|
 With new infections reported around the world now surpassing those
in mainland China, World Health Organization (WHO) Director General
Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said even rich nations should prepare.
"No country should assume it won't get cases, that would be a fatal
mistake, quite literally," Tedros said, pointing to Italy, where 17
people have died in Europe's worst outbreak.
In addition to stockpiling medical supplies, governments ordered
schools shut and canceled big gatherings, including sports events,
to try to halt spread of the flu-like disease known as COVID-19 that
emerged in central China more than two months ago from an illegal
wildlife market.
The death rate appears to be around 2 percent, although it could be
lower if there are many mild, undiagnosed cases, experts say.
By comparison, seasonal influenza has a case fatality rate of around
0.1%, said Anthony Fauci, Director of the U.S. National Institute of
Allergy and Infectious Diseases, ahead of a meeting with Vice
President Mike Pence, who has been put in charge of coordinating the
U.S. response.
"So therefore you have somewhat of a serious potential for morbidity
and mortality," he said, adding, "We're dealing with a serious
virus."
There is particular concern over a case in Japan in which a woman
tested positive for the virus for a second time. Second positive
tests have also been reported in China and could imply contracting
the disease does not confer immunity. Scientists warned that much
remains unknown about this new virus.
The head of the WHO's emergency program, Dr. Mike Ryan, said
discussions were being held with organizers about the fate of the
2020 Olympics, scheduled for July in Tokyo, although no decision was
expected soon.
Their cancellation or relocation would be a massive blow for Japan,
which said it was closing its entire school system for the next
month in a bid to prevent spread of the virus.
The virus has so far mainly battered China, causing nearly 80,000
infections and more than 2,700 deaths, according to WHO figures. It
has spread to another 46 countries, where around 3,700 cases and 57
deaths have been reported.
"This virus has pandemic potential," Tedros told reporters in
Geneva. He said Iran, Italy and South Korea were at a "decisive
point," but still short of sustained community transmission.
MARKET SELLOFF
Spooked by the impact on China, the heart of corporate supply
chains, and the increasing effect on other countries, stocks sank
deeper into the red on Thursday and oil prices fell. [MKTS/GLOB]
Global equity markets have dropped for six straight days, wiping out
more than $3.6 trillion in value <.MIWD00000PUS>.
The S&P 500 <.SPX> finished 12% below its Feb. 19 record close,
marking its fastest correction ever in just six trading days, while
the Dow registered a record one-day points drop, which was also its
fourth 1,000-point decline in history and the second this week.
Jeremy Farrar, a specialist in infectious disease epidemics and
director of the Wellcome Trust global health charity, urged finance
institutions to commit an initial $10 billion funds to fighting the
virus.
[to top of second column] |
"What we are really missing is tangible, high-level funding and support from
global financial institutions," he said in a statement. "The possible impact of
this coronavirus is far beyond a health emergency - it's a global crisis with
potential to reach the scale of the global financial crisis of 2008."
Traders are betting the U.S. Federal Reserve will move aggressively to cut
borrowing costs in coming months in response to the effects of the coronavirus
on the economy.
Politicians are also scrambling to respond.
President Donald Trump's administration was considering invoking special powers
to rapidly expand U.S. production of protective gear, two officials told
Reuters. [nL2N2AR1RK]
California's governor complained that the state was monitoring over 8,000 people
but had only 200 test kits.
President Emmanuel Macron attempted to rally the nation as France's number of
reported cases doubled.
"We have a crisis before us. An epidemic is on its way," Macron said.
Germany, too, has warned of an impending epidemic. And Greece, a gateway for
refugees from the Middle East and beyond, announced tighter border controls.
There is no cure for the coronavirus, which can lead to pneumonia, and a vaccine
may take up to 18 months to develop.
MISINFORMATION 'EPIDEMIC'
Iran extended closures of cinemas, cultural events and conferences for another
week and called off Friday prayers in some cities. [nL5N2AR4SI]
The WHO's Ryan said Iran's outbreak may be worse than realized. It has suffered
the highest death toll outside China, with 26 dead, suggesting there are likely
many more cases than the 245 reported, which includes some senior officials.
Italy, desperate to stave off a probable recession, warned that an "epidemic of
misleading information" could do worse harm than the virus itself.
The coronavirus has played havoc with global aviation and tourism as airlines
cancel flights, countries ban visitors from hot spots and nervous passengers put
off travel.
Chinese authorities said the number of new deaths there stood at 29, its lowest
daily tally since Jan. 28. There were 439 new cases in mainland China as of
Thursday, the WHO said, compared to 746 elsewhere.
[Interactive graphic tracking global spread of coronavirus: open https://tmsnrt.rs/3aIRuz7
in an external browser.]
(Reporting by Ryan Woo, Yilei Sun and Lusha Zhang in Beijing, Daniel Leussink in
Tokyo, Aradhana Aravindan in Singapore, Parisa Hafez in Dubai, Stephanie Nebehay
in Geneva, Sudip Kar-Gupta and Michel Rose in Paris, Crispian Balmer and Gavin
Jones in Rome, Lisa Lambert in Washington, and Kate Kelland in London; Writing
by Catherine Evans and Rosalba O'Brien; Editing by John Stonestreet and Bill
Berkrot)
[© 2020 Thomson Reuters. All rights
reserved.] Copyright 2020 Reuters. All rights reserved. This material may not be published,
broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Thompson Reuters is solely responsible for this content. |
