COVID-19 Update 2020-03-11

The WHO has now declared the COVID19 outbreak a pandemic.

There are currently 126,000 of COVID-19 confirmed globally, with 4,614 deaths and 67,051 recoveries.

There are 38,170 confirmed cases outside of China as of March 10th, up from 8,555 cases on March 1st.

South Korea has 7,755 confirmed cases and Iran has 9,000.

Italy has 12,462 total confirmed cases reported so far today, up +2,313 from yesterday. In about 3 weeks, Italy went from 3 cases to over 12,000 cases.

According to Dr. Giacomo Grasselli, an anesthesiologist from the University of Milan, who is co-ordinating the intensive care response in northern Italy, as of March 9th Italy had approximately 600 patients in ICU, with 50 more being admitted per day.

“the most important thing is to avoid the spread of the disease through the education of the population, because no matter how good is your health-care system, if the tsunami arrives, sooner or later, you will be submerged.” he said in and interview with CBC Radio.

Italy continues a dramatic nation wide “lockdown”, barring their 60 million citizens from all all public events, including school, entertainment and worship.

Finance ministry officials in Rome are working out how to double their existing fiscal stimulus package to as much as €16 billion.

According to the WHO, China has largely controlled the spread of the virus, with just 17,512 active cases reported March 10th, down from a peak of 58,016 active cases on February 17th. China is decommissioning several temporary hospitals.

There are +281 new confirmed cases in the US so far today, bringing the total to 1,275.

The US had +106 new cases on March 8th and +306 new cases yesterday.

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

Following a meeting scheduled today of the US “Coronavirus task force”, President Trump will make a public statement regarding “additional measures” at 9PM ET. “I am fully prepared to use the full power of the Federal Government to deal with our current challenge of the CoronaVirus!” Trump tweeted this afternoon.

There are 126 confirmed cases in the Bay Area, up from 44 last Friday.

UCSC joined dozens of Colleges and Universities canceling all in-person classes yesterday.

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 has canceled all mass gatherings.

There are still two confirmed cases in Santa Cruz county.

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

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.

Regardless of how healthy you are, to protect the most vulnerable, don’t be a disease vector.

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