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Coronavirus Live Updates: U.S. Extends Social Curbs After Estimate of 200,000 Deaths | |
(32 minutes later) | |
新冠病毒疫情最新消息 | 新冠病毒疫情最新消息 |
Faced with the grim prospect that 200,000 Americans could die even with aggressive action to slow the spread of the coronavirus, President Trump extended the guidelines on avoiding nonessential travel, staying away from work, visiting bars and restaurants and gathering in groups of more than 10 for at least another month. | Faced with the grim prospect that 200,000 Americans could die even with aggressive action to slow the spread of the coronavirus, President Trump extended the guidelines on avoiding nonessential travel, staying away from work, visiting bars and restaurants and gathering in groups of more than 10 for at least another month. |
“We can expect that by June 1, we will be well on our way to recovery,” Mr. Trump said on Sunday evening. “We think by June 1. A lot of great things will be happening.” | “We can expect that by June 1, we will be well on our way to recovery,” Mr. Trump said on Sunday evening. “We think by June 1. A lot of great things will be happening.” |
But the virus has already dashed Mr. Trump’s earlier rosy predictions, and as Americans entered their third week living in a work-from-home world, officials warned that the deepening crisis in New York was weeks from peaking. | But the virus has already dashed Mr. Trump’s earlier rosy predictions, and as Americans entered their third week living in a work-from-home world, officials warned that the deepening crisis in New York was weeks from peaking. |
“Thousands of people will pass away,” Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo warned. | “Thousands of people will pass away,” Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo warned. |
“I wouldn’t be surprised if we saw over 100,000 deaths,” Dr. Anthony Fauci, the United States’ leading infectious disease expert, said on Monday. | “I wouldn’t be surprised if we saw over 100,000 deaths,” Dr. Anthony Fauci, the United States’ leading infectious disease expert, said on Monday. |
The continuing agony in Italy and Spain showed that the peak of the outbreak in the United States could be prolonged and, in any case, would by no means mark the end of the fight. | The continuing agony in Italy and Spain showed that the peak of the outbreak in the United States could be prolonged and, in any case, would by no means mark the end of the fight. |
In Spain, roughly 35 people died every hour over the weekend as the death toll passed 7,000. | In Spain, roughly 35 people died every hour over the weekend as the death toll passed 7,000. |
With residents already under orders not to leave their homes unless absolutely necessary, Madrid called on Monday for even tighter enforcement, with officials saying they wanted the country to enter a period of “hibernation.” | With residents already under orders not to leave their homes unless absolutely necessary, Madrid called on Monday for even tighter enforcement, with officials saying they wanted the country to enter a period of “hibernation.” |
Italy, with nearly 11,000 deaths, saw some hopeful signs as the mortality rate dropped for a third day in a row — from 969 to 889 to 756 — and new patients requiring critical care dropped to 50, from 124. | Italy, with nearly 11,000 deaths, saw some hopeful signs as the mortality rate dropped for a third day in a row — from 969 to 889 to 756 — and new patients requiring critical care dropped to 50, from 124. |
Encouraging though the numbers were, officials cautioned that it would be some time before restrictions could be eased without risking widespread reinfection. | Encouraging though the numbers were, officials cautioned that it would be some time before restrictions could be eased without risking widespread reinfection. |
Elsewhere, most nations were tightening existing restrictions or adding new ones. | Elsewhere, most nations were tightening existing restrictions or adding new ones. |
Russia closed border crossings on Monday and placed Moscow on lockdown. | Russia closed border crossings on Monday and placed Moscow on lockdown. |
With Prime Minister Boris Johnson of Britain in isolation after testing positive for the virus, officials there warned people to expect another six months of hardship, though the restrictions could be eased as conditions improve. | With Prime Minister Boris Johnson of Britain in isolation after testing positive for the virus, officials there warned people to expect another six months of hardship, though the restrictions could be eased as conditions improve. |
Even Mr. Trump, who for weeks sought to downplay the seriousness of the crisis, struck a decidedly more somber note over the weekend. He also revealed that a personal friend was sick. | Even Mr. Trump, who for weeks sought to downplay the seriousness of the crisis, struck a decidedly more somber note over the weekend. He also revealed that a personal friend was sick. |
