COVID19 in-the-news
The Basics:
PERSON-TO-PERSON SPREAD -
The virus is thought to spread mainly from person-to-person.
Between people who are in close contact with one another (within about 6 feet).
Through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs, sneezes or talks.
These droplets can land in the mouths or noses of people who are nearby or possibly be inhaled into the lungs.
Some recent studies have suggested that COVID-19 may be spread by people who are not showing symptoms.
Maintaining good social distance (about 6 feet) is very important in preventing the spread of COVID-19.
SPREAD FROM CONTACT WITH CONTAMINATED SURFACES OR OBJECTS -
It may be possible that a person can get COVID-19 by touching a surface or object that has the virus on it and then touching their own mouth, nose, or possibly their eyes. This is not thought to be the main way the virus spreads, but we are still learning more about this virus.
Wash your hands often with soap and water. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand rub. Also, routinely clean frequently touched surfaces.
HOW EASILY THE VIRUS SPREADS -
How easily a virus spreads from person-to-person can vary. Some viruses are highly contagious, like measles, while other viruses do not spread as easily. Another factor is whether the spread is sustained, which means it goes from person-to-person without stopping.
The virus that causes COVID-19 is spreading very easily and sustainably between people. Information from the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic suggest that this virus is spreading more efficiently than influenza, but not as efficiently as measles, which is highly contagious.
PEOPLE WHO ARE HIGHER RISK -
COVID-19 is a new disease and there is limited information regarding risk factors for severe disease. Based on currently available information and clinical expertise, older adults and people of any age who have serious underlying medical conditions might be at higher risk for severe illness from COVID-19.
Based on what we know now, those at high-risk for severe illness from COVID-19 are:
People who live in a nursing home or long-term care facility
People of all ages with underlying medical conditions, particularly if not well controlled, including:
People with chronic lung disease or moderate to severe asthma
People who have serious heart conditions
People who are immunocompromised
Many conditions can cause a person to be immunocompromised, including cancer treatment, smoking, bone marrow or organ transplantation, immune deficiencies, poorly controlled HIV or AIDS, and prolonged use of corticosteroids and other immune weakening medications
People with severe obesity (body mass index [BMI] of 40 or higher)
People with diabetes
People with chronic kidney disease undergoing dialysis
People with liver disease
THE TIMELINE:
November 2019 - First case in Wuhan, China
Various reports suggest that the first case arose in Wuhan, China, toward the end of 2019, though some reports point to cases in early December. (USA Today)
December 30, 2019 - Physicians alerted about new disease
Li Wenliang, an ophthalmologist at Wuhan Central Hospital, alerted physicians about the emergence of a SARS-like illness. He was later detained by police on charges of spreading rumors. (USA Today)
December 31, 2019 - Cluster of pneumonia cases reported
Wuhan Municipal Health Commission, China, reported a cluster of cases of pneumonia in Wuhan, Hubei Province. A novel coronavirus was eventually identified. (WHO)
January 1, 2020 - Wuhan seafood market closed
Wuhan officials closed down the Huanan seafood market, which is thought to be linked to the first group of cases. (USA Today)
January 11, 2020 - First death in China
China reported its first death. (USA Today)
January 13, 2020 - First COVID case outside of China
Officials confirm a case of COVID-19 in Thailand, the first recorded case outside of China. (WHO)
January 14, 2020 - Pandemic likely
Top Chinese officials determined they likely were facing a pandemic, according to internal documents obtained by The Associated Press. In the following days, Wuhan hosted a mass banquet for tens of thousands of people. (USA Today)
January 17, 2020 - Airport screenings begin in US
The CDC began implementing public health entry screening at San Francisco (SFO), New York (JFK) and Los Angeles (LAX) airports. The CDC would later add screening at two more airports Atlanta (ATL) and Chicago (ORD). (USA Today)
January 21, 2020 - First US case confirmed
The CDC confirmed the first U.S. case of a new coronavirus that had killed six people so far in China. The Washington state man in his 30s returned from Wuhan a week earlier, on Jan. 15. Nancy Messonnier, director of the National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, called the news "concerning," particularly in light of reports that the virus has begun to spread from person to person. (USA Today)
January 24, 2020 - China shuts down cities; US says there is “low risk”
Chinese authorities locked down at least three cities with a combined population of more than 18 million in an unprecedented effort to contain the virus during the busy Lunar New Year travel period. (USA Today)
