COVID-19 Updated Data & Developments - 3.30.2020

International case numbers

• Thursday, 03/30/20 11:30 am: 741,030 COVID-19 cases worldwide; 35,114 deaths; 156,838 recovered.¹
  • There is a frequently updated map of COVID-19 cases online at https://coronavirus.jhu.edu/map.html.
• The United States now has the highest number of COVID-19 cases in the world with over 143,532 diagnosed cases.
• Italy has the second highest number of cases with more than 97,000 cases and Spain has the third highest number of cases with more than 85,000 cases.
  • The number of cases and deaths are soaring in Spain while cases in Italy have begun to plateau.²
  • Deaths in Italy and Spain now outpace China. Italy has experienced 10,779 deaths due to COVID-19 and Spain has experienced 7,340.
  • New COVID-19 cases in China have dramatically decreased since early February. Newly diagnosed cases in China have not exceeded 125 per day in the past week.
  • The number of diagnosed cases outside of China exceeds those within China-- nearly 90% of all coronavirus cases have been diagnosed in other countries throughout the world.
  • New information from China finds that the mortality rate in Wuhan for symptomatic individuals is 1.4%.³ The death risk estimate from Wuhan, China is likely higher than the rate that will likely be seen in the US and is associated with a breakdown of the healthcare system.⁴ This finding indicates that proactive public health interventions to reduce burden on hospitals and healthcare workers, including social distancing, increased personal hygiene, and voluntary movement restrictions, are essential to reducing transmission and fatality rates. Incidence and mortality rates will likely vary from country to country depending on the health system and public health responses.

Epidemic curve of confirmed cumulative coronavirus cases worldwide (from WHO COVID-19 Dashboard, as of 3/30/2020).

Coronavirus cases by date of report worldwide (from WHO COVID-19 Dashboard, as of 3/30/2020).⁵

US National case numbers as of March 30, 2020, 11:30 am⁶

• 143,532 cases of coronavirus confirmed by lab tests, 2,572 deaths, and 4,865 recovered cases.
  • New York has the highest number of confirmed cases at 60,679, followed by New Jersey at 13,386 cases and California at 6,356 cases.
  • New York City is the American epicenter of the COVID-19 outbreak with 33,768 cases. New York state alone has confirmed more than 59,500 cases and currently has 8,500 people hospitalized due to coronavirus. Of those hospitalized, more than 2,000 are in intensive care.⁷
  • New urban hotspots are emerging in Detroit,⁸ Miami,⁹ Los Angeles,¹⁰ and Chicago.¹¹
  • The delay in ordering stringent control measures in Louisiana means that the state is now experiencing the fastest growing epidemic in the US.¹² Close social interactions, especially during the weeks leading up to Mardi Gras, appear to be at the root of the accelerating expansion.
• Risk in population:
  • A new study based on data from Wuhan estimates that the mortality rate of symptomatic COVID-19 cases is 1.4%. Those aged 60 and above were at a much greater risk of death than those aged 30-59 and the risk of symptomatic infection increased with age.¹³
  • The fatality rate estimate for COVID-19 has been very difficult to estimate as testing practices and availability vary widely between countries. In many areas, testing has only been given to the most severely ill patients and so many more cases of coronavirus likely have gone undetected.¹⁴
  • The fatality rate from data already available is 1.3% in people 50-59, 0.4% in people 40-49, and 0.18% in people 30 to 39. Those that are 29 and under face mortality rates 0.09% and under, and children ages 0-9 are estimated to experience mortality at rates below 0.01%.¹⁵ Data from the CDC shows that young adults ages 20-44 face a substantial risk of serious illness and hospitalization from the coronavirus.¹⁶

• Elderly: The death rate in elderly adults aged 80 or older is very high and believed to be over 15% and possibly as high as 22%.¹⁷ Older adults (those over 60 and particularly those over 80) and those with serious chronic health conditions (including heart disease, diabetes, and lung disease) are at a higher risk of getting very ill due to COVID-19. ¹⁸

