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U.K. Businessman Linked to Coronavirus Cluster Comes Forward U.K. Businessman Linked to Coronavirus Cluster Comes Forward
(32 minutes later)
BRIGHTON, England — A British businessman believed to be the source of a cluster of coronavirus cases in Britain and France came forward on Tuesday, saying that he had fully recovered but would remain in isolation as a precaution.BRIGHTON, England — A British businessman believed to be the source of a cluster of coronavirus cases in Britain and France came forward on Tuesday, saying that he had fully recovered but would remain in isolation as a precaution.
The man, Steve Walsh, from Hove, a town neighboring the popular seaside area of Brighton in southern England, contracted the virus at a conference in Singapore last month, according to his representatives, before traveling on to a chalet in the French Alps where a number of other Britons also fell ill. Mr. Walsh had already been widely identified in the British media as the man who brought the virus to the chalet.The man, Steve Walsh, from Hove, a town neighboring the popular seaside area of Brighton in southern England, contracted the virus at a conference in Singapore last month, according to his representatives, before traveling on to a chalet in the French Alps where a number of other Britons also fell ill. Mr. Walsh had already been widely identified in the British media as the man who brought the virus to the chalet.
Mr. Walsh thanked doctors for their care in a statement released by a public relations firm representing him and his employer.Mr. Walsh thanked doctors for their care in a statement released by a public relations firm representing him and his employer.
“Whilst I have fully recovered, my thoughts are with others who have contracted coronavirus,” said Mr. Walsh, one of at least eight people in Britain who have tested positive for the coronavirus in the past month.“Whilst I have fully recovered, my thoughts are with others who have contracted coronavirus,” said Mr. Walsh, one of at least eight people in Britain who have tested positive for the coronavirus in the past month.
More than 44,000 people, mostly in China, have been sickened by the virus since it first emerged in the central Chinese city of Wuhan late last year, and more than 1,100 have died. The virus has spread to at least 24 countries, triggering fears of a global pandemic.More than 44,000 people, mostly in China, have been sickened by the virus since it first emerged in the central Chinese city of Wuhan late last year, and more than 1,100 have died. The virus has spread to at least 24 countries, triggering fears of a global pandemic.
In Britain, attention has been focused on a cluster of transmissions at a ski resort in the French Alpine town of Les Contamines-Montjoie, near Switzerland, late last month.In Britain, attention has been focused on a cluster of transmissions at a ski resort in the French Alpine town of Les Contamines-Montjoie, near Switzerland, late last month.
At least six people in Britain, including Mr. Walsh, and five Britons in France who have the virus have been linked to the chalet.At least six people in Britain, including Mr. Walsh, and five Britons in France who have the virus have been linked to the chalet.
The British health authorities announced on Monday that they had confirmed four additional cases of the coronavirus in the country, all closely linked and tied to the French transmissions.The British health authorities announced on Monday that they had confirmed four additional cases of the coronavirus in the country, all closely linked and tied to the French transmissions.
In his statement, Mr. Walsh said that he had contacted his doctor and local public health officials as soon as he knew he had been exposed to a confirmed coronavirus case.In his statement, Mr. Walsh said that he had contacted his doctor and local public health officials as soon as he knew he had been exposed to a confirmed coronavirus case.
“I was advised to attend an isolated room at hospital, despite showing no symptoms, and subsequently self-isolated at home as instructed,” he said. “When the diagnosis was confirmed I was sent to an isolation unit in hospital, where I remain, and, as a precaution, my family was also asked to isolate themselves.”“I was advised to attend an isolated room at hospital, despite showing no symptoms, and subsequently self-isolated at home as instructed,” he said. “When the diagnosis was confirmed I was sent to an isolation unit in hospital, where I remain, and, as a precaution, my family was also asked to isolate themselves.”
Mr. Walsh’s employer, Servomex, a gas analytics company, issued a statement noting that it was pleased that he had made a full recovery and that it would “continue to provide support to him and his family.”Mr. Walsh’s employer, Servomex, a gas analytics company, issued a statement noting that it was pleased that he had made a full recovery and that it would “continue to provide support to him and his family.”
The company said it was working with the public health authorities and said it was it was enforcing self-isolation for others who had attended the sales conference in Singapore where Mr. Walsh was believed to have contracted the virus.The company said it was working with the public health authorities and said it was it was enforcing self-isolation for others who had attended the sales conference in Singapore where Mr. Walsh was believed to have contracted the virus.
The conference was held from Jan. 19 to 22 with about 90 company employees in attendance. The first Servomex employee tested positive for the coronavirus on Feb. 3 — that person also attended the conference — and guidance was issued to all staff members. This is what alerted Mr. Walsh to the situation, and he subsequently contacted his doctor.The conference was held from Jan. 19 to 22 with about 90 company employees in attendance. The first Servomex employee tested positive for the coronavirus on Feb. 3 — that person also attended the conference — and guidance was issued to all staff members. This is what alerted Mr. Walsh to the situation, and he subsequently contacted his doctor.
Public health officials on Monday evening said two of the new cases announced earlier in the day were health care workers and said that they had been advised to isolate themselves.Public health officials on Monday evening said two of the new cases announced earlier in the day were health care workers and said that they had been advised to isolate themselves.
“We are now working urgently to identify all patients and other health care workers who may have come into close contact, and at this stage we believe this to be a relatively small number,” Prof. Yvonne Doyle, the medical director of Public Health England, said in a statement.“We are now working urgently to identify all patients and other health care workers who may have come into close contact, and at this stage we believe this to be a relatively small number,” Prof. Yvonne Doyle, the medical director of Public Health England, said in a statement.
