Health

Daily COVID-19 pandemic roundup: April 16

(Update: Adds WHO, US, G20, Latin America)

Miami Desk, Apr 16 (efe-epa).- Here’s a roundup of stories around the world related to the novel coronavirus pandemic:

WHO: The World Health Organization on Thursday reported a resurgence of new coronavirus cases worldwide, with a total so far of more than 2 million confirmed cases and about 131,000 deaths. The WHO reported 80,000 new cases on Thursday and 7,800 deaths.

US: Protests are spreading in the US to pressure President Donald Trump and state governors to “reopen” the economy and lift the stay-home orders to limit the spread of the coronavirus, amid the severe economic downturn and spike in unemployment caused by the health crisis. Protests have been held in Virginia, Kentucky, Utah, Michigan and Ohio – as well as other states.

US: The number of people jailed in New York City has fallen to its lowest level since 1946 as authorities have been releasing prisoners who are not considered to be reoffender risks or who have served most of their sentences for minor crimes with an eye toward limiting the spread of the coronavirus among the prison population.

US: Seven additional governors in the Midwest have joined nine other Democratic state leaders, announcing Thursday that they will coordinate their plans to gradually reopen their economies while giving priority to protecting their populations from an increase in the spread of the coronavirus, this in contrast to President Trump’s oft-stated desire to open up the economy as soon as possible.

US: The Florida state government on Thursday revealed for the first time the number of people (both residents and staff) infected with the coronavirus in nursing homes, saying that 1,394 people in those facilities have tested positive for the virus and 126 have died.

US: The New Jersey Attorney General’s Office announced Thursday that it has launched an investigation of the recent deaths of residents of a nursing home in Andover, where 17 bodies were found after a tip was sent authorities.

G20: Saudi Arabia, which currently occupies the presidency of the G20, promised Thursday to allocate $500 million to certain international organizations to help fund the fight against Covid-19, the move coming a day after the US withdrew its financial support for the WHO.

LATAM AIRLINES: Latin American and Caribbean airlines are projected to lose up to $18 billion this year due to the coronavirus crisis, industry representatives said Thursday.

BRAZIL: At least 3,876 healthcare workers – 4.8 percent of the total – in the city of Sao Paulo, Brazil’s largest, are currently out sick with Covid-19, a figure of great concern because experts say the peak of the pandemic is still a month or two away. So far, 11 healthcare workers have died in Sao Paulo.

BRAZIL: Brazil’s Health Ministry reported Thursday that 30,245 confirmed coronavirus cases have been detected nationwide and 1,924 people have died.

ARGENTINA: Buenos Aires on Thursday launched at one of its public transport stations a rapid body temperature measurement system that, using infrared light, analyzes people’s faces and determines if they have a fever, one of the symptoms of the coronavirus.

COLOMBIA: The Colombian Health Ministry reported Thursday that 3,233 confirmed coronavirus cases have been detected so far and 144 people have died.

ECUADOR: Authorities in Guayas province – Ecuador’s epicenter of the coronavirus – said Thursday that the health situation could be much worse than the government has acknowledged after deaths during the first two weeks of April exceeded the normal level of around 2,000 (from non-Covid causes) by some 5,700. In all, Ecuador has experienced 8,225 confirmed cases of Covid-19 and an official toll of 403 deaths.

PARAGUAY: 3D printers at the FabLab in the University of Asuncion’s Architecture, Design and Art Department are working 24 hours a day to produce facemasks to alleviate the shortage of such PPE for healthcare workers in Paraguay.

PANAMA: The International Monetary Fund on Thursday approved an emergency request by Panama for $515 million to help the country meet its urgent balance of payment needs resulting from its fight against the Covid-19 pandemic.

PANAMA: Panama built a 100-bed modular hospital in less than 30 days to serve patients seriously ill with Covid-19. So far, about 3,800 confirmed cases of the coronavirus have been detected and 103 people have died, Panamanian President Laurentino Cortizo reported on Thursday.

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