• Children: Initial evidence suggests that children seem to be getting infected at the same rate as adults but have milder symptoms.¹⁹ In China only 2.4% of all cases are in young children.²⁰ However, a new study of more than 2,000 children in China suggests that children may be more susceptible to coronavirus than previously thought. One third of the children included in the study were confirmed cases while the other two-thirds were suspected cases.²¹
• Health care workers, home health aides, first responders, and teachers are among those at greatest risk of contracting coronavirus as a result of their job.²²
• Those that work in lower-income jobs may also face increased risk as the ability to work from home may not be feasible-- only 9.2% of those in the bottom income quartile (lowest 25% income earners) are able to work from home while 20.1% of those in the third income quartile (second-lowest, 25-50% incomes earners) are able to work from home.²³

New US developments

• Some states have begun to impose travel restrictions on out-of-state residents, particularly those from hard hit areas like New York City. ²⁴
• President Trump extends social distancing guidelines to April 30th.²⁵
  • Current guidelines recommend all Americans avoid nonessential travel, going to work, eating at bars and restaurants, or gathering in groups of more than 10.
• Johnson and Johnson will start human testing of their COVID-19 vaccine in September, to be ready for emergency use by early 2021. The vaccine would be sold on a not-for-profit basis.²⁶
• On March 28, 2020, the CDC issued a travel advisory for New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut residents to refrain from non-essential domestic travel for 14 days.²⁷
• President Trump passed a $2 trillion rescue package to combat COVID-19.²⁸
  • Taxpayers with incomes up to $75,000 will receive $1,200 and families will receive an additional $500 per child.
  • Jobless insurance will be extended by 13 weeks and include enhanced benefits for four months. It will include freelancers, furloughed employees, and contractors.
  • Health systems and hospitals will receive $100 billion and will have increased Medicare payments.
• 3.3 million Americans applied for unemployment benefits within the last week, quadrupling previous records.²⁹
• More than a dozen states have issued stay-at-home orders.³⁰
• The March 19, 2020 State Department Global Level 4 Health Advisory – Do Not Travel remains in effect. All US citizens should avoid international travel and those abroad should arrange for their immediate return unless they plan to remain indefinitely. ³¹
• Phase 1 clinical trial for a vaccine to protect against COVID-19 is underway in Seattle^.32
• The US-Canadian border will be closed to all non-essential travel.³³
• The US Treasury and IRS delay the tax payment deadline by 90 days.³⁴

Known cases in Connecticut (call 211 or text "CTCOVID" to 898211 for information)

• As of 03/29/2020, there are 1993 confirmed cases, 404 hospitalizations, and 34 deaths.³⁵
  • Fairfield County: 1245 cases
  • Hartford County: 276 cases
  • Litchfield County: 87 cases
  • Middlesex County: 38 cases
  • New Haven County: 280 cases
  • New London County: 20 cases
  • Tolland County: 40 cases
  • Windham County: 7 case

• As of 03/30/2020, Yale New Haven Health has 145 COVID-19 patients.
  • 34 patients are in the ICU and another 34 patients are on ventilators.
  • Two empty floors at the top of Smilow Cancer Center tower of YNHH have been opened up to accommodate the new CoV patients.
  • Of 1800 tests in New Haven, 141 were positive.

