THE HAGUE, Netherlands (AFP) — The first case of coronavirus in the Netherlands was detected on Thursday, in a patient who had traveled to northern Italy, the worst-hit area in Europe, the national public health institute announced. All those who have been in “close contact” with the person involved have been checked out and the patient placed in isolation said the National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM). The public health body advised […]
International
US VP Pence tasks US Global AIDS coordinator as new White House Coronavirus response coordinator
(Eagle News) – US Vice-President Mike Pence announced on Thursday, Feb. 27, that the US government’s leading official on HIV/AIDS will be the new White House coronavirus coordinator. In a statement released by the White House, Pence said that Ambassador-at-large Debbie Birx, the US Global Aids coordinator, will be joining the US team tasked to combat the coronavirus disease (COVID-19). “Today, Vice President Mike Pence announced the following individual to a key position on […]
Over 90 US labs to be ready for coronavirus testing by weekend, says health chief
WASHINGTON, February 27 (Sputnik) – All 93 public labs in the United States will be ready to run diagnostic tests for coronavirus by the weekend, Health Secretary Alex Azar said on Thursday. “The FDA [Food & Drug Administration] authorized the use of those tests by using just the first and second step to provide a definitive diagnostic,” Azar told a congressional hearing on US preparedness to deal with the virus. “So, 40 labs are […]
Italian doctors cure coronavirus patients with anti-Ebola, anti-AIDS drugs
ROME, February 27 (Sputnik) – The first three patients who have been cured of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in Italy were treated with anti-Ebola and anti-AIDS drugs, representatives of the Lazzaro Spallanzani National Institute for Infectious Diseases in Rome told Sputnik. Those who were cured in Italy so far are two Chinese tourists and one Italian national who had visited China’s Wuhan, from which the virus originated. All three were treated in the Lazzaro […]
Japan PM calls for nationwide closure of schools over virus
TOKYO, Japan (AFP) — Japan’s Prime Minister Shinzo Abe called Thursday on schools to close nationwide from March 2 for several weeks to prevent the spread of the new coronavirus. “The government considers the health and safety of children above anything else,” Abe said. “We request all primary, junior high and high schools… across the nation to close temporarily from March 2 next week until their spring break.” The spring break for public schools […]
Estonia reports first coronavirus case
TALLINN, Estonia (AFP) — Estonia reported its first coronavirus case on Thursday, a day after the man returned to the Baltic nation from a business trip in his homeland Iran. Social Affairs Minister Tanel Kiik told public broadcaster ERR that the Iranian citizen is currently hospitalised. “The person, a permanent resident of Estonia who is not a citizen, arrived in Estonia on Wednesday evening,” Kiik said. Local media said the man contacted the health […]
China virus expert says earlier action would have reduced infections
BEIJING, China (AFP) — China would have seen far fewer infections from the new coronavirus if it had been quicker to adopt strict control measures, a top Chinese scientist said Thursday, in apparent criticism of the way the outbreak was handled. The government has been slammed for not acting fast enough and for reprimanding those who tried to warn early on about the epidemic, which has killed more than 2,700 people and infected over […]
US, South Korea postpone joint military exercises over virus
by Sunghee Hwang SEOUL, South Korea (AFP) — The US and South Korean militaries on Thursday postponed forthcoming joint exercises due to the coronavirus outbreak in the Asian country as the number of cases surged by a quarter. The decision to delay the training was made after Seoul declared its highest “severe” alert level over the virus, Combined Forces Command said, adding the postponement was “until further notice”. The United States has 28,500 troops in […]
China reports 29 more virus deaths, lowest since January
BEIJING, China (AFP) — China reported 29 more deaths on Thursday from the new coronavirus epidemic, the lowest daily figure in almost a month, and the number of fresh infections rose slightly. The death toll now stands at 2,744 in mainland China, according to the National Health Commission. The daily tally of fatalities has fallen for three straight days now, hitting the lowest mark since January 29, when 26 new deaths were reported. The commission […]
South Korea reports 334 new coronavirus cases, total 1,595
SEOUL, South Korea (AFP) — South Korea reported 334 new coronavirus cases Thursday, taking its total to 1,595, still the largest in the world outside China, where the disease first emerged. No new deaths had occurred, the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said in a statement, with the toll remaining at 12. © Agence France-Presse
Trump to boost anti-coronavirus funds to ‘whatever’s appropriate’
https://youtu.be/938q2pHWOGQ WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — US President Donald Trump vowed Wednesday to spend whatever was appropriate to respond to the novel coronavirus. The administration requested from Congress $2.5 billion in funding to develop treatments, vaccines and a national stockpile of essential equipment, but Trump said he was happy to spend more if it was on offer by Democrats. “We were asking for 2.5 billion, and we think that’s a lot, but the Democrats and […]
Trump appoints Vice President Mike Pence as coronavirus tsar
https://youtu.be/6yGV90z6mBk WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — US President Donald Trump said Wednesday he was appointed Vice President Mike Pence to lead the US response to the novel coronavirus. “I’m going to be announcing exactly right now that I’m going to be putting our vice president Mike Pence in charge,” Trump said. “Mike will be working with the professionals and doctors and everybody else that’s working on the team.” © Agence France-Presse
