Previous coronavirus briefings April 25-27
Published Apr 29, 2020 11:11 AM EST
Current daily briefings on the coronavirus can be found here. Scroll below to read precious reports, listed in eastern time.
JetBlue travelers are required to wear face coverings starting on May 4. The new policy comes after JetBlue began requiring crew members to wear face coverings while working. “This is the new flying etiquette. Onboard, cabin air is well circulated and cleaned through filters every few minutes but this is a shared space where we have to be considerate of others. We are also asking our customers to follow these CDC guidelines in the airport as well,” said Joanna Geraghty, president, and chief operating officer of JetBlue, according to ABC News.
Utah’s Sand Hollow State Park had to start turning people away Saturday afternoon, after being closed for several weeks due to COVID-19. “They closed it. They put cones in front of it and wouldn’t let us in. So we just had to park out on the street and walk in,” park visitors Jane Dickson and Hailey Burbuch told Fox 13. Sand Hollow Park posted on Facebook that park employees started limiting access to visitors at 1 p.m. due to full parking areas. Those with reservations for camping were allowed in, but all others were turned away. “We estimate that when we are full, we can have probably 2,500 cars," park manager Jonathan Hunt said according to Fox 13. “Today we kind of just hit our limit.” A time-lapse video captured by a motorist showed just how long the line was over the weekend.
Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards said that the state's stay-at-home order is extended until May 15. The White House announced criteria for states for phase one of reopening that includes a decrease in the number of new cases and hospitalizations, which Louisiana has not met yet according to Edwards. “While this is not the announcement I want to make, I am hopeful, and all of Louisiana should be hopeful, that we will enter into the next phase of reopening soon, in mid-May," he said in a statement. "I am anxious to get all areas of our economy reopened, but if we accelerate too quickly, we may have to slam on the brakes. That will be bad for public health and for businesses, bad for our people and bad for our state.”
National parks across the country remain closed due to the coronavirus, but people can still enjoy the parks from the comfort of their own homes. Zion National Park is one of the most-visited national parks in the country, and has created "virtual hikes" for people of all ages. “Even though the park is still closed, we would like to connect you to the trails in Zion National Park through these time-lapse video hikes,” the park said on Facebook. “Be ready to hit the "pause" button in case you see a view you want to explore more.” So sit back, relax and enjoy this dirt-free virtual hike in Zion National Park.
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott announced he will let the state’s stay-at-home order expire Friday. Businesses such as restaurants, movie theaters and malls, will begin reopening in phases starting May 1, to restart the Texas economy amid the coronavirus pandemic. Abbott said a second phase of businesses reopening could come as soon as May 18, as long as the state sees "two weeks of data to confirm no flare-up of COVID-19." According to his plan, the second phase would allow businesses to expand occupancy to 50%, according to the governor.
While many parts of the country remains locked down, delivery drivers are still expected to come to work every day, and Steve Lopez, who works for the United States Postal Service is no exception. Each day he delivers packages to homes throughout Long Beach, California, oftentimes containing vital items, such as medications. Lopez takes many precautions while on his route in order to protect himself and others, including wearing a mask, gloves, not touching his face and wiping down the steering wheel of his truck. “We’re not cops, we're not firemen, we're not health care workers. But we are essential to getting people their items that they need dearly,” Lopez told AccuWeather’s Dexter Henry.
World War II vet, 98, released from hospital after beating COVID-19. It's a scene that's been repeated many times over the last couple of months -- and it never gets old. A patient being discharged from the hospital after overcoming COVID-19 is given a standing ovation by hospital medical staff, and it's all caught on video. One of the latest patients to receive this honor is Douglas Moore from Wellingborough, England. According to BBC News, Moore served as a signaller in England's Eighth Army during the Second World War. He was stationed in Egypt, where he helped discover enemy combatants who were on the attack.
Moore went into the hospital on April 15 after suffering a fall at home and developing a cough and fever, which doctors realized was being caused by COVID-19. He made the turnaround within two weeks and, as he was wheeled out of the hospital, waved at the doctors and nurses as they applauded him. Clearly, he'd made an impression. "We were just so impressed with Mr. Moore," Lucy Elliott, from Kettering General Hospital, said. "He was lovely to look after and a very nice chap." Moore said afterward, "I felt very special when they gave me a clap when I left." He's one of many elderly patients who have stood down the withering effects of the new coronavirus and triumphed.
Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine announced plans to gradually re-open businesses across the state in the coming weeks. While businesses being to open back up, the stay-at-home order will remain in effect. “The #StayHomeOhio order will still be in place -- for gatherings, the order of no more than 10 people will remain,” DeWine said on Twitter. Here is the timetable that DeWine announced on Monday:
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May 1: Dentists and veterinarians will be able to re-open. “All healthcare procedures that do not require an overnight stay in a hospital can move forward,” DeWine added.
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May 4: Manufacturing, distribution and construction operations will be able to re-open, but workers will need to follow strict guidelines, such as wearing masks and maintaining social distancing.
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May 12: Consumer, retail and services re-open, but with patrons following social distancing guidelines.
“We've gotten this far -- but we have a ways to go. These are the first steps. I know there are other things we all want to do -- get a haircut, go to restaurants -- but we have to see how we are doing with #COVID19 first,” DeWine said.
Mayor Carolyn Goodman of Las Vegas announced she will be looking to reopen Las Vegas "as soon as possible while keeping our citizens and visitors as safe as possible." She went on to say she is examining all available data from every major city in the world to help her decision. Goodman also said that Las Vegas will not survive if it doesn't reopen soon and is hoping weather may help Vegas fight the virus, "Although it has not been clearly determined as to the effect that extreme warmth will have on the virus, it is assumed that it shall deter its ferocity," Goodman said in her statement. If the extreme heat does play a role in slowing the virus, Vegas would be one of the first major cities to reopen with average high-temperatures reaching 107 F by July. Las Vegas is expected to reach 100F for the first time this year on Wednesday, according to the AccuWeather forecast. If the mercury reaches triple digits in Sin City prior to Friday, that will be the first time a 100-degree temperature will have been recorded there in the month of April, according to the NWS.And it will be the shortest period between the city's first 90-degree day, which occurred on April 23, and its first 100-degree day.
New York has canceled its Democratic presidential primary. The primary was originally moved from April 28 to June 23 due to the coronavirus, but on Monday, the New York State Board of Elections made the call to cancel the presidential primary all together, according to The New York times. New York has become the first state to cancel its Democratic presidential primaries this year. The decision comes after presidential hopeful Senator Bernie Sanders dropped out of the race, paving the way for former Vice President Joe Biden to win the nomination.
Wisconsin faced criticism earlier this month for holding in-person elections amid the pandemic. Although people working at the polls used protective equipment and many voters showed up wearing face masks, at least three dozen cases have been linked to the in-person voting, according to Politico.
Though tourism in Hawaii is down 99%, some travelers are still trying to vacation in the state, despite stay at home orders and quarantine restrictions in the state aimed to deter it. Now, if tourists violate the requirement that they quarantine for 14 days upon entering the islands, they will be sent home with their flight paid for by the Hawaii Tourism Authority and Visitor Aloha Society of Hawaii (VASH). Since April 6, when the COVID-19 flight assistance program launched, the nonprofit has sent home 20 tourists. Lynne Matusow, who lives in Honolulu, told The New York Times that while locals cover their faces in masks, tourists are bringing towels, umbrellas and coolers to closed beaches. “Hawaii is known for aloha spirit. Let us get through this hardship then we’ll welcome you back with aloha,” Jessica Lani Rich, president of VASH said.
Hong Kong University researchers have developed an antiviral coating they claim can provide a “significant” level of protection against bacteria and viruses, including the one that causes COVID-19, for up to 90 days. The coating, which Reuters reported has been in the works for 10 years, can simply be sprayed onto a frequently used surface, such as elevator buttons and doorknobs. Researchers say the coating, called MAP-1, is safe for human skin and the environment and non-toxic. It goes on sale in Hong Kong starting in May, according to Reuters.
Over 3 million cases of COVID-19 have been confirmed around the world, according to Johns Hopkins University. The threshold was reached on Monday just days after the global death toll topped 200,000. Experts speculate that both of those tallies are much higher in reality due to unreported cases. Nearly one-third of those confirmed cases have come from the U.S., while the next five most impacted countries reside in Europe. The U.S. also has more than twice as many reported deaths from the pandemic than any other country.