“He’s a little older and he’s heavy,” Mr. Trump said. “But he’s a tough person, and we went to the hospital and a day later he’s in a coma.” | “He’s a little older and he’s heavy,” Mr. Trump said. “But he’s a tough person, and we went to the hospital and a day later he’s in a coma.” |
“The speed and the viciousness, especially if it gets the right person, it is horrible,” Mr. Trump added. | “The speed and the viciousness, especially if it gets the right person, it is horrible,” Mr. Trump added. |
Two of the top doctors advising the White House on the coronavirus pandemic went together to the Oval Office with some sobering data to present to President Trump: Even with the aggressive measures in place in to slow the spread of the virus, as many as 200,000 Americans could die during the outbreak. | Two of the top doctors advising the White House on the coronavirus pandemic went together to the Oval Office with some sobering data to present to President Trump: Even with the aggressive measures in place in to slow the spread of the virus, as many as 200,000 Americans could die during the outbreak. |
“We showed him the data and he got it right away,” Dr. Anthony S. Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, said Monday morning during an appearance on CNN. | “We showed him the data and he got it right away,” Dr. Anthony S. Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, said Monday morning during an appearance on CNN. |
Mr. Trump had expressed a hope to get the country back to normal by Easter, but the grim forecast made it clear that would be impossible. | Mr. Trump had expressed a hope to get the country back to normal by Easter, but the grim forecast made it clear that would be impossible. |
“He shook his head,” Dr. Fauci recalled, “and said, ‘I guess we’ve got to do it.’” | “He shook his head,” Dr. Fauci recalled, “and said, ‘I guess we’ve got to do it.’” |
Mr. Fauci said that the explosive rate of growth in New York, New Orleans and possibly now Detroit demonstrated the urgency of the moment. | Mr. Fauci said that the explosive rate of growth in New York, New Orleans and possibly now Detroit demonstrated the urgency of the moment. |
“We felt strongly that it would have been the wrong decision to pull back,” he said. “We argued strongly with the president that he not withdraw those guidelines." | “We felt strongly that it would have been the wrong decision to pull back,” he said. “We argued strongly with the president that he not withdraw those guidelines." |
Mr. Fauci said he was joined in the meeting by Dr. Deborah L. Birx, the lead coordinator of the White House’s coronavirus task force. | Mr. Fauci said he was joined in the meeting by Dr. Deborah L. Birx, the lead coordinator of the White House’s coronavirus task force. |
She told reporters on Sunday that even with precautions and restrictions, the government’s model estimated “between 80,000 and 160,000, maybe even potentially 200,000 people, succumbing” to Covid-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus. | She told reporters on Sunday that even with precautions and restrictions, the government’s model estimated “between 80,000 and 160,000, maybe even potentially 200,000 people, succumbing” to Covid-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus. |
She added that without any precautionary measures, the same models projected that 1.6 million to 2.2 million Americans could die from complications of the virus. | She added that without any precautionary measures, the same models projected that 1.6 million to 2.2 million Americans could die from complications of the virus. |
“Some of them predicted half of the United States would get infected,” she said. | “Some of them predicted half of the United States would get infected,” she said. |
Dr. Birx acknowledged that it was a huge sacrifice for Americans to stay home another month, but she said the measures had “potential to save hundreds of thousands of American lives.” | Dr. Birx acknowledged that it was a huge sacrifice for Americans to stay home another month, but she said the measures had “potential to save hundreds of thousands of American lives.” |
Prince Charles, the heir to the British throne who was quarantined in Scotland over the last seven days after testing positive for the coronavirus, has taken himself out of isolation, Buckingham Palace announced on Monday. | |
“The prince is in good health,” an official at the palace said. “He is now operating under the current standard medical restrictions that apply nationwide.” | |
The prince, who is 71, began suffering mild symptoms the weekend of March 21 and was tested in Scotland on March 23. The palace said that Charles would be able to hold meetings and to exercise and that his wife, the Duchess of Cornwall, would remain in isolation until the end of the week. She did not test positive for the virus, the palace said last week, but she is being monitored. | |