Connecticut developments³⁶

• Yale launched a multimillion dollar fund to aid New Haven and will match dollar for dollar towards its $5 million goal.³⁷
• The Connecticut Department of Health reports testing 1,761 patients as of 03/29/2020.³⁸
• The Connecticut Recovery Bridge Loan Program will make $25 million available to small business and nonprofit negatively affected by the pandemic. After receiving more than 4,000 applications they have temporarily stopped taking applications for the program.³⁹
• The Director of Infection Control at YNHH has confirmed that at the current rate of consumption and following current protective procedures, the hospital faces a shortage of some forms of personal protective equipment in two weeks.
• Professor Marie-Louise Landry at the Yale School of Medicine and her lab have established their own test for SARS-CoV-2 with the help of YSPH researcher Dr. Nate Grubaugh. Her clinical lab tested 752 patient samples from 3/13 to 3/21. They have been able to keep up and report results the same day samples are received.⁴⁰
• Governor Lamont requests that all “nonessential” workers stay home, starting at 8:00 pm on Monday, March 23. “Essential” workers include those in the health care sector, infrastructure, manufacturing, retail, food and agriculture, providers of basic necessities, services necessary to maintain public safety, and others.⁴¹
• New Haven
  • New Haven residents are encouraged to stay at home other than to make essential trips for groceries or medical supplies.
  • Yale New Haven Hospital and the city’s elderly housing complexes have restricted visitation.
  • During the school shutdown, pre-packaged breakfast and lunches will be provided at 37 schools from 9am-noon in a “Grab and go” program.⁴²
  • Stop & Shop announces new hours. The store will be open from 6am-7:30am for those older than 60 years old only.⁴³
• Access Health CT is announcing a special enrollment period for residents without health insurance the opportunity to purchase it.⁴⁴
• Connecticut bans gatherings of more than 50 people⁴⁵
  • Restaurants/bars will be takeout/delivery ONLY
  • Gyms closed
  • Movie theaters closed
  • Casinos closed
• All public schools will be closed until at least March 31.⁴⁶
• The CT Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA) ordered a moratorium on all utility shut-offs. Gas, electric, and water public services shall refrain from terminating utility service to residential customers, except to maintain public safety, for 30 days to ensure that all residents can safely stay at home.⁴⁷
• The CT State Department of Education received a waiver from the federal government to ensure that students can continue to receive meals during school closures and consume them at home. Many school districts have already begun to provide free meals for students.^{48, 49}

Known cases in Rhode Island (call 401-222-8022 for information)

As of 3/30/2020:⁵⁰

• 294 confirmed and presumptive cases
• 35 patients hospitalized
• 3 deaths in the state

Rhode Island developments⁵¹

• All cars with out of state license plates are being asked to participate in voluntary checks when they enter Rhode Island. If visitors from out of state are planning to stay in Rhode Island, they are being asked to self-quarantine for 14 days and are also being asked to provide their name, phone number, and the address they are staying in the state to ensure that they are self-quarantining. The measure is intended to reduce the transmission of coronavirus from those visiting Rhode Island.⁵²
• The Rhode Island Department of Business Regulations is requesting that stores currently open to the public restrict the number of shoppers in their building to 20% of the posted Fire Marshal Capacity at any given time. This restriction is meant to reduce coronavirus spread as well as allow shoppers to maintain adequate social distance from one another while shopping.⁵³
• The Honeywell manufacturing facility in Smithfield is planning to create more than 500 new jobs in order to expand production of N95 face masks.⁵⁴
• Governor Raimondo ordered that all entertainment and recreational businesses, including barbershops, salons, and tattoo shops, close starting at 5:00 pm on Monday, March 23.⁵⁵
• Starting March 23, all public schools in Rhode Island will implement distance learning for at least two weeks.⁵⁶
• The Rhode Island Public Utilities Commission mandated that all regulated utilities in the state cannot terminate service, except to maintain public safety, during the coronavirus emergency.⁵⁷
• Governor Raimondo signed an executive order on March 18 requiring that all health insurers doing business in the state pay for medically appropriate tele-health visits at the same rate as in-person office visits.⁵⁸
• Rhode Island bans gatherings of more than 25 people.⁵⁹
• Schools throughout Rhode Island are providing free “grab and go” meals to all children 18 and under while schools are closed.⁶⁰ All public schools and childcare centers in the state are currently closed through March 20.⁶¹
• Governor Raimondo ordered that all dine-in food and beverage service in restaurants, bars, coffee shops, and other businesses must shut down until March 30. Take-out, delivery, and drive-thru service can continue.⁶²