While national public health officials did not specify the number of contacts the health workers had, a senior official at National Health Service group said at least 12 patients at the County Oak Medical Center in Brighton came into contact with them. The official spoke on the condition of anonymity because she was not authorized to speak to the news media.While national public health officials did not specify the number of contacts the health workers had, a senior official at National Health Service group said at least 12 patients at the County Oak Medical Center in Brighton came into contact with them. The official spoke on the condition of anonymity because she was not authorized to speak to the news media.
The center was working with national health officials to trace the movements of the patients, she said.The center was working with national health officials to trace the movements of the patients, she said.
The Bevendean Primary School in Brighton also said one of its staff members had been advised to go into self-isolation after coming into contact with someone who carried the virus. It said it would allow absences if parents wanted to keep their children at home.The Bevendean Primary School in Brighton also said one of its staff members had been advised to go into self-isolation after coming into contact with someone who carried the virus. It said it would allow absences if parents wanted to keep their children at home.
Tracing those who might have been in contact with someone infected with the coronavirus is being coordinated by Public Health England, which is working with the Department of Health, the National Health Service and local councils to respond to the current cases.Tracing those who might have been in contact with someone infected with the coronavirus is being coordinated by Public Health England, which is working with the Department of Health, the National Health Service and local councils to respond to the current cases.
That process involves health officials working with each patient to collect information on where they may have visited since the onset of symptoms or, in the case of travelers, since they arrived in Britain.That process involves health officials working with each patient to collect information on where they may have visited since the onset of symptoms or, in the case of travelers, since they arrived in Britain.
Updated June 30, 2020
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.
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.
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.
All of the contacts are then categorized into high or low risk. Those deemed to be at a higher risk have a daily health assessment and some may be asked to isolate themselves, health officials say.All of the contacts are then categorized into high or low risk. Those deemed to be at a higher risk have a daily health assessment and some may be asked to isolate themselves, health officials say.
Any of the contacts who report symptoms will be assessed and offered testing for the virus, the official said.Any of the contacts who report symptoms will be assessed and offered testing for the virus, the official said.
But in Brighton, where a number of confirmed cases are linked, many feared they were not being given enough information.But in Brighton, where a number of confirmed cases are linked, many feared they were not being given enough information.
Samer Bagaeen, a member of Brighton and Hove City Council’s health board, criticized health officials and the local council for a lack of information. Mr. Bagaeen said advice from health officials that people “self-isolate” has caused confusion.Samer Bagaeen, a member of Brighton and Hove City Council’s health board, criticized health officials and the local council for a lack of information. Mr. Bagaeen said advice from health officials that people “self-isolate” has caused confusion.
“We haven’t been given any information about the self-isolation process,” Mr. Bagaeen said. “Are these individuals still going into shops and buying groceries? And if not, who are they coming into contact with and how are they being protected?”“We haven’t been given any information about the self-isolation process,” Mr. Bagaeen said. “Are these individuals still going into shops and buying groceries? And if not, who are they coming into contact with and how are they being protected?”
Brighton residents expressed similar frustrations, with many complaining that information was coming by word of mouth rather than through official channels.Brighton residents expressed similar frustrations, with many complaining that information was coming by word of mouth rather than through official channels.
“This is a small place, and it’s scary to think that anyone could have it, and anyone could get it,” said Adam Neil, a convenience store employee, who put up a “card only” sign on Monday to avoid handling people’s cash.“This is a small place, and it’s scary to think that anyone could have it, and anyone could get it,” said Adam Neil, a convenience store employee, who put up a “card only” sign on Monday to avoid handling people’s cash.
“No one has given us any information, so we have to take our own precautions,” he said.“No one has given us any information, so we have to take our own precautions,” he said.
Jack Henley, a local taxi driver said he would work half days until the risk of contracting the virus diminished.Jack Henley, a local taxi driver said he would work half days until the risk of contracting the virus diminished.
“Our bosses won’t let us wear masks because they don’t want us to scare the customers away, but I’m scared of the customers, to be frank,” he said.“Our bosses won’t let us wear masks because they don’t want us to scare the customers away, but I’m scared of the customers, to be frank,” he said.
Matt Hancock, Britain’s health secretary, told Parliament on Wednesday that the coronavirus situation would “get worse before it gets better,” but noted that even as numbers of infections in Britain have risen in recent days, the threat to the public remained “moderate.”Matt Hancock, Britain’s health secretary, told Parliament on Wednesday that the coronavirus situation would “get worse before it gets better,” but noted that even as numbers of infections in Britain have risen in recent days, the threat to the public remained “moderate.”
On Sunday, 105 British citizens returned to the country on a flight after being evacuated from Wuhan, China. They are now in isolation facilities.On Sunday, 105 British citizens returned to the country on a flight after being evacuated from Wuhan, China. They are now in isolation facilities.
Mr. Hancock defended measures introduced on Monday to extend the government’s power to impose a quarantine on people believed to be at risk of spreading the virus. He warned that the response to the coronavirus would be long term.Mr. Hancock defended measures introduced on Monday to extend the government’s power to impose a quarantine on people believed to be at risk of spreading the virus. He warned that the response to the coronavirus would be long term.
“Dealing with this disease is a marathon, not a sprint,” he said.“Dealing with this disease is a marathon, not a sprint,” he said.