Britain’s guidance indicates that those who test positive for the virus should stay at home for seven days after symptoms begin, but the World Health Organization recommends that confirmed patients remain isolated for two weeks after symptoms resolve. | |
The top levels of the British government suffered another shock on Monday when Dominic Cummings, the top adviser to Prime Minister Boris Johnson, reported that he had symptoms of the virus and had isolated himself, according to the government. | |
Mr. Cummings was seen on Friday running out of 10 Downing Street, the prime minister’s official residence, with a backpack, shortly after Mr. Johnson announced that he had the coronavirus. | |
Mr. Cummings is the latest high-ranking official directly involved in Britain’s outbreak response who is suspected to have contracted the virus. A critical member of Mr. Johnson’s cabinet, Matt Hancock, the health secretary, announced last week that he had the illness. | |
Mr. Johnson posted a video on Twitter on Sunday urging Britons to stay at home, appearing in a suit and tie but with a noticeably hoarse voice. He thanked those health care workers who were coming back into the National Health Service, or N.H.S., “in such huge numbers.” Some 20,000 former staff members are returning to the health system to help in the coronavirus response. | |
Dr. Jenny Harries, the British deputy chief medical officer, said it could be six months or more before a return to normal, with lockdowns being reassessed every three weeks. She said that if the strategy was successful, the country could effectively limit the peak of cases in the short term, but that measures would have to continue. | |
“We must not then revert to our regular way of living, that would be quite dangerous,” she said during a Sunday evening news conference. | |
Thousands of airline staff who were grounded as travel came to a grinding halt amid worldwide restrictions will also be joining the efforts, according to the N.H.S. Cabin crews from Virgin Atlantic and easyJet have been asked to work at coronavirus field hospitals across the country as part of the health service’s response, the health service said in a statement. | |
Many airline staff are trained in first aid and have security clearance, and they will be working alongside health care professionals to change beds, do nonclinical tasks and support doctors and nurses, the N.H.S. said. | |
Even as hospitals across New York City become flooded with coronavirus cases, some patients are being left behind in their homes because the health care system cannot handle them all, according to dozens of interviews with paramedics, New York Fire Department officials and union representatives, as well as city data. | Even as hospitals across New York City become flooded with coronavirus cases, some patients are being left behind in their homes because the health care system cannot handle them all, according to dozens of interviews with paramedics, New York Fire Department officials and union representatives, as well as city data. |
In a matter of days, the city’s 911 system has been overwhelmed by calls for medical distress apparently related to the virus. Typically, the system sees about 4,000 Emergency Medical Services calls a day. | In a matter of days, the city’s 911 system has been overwhelmed by calls for medical distress apparently related to the virus. Typically, the system sees about 4,000 Emergency Medical Services calls a day. |
Last Thursday, dispatchers took more than 7,000 calls — a volume not seen since the Sept. 11 attacks. The record for the number of calls in a day was broken three times in the last week. | Last Thursday, dispatchers took more than 7,000 calls — a volume not seen since the Sept. 11 attacks. The record for the number of calls in a day was broken three times in the last week. |
If the rate of growth in cases in the New York area continues, it will suffer a more severe outbreak than those experienced in Wuhan, China, or the Lombardy region of Italy. | If the rate of growth in cases in the New York area continues, it will suffer a more severe outbreak than those experienced in Wuhan, China, or the Lombardy region of Italy. |
Because of the volume, emergency medical workers are making life-or-death decisions about who is sick enough to take to crowded emergency rooms and who appears well enough to leave behind. They are assessing on scene which patients should receive time-consuming measures like CPR and intubation, and which patients are too far gone to save. | Because of the volume, emergency medical workers are making life-or-death decisions about who is sick enough to take to crowded emergency rooms and who appears well enough to leave behind. They are assessing on scene which patients should receive time-consuming measures like CPR and intubation, and which patients are too far gone to save. |
