Now categorized as a global pandemic by the WHO, the COVID-19 virus has infected more than 1,000 people in the United States as of Thursday, March 12. As the virus continues to spread both in the US and abroad, people and organizations are starting to take precautions.
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo is calling for Iran to release detained Americans amid the growing infected rate in that country.
“The United States will hold the Iranian regime directly responsible for any American deaths. Our response will be decisive,” said Pompeo in a warning message to Iranian officials Tuesday night.Â
In California, passengers of the Grand Princess cruise ship continue to disembark and relocate to designated locations for mandatory quarantine periods.
A total of 1,406 passengers had stepped foot off the ship, known to be carrying around 3,500 crew and passengers, as of Tuesday evening.
At least 21 people on the ship had tested positive for COVID-19, leading to the California Department of Health and Human Services to board the ship and “to assist with medical screenings and interviews and have prioritized those who require the most medical attention and care,” according to a Princess Cruises spokesperson.
Meanwhile, Alex Azar, head of U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services said on Wednesday that the country is “in the beginnings of spread” of this coronavirus. “We’re seeing a real explosion of cases in Europe, we’re seeing increasing cases here in the United States which we’ve been clear we would see.
We’re still, I’d say, in the beginnings of the spread of this disease in the United States,” Azar told George Stephanopoulos in a recent interview.
Over 1,000 schools across the country have been closed amid fears of the virus spreading rapidly through students. These closures affect roughly 776,200 students in the United States.
In addition, numerous colleges and universities are also preparing by closing schools and canceling classes. The University of Maryland, which has had no confirmed cases of this virus, has asked students not to return from spring break until at least April 10.
On Wednesday morning, the Transportation Security Administration confirmed that three of its officers from Mineta San Jose International Airport have tested positive for the novel coronavirus.
“The officers are receiving medical care and all TSA employees they have come in contact with over the past 14 days are quarantined at home,” the agency said in a statement. “Screening checkpoints remain open and the agency is working with the CDC, as well as the California Department of Public Health and the Santa Clara County Public Health Department to monitor the situation as well as the health and safety of our employees and the traveling public. We will update as more information becomes available.”
Robert Redfield, Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has testified that the total death toll from this virus has reached 31 in the US.
Outside of the United States, other countries are grappling with the widespread effects of COVID-19. Italy’s Civil Protection Agency announced 2,313 new cases and 196 new deaths from COVID-19 in a recent 24-hour period.
In Iran, Vice President Eshaq Jahangiri has been confirmed to have tested positive for the virus.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel warned Wednesday that up to 70 percent of the country’s population could eventually contract the virus. As of Wednesday morning, Germany had 1,622 confirmed cases.
NCAA has announced that it is canceling the upcoming March Madness tournament, as well as conference tournaments. The NBA, MLB, NHL and other major sports league have all agreed to suspend the season along with putting a hold on operations.
Other organizations have also put limits on attendance and canceled some events, including the annual St. Patrick’s Day parade in Chicago.
