Coronavirus Update (4/2/20)

Update as of 8 am ET:

There are over 200K confirmed cases of COVID-19. However, there are many, many more unconfirmed cases. Many of these cases are people who do not even know they are sick—up to 25% of people show no symptoms.

Please use proper handwashing techniques as well as keep distance from others, as you may be infecting people without knowing.

WHO estimates that 100K-240K people may die from COVID-19 in the U.S.

A 6-week infant passed away from COVID-19 (confirmed with a positive test)—the youngest patient on record.

Stay at home orders have been issued for 12 states. Each state has its own policies, which you can find in this The Hill article. While these states are ordering its citizens to remain at home, there are establishments, businesses, healthcare centers and hospitals, and agencies that are deemed “essential” and remain open. You can find out more in this Newsweek article.

From CDC:

What’s a pandemic?

A pandemic is a global outbreak of disease. Pandemics happen when a new virus emerges to infect people and can spread between people sustainably. Because there is little to no pre-existing immunity against the new virus, it spreads worldwide.

The CDC says the risk exposure to American citizens to increase as community outbreak spreads.

From FDA on April 1, 2020:

Chain restaurants and similar establishments are required to provide nutritional information (and calorie declaration) for standard menu items so people can select healthier foods during the outbreak.

Warning letters are continuing to be sent to companies for selling fraudulent COVID-19 products and will continue to pursue companies that put people at risk.

Over 110 laboratories have begun testing for COVID-19.