And, they are doing it, in most cases they say, without appropriate equipment to protect themselves from infection. | And, they are doing it, in most cases they say, without appropriate equipment to protect themselves from infection. |
Phil Suarez, a paramedic, was dispatched to two homes in Manhattan’s Washington Heights neighborhood, where entire families in cramped apartments, appeared to be stricken with the virus. | Phil Suarez, a paramedic, was dispatched to two homes in Manhattan’s Washington Heights neighborhood, where entire families in cramped apartments, appeared to be stricken with the virus. |
“I’m terrified,” said Mr. Suarez, who has been a paramedic in New York City for 26 years and had assisted in rescue efforts during the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks and later served in the Iraq war. “I honestly don’t know if I’m going to survive. I’m terrified of what I’ve already possibly brought home.” | “I’m terrified,” said Mr. Suarez, who has been a paramedic in New York City for 26 years and had assisted in rescue efforts during the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks and later served in the Iraq war. “I honestly don’t know if I’m going to survive. I’m terrified of what I’ve already possibly brought home.” |
Struggling to give its beleaguered medical workers a fighting chance to combat a virus that has torn through their own ranks in recent weeks, Spanish officials said on Monday that they would impose even more rigorous restrictions on residents’ movements, calling for a national period of “hibernation.” | Struggling to give its beleaguered medical workers a fighting chance to combat a virus that has torn through their own ranks in recent weeks, Spanish officials said on Monday that they would impose even more rigorous restrictions on residents’ movements, calling for a national period of “hibernation.” |
The officials compared the tighter restrictions to those imposed in the Chinese city of Wuhan, where the virus was first detected last year. The measures there were perhaps the most draconian attempted anywhere in the world so far. | The officials compared the tighter restrictions to those imposed in the Chinese city of Wuhan, where the virus was first detected last year. The measures there were perhaps the most draconian attempted anywhere in the world so far. |
Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez of Spain said at the weekend that the tighter lockdown was needed to avoid the collapse of saturated hospitals in Madrid and a few other regions of the country. | Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez of Spain said at the weekend that the tighter lockdown was needed to avoid the collapse of saturated hospitals in Madrid and a few other regions of the country. |
“The most important thing is to slow down the number of people in hospitals, in the intensive care units,” he said. “I’m thinking especially of Madrid, where they are under a lot of pressure.” | “The most important thing is to slow down the number of people in hospitals, in the intensive care units,” he said. “I’m thinking especially of Madrid, where they are under a lot of pressure.” |
The new restrictions — allowing only “essential workers” to leave their homes — will last until at least April 9 and come on top of the lockdown that was imposed on March 14. | The new restrictions — allowing only “essential workers” to leave their homes — will last until at least April 9 and come on top of the lockdown that was imposed on March 14. |
Spain reported more than 812 new deaths on Monday, bringing the country’s death toll to nearly 7,400. | Spain reported more than 812 new deaths on Monday, bringing the country’s death toll to nearly 7,400. |
While Spanish hospitals were on the edge of collapse, Italian officials hoped that the burden on medical facilities might be starting to ease. | While Spanish hospitals were on the edge of collapse, Italian officials hoped that the burden on medical facilities might be starting to ease. |
Luca Richeldi, a clinical pneumologist at the Gemelli hospital in Rome and a member of the government’s scientific advisory committee, said that the number of deaths had dropped every day over the weekend and that the number of new patients needing critical care had also gone down to 50, from 124. | Luca Richeldi, a clinical pneumologist at the Gemelli hospital in Rome and a member of the government’s scientific advisory committee, said that the number of deaths had dropped every day over the weekend and that the number of new patients needing critical care had also gone down to 50, from 124. |
“With our behavior, we save lives,” he said. | “With our behavior, we save lives,” he said. |
The April 3 deadline of the national lockdown would certainly be extended, Italian government officials said. | The April 3 deadline of the national lockdown would certainly be extended, Italian government officials said. |