Anthony Fauci, head of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, comments on the risk to Americans. "We don't want the American public to be worried about this because their risk is low," Fauci said. "On the other hand, we are taking this very seriously and are dealing very closely with Chinese authorities." (USA Today)
January 29, 2020 - 195 Americans return from China
195 Americans Return from China - The first group of passengers returned to the U.S. from China. They were expected to remain under observation for up to three days as they were screened, a CDC official said. The American passengers flew into California from Wuhan, with a stopover in Anchorage, Alaska, where they had also been screened. (USA Today)
January 30, 2020 - Global health emergency declared
Global Health Emergency Declared:
The number of confirmed cases is likely to grow, health officials said. There are more than 12,100 suspected cases in China that are either awaiting test results or haven’t been tested yet, on top of the 8,137 that have already been confirmed in the country, according to WHO and China state media data released Thursday. Although the coronavirus doesn’t appear to be as deadly as SARS, which had a mortality rate of about 11%, it is spreading significantly faster. The WHO data shows there are roughly 1,400 people in China who are severely ill. (CNBC)
US Reports First Case of Person-To-Person Transmission:
The CDC reported that the first case of person-to-person transmission in the U.S. is the husband of a Chicago woman who developed symptoms after visiting China. "We understand this may be concerning, but based on what we know now, our assessment remains that the immediate risk to the American public is low," said Robert Redfield, director of the CDC. (USA Today)
January 31, 2020 - US declares public health emergency
The Trump administration declared the coronavirus outbreak to be a public health emergency in the United States, setting quarantines of Americans who have recently been to certain parts of China. CDC officials said it was the first quarantine order issued by the federal government in over 50 years.
The outbreak had infected nearly 12,000 people, most of them in China, and killed more than 250 people, all in China. (USA Today)
February 2, 2020 - First death outside of China
First Death Outside of China: A 44-year-old Chinese man hospitalized in the Philippines became the first known fatality outside China from the new virus that has killed more than 300 people. (USA Today)
February 6, 2020 - First deaths in US
First Death in US: Autopsies on the bodies of two people who died at home on Feb. 6 and Feb. 17 showed they were positive for the virus, a California county announced April 21. (USA Today)
February 11, 2020 - Formal name COVID-19 introduced
The WHO announced a formal name for the coronavirus – COVID-19. Meanwhile, China reported its highest daily coronavirus death toll, the 103 additional fatalities pushing the total past 1,100. "With 99% of cases in China, this remains very much an emergency for that country, but one that holds a very grave threat for the rest of the world," WHO's Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said.
The CDC confirmed the 13th U.S. coronavirus case, and about 800 Americans evacuated from Wuhan remain under quarantine. At a rally in New Hampshire, Trump said that, "in theory" once the weather warms up, "the virus" will "miraculously" go away. (USA Today)
February 12, 2020 - First American dies
First American dies: A 60-year-old U.S. citizen became what appears to be the first American fatality from the global virus outbreak. The American victim, who was not identified, died in China after being diagnosed with the coronavirus in Wuhan, according to the U.S. Embassy. (USA Today)
February 23, 2020 - Italy locks down
Italy locks down: Schools, businesses and restaurants were closed in a dozen northern Italian towns following reports of two deaths tied to an outbreak of the coronavirus in the region. The virus would begin to spread rapidly through Europe and Iran. (USA Today)
March 3, 2020 - US cases surpass 100
March 11, 2020 - Global Pandemic Declared
Trump addressed the nation on the coronavirus outbreak and outlined strict travel restrictions on passengers arriving in the United States from hard-hit portions of Europe. Three days later, he added the United Kingdom and Ireland to the ban.
The WHO declared that the spread of COVID-19 had become a pandemic, which the organization has defined as "the worldwide spread of a new disease." Infections outside China have increased 13-fold in two weeks, WHO's director general said. In that same time, the number of countries hit by the outbreak has tripled. (USA Today)
March 12, 2020 - #FlattenTheCurve
The “flatten the curve” concept is simple: if everyone gets sick at the same time, hospitals will be overwhelmed and people will die without treatment. However, if everyone does what they can to avoid spreading the virus and “flatten” the infection numbers on any given day, hospitals will have a better chance of giving all patients the help they need over a longer period of time.The best way to flatten the curve is to wash your hands, avoid large crowds and practice social distancing, public health officials have repeatedly said.
