WED, MARCH 11 2020-theG&BJournal- The coronavirus (COVID-19) is hitting everything in sight now. Health experts are juggling discussions on how it should be described-a PANDEMIC? But they are certain it is taking the shape of past pandemics such as the Ebola, smallpox and the deadly Spanish flu that killed tens of millions around the world between 1918 and 1922.
No one expects a vaccine to be ready for at least a year. 4,284 people have died in just three months since the outbreak. Nearly 120,00 cases have been confirmed as at 11 March 2020 and 65, 757 are known to have recovered. Outside China, death toll have spiked past 1,000.
About 30 countries in Europe have confirmed cases and the German Chancellor, Angela Merkel warned that as many as 60 to 70 percent of Germans will be infected with the deadly disease. She said 58 million Germans could contract the disease if it spiraled out of control, as the contagion engulfs Europe.
35 people have died in Spain and health officials say 1,622 are confirmed positive. In Italy, the death toll rose by 168 to 631 and its entire 60 million citizens are already on lockdown. Denmark reported more 100 new cases in the past 24 hours and quickly banned all flight from northern Italy.
High profile government health officials are calling in sick from COVID-19. British Conservative MP and Under-Secretary of State for Health, Nadine Dorries becomes the first MP to test positive and the latest high profile government health official since the death of the Iranian health Minister. Tuesday, six more people died in the UK as cases rose by 61 in a day to 382.
New cases are emerging daily and more countries and cities are announcing first cases. Turkey and Michigan, United States are the latest to report first cases. The U.S has now more than 1,000 cases of the virus across 38 states.
In countries with reported cases already, the infection is escalating. Panama (Central America) reported the first death linked the disease Tuesday. 58 cases were diagnosed in Israel as at Tuesday and Tel Aviv airport have been forced to limit its operation. Morocco reported first death.
Major global sporting events are cancelled or facing cancellation. The Tokyo Olympics games is in doubt. Motorsports 2020 calendars are looking bleak. Three Formula 1 team personal are currently in self isolating awaiting results after being tested for coronavirus. Teams are set to cancel all post-session open media calls throughout the weekend of the Australian Grand Prix scheduled for this weekend. The inaugural Jakarta E-Prix in Indonesia has become the third FIA Formula E race to be cancelled; It follows the postponement of races in Sanya and Rome.
The MotoGP race scheduled for April 5 at the Circuit of the Americas in Austin Texas has been cancelled and pushed back to November 20 at Circuit Ricardo Tomo.
Races affected so far include: The March 8 F1 Bahrain GP (Behind closed doors). World Superbike Qatar round (March 3) postponed, March 2 MotoGP in Thailand postponed. The March 2 Suzuka Super Formula opener postponed.
In Football, most games are now going behind closed. Arsenal Wednesday placed their players in self-Isolation and postponed Manchester City game at the Etihad.
Reports estimates that one in five students around the world is out of school due to COVID-19. 15 countries have ordered nationwide school closures and 14 countries have ordered localized closure and 363 million students are out of school worldwide due to the coronavirus.
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