Key international developments

• The 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo will be postponed a year to July 23, 2021.⁶³
• On March 24, India’s Prime Minister Nirendra Modi announced a 21-day nationwide lockdown. The announcement caused millions of migrant workers to leave large city centers where they work to return home to their home villages, many of whom are unable to either afford to or simply cannot find space on transit options to take them home. Thus, millions of people are stranded and have to make the difficult decision to stay put, where they are unable to socially distance, or to undertake their journey on foot. The government plans to enact a $22.5 billion stimulus plan to provide direct cash transfers and food to those living in poverty.⁶⁴
• As COVID-19 spreads around the world, developing countries may be less prepared to deal with the pandemic than developed countries because of a lack of resources, general hygiene, and overcrowding.⁶⁵
• The presidents of Brazil and Mexico have been resisting calls to impose national emergency restrictions on business and social gathering. In Brazil, the governors of all states save one have imposed restrictions, contradicting President Bolsinaro. The mayor of Mexico City and the governors of at least nine states, including Jalisco, México state, Quintana Roo, Puebla and Nuevo León, likewise contradicted Mexico’s President Lopez Obrador and imposed restrictions.⁶⁶
• A hospital in Seoul, South Korea has implemented “phone booth” walk-in testing for COVID-19. The booths allow doctors to test patients for coronavirus while remaining separated by a plastic barrier to reduce patient-doctor contact and spread. After a patient has been tested, the entire booth can be rapidly disinfected before the next patient is consulted. This process has greatly increased the ability to test for coronavirus while decreasing the time it takes to consult individual patients and disinfect spaces that patients with coronavirus come in contact with.⁶⁷
• After reporting no new cases for the third day, China has begun removing checkpoints in Wuhan, the hardest hit city.⁶⁸
• The EU bans all non-essential travel to Europe for at least 30 days. External borders will be closed but movement within member nations will still be allowed.⁶⁹
• The EU has linked Russian media outlets to disinformation about the coronavirus. The EU-produced report states that the disinformation seeks to undermine public trust in health care systems abroad.⁷⁰
• Japan is reporting its first case of a person becoming reinfected with the coronavirus after showing signs they had fully recovered. There have also been a number of cases of reinfection in China.⁷¹

What is coronavirus?

Coronavirus is a family of viruses that have been known to infect humans. Viruses in the family are known to cause the common cold, SARS, and MERS. The virus that causes COVID-19 infects people and is easily spread person-to-person but is far less virulent than SARS. Cases have been detected in most countries worldwide, including the United States, and has officially been declared a pandemic, or a global disease outbreak. COVID-19 causes a respiratory disease that may be identifiable by dry coughing, breathing difficulties, and fever. Those that suspect they are infected with coronavirus should call their health provider first and should not go to a health care facility unless directed to do so.

Nomenclature

The novel (new) coronavirus, formally named “SARS-CoV-2,” and the disease it causes has been named “coronavirus disease 2019” (abbreviated as COVID-19) by the World Health Organization.

Is there a vaccine?

A phase 1 clinical trial for a vaccine designed by Moderna to protect against COVID-19 is currently underway in Seattle.⁷² Vaccines must go through at least 3 clinical phases to ensure their efficacy and safety before they can be approved and used in the general population.⁷³ Even with an expedited process it will be at least a year before a COVID-19 vaccine is fully developed and made available to the public.⁷⁴

What is a vaccine?

Vaccines are one of the most effective ways to prevent diseases. Vaccines are made out of killed or weakened parts of the virus or bacteria of interest. Once inside the body, the vaccine is able to stimulate the immune system to develop antibodies and thus immunity to the disease, all without the person getting the disease.⁷⁵

The vaccine currently being developed by Moderna uses genetic information, messenger RNA (mRNA), to deliver the vaccine. mRNA vaccines are an emerging platform and as of now no mRNA vaccine has reached the market. Compared to some forms of traditional vaccines (DNA-based, live/killed attenuated viruses), mRNA vaccines are thought to be safer because they are non-infectious and have no risk of potentially mutating inside the human body. Through chemical modifications mRNA is stabilized and readily enters into cells. Lastly, mRNA vaccine production is inexpensive, fast, and scalable.⁷⁶

Why did the CDC recommend an 8-week moratorium on in-person gatherings?