“What we need to do is flatten that down,” said Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the U.S. Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, during a White House briefing on Tuesday. “You do that with trying to interfere with the natural flow of the outbreak.” More than 127,000 people have been diagnosed with COVID-19 worldwide since the outbreak started in late December. The disease has killed more than 4,700 people, including one in Canada. (Global News)
March 13, 2020 - National emergency in US declared
Trump declared the coronavirus pandemic to be a national emergency. Trump said the move would free up nearly $50 billion in additional disaster funding and would allow HHS to waive regulations and laws to deliver coronavirus testing quicker. (USA Today)
March 16, 2020 - Social Distancing Implemented: No gatherings of more than 10 people
Trump issued guidelines that called for Americans to avoid social gatherings of more than 10 people for the next 15 days and to limit discretionary travel, among other guidelines. Trump said the country may be dealing with a number of restrictions through July or August as a result of the virus. He acknowledged the economy may be heading into a recession.
WHAT IS SOCIAL DISTANCING?
Social distancing are practices implemented by public health officials to keep contagious diseases from spreading. The measures are aimed at trying to cut down the amount of virus spreading around, and ultimately protect those most vulnerable, including the elderly and people with weakened immune systems.
WHAT MEASURES HAVE BEEN TAKEN?
Governments have closed borders, and millions of workers and students have been ordered to stay home. On Monday, U.S. officials recommended that older people and those with underlying health conditions “stay home and away from other people.” The U.S. is also telling people not to gather in large groups. And experts also recommend people try to stay at least 6 feet (about 2 meters) away from each other.
WHY 6 FEET?
Experts believe the virus is mainly spread through droplets that come out of your mouth and nose. When an infected person speaks or exhales or coughs or sneezes, the droplets travel about 3 to 6 feet (1 to 2 meters) before gravity pulls them to the ground. “They fall pretty quickly,” said Dr. Jill Weatherhead, an infectious disease expert at the Baylor College of Medicine in Houston. It's important to try to block coughs or sneezes with a tissue or your sleeve, so as to not send those droplet flying directly toward someone nearby.
CAN I GO OUTSIDE AT ALL?
Yes, with some exceptions. And the guidelines vary based on where you live. “We're not being told to stay at home and lock the doors," said Dr. Willam Schaffner, a Vanderbilt University infectious diseases expert. “We're not there yet, and I don't think we'll get there.” People who have coughs and sneezes should stay home as much as possible, and call ahead to the doctor's office if they're planning to get their illness checked out, he added. People who have confirmed coronavirus illness should stay home, as should those who were in close contact with a confirmed case. (ABC News)
March 17, 2020 - Virus reported stable on surfaces
A study published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that viable virus could be detected up to three hours later in the air, up to four hours on copper, up to 24 hours on cardboard, and up to two to three days on plastic and stainless steel.
March 19, 2020 - US surpasses 1,000 cases
March 24, 2020 - Atlanta issues stay-at-home order
The basics: If you live in the City of Atlanta and you are able to stay home, you must stay home. The official wording in the executive order is that Atlantans must “shelter in place at their place of residence.” That paragraph also notes that the homeless are exempt but are encouraged to find shelter. Businesses are to halt nonessential operations. Nonessential gatherings are prohibited. If you live in an apartment, condo, or another area with shared spaces, you need to keep at least 6 feet away from other people while in common areas (the lobby, mailroom, courtyards, etc.). All businesses, unless defined as an essential business, must stop activities at their facilities except for minimum basic operations, but employees can continue working from home. And if you do leave your home, you are expected to stay 6 feet away from others as much as possible.
How long it lasts: The order will be enforced for the next 14 days, beginning Tuesday, March 24 and ending April 7.
What services will keep operating?
“Essential infrastructure”—which the order defines as public works construction, airport operations, utilities (water, sewer, gas, electrical), oil refining, roads and highways, public transportation (MARTA), taxi and rideshare operations (Uber, Lyft), solid waste collection and removal, and internet and telecom services. All of these employees are expected to maintain social distancing—staying 6 feet apart from others when possible.
First responders, fire, police, emergency management personnel, emergency dispatchers, and court personnel.
All healthcare operations (including doctors and dentists)
Grocery stores, supermarkets, food banks, convenience stores, and farmers markets and produce stands.
Farming
Businesses that provide food, shelter, social services, and other necessities “for the economically disadvantaged or otherwise needy individuals”
Media—newspapers, television, radio, magazines
Hardware stores
Banks and credit unions
Hotels
Gas stations, along with auto supply and auto repair services
Plumbers, electricians, exterminators, and other similar essential service providers
Post offices and those that provide shipping and mailing services (FedEx, UPS)
Laundromats and dry cleaners
Restaurants, but for carry-out and delivery only. (Schools can continue providing food for delivery/take-away. Nursing home and hospital cafeterias will operate as usual.)
