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Coronavirus Live Updates: Cases in the U.S. Reach 120 Coronavirus Live Updates: South Korea Scrambles to Find Hospital Beds for Thousands of Patients
(about 1 hour later)
READ UPDATES IN CHINESE: 新冠病毒疫情最新消息READ UPDATES IN CHINESE: 新冠病毒疫情最新消息
The South Korean government scrambled on Wednesday to find hospital beds for thousands of people infected with the new coronavirus, as the country reported a higher number of new cases than China, the center of the outbreak.
South Korea reported 516 new cases on Wednesday, bringing the total number of infected patients to 5,328, including 32 deaths. By contrast, China, once the leading source of cases, recorded only 119 new cases.
Nearly 90 percent of the South Korean patients were residents of Daegu, a southeastern city, and nearby towns. In Daegu alone there were 4,006 patients, but more than half were still waiting for hospital beds. Most of the patients, the authorities said, showed only mild symptoms of Covid-19, the disease caused by the virus.
Heath officials on Wednesday began transporting patients to government, corporate and religious sites, where rooms were refitted to serve as temporary clinics. They also transported more serious patients to military and state-run hospitals in nearby cities and provinces.
“Daegu is in a very difficult situation,” Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun said in the city on Wednesday. Hundreds of newly commissioned military doctors and nurses were being flown into Daegu to help the disease-control operations, he said.
“We can win this war against Covid-19 when we all fight together,” he added.
South Korea has tested more than 130,000 people for the virus, as it has raced to find and isolate infected people. Across the country, the government is operating 48 drive-through testing centers, where people can be examined without getting out of their cars, in an effort to limit the chances of exposure to other people.
As his government declared an all-out campaign against what has become the biggest epidemic outbreak outside of China, President Moon Jae-in said Wednesday that he was canceling his trips to the United Arab Emirates, Egypt and Turkey, originally scheduled for later this month.
Mr. Moon apologized for shortages of face masks on Tuesday, as people formed long queues outside retail stores and pharmacies. He upbraided his cabinet ministers to be “more sensitive” to the public’s needs and to “not sit at your desks, but get out to the field.”
Vice President Mike Pence said the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention would lift all restrictions on testing for the coronavirus, and would release new guidelines to fast-track testing for people who fear they have the virus, even if they are displaying mild symptoms.Vice President Mike Pence said the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention would lift all restrictions on testing for the coronavirus, and would release new guidelines to fast-track testing for people who fear they have the virus, even if they are displaying mild symptoms.
The guidelines “make it clear that any American can be tested, no restrictions, subject to doctor’s orders,” Mr. Pence told reporters at the White House. The federal government had promised to ramp up testing after drawing criticism for strictly limiting the tests in the first weeks of the outbreak.The guidelines “make it clear that any American can be tested, no restrictions, subject to doctor’s orders,” Mr. Pence told reporters at the White House. The federal government had promised to ramp up testing after drawing criticism for strictly limiting the tests in the first weeks of the outbreak.
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“The estimates we’re getting from industry right now — by the end of this week, close to a million tests will be able to be performed,” the head of the Food and Drug Administration, Dr. Stephen Hahn, said at a White House briefing on Monday.“The estimates we’re getting from industry right now — by the end of this week, close to a million tests will be able to be performed,” the head of the Food and Drug Administration, Dr. Stephen Hahn, said at a White House briefing on Monday.
Some companies and public health officials cast doubt on the government’s assurances, saying in some cases that tests under development are still weeks from approval.Some companies and public health officials cast doubt on the government’s assurances, saying in some cases that tests under development are still weeks from approval.
And even if a million test kits were available, public health laboratories say they would not be able to process nearly that many within a week. A spokesman for the Department of Health and Human Services said on Monday that public health labs can test 15,000 people daily, though that figure is expected to grow.And even if a million test kits were available, public health laboratories say they would not be able to process nearly that many within a week. A spokesman for the Department of Health and Human Services said on Monday that public health labs can test 15,000 people daily, though that figure is expected to grow.
Two people who died last week in the Seattle area were infected with coronavirus, officials said on Tuesday, suggesting that the virus had spread in that region days earlier than health officials had previously known.Two people who died last week in the Seattle area were infected with coronavirus, officials said on Tuesday, suggesting that the virus had spread in that region days earlier than health officials had previously known.
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That brought the death toll in Washington State, and in the United States, to nine. So far, those deaths have all been in the Seattle area.That brought the death toll in Washington State, and in the United States, to nine. So far, those deaths have all been in the Seattle area.
The confirmation of additional deaths adds to an escalating emergency in a region that has rapidly emerged as a focal point for the virus in the United States, where there have now been at least 120 cases of coronavirus in more than a dozen states, as local health authorities from coast to coast raced to assess the risk to schools, medical centers and businesses.The confirmation of additional deaths adds to an escalating emergency in a region that has rapidly emerged as a focal point for the virus in the United States, where there have now been at least 120 cases of coronavirus in more than a dozen states, as local health authorities from coast to coast raced to assess the risk to schools, medical centers and businesses.