On Monday the US government officially recommended that people should avoid in-person gatherings of 10 or more people.⁷⁷ This recommendation is supported by evidence from South Korea and China, both of which appear to slowly be returning to life as normal after 8 weeks of anti-coronavirus measures.⁷⁸ On March 10, China closed the last of its temporary emergency hospitals⁷⁹ after seeing a dramatic decrease in new cases over the past couple of weeks.⁸⁰ Likewise, South Korea has experienced a substantial decrease in new cases over the past week.⁸¹

As the United States contends with this new and evolving situation, it appears likely that many businesses, offices, and schools will remain closed for longer than two weeks.

Information highlights from CDC website⁸²

• Symptoms
  • Symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure.
  • Fever
  • Cough
  • Shortness of breath
• Mounting anecdotal evidence suggests that a loss of smell and taste are significant symptoms associated with COVID-19. 83
• Testing84
  • As of March 15, all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and Guam have successfully verified COVID-19 diagnostic tests in state and local public health laboratories.
  • A number of states have opened “drive-through” coronavirus testing stations with more to come.85

How is coronavirus spread?⁸⁶

• 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 or sneezes.
  • Respiratory droplets can spread through the air (6 feet) or land on nearby surfaces where they can survive for a period of time (“Our studies indicate that aerosol and fomite transmission of HCoV-19 is plausible, as the virus can remain viable in aerosols for multiple hours and on surfaces up to days.”)⁸⁷

Guidelines from the CDC to Minimize Chances of Infection⁸⁸

• Clean your hands often
  • Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds especially after you have been in a public place, or after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.
  • If soap and water are not readily available, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. Cover all surfaces of your hands and rub them together until they feel dry.
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
• Avoid close contact
  • Avoid close contact with people who are sick
  • Put distance between yourself and other people if COVID-19 is spreading in your community. This is especially important for people who are at higher risk of getting very sick.
• Take steps to protect others
  • Stay home if you’re sick
  • Stay home if you are sick, except to get medical care. If you think you may have contracted the virus call your doctor first.
  • Cover coughs and sneezes
  • Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze or use the inside of your elbow.
  • Throw used tissues in the trash.
  • Immediately wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not readily available, clean your hands with a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.
• Wear a facemask if you are sick
  • If you are sick: You should wear a facemask when you are around other people (e.g., sharing a room or vehicle) and before you enter a healthcare provider’s office. If you are not able to wear a facemask (for example, because it causes trouble breathing), then you should do your best to cover your coughs and sneezes, and people who are caring for you should wear a facemask if they enter your room. Learn what to do if you are sick.
  • If you are NOT sick: You do not need to wear a facemask unless you are caring for someone who is sick (and they are not able to wear a facemask). Facemasks may be in short supply and they should be saved for caregivers.
• Clean and disinfect
  • Clean AND disinfect frequently touched surfaces daily. This includes tables, doorknobs, light switches, countertops, handles, desks, phones, keyboards, toilets, faucets, and sinks.
  • If surfaces are dirty, clean them: Use detergent or soap and water prior to disinfection.

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2 https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/europe/italy-coronavirus-cases/2020/03/26/0fffa6a2-6ec0-11ea-aa80-c2470c6b2034_story.html

3 https://www.nytimes.com/2020/03/19/health/wuhan-coronavirus-deaths.html

4 https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/eid/article/26/6/20-0233_article

5 https://coronavirus.jhu.edu/map.html

6 https://www.arcgis.com/apps/opsdashboard/index.html#/bda7594740fd40299423467b48e9ecf6

7 https://www.nytimes.com/2020/03/30/nyregion/coronavirus-new-york-update.html

8https://www.nytimes.com/2020/03/30/us/coronavirus-detroit.html?action=click&module=Spotlight&pgtype=Homepage