Businesses that ship supplies needed for working from home or other essential supplies
Food and grocery delivery services
Home-based care
Residential facilities and shelters for seniors, adults, and children
Legal, accounting, and other professional services
Childcare facilities
Schools and universities are allowed to operate for distance learning and “essential functions”
March 26, 2020 - US passes other countries for most cases
March 27, 2020 - Trump signs $2 trillion stimulus package & US surpasses 100,000 cases
President Donald Trump signed the largest stimulus package in U.S. history. The stimulus package was expected to provide $1,200 checks to many Americans – and more for families – while making available hundreds of billions of dollars for companies to maintain payroll through the crisis. Trump also ordered his administration to use its authority under the Defense Production Act to force General Motors to expedite government contracts to build ventilators.
April 1, 2020 - US surpasses 200,000 cases
April 2, 2020 - Cases pass 1 million worldwide
The world registered more than 1 million confirmed cases in less than five months. In reality, that mark was crossed much earlier because many more people have the virus but were not tested. In the U.S., a record 6.65 million Americans filed first-time jobless claims the previous week, the Labor Department said. That number would later be revised up by 219,000 to an all-time high of 6.86 million. (USA Today)
April 3, 2020 - CDC recommends wearing face masks in public; Georgia finally has statewide shelter-in-place order
CDC continues to study the spread and effects of the novel coronavirus across the United States. We now know from recent studies that a significant portion of individuals with coronavirus lack symptoms (“asymptomatic”) and that even those who eventually develop symptoms (“pre-symptomatic”) can transmit the virus to others before showing symptoms. This means that the virus can spread between people interacting in close proximity—for example, speaking, coughing, or sneezing—even if those people are not exhibiting symptoms. In light of this new evidence, CDC recommends wearing cloth face coverings in public settings where other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain (e.g., grocery stores and pharmacies) especially in areas of significant community-based transmission.
It is critical to emphasize that maintaining 6-feet social distancing remains important to slowing the spread of the virus. CDC is additionally advising the use of simple cloth face coverings to slow the spread of the virus and help people who may have the virus and do not know it from transmitting it to others. Cloth face coverings fashioned from household items or made at home from common materials at low cost can be used as an additional, voluntary public health measure.
The cloth face coverings recommended are not surgical masks or N-95 respirators. Those are critical supplies that must continue to be reserved for healthcare workers and other medical first responders, as recommended by current CDC guidance. (CDC)
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What can I leave the house to do?
Go for a walk (with or without a dog)/run/bike/hike/any other outdoor activity where you are staying six feet away from other people at all times.
Go to the grocery store (including stores such as Target and Wal-Mart), pharmacies, and hardware stores.
Visit a healthcare provider, assuming they are seeing patients. Healthcare suppliers and home healthcare workers can continue working.
Care for a relative that is living in another household if you need to.
Go to work if you have an essential job at an essential business.
Pick up food from a restaurant.
“Obtain supplies and equipment needed to work from home”—which, in theory, could mean running by your office to get something or going to a store like Office Depot.
Purchase a firearm or ammunition—the order has a specific clause that states “nothing in this Order shall be construed to suspend or limit the sale, dispensing, or transportation of firearms or ammunition, or any component thereof.”
Evacuate your home in the event of an emergency, such as a fire or gas leak.
In addition, the following things are not specifically outlined in either the order or the handout, but are most likely acceptable based on the city’s previous order and the definitions outlined in Kemp’s order.
Take your pet to the vet, assuming your vet is open.
Take MARTA if you need to.
Take an Uber, Lyft, or taxi if you need to.
Go to the gas station.
Get your car repaired or buy parts for it.
Go to the bank or ATM.
Go to the laundromat or dry cleaner.
Take your child to and from daycare, assuming the provider is still open.
Go to the post office.
Go to the liquor store.
What can’t I do?
Go to the gym.
Do any outdoor fitness activity where you’re not keeping six feet apart from others.
Dine in at a restaurant.
Host a party.
Visit others socially (such as have dinner with friends, relatives, etc.).
Go to a bar or club.
Go to a salon or barber or get a massage.
Go shopping at the mall or other nonessential retail shop.
Go to a bowling alley, arcade, movie theater, or other entertainment venue.
April 8, 2020 - Wuhan lifts lockdown
The city of Wuhan was lit up after midnight to celebrate the lifting of a 76-day lockdown.