The health minister, Roberto Speranza, said that the government measures “will certainly be prolonged, and we will require a sacrifice that I don’t think will be too short.” | The health minister, Roberto Speranza, said that the government measures “will certainly be prolonged, and we will require a sacrifice that I don’t think will be too short.” |
In a televised interview Sunday night, he said that the crisis was far from over and that decisions would be made with the input of the government’s scientific advisory board, which was meeting on Monday. | In a televised interview Sunday night, he said that the crisis was far from over and that decisions would be made with the input of the government’s scientific advisory board, which was meeting on Monday. |
“There are some encouraging signals,” especially from the worst hit areas, Mr. Speranza said. “But it is not enough.” Opening up too soon, he added, could “burn everything we’ve obtained until now.” | “There are some encouraging signals,” especially from the worst hit areas, Mr. Speranza said. “But it is not enough.” Opening up too soon, he added, could “burn everything we’ve obtained until now.” |
The Seattle area, home of the first known coronavirus case in the United States and the place where the virus claimed 37 of its first 50 victims, is now seeing evidence that harsh containment strategies, imposed in the earliest days of the outbreak, are beginning to pay off — at least for now. | The Seattle area, home of the first known coronavirus case in the United States and the place where the virus claimed 37 of its first 50 victims, is now seeing evidence that harsh containment strategies, imposed in the earliest days of the outbreak, are beginning to pay off — at least for now. |
Deaths are not rising as fast as they are in other states. Significant declines in street traffic show that people are staying home. Hospitals have so far not been overwhelmed. And preliminary statistical models provided to public officials in Washington State suggest that the spread of the virus has slowed in the Seattle area in recent days. | Deaths are not rising as fast as they are in other states. Significant declines in street traffic show that people are staying home. Hospitals have so far not been overwhelmed. And preliminary statistical models provided to public officials in Washington State suggest that the spread of the virus has slowed in the Seattle area in recent days. |
While each infected person was spreading the virus to an average of 2.7 other people earlier in March, that number appears to have dropped, with one projection suggesting that it was now down to 1.4. | While each infected person was spreading the virus to an average of 2.7 other people earlier in March, that number appears to have dropped, with one projection suggesting that it was now down to 1.4. |
The researchers who are preparing the latest projections, led by the Institute for Disease Modeling, a private research group in Bellevue, Wash., have been watching a variety of data points since the onset of the outbreak. They include tens of thousands of coronavirus test results, deaths and mobility information to estimate the rate at which coronavirus patients are spreading the disease to others. | The researchers who are preparing the latest projections, led by the Institute for Disease Modeling, a private research group in Bellevue, Wash., have been watching a variety of data points since the onset of the outbreak. They include tens of thousands of coronavirus test results, deaths and mobility information to estimate the rate at which coronavirus patients are spreading the disease to others. |
The progress is precarious, and the data, which was still being analyzed and has yet to be published, is uncertain. But the findings offer a measure of hope that the emergency measures that have disrupted life in much of the nation can be effective in slowing the spread of the disease. | The progress is precarious, and the data, which was still being analyzed and has yet to be published, is uncertain. But the findings offer a measure of hope that the emergency measures that have disrupted life in much of the nation can be effective in slowing the spread of the disease. |
“We made a huge impact — we slowed the transmission,” Seattle’s mayor, Jenny Durkan, said in an interview. She cautioned that any lifting of restrictions would bring a quick rise in new cases, and that she expected distancing requirements to continue in some form for months. | “We made a huge impact — we slowed the transmission,” Seattle’s mayor, Jenny Durkan, said in an interview. She cautioned that any lifting of restrictions would bring a quick rise in new cases, and that she expected distancing requirements to continue in some form for months. |
