U.S. Could Be Coronavirus Epicenter

As reported by CBS News, the World Health Organization said Tuesday the U.S. could become the new epicenter of the coronavirus pandemic. "We are now seeing a very large acceleration in cases in the U.S. So it does have that potential," WHO spokeswoman Margaret Harris said, according to the Reuters news agency.

About 20% of people on the planet have been told to stay home to stop the spread of COVID-19, which has infected nearly 400,000 people globally and killed more than 17,000 people.

There are more than 50,000 COVID-19 cases across the United States and more than 600 people in the country have died from the virus, according to Johns Hopkins University. 

Do NOT Take Ibuprofen

Information from Vienna laboratory scientists who are studying COVID-19 indicates that the vast majority of people who died had ibuprofen/Advil in their system. Their advice is to avoid taking ibuprofen. If you have symptoms, only acetaminophen (paracetamol) is recommended.

Quick Facts

• Trump expressed outrage at having to ‘close the country’ to curb the spread of the virus.
• India’s prime minister decreed a 21-day lockdown for the country of 1.3 billion.
• New York’s case count is doubling every three days, the governor says.
• The playwright Terrence McNally dies of complications from the coronavirus.
• Stopping New York’s outbreak may prove especially complicated.
• Democrats near a deal with the White House on the stimulus package.
• A wartime act will be invoked to produce test kits.
• Cases across New York are doubling about every three days — standing at 25,665 as of Tuesday.
• Some 3,234 people have been hospitalized in New York state.

States with Stay at Home or Shelter in Place Orders

By Wednesday, 17 current state orders take effect. More than 40% of the US population will be officially urged to stay home. Recent states implementing the orders are Hawaii, New Mexico, Washington, and Wisconsin. For a list of all states, which is updated daily, please refer to our map.

COVID-19: U.S. at a Glance

The following data comes from the most recent information published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

• Total cases: 44,183
• Total deaths: 544
• Jurisdictions reporting cases: 54 (50 states, District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Guam, and US Virgin Islands)

Current Sources and Origins

• Travel-related: 479
• Close contact: 569
• Under investigation: 43,135

COVID-19 Situation in the United States

Different parts of the country are seeing different levels of COVID-19 activity. The United States nationally is in the initiation phase of the pandemic. States in which community spread is occurring are in the acceleration phase. The duration and severity of each pandemic phase can vary depending on the characteristics of the virus and the public health response.

• CDC and state and local public health laboratories are testing for the virus that causes COVID-19. View CDC’s Public Health Laboratory Testing map.
• All 50 states have reported cases of COVID-19 to CDC.
• U.S. COVID-19 cases include:

1. Imported cases in travelers
2. Cases among close contacts of a known case
3. Community-acquired cases where the source of the infection is unknown.

• Twenty-seven U.S. states are reporting some community spread of COVID-19.
• View latest case counts, deaths, and a map of states with reported cases.

Tips for Helping to Contain the Spread

• On March 16, the White House announced a program called “15 Days to Slow the Spread,” which is a nationwide effort to slow the spread of COVID-19 through the implementation of social distancing at all levels of society.
• Older people and people with severe chronic conditions should take special precautions because they are at higher risk of developing serious COVID-19 illness.
• If you are a healthcare provider, use your judgment to determine if a patient has signs and symptoms compatible with COVID-19 and whether the patient should be tested. Factors to consider in addition to clinical symptoms may include:

1. Does the patient have recent travel from an affected area?
2. Has the patient been in close contact with someone with COVID-19 or with patients with pneumonia of unknown cause?
3. Does the patient reside in an area where there has been community spread of COVID-19?

• If you are a healthcare provider or a public health responder caring for a COVID-19 patient, please take care of yourself and follow recommended infection control procedures.
• People who get a fever or cough should consider whether they might have COVID-19, depending on where they live, their travel history or other exposures. More than half of the U.S. is seeing some level of community spread of COVID-19. Testing for COVID-19 may be accessed through medical providers or public health departments, but there is no treatment for this virus. Most people have mild illness and are able to recover at home without medical care. 
• For people who are ill with COVID-19, but are not sick enough to be hospitalized, please follow CDC guidance on how to reduce the risk of spreading your illness to others. People who are mildly ill with COVID-19 are able to isolate at home during their illness.
• If you have been in China or another affected area or have been exposed to someone sick with COVID-19 in the last 14 days, you will face some limitations on your movement and activity. Please follow instructions during this time. Your cooperation is integral to the ongoing public health response to try to slow spread of this virus.

We’re Here to Help

Oloop Technology Solutions is committed to the safety, health, and wellbeing of our workers, customers, and communities. We will continue to post regular updates. For further information and resources, we welcome you to check out our COVID-19 Resource Portal.

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Photo by Brian McGowan on Unsplash