The other deaths, all announced over the last few days, included residents of a nursing care facility in Kirkland, a Seattle suburb.The other deaths, all announced over the last few days, included residents of a nursing care facility in Kirkland, a Seattle suburb.
Also on Tuesday, Amazon emailed its staff in the Seattle area saying it learned that an employee in one of its many office buildings in the South Lake Union neighborhood tested positive for the virus. “The employee went home feeling unwell on Tuesday, February 25 and has not entered Amazon offices since that time,” the email said.Also on Tuesday, Amazon emailed its staff in the Seattle area saying it learned that an employee in one of its many office buildings in the South Lake Union neighborhood tested positive for the virus. “The employee went home feeling unwell on Tuesday, February 25 and has not entered Amazon offices since that time,” the email said.
Health officials in North Carolina announced that state’s first case of coronavirus on Tuesday afternoon. They said the patient there had traveled to Washington and been “exposed at a long-term care facility” where there was an outbreak, an apparent reference to the Life Care nursing center in Kirkland, Wash.Health officials in North Carolina announced that state’s first case of coronavirus on Tuesday afternoon. They said the patient there had traveled to Washington and been “exposed at a long-term care facility” where there was an outbreak, an apparent reference to the Life Care nursing center in Kirkland, Wash.
The North Carolina patient was said to be doing well and isolated at home in Wake County.The North Carolina patient was said to be doing well and isolated at home in Wake County.
The spreading coronavirus may soon affect people’s health in a different way: The outbreak is starting to hurt the supply of essential drugs.The spreading coronavirus may soon affect people’s health in a different way: The outbreak is starting to hurt the supply of essential drugs.
Drug makers are struggling to get raw ingredients for common antibiotics and vitamins from Chinese factories, which were closed for weeks as China battled to contain the coronavirus. Now, even as some of China’s factories have restarted, shortages of some drugs may develop.Drug makers are struggling to get raw ingredients for common antibiotics and vitamins from Chinese factories, which were closed for weeks as China battled to contain the coronavirus. Now, even as some of China’s factories have restarted, shortages of some drugs may develop.
The disruption is being felt most acutely in India, where the authorities on Tuesday ordered the country’s vast pharmaceutical industry to stop exporting 26 drugs and drug ingredients, most of them antibiotics, without government permission.The disruption is being felt most acutely in India, where the authorities on Tuesday ordered the country’s vast pharmaceutical industry to stop exporting 26 drugs and drug ingredients, most of them antibiotics, without government permission.
That’s a problem for the rest of the world, which relies on India’s drug makers for much of its supply of generic drugs. India exported about $19 billion of drugs last year and accounted for about one-fifth of the world’s exports of generics by volume, according to the India Brand Equity Foundation.That’s a problem for the rest of the world, which relies on India’s drug makers for much of its supply of generic drugs. India exported about $19 billion of drugs last year and accounted for about one-fifth of the world’s exports of generics by volume, according to the India Brand Equity Foundation.
Facebook said on Tuesday it was taking measures to help curb the spread of the coronavirus by partnering with the World Health Organization, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and governments around the world.Facebook said on Tuesday it was taking measures to help curb the spread of the coronavirus by partnering with the World Health Organization, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and governments around the world.
The social network said it had been working with different groups over the past month to use its ample resources for global aid during the outbreak by offering insight into the behavior of the 2.9 billion people who use its products, or the ability to spread correct information about how to deal with and prevent the virus.The social network said it had been working with different groups over the past month to use its ample resources for global aid during the outbreak by offering insight into the behavior of the 2.9 billion people who use its products, or the ability to spread correct information about how to deal with and prevent the virus.
“We’re focused on making sure everyone can access credible and accurate information,” Mark Zuckerberg, Facebook’s chief executive, said in a post to his Facebook page. “This is critical in any emergency, but it’s especially important when there are precautions you can take to reduce the risk of infection.”“We’re focused on making sure everyone can access credible and accurate information,” Mark Zuckerberg, Facebook’s chief executive, said in a post to his Facebook page. “This is critical in any emergency, but it’s especially important when there are precautions you can take to reduce the risk of infection.”
If someone now searches for the coronavirus on Facebook, they will see a pop-up on the site directing them to the W.H.O. website or a local health authority for the most up-to-date information. The company is also handing out free advertising to global health agencies — including unlimited free advertising for the W.H.O. — to spread information on how to combat the virus.If someone now searches for the coronavirus on Facebook, they will see a pop-up on the site directing them to the W.H.O. website or a local health authority for the most up-to-date information. The company is also handing out free advertising to global health agencies — including unlimited free advertising for the W.H.O. — to spread information on how to combat the virus.
