In international COVID-19 developments, two countries announced major new steps aimed at controlling the spread of the virus, with Italy shuttering all schools and universities and Saudi Arabia temporarily banning all Umrah pilgrims.
Three more European countries reported their first novel coronavirus cases, and—as three countries on three continents continue to grapple with large outbreaks—the World Bank yesterday announced $12 billion to immediately support countries that are coping with the health and economic impacts of the epidemic.
The World Bank said the package will make funds available to developing countries on a fast-track basis. It includes a combination of grants and low-interest loans for low-income countries and loans for middle-income countries, and it said the support will cover a range of interventions, from strengthening health services to conducting surveillance to training frontline health workers.
Italy's deaths top 100
Italy's health ministry today reported 587 more cases, boosting its overall total to 3,089. Also, 28 more people died from their infections, pushing the country's fatality count to 107. Though cases have been reported in all 20 of Italy's regions, more than 2,700 of them are in three hard-hit northern regions: Lombardy, Emilia-Romagna, and Veneto.
Also today, the ministry announced the temporary closure of all schools and universities throughout the whole country, starting tomorrow and extending to Mar 15. Health officials have distributed 25,000 surgical masks to 11 "red zone" cities, 10 in Lombardy and 1 in Veneto, for people with confirmed or suspected infections. It said it also distributed masks with filters to health personnel in all of Italy's regions.
In a related development, Italy's government has ordered all sporting events to take place without spectators until April 3, according to media reports.
So far, 36 European region countries have reported nearly 3,500 cases, at least 85 of them fatal, according to an online dashboard from the World Health Organization (WHO) European regional office. Italy has the most, with Germany, France, and Spain as the next hardest-hit countries.
The newest countries to report their first cases include Hungary, Liechtenstein, and Poland. Hungary's cases involve two students from Iran, Liechtenstein's patient had contact with a sick person from abroad, and Poland's patient had traveled from Germany.
Iran outbreak affects religious practices
Iran's health ministry today reported 586 more cases, plus 15 more deaths, pushing its respective totals to 2,922 and 92. Of the latest cases, about half are from Tehran province. A WHO-led mission arrived in Iran 2 days ago to assess the situation, offer support, and provide protective gear.
The country's state news agency today announced that the government has cancelled Friday prayers in all major cities, Xinhua reported.
The country's outbreak, as well as those in other hot spots, had led to several imported cases in other countries, and due to ongoing travel spread of the virus, Saudi Arabia's government today announced a temporary ban on Umrah pilgrimages. The country confirmed its first case earlier this week, which involved a traveler from Iran. Today it reported its second case, a Saudi citizen who returned from Iran via Bahrain, according to an Arab News report.
The WHO's Eastern Mediterranean regional office today said 15 of the region's member countries have reported 3,137 cases, most of them from Iran, with Kuwait and Bahrain each reporting more than 50 cases.
South Korea increase leads rising Asian totals
South Korea today reported 586 new cases, raising its total to 5,328. Four more deaths were reported, putting the fatality count at 32, according to the latest update from Korea Center for Disease Control. Daegu is still the country's main hot spot, accounting for about 4,000 confirmed infections. Much of the activity is linked to a large church cluster and some hospital outbreaks, but South Korea has also reported nursing home outbreaks, workplace clusters, smaller church clusters, and illnesses linked to sports facility and at least one travel tour.
China today reported 119 new cases, all but 4 from Hubei province, lifting the overall outbreak total to 80,270, according to an update from the National Health Commission. Officials also reported 38 more deaths and 390 fewer serious cases, putting those respective totals at 2,981 and 6,416.
Japan today reported 30 new cases, plus 3 asymptomatic carriers, bringing its total to 287 and reflecting a modest but steady rise in cases, according to the latest daily update from the health ministry. It lists is overall total at 317, which includes 30 asymptomatic carriers. The new cases are from 11 different prefectures.
Malaysia today reported 14 new cases today, its biggest 1-day jump, which raisesits overall total to 50, the Straits Times reported today. Most of the new cases are linked to an earlier confirmed case. And Singapore's health ministry today reported two new cases, one linked to an earlier patient, raising its total to 112.