A girl wearing plastic gloves is helped with her mask before traveling with her family to her home province of Piura, at the bus station in Lima, Peru, Monday, April 27, 2020. After a week of not being allowed to leave the capital under strict quarantine rules to help contain the spread of the new coronavirus, day laborers and informal workers and their families are now allowed to travel home, but local authorities are screening them for COVID-19 before letting them travel. (AP Photo/Martin Mejia)
(AP Photo/Martin Mejia)
A town in Italy has resorted to using snow guns to help disinfect the area. Demaclekno, an Italy-based company that specializes in snow making in the mountains, has been working with authorities in northern Italy to use adapted versions of the snow guns to disinfect public areas. According to Storyful, the device is mounted on a truck then blasts diluted hydrogen peroxide onto the streets and public areas. Demaclenko has been offering the method free of charge to South Tyrolean areas. Watch the video below to see how it works.
Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar and her husband John Bessler shared their experience with his diagnosis of COVID-19 on Monday. “It peaked pretty suddenly,” he said. Klobuchar said her husband was reaching fevers of over 100 degrees multiple days in a row, and eventually started to cough up blood before he agreed to go to the hospital. After being hospitalized for five days, where he discovered he also had serious pneumonia and an oxygen level of 70%, he was able to recover, and has since donated his plasma in an effort to help others recover as well. “The fever was probably the worst part. Just kind of constantly feeling dehydrated,” Bessler said.
Young COVID-19 patients may be at higher risk than doctors originally believed -- as a growing number are dying from strokes. The Washington Post reported that there have been many recent cases of 30 to 40-year-olds experiencing strokes while testing positive for COVID-19. Seventy-four is the median age for the kind of severe stroke the patients are experiencing, according to interventional neurologist Thomas Oxley. He said the reason for the strokes could be due to blood complications that lead to clotting, especially on the brain.
The NBA is reportedly set to begin opening up practice facilities later this week. According to ESPN, teams will still be barred from holding organized group practices, but in places where stay-at-home restrictions are being eased or lifted, facilities will be allowed to open starting on Friday and players will be allowed to go in for individual workouts. The decision is in response to team executives lobbying for players to be allowed to come in and work out at team facilities. Still, the ESPN report went on, the league still has no timeline in place for resuming the interrupted season.
During an appearance on CNN on Sunday, Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban told Wolf Blitzer, he's received no guidance from the NBA on reopening practice facilities and that the report seemed "premature." Cuban went on to say that owners are open to playing games in empty arenas for broadcast on TV. "If we’re able to pull it off without fans, we’re certainly going to do it," Cuban said.
People who wear glasses in parts of the country where face masks have been mandated may have encountered an issue when heading out: their lenses fog up. Whether shopping at the grocery store or working at an essential business, this can be a nuisance for glasses wearers, but it's one doctors have long encountered. According to a recent AARP article, the Annals of the Royal College of Surgeons of England published an article in 2011 that provides a simple method to keep glasses from fogging up.
"Immediately before wearing a face mask, wash the spectacles with soapy water and shake off the excess, the researchers wrote. Then, let the spectacles air dry or gently dry off the lenses with a soft tissue before putting them back on. Now the spectacle lenses should not mist up when the face mask is worn."
Monday marks British Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s first day back at work after recovering from COVID-19. Johnson, 55, was hospitalized for a week at St. Thomas’ Hospital in London, and spent three days in intensive care. He was released on April 12, and hasn’t been spotted in public since his release. The Associated Press reported that Johnson is the only known world leader to have contracted the virus so far.
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson makes a statement on his first day back at work in Downing Street, London, after recovering from a bout with the coronavirus that put him in intensive care, Monday, April 27, 2020. The highly contagious COVID-19 coronavirus has impacted on nations around the globe, many imposing self isolation and exercising social distancing when people move from their homes. (AP Photo/Frank Augstein)
Here are the latest updated totals from around the world, according to researchers from Johns Hopkins University:
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Total confirmed cases: 2,982,933
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Total deaths: 206,803
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Total recovered: 869,935
The U.S. has 964,937 confirmed cases of COVID-19, according to Johns Hopkins University. Global cases have hit 2,965,363, meaning the U.S. accounts for 32.5% of the global confirmed case count. So far, 5,441,079 people in the U.S. have been tested for the virus.
