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Coronavirus briefing: Five updates for Monday, March 2
Five more U.S. coronavirus patients died Sunday and Monday near Seattle as the number of cases across the nation and world continued to grow.
More than 90,000 cases of the COVID-19 virus have been confirmed worldwide with more than 3,000 deaths as of March 2, according to Johns Hopkins University. The United States has more than 100 confirmed cases with six deaths, all in Washington.
New cases of the virus were announced in Oregon, Rhode Island, Washington, New York and Florida on Sunday, CNN reported.
The World Health Organization has labeled the coronavirus outbreak a “very high” risk of spread and impact, but has so far stopped short of declaring it a global pandemic.
Here’s the latest coronavirus news for the morning of Monday, March 2:
Six coronavirus patients have died in U.S.
Four more Washington residents died Monday of coronavirus, bringing the total for the state and nation to six, The Washington Post reported.
A man in his 70s with underlying health conditions died Sunday of coronavirus in King County, Washington, near Seattle, USA Today reports.
A man in his 50s died of the virus at the same Evergreen Health hospital Friday night, becoming the first U.S. casualty of the COVID-19 virus, according to the publication. Gov. Jay Inslee declared a state of emergency Saturday.
San Antonio mayor declares emergency
San Antonio Mayor Ron Nirenberg declared a local state of disaster and public health emergency Monday in the Texas city, McClatchy News reported. He also banned quarantined evacuees from China at a nearby military base from entering or passing through the city.
The action follows reports that a person with coronavirus was mistakenly released from quarantine in the city before testing positive for the virus, McClatchy News reported.
First New York City coronavirus case confirmed
The first person confirmed to have coronavirus in New York City is a health-care worker, the New York Post reports.
The 39-year-old woman, who recently returned from Iran, avoided mass transit on returning to the U.S. and self-quarantined herself, said Gov. Andrew Cuomo, according to the publication.
“So in this case, because of those circumstances — because of her knowledge — she acted in a textbook way,” Cumo said, The New York Post reported.
Florida declares state of emergency
Florida reported its first two coronavirus cases on Sunday, and Gov. Ron DeSantis declared a public health emergency, the Florida Department of Health announced.
The department reported that a Hillsborough County resident with a history of travel to Italy, which has been hard-hit by the virus, and a Manatee County resident with no history of travel outside the U.S. both tested positive for coronavirus.
“This is the scenario that we prepare for every day in public health,” said Florida Surgeon General Dr. Scott Rivkees, a statement from the agency says.
Tips to help protect yourself from coronavirus
Known coronavirus symptoms include fever, cough and shortness of breath, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports. Symptoms can appear within two to 14 days of exposure to the virus.
The CDC suggests avoiding close contact with people who are sick, avoiding touching your eyes, nose, and mouth, staying home when you are sick, covering your cough or sneeze with a tissue and cleaning and disinfecting frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.
The agency also advises washing your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.
The CDC does not advise that healthy people wear face masks, but says they should be worn by coronavirus patients to help avoid spreading the illness.
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