9 https://www.miamiherald.com/news/coronavirus/article241613456.html

10 https://www.latimes.com/california/liveblog/coronavirus-live-updates-monday-march-30

11https://www.chicagotribune.com/coronavirus/ct-coronavirus-illinois-20200329-jjrz2vsgmvewvbpj7sd27jbmqu-story.html

12https://www.nytimes.com/2020/03/26/us/coronavirus-louisiana-new-orleans.html?action=click&module=Top%20Stories&pgtype=Homepage

13 https://www.nature.com/articles/s41591-020-0822-7

14https://www.npr.org/sections/goatsandsoda/2020/03/27/821958435/why-death-rates-from-coronavirus-can-be-deceiving

15https://nymag.com/intelligencer/2020/03/coronavirus-and-its-high-mortality-rate-among-older-patients.html

16 https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/69/wr/mm6912e2.htm?s_cid=mm6912e2_w

17 https://www.nytimes.com/2020/03/14/health/coronavirus-elderly-protection.html

18https://www.businessinsider.com/coronavirus-death-rate-by-age-countries-2020-3#still-older-patients-in-south-korea-also-had-a-much-higher-death-rate-than-younger-ones-patients-older-than-80-had-a-72-death-rate-as-of-wednesday-6

19 https://www.nature.com/articles/s41591-020-0817-4

20https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/2020/03/10/coronavirus-is-mysteriously-sparing-kids-killing-elderly-understanding-why-may-help-defeat-virus/

21 https://www.nytimes.com/2020/03/17/health/coronavirus-childen.html

22 https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2020/03/15/business/economy/coronavirus-worker-risk.html

23 https://www.bls.gov/news.release/flex2.t01.htm

24 https://www.wsj.com/articles/states-restrict-travelers-from-coronavirus-hot-zones-11585518299

25 https://www.nytimes.com/2020/03/29/us/politics/trump-coronavirus-guidelines.html

26https://www.wsj.com/articles/johnson-johnson-to-begin-human-trials-on-covid-19-vaccine-by-september-11585569380

27 https://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2020/s038-travel-advisory.html

28https://www.wsj.com/articles/house-lawmakers-race-to-washington-to-ensure-coronavirus-stimulus-passes-11585318472

29 https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2020/03/26/unemployment-claims-coronavirus-3-million/

30 https://www.cnn.com/2020/03/23/us/coronavirus-which-states-stay-at-home-order-trnd/index.html

31https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/ea/travel-advisory-alert-global-level-4-health-advisory-issue.html

32https://www.nih.gov/news-events/news-releases/nih-clinical-trial-investigational-vaccine-covid-19-begins

33 https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1240271178692005889

34 https://www.cnbc.com/2020/03/17/treasury-and-irs-to-delay-tax-deadline-by-90-days.html

35 https://portal.ct.gov/coronavirus

36https://www.nhregister.com/news/coronavirus/article/Coronavirus-in-Connecticut-Live-updates-hour-by-15132401.php

37https://www.nhregister.com/news/coronavirus/article/Yale-launches-multimillion-dollar-fund-to-aid-New-15162549.php

38 https://portal.ct.gov/-/media/Coronavirus/CTDPHCOVID19summary3292020.pdf?la=en

39https://www.wtnh.com/news/connecticut/recovery-bridge-loan-program-temporarily-stops-taking-applications/

40 https://medicine.yale.edu/profile/marie_landry/

41 https://portal.ct.gov/DECD/Content/Coronavirus-for-Businesses/Coronavirus-for-Businesses

42https://documentcloud.adobe.com/link/track?uri=urn%3Aaaid%3Ascds%3AUS%3Af83d7741-3855-414e-92b0-3d6f0440238b

43 https://www.foxnews.com/us/stop-shop-special-hours-coronavirus

44 https://learn.accesshealthct.com/

45 https://twitter.com/NYGovCuomo/status/1239558725528178689

46 https://patch.com/connecticut/guilford/coronavirus-ct-gov-closes-all-schools-state-has-now-26-cases

