Maggie Haberman, Roni Rabin, Mark Landler, Stephen Castle, Neil Vigdor, Motoko Rich, Alexandra Stevenson, Tiffany May and Kai Schultz.