19 Mar. 2020

Hubei reports 1 new COVID-19 case, 11 deaths 

One new COVID-19 case was confirmed in central China's Hubei Province, the epicenter of the outbreak, as of midnight on Tuesday. A total of 11 more deaths were also reported, according to the provincial health commission.    

It is the 7nth consecutive day of single-digit new cases in the province.

The new patient was a domestically-transmitted case in Hubei's capital city, Wuhan and was reported from an outpatient clinic. The patient works for a local market and might have contracted the virus through direct exposure at the market or contact with people who work there, according to the health commission. 

On the same day, 896 patients were discharged from hospitals in the province and a total of 56,883 have recovered as of Tuesday in Hubei.

Also on Tuesday, the province saw zero suspected case.

The COVID-19 outbreak was first reported in the city of Wuhan, central China's Hubei Province, in December 2019. Experts have attributed the outbreak to a novel coronavirus that has since spread across China and abroad with confirmed cases exceeding 180,000 globally.

Here is what we know so far:

In China: 81,151 confirmed cases; 3,242 deaths (including four in Hong Kong and one in Taiwan); 69,725 recovered 

Outside China: Over 114,880 confirmed cases; over 4,660 deaths. The total number of cases and deaths outside China surpasses those inside. 

The U.S. has reported confirmed COVID-19 cases in all its 50 states. The nationwide death toll hits 100.

State leaders and senior officials on alert: Brazilian president's second virus test comes out negative, while spouses of Canadian and Spanish PMs test positive. 

• 14:01, 18-Mar-2020

Latest development on coronavirus in the world

Asia

Sri Lanka announced a two-week suspension of all flights arriving into the country, effective on Wednesday midnight.

Vietnam said there're currently 67 cases in the country.

Thailand reported a spike in cases, with its total rising by 35 to 212.

Kyrgyzstan confirmed its first coronavirus cases with three citizens testing positive after arriving from Saudi Arabia, becoming the latest country to hit by COVID-19.

Kazakhstan, Georgia have both registered a total of 35 confirmed cases so far.

India said one of its serviceman stationed in northern border has tested positive for the virus. It's the first infection in Indian military. Latest number of infections in India is 147.

Europe

Russia said 21 additional cases were identified, bring the total to 114 as of Tuesday night.

Moldova announced a 60-day state of emergency due to end on May 15 with all its borders closed, flights halted, and school classes, shopping, as well as all community activities called off.

Americas

In the U.S., the White House has submitted an emergency funding request to the Congress for an additional 45.8 billion U.S. dollars in light of the outbreak in 50 states.

Barbados recorded first two cases of COVID-19 on Tuesday, both had U.S. travel history.

Colombia declared state of emergency from March 20 to May 31 and requested forced home isolation of elderly above 70.

Chile reported 45 new cases on Tuesday, total now at 201.

Mexica said there're 93 coronavirus cases as of Tuesday night at 7.

In Uruguay, confirmed cases rose by 21 to 50.

Brazil has identified 291 cases as of Tuesday afternoon at 4.

Oceania

Australia said a sixth person, a 86-year-old man, died of the coronavirus. The country now has at least 513 confirmed cases.

Africa

South Africa reported 23 new cases, total stands at 85 as of Tuesday midnight.

• 13:55, 18-Mar-2020

COVID-19 Global Roundup: Global powers unleash trillions of dollars to stem coronavirus crisis

Around the world, bad news was relentless.

With the highly contagious respiratory disease racing across the world to infect more than 196,000 people so far, governments on every continent have implemented draconian containment measures from halting travel to stopping sporting events and religious gatherings.

While the main aim is to avoid deaths – currently at over 7,800 – global powers were also focusing on how to limit the inevitably devastating economic impact.

• 13:32, 18-Mar-2020

Taiwan halts overseas arrivals starting March 19

In a bid to curb the spread of COVID-19, the Taiwan authorities announced Wednesday that no one but its own residents shall be allowed to enter the region starting Thursday. 

Taiwan residents from other regions shall be subjected to a 14-day quarantine or medical surveillance upon their arrival.

As of midnight on Tuesday, Taiwan had reported 77 confirmed cases of coronavirus with one death, according to China's National Health Commission.

• 13:08, 18-Mar-2020

Answer Bank: What should you do during home isolation?

Countries including China have suggested that some people need home isolation during the outbreak of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), to prevent the spread of the disease and more infections. So under what circumstance do people need to be quarantined at home? 

• 12:00, 18-Mar-2020

India shuts down Taj Mahal amid COVID-19 outbreak

India's iconic monument of love – Taj Mahal was closed down Tuesday amid a COVID-19 scare, officials said.

"As a precautionary measure in wake of outbreak of novel coronavirus, the world-famous tourist attraction Taj Mahal at Agra has been closed for tourists until the end of this month," a local government official said.

"According to federal government guidelines to contain the virus, all other monuments at Agra including Agra Fort, Fatehpur Sikri and Sikandra have also been closed for tourists until March 31."

• 11:15, 18-Mar-2020

Coronavirus dog in HK dies 2 days after release

A pet dog that tested "weak positive" several times for coronavirus died on Monday, two days after its release, local media reported, citing the dog's owner.

The dog was released on Saturday after finally testing negative for the virus.

Its owner has rejected a necropsy to ascertain the cause of death.

Hong Kong's Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) said three tests were conducted on the dog in February and March, all showing a "low-level" infection of coronavirus.

The animal never displayed any virus-related symptoms.

The AFCD said in a statement last week that the results "indicate that the virus likely spread from the infected persons and subsequently infected the dog."

• 10:22, 18-Mar-2020

Facts Tell: Why would Trump label COVID-19 a 'Chinese Virus'?

Why would U.S. President Donald Trump describe COVID-19 as a "Chinese Virus"? Some experts said this might cause people to think about disease in dangerous ways.

• 10:06, 18-Mar-2020

Chinese Embassy in UK refutes reports on student's death from coronavirus

The Chinese Embassy in the UK on Wednesday refuted false reports on a Chinese student's death in the UK due to coronavirus infection. 

Rumors said a Chinese student, who died from the infection, had asked to be hospitalized but didn't get any medical assistance while under home quarantine.  

The embassy said in a statement that they had not been notified of such a case from the relevent UK departments, urging overseas Chinese nationals to be rational and calm to protect themselves amid the coronavirus outbreak.  

• 09:53, 18-Mar-2020

Brazilian president says second test for coronavirus negative

Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro said his second test for COVID-19 came back negative in a Twitter post late Tuesday.

The 64-year-old, who had recently met with U.S. President Donald Trump, confirmed his first test result last Friday, dispelling rumors that he had contracted the virus.

Source：www.cgtn.com/special/Battling-the-novel-coronavirus-What-we-know-so-far-.html

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