Global concerns rising over COVID-19, seven new cases in Canada, sixth deaths in U.S.
Posted March 2, 2020 5:45 am.
Last Updated March 4, 2020 12:45 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) — Concerns over COVID-19 are mounting around the world leaving some store shelves empty and famous landmarks sealed off to the public.
Despite assurances from the US administration that the COVID-19 outbreak is under control, Americans have been swarming stores to stock up on basic goods, such as bottled water, canned foods, and toilet paper.
Washington State recorded its sixth death linked to the outbreak on Monday, and a state of emergency has been issued because of the outbreak. Researchers said earlier the virus may have been circulating for weeks undetected in Washington state.
RELATED: Washington state authorities announce 2nd COVID-19 death in US
In a statement, Public Health-Seattle & King County said a man in his 70s died Saturday. On Friday, health officials said a man in his 50s died of coronavirus. Both had underlying health conditions, and both were being treated at a hospital in Kirkland, Washington, east of Seattle.
The World Health Organization says about 80 per cent of patients infected by the virus experienced mild illness, while about 14 per cent experienced severe disease, and 5 per cent were critically ill.
The most commonly reported #COVID19 symptoms incl. fever, dry cough, and shortness of
breath. Most patients (80%) experienced mild illness. Approximately 14% experienced severe disease & 5% were critically ill.WHO Situation Report 1 March https://t.co/QEXoew8lJP#coronavirus pic.twitter.com/ST2eSCAesI
— World Health Organization (WHO) (@WHO) March 2, 2020
Then in Italy, the number of cases has jumped 50 per cent in the span of a day and spikes have also been seen in Germany, Portugal, and France.
In France, the Louvre art museum in Paris has closed again Monday with some staff worried about unsafe working conditions.
The French government has banned any indoor gatherings larger than 5,000 people to prevent the spread of the virus, and Louvre workers worried about their own safety blocked the museum from opening Sunday, leaving confused tourists standing for hours in hopes of getting in.
RELATED: France’s Louvre stays shut amid staff fears of virus spread
While the virus has caused serious illness mainly for the elderly and those with existing health problems, most have had mild illness and some infected apparently show no symptoms at all. But attempts to contain the spread of the virus have been far-reaching.
Meanwhile, the number of new virus cases in China dropped to its lowest level in six weeks on Monday, and hundreds of patients at the outbreak’s epicenter were being released.
Canada’s number of cases is at 27 after three new cases of the virus in Ontario were announced Monday. However, the risk of the virus spreading in Canada remains low.
With a total of 88,000 cases, COVID-19 has now hit every continent on Earth with the exception of Antarctica.
