COVID-19 Update 2020-03-10

There are currently 118,467 of COVID-19 confirmed globally, with 4,267 deaths and 65,105 recoveries.

There are 33,627 confirmed cases outside of China as of March 9th, up from 8,555 cases on March 1st.

South Korea has 7,513 confirmed cases and Iran has 8,042. Italy has 10,149 total confirmed cases reported so far today, up from 5,883 on March 7th.

Italy has begun a dramatic nation wide “lockdown”, barring their 60 million citizens from all all public events, including school, entertainment and worship. Special permission will be required to travel. Some small businesses and shops are allowed to remain open with limited hours, provided people stand at least three feet apart. Mortgage payments will be suspended nation wide.

According to the WHO, China has largely controlled the spread of the virus, with just +26 cases reported today and 60,113 recovered cases outnumbering 17,512 active cases.

There are +84 new confirmed cases in the US so far today, bringing the total to 788.

US cases more than doubled between March 6rd and March 9th.

There are 98 confirmed cases in the Bay Area, up from 44 last Friday.

USC, Ohio State, Harvard, UC Berkeley, Stanford, San Jose State and SF State join a wave of universities moving to online classes only.

All Special Olympics events for Northern California have been cancelled along with Special Olympics events in several states.

Santa Cruz county local public schools remain open, but out-of-county field trips have been canceled and other events are under review. Schools are warning parents to prepare for possible closures.

The County of Santa Clara Public Health Department announced that people over 50 or in ill health should avoid any gathering of more than 150 people. Santa Clara has reported the first “coronavirus death” and has banned all large gatherings of more than 1,000 attendees.

There is a second confirmed case in Santa Cruz. An individual tested positive after traveling by air from Seattle.

The first Santa Cruz case involved an individual who was formerly aboard the Grand Princess cruise ship from San Francisco to Mexico February 11-21. They tested positive on March 6th.

There are no local shortages of food, though it is always a good idea to have an emergency supply.

KSCO’s own Doug Windfrey reports that Costco was out of Toiled Paper and paper towels on Friday, with other reports are coming in of store shelves emptied of toilet paper.

Dozens of news outlets have reported on global stockpiling of toilet paper, in spite of any government or major health organization recommending the practice.

You can find out more from the County of Santa Cruz Health Services Agency, by going to santacruzhealth.org.

If you experience Fever, Cough or Shortness of Breath, please call your Health Care Professional.

As is always true to prevent any communicable disease, stay home if you are sick, wash your hands frequently, cough or sneeze into your elbow, avoid touching your face, and remember, don’t pick your nose!!

– The COVID-19 Update from KSCO’s Director of Digital Media, Jonty McCollyer