2019-nCOV situation: 5 Feb 2020

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Pandemic Threats and Health Emergencies

2019-nCOV situation: 5 Feb 2020

Welcome to this special issue of the newsletter where we highlight latest research and policy news and literature on 2019-nCVO situation

Please send your feedback, articles and reports, or questions you would like to share to Dr. Chadia Wannous via email  cwannous@yahoo.com  

Wishing you useful reading!
Chadia
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2019-nCOV Outbreak Situation

 
WHO situation report no 16

  • Belgium reported its first confirmed case of 2019-nCoV acute respiratory disease.
  • WHO and partners have developed a global strategic preparedness and response plan, which outlines the public health measures that the international community can provide to support all countries to prepare for and respond to the 2019‑nCoVoutbreak.The overall goal of the plan is to stop further transmission of 2019‑nCoV within China and to other countries, and to mitigate the impact of the outbreak in all countries.
  • WHO is working with the travel and tourism industry to discuss real and perceived risks experienced in the industry, measures put in place for customers and employees, and challenges faced regarding implementation of the Temporary Recommendations associated with the declaration of a Public Health Emergency of International Concern. In the coming days, WHO will work with the industry to identify solutions to these challenges, within the framework of the International Health Regulations (2005).
  • WHO RISK ASSESSMENT

China         Very High
Regional Level       High
Global Level          High
https://www.who.int/docs/default-source/coronaviruse/situation-reports/20200205-sitrep-16-ncov.pdf

China’s National Health Commission, there have been a total of 24,324 cases reported and 490 deaths in China. 23,260 suspected cases have been identified, and 3,219 patients are in “serious” condition. Of the newly reported cases in China roughly 80% came from Hubei Province, the region that remains the epicenter of the outbreak and China’s top priority. 
 

Cruise ship hit by coronavirus outbreak

Philippines confirms third case of novel coronavirus
https://www.msn.com/en-ph/news/national/philippines-confirms-third-case-of-novel-coronavirus/ar-BBZF7ip
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Consequences of the Outbreak on Economy

Companies warn of economic crisis as China fights the coronavirus
The government steps up support, not to boost growth but to ensure social stability
https://www.economist.com/finance-and-economics/2020/02/04/companies-warn-of-economic-crisis-as-china-fights-the-coronavirus

Foxconn sees full China production resuming late-February:
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-china-health-foxconn/foxconn-sees-full-china-production-resuming-late-february-source

Airlines will be hit hard by coronavirus
https://www.economist.com/graphic-detail/2020/02/03/airlines-will-be-hit-hard-by-coronavirus
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Control Measures
 
US$675 million needed for new coronavirus preparedness and response global plan
https://www.who.int/news-room/detail/05-02-2020-us-675-million-needed-for-new-coronavirus-preparedness-and-response-global-plan

WHO, Google working to fight spread of virus disinformation
https://thehill.com/policy/healthcare/481138-who-google-working-to-fight-spread-of-virus-disinformation

Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Dedicates Additional Funding to the Novel Coronavirus Response
The foundation will provide up to $100 million to improve detection, isolation and treatment efforts; protect at-risk populations in Africa and South Asia; and accelerate the development of vaccines, drugs and diagnostics.
https://www.gatesfoundation.org/Media-Center/Press-Releases/2020/02/Bill-and-Melinda-Gates-Foundation-Dedicates-Additional-Funding-to-the-Novel-Coronavirus-Response

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China:
 
Wuhan Adds Three New Temporary Treatment Centers Reports show that Wuhan City is increasing their capacity to house 2019-nCoV patients. The new announcement stated that three large local spaces will be repurposed to hold and treat mild cases of 2019-nCoV. The repurposed gymnasium, exhibition center, and building complex are expected to hold 3400 beds and plans are that every 50 beds will be staffed with one physician and one nurse. 
https://www.globaltimes.cn/content/1178495.shtml
 
Other Countries

FDA Takes Significant Step in Coronavirus Response Efforts, Issues Emergency Use Authorization for the First 2019 Novel Coronavirus Diagnostic
https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/fda-takes-significant-step-coronavirus-response-efforts-issues-emergency-use-authorization-first

Two flights leave Wuhan headed for the United States, State Department says
https://edition.cnn.com/2020/02/04/us/us-wuhan-evacuation-flight-coronavirus/index.html
 
