ECDC: COVID-19 Not Containable, Set to Overwhelm Hospitals
The group urged member countries to implement social distancing measures such as cancelling mass gatherings and cordoning off hotspots early to slow outbreaks and give health systems more time to prepare for an influx of patients.
The ECDC also recommended that countries designate COVID-19 facilities to minimize the transmission to other patients and conserve personal protective equipment (PPE) and identify facilities for managing those with milder symptoms. When resources are stretched or limited, the ECDC said countries should take rational approaches to conserve testing, contact tracing, PPE use, and hospitalization for high-yield situations.
Italy’s health ministry today reported 2,651 new cases and 189 more deaths, raising its respective totals to 15,113 cases and 1,016 deaths. Spain’s total today rose to 3,126 cases, with the addition of 782 more today. France’s total rising to 2,876, with the addition of 595 more. The United Kingdom reported 134 new cases, boosting its total to 590.
Several European countries announced more steps to curb the spread of the virus. For example, Slovakia declared a state of emergency and shut schools and major airports, and the Netherlands banned events of more than 100 people and urged citizens to work from home, if possible.
Iran Surge Continues; Country Requests IMF Support
Iran, the third worst-hit country, today reported 1,075 new cases and 75 more deaths, raising its respective totals to 10,075 and 429. The country today asked the International Monetary Fund for $5 billion in emergency funding to help it battle COVID-19, its first such request since 1962, Bloomberg News reported.
In a related development, the World Health Organization (WHO) today said a 5-day expert mission with its partners, including the Robert Koch Institute and China, wrapped up work earlier this week. In a press release, the WHO said the group found that the country is moving in the right direction with its response, taking a comprehensive approach with case management, labs, and risk communication as the strong points.
However, WHO officials said more work is needed in several priority areas, including epidemiological data collection and analysis, which is key to understanding how the outbreak is evolving and what control measures are needed. Also, the group said more efforts are needed to protect healthcare workers.
South Korea Cases Decline Again
South Korea today reported 114 new cases, with 6 more deaths, raising its overall respective totals to 7,869 and 66, according to the Korea Center for Disease Control. It said 80% of cases are linked to clusters, including 99 illnesses recently linked to an insurance company call center in Seoul.
In other developments in Asia:
· Japan today reported 55 more cases, 6 of them listed as asymptomatic carriers, from 11 prefectures, according to the country’s health ministry. Its overall total is 602, plus 72 asymptomatic carriers.
· Singapore today reported 9 more cases, 3 linked to a dinner function, 5 imported, and 1 under investigation, raising the total to 187, the health ministry said in an update. In a separate statement, the country’s Islamic Religious Council announced the temporary closure of mosques after 90 citizens attended a mass event in Kuala Lumpur, where several tested positive for COVID-19.
· China today reported 15 new cases, 8 from Hubei province, as well as 11 more deaths, raising its overall total to 80,793, which includes 3,169 deaths, according to the country’s National Health Commission.