47 https://portal.ct.gov/Coronavirus

48https://www.nhregister.com/news/coronavirus/article/CT-school-districts-to-offer-meals-during-15132705.php

49 https://patch.com/connecticut/naugatuck/school-meals-during-coronavirus-closure-announced

50 https://health.ri.gov/data/covid-19/

51 https://www.wpri.com/coronavirus/

52https://www.politico.com/states/new-york/albany/story/2020/03/29/rhode-island-ends-restrictions-on-new-yorkers-1269535

53 https://www.wpri.com/health/coronavirus/new-guidelines-released-to-limit-crowds-at-ri-stores/

54https://www.wpri.com/health/coronavirus/increased-n95-mask-manufacturing-to-bring-500-new-jobs-to-ri/

55 https://www.wpri.com/health/coronavirus/raimondo-covid-19-update-sunday/

56 https://www.necn.com/news/local/ri-gov-to-provide-update-on-coronavirus-response/2247461/

57 https://www.wpri.com/health/coronavirus/march-18-rhode-island-coronavirus-update/

58 https://www.wpri.com/health/coronavirus/march-18-rhode-island-coronavirus-update/

59 https://twitter.com/cnnbrk/status/1239590086519463937

60https://www.wpri.com/health/coronavirus/providence-schools-offering-free-grab-and-go-lunches-to-students/

61https://thehill.com/homenews/state-watch/487466-ri-gov-gina-raimondo-announces-closure-of-all-public-schools-next-week

62 https://www.wpri.com/health/coronavirus/raimondo-briefing-on-coronavirus-expected-to-start-at-10-a-m/

63 https://www.nytimes.com/2020/03/30/sports/olympics/tokyo-olympics-date-coronavirus.html

64https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/03/modi-seeks-forgiveness-india-poor-covid-19-lockdown-200329132107033.html

65https://www.wsj.com/articles/coronavirus-is-advancing-on-poor-nations-and-the-prognosis-is-troubling-11585149183

66 https://www.nytimes.com/2020/03/25/world/americas/coronavirus-brasil-mexico.html

67https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/east-asia/south-korea-dials-up-coronavirus-testing-with-hospital-phone-booths

68https://www.scmp.com/news/china/society/article/3076270/coronavirus-fireworks-wuhan-checkpoints-are-taken-down-other

69 https://www.cnbc.com/2020/03/17/coronavirus-european-union-leaders-agree-to-close-borders.html

70 https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/mar/18/russian-media-spreading-covid-19-disinformation

71https://thehill.com/changing-america/well-being/prevention-cures/484942-japan-confirms-first-case-of-person-reinfected

72https://www.nih.gov/news-events/news-releases/nih-clinical-trial-investigational-vaccine-covid-19-begins

73 https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/basics/test-approve.html

74 https://www.nytimes.com/2020/03/16/health/coronavirus-vaccine.html

75 https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/vpd/vpd-vac-basics.html

76 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5906799/

77https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/03.16.20_coronavirus-guidance_8.5x11_315PM.pdf

78 https://www.nytimes.com/2020/03/17/opinion/coronavirus-social-distancing-effect.html

79 http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2020-03/10/c_138863160.htm

80 https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/country/china/

81 https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/country/south-korea/

82 https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/symptoms-testing/index.html

83https://www.nytimes.com/2020/03/22/health/coronavirus-symptoms-smell-taste.html?smtyp=cur&smid=tw-nytimes

84https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/cases-updates/testing-in-us.html?CDC_AA_refVal=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cdc.gov%2Fcoronavirus%2F2019-ncov%2Ftesting-in-us.html

85 https://www.businessinsider.com/drive-through-coronavirus-tests-states-2020-3

86 https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prepare/transmission.html

87 https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2020.03.09.20033217v1.full.pdf

88 https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prepare/prevention.html