The Summer Olympics in Tokyo, pushed back a year because of the coronavirus pandemic after Olympic officials and Japanese organizers bowed to widespread pressure, will now open on July 23, 2021, organizers said on Monday. | The Summer Olympics in Tokyo, pushed back a year because of the coronavirus pandemic after Olympic officials and Japanese organizers bowed to widespread pressure, will now open on July 23, 2021, organizers said on Monday. |
Thomas Bach, the International Olympic Committee president, told international federations on a conference call that the date had been picked to give organizers the maximum time possible to deal with the fallout from the coronavirus. | Thomas Bach, the International Olympic Committee president, told international federations on a conference call that the date had been picked to give organizers the maximum time possible to deal with the fallout from the coronavirus. |
After presenting the federation members with one choice for a new date, Bach called for a show of support, and the proposal received unanimous backing. The Games will run through Aug. 8. | After presenting the federation members with one choice for a new date, Bach called for a show of support, and the proposal received unanimous backing. The Games will run through Aug. 8. |
In preparing to postpone the Games for the first time, the International Olympic Committee and the Tokyo authorities have had to work without a playbook, trying to cram years of complex planning decisions into a short time frame. | In preparing to postpone the Games for the first time, the International Olympic Committee and the Tokyo authorities have had to work without a playbook, trying to cram years of complex planning decisions into a short time frame. |
The changes must take into account an array of stakeholders whose needs differ wildly, including athletes desperate to know how and when to resume training, and broadcast and commercial partners who will recast their own campaigns. | The changes must take into account an array of stakeholders whose needs differ wildly, including athletes desperate to know how and when to resume training, and broadcast and commercial partners who will recast their own campaigns. |
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel has gone into quarantine after an aide tested positive for the coronavirus, officials said on Monday. | |
“Pending the epidemiological investigation and to remove any doubt, the prime minister has decided that he and his close aides will remain in isolation until the end of the epidemiological investigation, and in accordance with the findings,” the government said in a statement. | |
Rivka Paluch, an adviser to the 70-year-old Mr. Netanyahu on ultra-Orthodox affairs and on parliamentary issues, tested positive after her husband was hospitalized with the virus. | |
More than 4,000 Israelis have tested positive for the virus and the country and the government has imposed sweeping restrictions on residents’ movement. | |
Mr. Netanyahu’s announcement that he would enter isolation came as he was in the latter stages of negotiating to form a new governing coalition. | |
Mr. Netanyahu has already been conducting most of his meetings via video conferencing from his residence, and he and his staff have been strictly complying with Health Ministry instructions over the past few weeks, officials said. | |
Mr. Netanyahu tested negative for the virus a couple of weeks ago and was expected to be tested again soon. | |
As the first of 22 shipments of Chinese-made medical equipment arrived in the United States on Sunday, other countries are complaining that China provided faulty protective equipment and inaccurate coronavirus test kits. | As the first of 22 shipments of Chinese-made medical equipment arrived in the United States on Sunday, other countries are complaining that China provided faulty protective equipment and inaccurate coronavirus test kits. |
Chinese companies have kicked into overdrive to supply masks, respirators, testing kits and other protective gear to tackle the fast-moving global pandemic. With its own outbreak seemingly under control, it has looked to sell or donate gear to improve its image on the global stage. | Chinese companies have kicked into overdrive to supply masks, respirators, testing kits and other protective gear to tackle the fast-moving global pandemic. With its own outbreak seemingly under control, it has looked to sell or donate gear to improve its image on the global stage. |
But some faulty products are showing up in the supply chain, prompting governments in the Netherlands, Turkey and the Philippines to complain. | But some faulty products are showing up in the supply chain, prompting governments in the Netherlands, Turkey and the Philippines to complain. |