Facebook has played a role in the spread of misinformation around the coronavirus since the outbreak began. Some people have posted ads claiming false cures and other bogus information to turn a profit. Conspiracy theorists have used the company’s platforms — including Facebook, Messenger and WhatsApp — to spread misleading information around how the disease is spread. Facebook said it was doing what it could to identify and limit such activity.Facebook has played a role in the spread of misinformation around the coronavirus since the outbreak began. Some people have posted ads claiming false cures and other bogus information to turn a profit. Conspiracy theorists have used the company’s platforms — including Facebook, Messenger and WhatsApp — to spread misleading information around how the disease is spread. Facebook said it was doing what it could to identify and limit such activity.
The coronavirus outbreak is straining China’s already overburdened health care system, and many patients with other illnesses are now falling through the cracks.The coronavirus outbreak is straining China’s already overburdened health care system, and many patients with other illnesses are now falling through the cracks.
In Wuhan, China, the center of the outbreak, many hospitals have been converted into facilities for treating only patients with the coronavirus. Elsewhere, other facilities have closed amid shortages of medical workers or rejected patients because of fears of cross-infection in the wards.In Wuhan, China, the center of the outbreak, many hospitals have been converted into facilities for treating only patients with the coronavirus. Elsewhere, other facilities have closed amid shortages of medical workers or rejected patients because of fears of cross-infection in the wards.
Elective surgeries have been postponed indefinitely. Many cities have imposed travel restrictions and quarantine requirements that, for many critically ill patients, mean delays they cannot afford.Elective surgeries have been postponed indefinitely. Many cities have imposed travel restrictions and quarantine requirements that, for many critically ill patients, mean delays they cannot afford.
With the daily tally of new coronavirus infections now on the decline, Chinese officials have begun to tout the country’s efforts to combat the epidemic as a victory.With the daily tally of new coronavirus infections now on the decline, Chinese officials have begun to tout the country’s efforts to combat the epidemic as a victory.
But the outbreak is straining a health care system that was overburdened even before the coronavirus surfaced, and many patients with other illnesses are now falling through the cracks. The concern is the country’s containment efforts may be saving some lives at the expense of others.But the outbreak is straining a health care system that was overburdened even before the coronavirus surfaced, and many patients with other illnesses are now falling through the cracks. The concern is the country’s containment efforts may be saving some lives at the expense of others.
Chen Xi, an assistant professor of health policy and economics at the Yale School of Public Health, said he thought it was likely that preventable deaths from strokes, heart attacks and other acute diseases could outnumber the lives saved from treating coronavirus patients.Chen Xi, an assistant professor of health policy and economics at the Yale School of Public Health, said he thought it was likely that preventable deaths from strokes, heart attacks and other acute diseases could outnumber the lives saved from treating coronavirus patients.
Joining many other sports organizations altering schedules in response to the spread of the coronavirus, the Basketball Africa League — the professional association in Africa that is backed by the N.B.A. — announced on Tuesday that it was postponing the start of its inaugural season. The league, which consists of 12 teams across Africa, was set to begin play on March 13 in Dakar, Senegal.Joining many other sports organizations altering schedules in response to the spread of the coronavirus, the Basketball Africa League — the professional association in Africa that is backed by the N.B.A. — announced on Tuesday that it was postponing the start of its inaugural season. The league, which consists of 12 teams across Africa, was set to begin play on March 13 in Dakar, Senegal.
“Following the recommendation of the Senegalese government regarding the escalating health concerns related to the coronavirus, the B.A.L.’s inaugural season will be postponed,” Amadou Gallo Fall, the league’s president, said in a statement. “I am disappointed we are not able to tip off this historic league as scheduled but look forward to the highly anticipated launch of the B.A.L. at a later date.”“Following the recommendation of the Senegalese government regarding the escalating health concerns related to the coronavirus, the B.A.L.’s inaugural season will be postponed,” Amadou Gallo Fall, the league’s president, said in a statement. “I am disappointed we are not able to tip off this historic league as scheduled but look forward to the highly anticipated launch of the B.A.L. at a later date.”
As the N.B.A. continues trying to expand around the globe, the B.A.L. is viewed as a pipeline for future talent.As the N.B.A. continues trying to expand around the globe, the B.A.L. is viewed as a pipeline for future talent.
Reporting was contributed by Amy Qin, Sui-Lee Wee, Katie Rogers, Christina Goldbaum, Vindu Goel, Reed Abelson, Sopan Deb, Mike Isaac, Karen Weisse, and Sarah Kliff.Reporting was contributed by Amy Qin, Sui-Lee Wee, Katie Rogers, Christina Goldbaum, Vindu Goel, Reed Abelson, Sopan Deb, Mike Isaac, Karen Weisse, and Sarah Kliff.