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Coronavirus Update – Today, March 11, 2020
GOOD NEWS
Research – $125M to find coronavirus drugs started by Gates Foundation, Wellcome, & Mastercard
China has an app to tell people if they are quarantined any longer, depending upon their health and travel history.
The Stock Market rallied back and ended up 1,167, or 4.89%
Progress on federal programs to provide paycheck security for those impacted by coronavirus
1st Unitarian Church in Providence is having a virtual pot luck dinner on Friday night – we don’t know how they are going to do it, but kudos for doing it.
South Korea seems to have reached the peak with numbers dropping daily – # of deaths much lower than other countries – they credit fast testing as key
INTERNATIONAL
Pope Francis urges priests to go out & visit those sick from coronavirus (!)
Israel – all people coming into the country must quarantine for 14 days – this applies to citizens and anyone else – for a period of two weeks.
Bethlehem has been locked down due to people testing positive
The Congo has its first case
Canada is preparing business stimulus packages; working on a policy about cruise ships;
Netherlands – 4% of healthcare workers are positive for coronavirus
NATIONAL
Insurance companies – White House announced all tests will be free – all co-pays and deductibles will be waved
Nursing Homes – Coronavirus is nursing homes’ ‘greatest threat’ in years – some are eliminating visitors altogether
Colorado has declared a state of emergency
San Jose – 3 TSA agents have tested positive
The Ivy League is canceling its men’s and women’s basketball tournaments and limiting spectators at all sporting events
Democratic Debate – no live audience at the next debate
Las Vegas MGM Hotels are closing their buffets
Synagogues are being creative in adjusting their worship services – from asking people to “wave at the Torah” rather than touch it as it passes during the services, using individual chopstick “readers” to follow the scripture in readings, and they are also going to homes of the quarantined to perform daily readings for members of the congregation from outside their homes.
Society of Professional Journalists Northeast Regional Conference scheduled for March 20-21 has been canceled in Long Island – will be held next year in Bristol, RI
University of Dayton (Ohio) called out riot police as students demonstrated about university closing
New Jersey – first person died. In his 60s. First death on the East Coast.
Philadelphia’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade is canceled
New York has created a “containment area”. Testing will be available there and National Guard has been called out to help with monitoring, serving food, and cleaning. All schools and public areas will be closed to be cleaned. 108 people impacted by the virus live there. This area surrounds a synagogue. This came from the NYC attorney with underlying medical conditions who is in critical condition – his wife and children now all test positive.
Bernie Sanders, Joe Biden cancel rallies in Ohio
Former Director of National Security did a media interview predicting we are 10 days away from “a disaster situation” – in an op-ed in The Washington Post Bossert said that unless the U.S. closes schools, halts public gatherings and takes other steps to reduce community transmission, the country is headed for the sort of crisis Italy is now facing, with hospitals overwhelmed by elderly people in need of critical care.
RHODE ISLAND & REGION
Rhode Island now has 3 confirmed cases; and 2 presumptive cases. The first is a woman in her 50s who had traveled to Egypt. The second is a female in her 30s, with unknown origin of infection, and she is a healthcare worker at a Rhode Island hospital. Both individuals are recovering at home. We have 58 negative cases, with 24 pending. 270 people are in self-quarantine.
Roger Williams University – will extend spring break for one more week – and will move to online classes after that.
Rhode Island testing is currently being done at the RIDOH’s State Labs – with confirmation done by CDC.
Rhode Island will have a press conference today – March 11th Changed from noon to 4pm.
Poster for the Workplace provided by Greater Providence Chamber of Commerce: http://www.dlt.ri.gov/pdfs/COVID-19%20Workplace%20Fact%20Sheet.pdf
TF Green Airport – person taken off a Southwest plane coming to RI from Orlando, exhibiting signs of the flu and taken to a local hospital – unclear about the passengers on the plane
Care New England hospitals join Lifespan hospitals in restricting visitation at Kent Hospital, Butler Hospital and Women & Infants. (Lifespan = RI Hospital, Miriam Hospital, Bradley Hospital, and Newport Hospital)
ACI – no visitors with colds or under age of 18
Harvard has moved all classes online – telling students not to return from spring break
CVS employee who was working in an administrative office in Lincoln, RI tested positive – worker is not from RI and has left the state
Massachusetts – Gov. Baker declared a state of emergency this afternoon after numbers of presumptive positive cases rose to 92. A $15M spending package was developed for state programs.
Holyoke St. Patrick’s Day Parade canceled
MIT – students asked to move out of dorms – classes to go online.
Amherst College – students told to stay home after spring break
Trinity Rep – All performances, classes, and events at Trinity Rep are, to-date, proceeding as planned – an email has been sent out indicating the extensive cleaning procedures, etc. they are undertaking. They are honoring ticket exchanges if people want to reschedule.
Citizens Bank, Johnston – contractor has tested positive for coronavirus
Newport has reversed its decision and will now hold the St. Patrick’s Day Parade this weekend – however, they are saying they are seeking more advice from the state. (Mayor’s breakfast afterwards will be canceled)
PREPAREDNESS
Sanitizers – Compounding Pharmacies have been approved to make them. We know of JB Pharmacy in Warwick, for one – quantities limited
CDC – Now advising those over 60 should prepare to live in their homes for an extended period of time and at this time should try to stay in their homes as much as possible.