A commercial aircraft carrying gloves, masks, gowns and other medical supplies from Shanghai touched down at Kennedy International Airport in New York on Sunday, the first of 22 scheduled flights that White House officials say will funnel much-needed goods to the United States by early April. | A commercial aircraft carrying gloves, masks, gowns and other medical supplies from Shanghai touched down at Kennedy International Airport in New York on Sunday, the first of 22 scheduled flights that White House officials say will funnel much-needed goods to the United States by early April. |
The plane carried 130,000 N95 masks, nearly 1.8 million surgical masks and gowns, 10 million gloves and more than 70,000 thermometers, said Lizzie Litzow, a spokeswoman for the Federal Emergency Management Agency. | The plane carried 130,000 N95 masks, nearly 1.8 million surgical masks and gowns, 10 million gloves and more than 70,000 thermometers, said Lizzie Litzow, a spokeswoman for the Federal Emergency Management Agency. |
The quality of the gear that was received, however, is unknown. | The quality of the gear that was received, however, is unknown. |
Faulty protective equipment could endanger the lives of health care workers and malfunctioning tests could prevent sick people from getting essential treatment. | Faulty protective equipment could endanger the lives of health care workers and malfunctioning tests could prevent sick people from getting essential treatment. |
The Netherlands on Saturday recalled hundreds of thousands of face masks from China, after it was revealed that they did not meet standards set by the Dutch health authorities. Spanish officials said last week that hundreds of thousands of testing kits delivered by a Chinese company had only a 30 percent accuracy rate. The Chinese Embassy later said that the company was not on its official list of certified suppliers. | The Netherlands on Saturday recalled hundreds of thousands of face masks from China, after it was revealed that they did not meet standards set by the Dutch health authorities. Spanish officials said last week that hundreds of thousands of testing kits delivered by a Chinese company had only a 30 percent accuracy rate. The Chinese Embassy later said that the company was not on its official list of certified suppliers. |
In the Czech Republic, for example, a local newspaper cited medical workers who had complained that as many as 80 percent of the rapid coronavirus tests that the government ordered from China did not work properly. | In the Czech Republic, for example, a local newspaper cited medical workers who had complained that as many as 80 percent of the rapid coronavirus tests that the government ordered from China did not work properly. |
In the Philippines, a Department of Health official said an early first batch of tests sent from China were defective but later walked back his comments after the Chinese Embassy denied the test kits were part of a donation to the Philippines and said its donations had been assessed by the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine. | In the Philippines, a Department of Health official said an early first batch of tests sent from China were defective but later walked back his comments after the Chinese Embassy denied the test kits were part of a donation to the Philippines and said its donations had been assessed by the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine. |
The Turkish health authorities have also spoken publicly about their concern about testing kits from China without offering details. | The Turkish health authorities have also spoken publicly about their concern about testing kits from China without offering details. |
Officials in India denied on Monday that an abrupt nationwide lockdown that has thrown the country of 1.3 billion people into chaos would last more than three weeks. | Officials in India denied on Monday that an abrupt nationwide lockdown that has thrown the country of 1.3 billion people into chaos would last more than three weeks. |
The lockdown, announced last Tuesday by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, was imposed with just four hours notice and followed reports that India may be in the early stages of community transmission. With the suspension of India’s train and bus services, hundreds of thousands of migrant workers found themselves trapped in cities like New Delhi without food or money. | The lockdown, announced last Tuesday by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, was imposed with just four hours notice and followed reports that India may be in the early stages of community transmission. With the suspension of India’s train and bus services, hundreds of thousands of migrant workers found themselves trapped in cities like New Delhi without food or money. |
Rajiv Gauba, the cabinet secretary, told reporters that he was “surprised” to read reports suggesting that the severest restrictions would remain in place beyond April 15. | Rajiv Gauba, the cabinet secretary, told reporters that he was “surprised” to read reports suggesting that the severest restrictions would remain in place beyond April 15. |