Hong Kong Imposes New Quarantine Rule
Hong Kong’s Chief Executive, Carrie Lam, announced a new quarantine rule for the region. The rule will require any traveler from mainland China, including Hong Kong citizens, to enter a 14 day quarantine process. In the same news conference, Lam also shared that Hong Kong would set aside funding totaling $1.28 Billion USD to fight the outbreak. 
https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3049102/coronavirus-hong-kong-government-extend-work-home
 
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Scientific publications and reports and news

Preliminary analysis of transmission and control of new coronavirus
Prior to travel restrictions being put in place in Wuhan, each person infected with coronavirus could spread it to between 1 and 4 people according to preliminary analysis by LSHTM researchers. 
Read more →

Data suggests virus infections under-reported, exaggerating fatality rate
In Wuhan, the epicenter of the disease, one person has died for every 23 infections reported. That number drops to one on 50 nationally, and outside mainland China, one death has been recorded per 114 confirmed cases.
Experts say the discrepancy is mainly due to under-reporting of milder virus cases in Wuhan and other parts of Hubei province that are grappling with shortages in testing equipment and beds.
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-china-health-deaths/data-suggests-virus-infections-under-reported-exaggerating-fatality-rate-idUSKBN1ZZ1AH
 
How effective is thermal scanning at airports?
Thermal scanning at airports detects less than 1 in 5 passengers arriving from a 12 hour flight who are infected with the new coronavirus.
Read more →

More Chinese cities shut down as virus death toll rises
Millions more people have been ordered to stay indoors as China battles to curb the spread of a new virus that authorities said Wednesday has already killed nearly 500 people.
https://news.yahoo.com/china-virus-deaths-rise-says-opportunity-halt-spread-003639384.html
 
In Quarantined Wuhan, Hospital Beds For Coronavirus Patients Are Scarce
First came Liu Xiaohong's fever and a constant, throbbing ache. Then six days later, on Jan. 31 and with her fever still raging, Liu desperately rushed by bike to the nearest hospital; taxi services had been suspended days earlier as part of a citywide lockdown.
https://www.npr.org/sections/goatsandsoda/2020/02/05/802896668/in-quarantined-wuhan-hospital-beds-for-coronavirus-patients-are-scarce
 
It’s time for a ‘no regrets’ approach to coronavirus  
At the beginning of January, almost no one outside China had heard of the pneumonia-like illness the world now knows as Wuhan coronavirus or, more technically, 2019-nCoV. The close of the month saw more than 11,000 cases confirmed, with counts rising daily. The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared a public health emergency of international concern. Hospitals in the epicenter, the Chinese city of Wuhan, are overwhelmed and turning away patients.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/outlook/2020/02/04/its-time-no-regrets-approach-coronavirus/
 
Stop a U.S. Coronavirus Outbreak Before It Starts
The Wuhan coronavirus continues to spread at an alarming rate. More than 20,000 cases have been confirmed in China, with another 23,000 suspected. Many in China aren’t even being tested due to a shortage of diagnostic supplies. The true number infected is likely much higher than reported. The virus has turned up in 28 other countries, including the U.S. A pandemic seems inevitable.
https://www.wsj.com/articles/stop-a-u-s-coronavirus-outbreak-before-it-starts-11580859525
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WHO Technical guidance
 
https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/technical-guidance

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Training course:
WHO “Emerging respiratory viruses, including nCoV: methods for detection, prevention, response and control” now available
You can access the course through the following link:https://openwho.org/courses/introduction-to-ncov
By the end of this course, participants should be able to:

  • Understand the fundamental principles of emerging respiratory viruses and how to effectively respond to an outbreak.

There are two modules, as follows:

  • Module A: Introduction to Emerging respiratory viruses, including nCoV
  • Module B: Detecting Emerging respiratory viruses, including nCoV: Surveillance and Laboratory investigation

The course will take approximately 1 hour to finish.
Web: https://openwho.org
 
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Knowledge Sharing

Thank you for reading. If you have thoughts, feedback, story ideas, or questions you would like to share or interested in partnering with us on a special event coverage, please send a note to Chadia Wannous via email cwannous@yahoo.com  

 

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