April 10, 2020 - US marks deadliest day
More than 2,000 people in the U.S. died of coronavirus on Good Friday, a new daily high in the nation's fight against COVID-19. Dr. Deborah Birx, coordinator of the White House coronavirus task force, said that the U.S. has not "reached the peak" of the pandemic but that there were "encouraging" signs that the curves were flattening or lowering.
April 15, 2020 - Protests to reopen the country
April 20, 2020 - Kemp announces plans to reopen Georgia
Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp is running into resistance from mayors and businesses who fear a new wave of coronavirus infections as he seeks an early end to his state's shutdown.
Kemp, a Republican and staunch ally of President Donald Trump, on Monday announced Georgia would allow nail salons, massage therapists, bowling alleys and gyms to open Friday. In-person church services can resume. And restaurants and movie theaters can open Monday. His order also bars cities from imposing their own restrictions on businesses.
It's the most aggressive move yet to reopen a state's economy as Trump optimistically pushes for a May 1 end to some statewide lockdowns. It also came as a surprise to mayors and some members of Kemp's own coronavirus task force.
In Georgia, mayors are pushing back, some businesses are saying they'll keep their doors closed and even Trump allies are questioning whether Kemp is moving too quickly.
April 22, 2020 - Trump “disagrees” with Kemp’s decision to reopen
President Donald Trump said Wednesday he told Gov. Brian Kemp he "totally” disagreed with his decision to roll back coronavirus restrictions and allow shuttered businesses such as nail salons and barber shops to reopen this week. Saying it was “just too soon” to allow close-contact businesses to resume operations Friday, Trump delivered a stinging rebuke to the Georgia Republican he endorsed in 2018.
“They can wait a little bit longer. Safety has to predominate,” the president said, adding that he still respects Kemp and will “let him make his decision.”
“Would I do that? No,” he said. “I want to protect people’s lives. But I’m going to let him make his decision. But I told him I totally disagree.”
Kemp’s office didn’t immediately comment on the remarks by the president, his close ally. The two spoke late Tuesday in what aides to Kemp described as a productive conversation. (AJC)
April 24, 2020 - Georgia salons, barber shops, and bowling alleys reopen
Undeterred by a barrage of criticism, Georgia state officials moved ahead Friday with plans to allow some nonessential businesses to reopen, even as coronavirus deaths increase statewide.
Gov. Brian Kemp, a first-term Republican, was one of the last state leaders to issue a stay-at-home order, effective April 3, to combat the spread of Covid-19. Kemp's decision has pit him against mayors from cities including Atlanta, Augusta and Savannah, as well as advice rooted in a data model often cited by the White House.
Georgia should not even begin to reopen until June 22, according to the model by the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation at the University of Washington, which assumes states will implement aggressive testing, contact tracing, isolation and crowd-size limits to prevent more infections.
April 27, 2020 - Restaurants allowed to open in GA, few actually do
“A lot of people, I think, want to get back to the new normal, which will be social distancing and all that,” Chris Heithaus, manager of 87 Waffle House restaurants in Georgia and the Carolinas, told the Associated Press, adding, “But they will be able to eat inside the restaurant.”
The majority of restaurants did not reopen but a few—including Waffle House’s 330 chain restaurants and more than twelve other restaurants in the Atlanta metro area—did, despite backlash from health officials and users online; “This is a really bad idea—I hope you are paying your workers extra and protect them,” said one user in response to a post on Instagram from Rocky Mountain Pizza announcing their reopening.
For those that did reopen, though, it wasn’t life as normal: Restaurants are required to adhere to a set of 39 guidelines laid out by the state government, including a mandate that all employees wear masks, owners screen employees for signs of illness, and restrictions on the amount of customers allowed inside at the same time.
Many owners that refused to allow dine-in service did so because they felt it was too early or unsafe, while others said they were waiting for more guidance from the state. (Forbes)
April 30, 2020 - Universities release projection models
May 3, 2020
There was a release that came out today that said there is a new strain of this coronavirus that is more contagious than the first. But then there was an article that came out and contradicted it. It’s so hard to know what is credible information and what isn’t right now. A lot of restaurants, nail salons, barbershops have reopened.
May 4, 2020
Cases continue to rise in Georgia as restaurants, stores reopen.
May 8, 2020 - States reopen as deaths toll continues to rise
More states do soft reopenings; traffic is on the rise; no workplaces are open yet - unemployment reaches 14.7% which is the highest since the Great Depression almost 100 years ago (20.5 million jobs were lost just last month)