“There is no such plan,” he told Asian News International, a local news outlet. | “There is no such plan,” he told Asian News International, a local news outlet. |
In what has been described as the largest migration in recent history, huge masses of people began long journeys by foot to their home villages, balancing bags on their heads and children on their shoulders. As of Sunday, just one of India’s 36 states and territories had made arrangements to bring migrants home. | In what has been described as the largest migration in recent history, huge masses of people began long journeys by foot to their home villages, balancing bags on their heads and children on their shoulders. As of Sunday, just one of India’s 36 states and territories had made arrangements to bring migrants home. |
Since the lockdown was announced, thousands of people have been seen waiting at bus stops on the outskirts of New Delhi, packed together without protective gear, before being turned away for lack of space. | Since the lockdown was announced, thousands of people have been seen waiting at bus stops on the outskirts of New Delhi, packed together without protective gear, before being turned away for lack of space. |
Many are panicking about the spread of the virus. In one northern Indian city, migrants were sprayed down with a chemical solution on the roadside by people in hazmat suits, according to local reporters. | Many are panicking about the spread of the virus. In one northern Indian city, migrants were sprayed down with a chemical solution on the roadside by people in hazmat suits, according to local reporters. |
Discussion in China is swirling about the true extent of the coronavirus outbreak in the country and the risk of asymptomatic infections. | Discussion in China is swirling about the true extent of the coronavirus outbreak in the country and the risk of asymptomatic infections. |
Caixin, an influential Chinese newsmagazine that has aggressively reported on the coronavirus pandemic, published a commentary that urged the government to disclose the number of asymptomatic infections in the country, a figure that has been kept secret. | Caixin, an influential Chinese newsmagazine that has aggressively reported on the coronavirus pandemic, published a commentary that urged the government to disclose the number of asymptomatic infections in the country, a figure that has been kept secret. |
In China’s official count of confirmed coronavirus cases, people who test positive but show no symptoms are excluded; they are added to the tally only if they start to feel sick. | In China’s official count of confirmed coronavirus cases, people who test positive but show no symptoms are excluded; they are added to the tally only if they start to feel sick. |
The magazine’s commentary came after confirmation of a case on Sunday in Henan Province, who apparently was infected by a person who did not show symptoms and was not counted in the official tally released to the public. | The magazine’s commentary came after confirmation of a case on Sunday in Henan Province, who apparently was infected by a person who did not show symptoms and was not counted in the official tally released to the public. |
The Caixin commentary said revealing the scale and spread of asymptomatic cases was important for research and informing the public of continuing possible risks. | The Caixin commentary said revealing the scale and spread of asymptomatic cases was important for research and informing the public of continuing possible risks. |
China has reported several days with no new cases outside those brought in from overseas. The case reported in Henan on Sunday suggests that the virus continues to spread among people who might not be included in the public tally. | China has reported several days with no new cases outside those brought in from overseas. The case reported in Henan on Sunday suggests that the virus continues to spread among people who might not be included in the public tally. |
Observers have also scrutinized the country’s death toll. Caixin reported last week that thousands of urns were sent to funeral homes in Wuhan, the center of the outbreak, in recent days, raising questions about whether the death toll in the city could be higher than the official figure of 2,547. | Observers have also scrutinized the country’s death toll. Caixin reported last week that thousands of urns were sent to funeral homes in Wuhan, the center of the outbreak, in recent days, raising questions about whether the death toll in the city could be higher than the official figure of 2,547. |
Reporting was contributed by Elisabetta Povoledo, Raphael Minder, Elian Peltier, Isabel Kershner, Ali Watkins, Stephen Castle, Marc Santora, Mark Landler, David M. Halbfinger, Michael D. Shear, Thomas Fuller, Megan Specia, Austin Ramzy, Neil Vigdor, Kate Taylor, Vivian Yee, Mike Baker, Rick Rojas, Vanessa Swales, Michael Levenson, Aimee Ortiz, Suhasini Raj and Kai Schultz. | |