Prime Minister of Italy Giuseppe Conte announced that the country will enter phase two of lifting the lockdown, The BBC reported. Phase two includes:
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Visiting relatives in small groups in masks
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Opening of parks
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Funerals with up to 12 attendees
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Travel within regions, but not between regions
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The training of individual athletes and sports in
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Reopening of bars and restaurants for takeout on May 4
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Reopening of bars, restaurants, hairdressers and other beauty salons for in-store service on June 1
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More retail shops will open on May 18, including museums and libraries
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Group training for sports teams will resume May 18
Despite the number of eases on the restrictions, Conte announced school will remain closed until September.
A man waves the Italian flag as he chants from his window on the occasion of the 75th anniversary of Italy's Liberation Day, in Rome, Saturday, April 25, 2020. Italy's annual commemoration of its liberation from Nazi occupation is celebrated on April 25 but lockdown measures in the coronavirus-afflicted country mean no marches can be held this year and the National Association of Italian Partisans has invited all to sing “Bella Ciao", the anthem of Italy’s communist resistance, from their windows. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)
Northwell Health in New York has started clinical trials of treating COVID-19 with an over the counter heartburn medication, Science Magazine reported. Famotidine, which is found in Pepcid, has been given to 187 patients in the hospital at nine times the dose for heartburn. Kevin Tracey, who is a former neurosurgeon leading the research, said if the drug works, they will be able to tell in a few weeks, after testing more patients.
Dr. Sunil Desai from Orlando Health said the health system is seeing great results in COVID-19-infected patients through plasma-derived therapy. CNN reported that plasma-derived therapy is when doctors inject the plasma of a recovered COVID-19 patient into a person that is still fighting it, as the antibodies in the plasma help to fight off the virus. Desai said the procedure has been performed on 12 patients, whose conditions have since improved.
The last remaining patient on the military hospital ship the USNS Comfort was discharged on Sunday. The hospital ship was anchored in New York Harbor. ABC reported that New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo thought the ship “not only brought comfort but also saved lives,” despite the projected COVID-19 cases not being reached. The ship is now returning to Virginia for maintenance, before embarking on its next mission.
As many states begin to consider reopening their economies, New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy warned that the reopening of his state is still weeks away. “The mandate to stay at home and stay away from each other is still very much in effect until we can break the back of this curve,” Murphy said, according to NJ.com.
South Carolina received 1.5 million surgical masks, state leaders announced in a press conference. The masks arrived from China to Greenville, South Carolina today in a partnership with Boeing. State leaders thanked Discommon owner Neil Ferrier who sourced the masks in China. The masks will be given to healthcare workers at Prisma Healthcare as well as the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston.
More than 105,000 patients have recovered from COVID-19 in the United States, according to the data from Johns Hopkins University. New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo reported total hospitalizations in New York are down to levels seen nearly a month ago. There have been 367 deaths statewide in the last day, down from 437 in the previous 24-hour period, Cuomo announced.
CDC adds more coronavirus symptoms. Previously, only fever, cough and shortness of breath were noted as possible symptoms of COVID-19, however, The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has added six new possible symptoms.
These symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus, according to the CDC:
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Fever
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Cough
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Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
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Chills
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Repeated shaking with chills
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Muscle pain
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Headache
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Sore throat
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New loss of taste or smell
In Madrid, children under the age of 14 are now allowed outside for the first time in six weeks. The government declared they have one hour of supervised outdoor activity per day between 9 a.m. and 9 p.m., staying within close proximity to their home. The relaxation came as Spain registered its lowest daily increase in the coronavirus death toll in more than a month. Currently, Spain has 223,759 total confirmed cases and 22,902 deaths.
Tampa’s Mayor Jane Castor posted an apology to Tom Brady after he was removed from a local park that was closed due to coronavirus. “Tom, my apologies for the miscommunication when you arrived - not the best first impression,” Castor wrote in a statement posted to Twitter on Saturday. The NFL season set to begin as scheduled on September 10.
The World Health Organization (WHO) recommended countries refrain from issuing certificates of immunity to people who have been infected with the virus since there is still no evidence that people who test positive for the new coronavirus and recover are immunized and protected against reinfection, The World Health Organization warned. "There is currently no evidence that people who have recovered from COVID-19 and have antibodies are protected from a second infection," WHO said in a statement.
Hawaii Gov. David Ige announced the state's sixth supplementary emergency proclamation, extending the stay at home order in the state to May 31. The order also restricts outdoor activities such as surfing, swimming and walking pets. “This was not an easy decision. I know this has been difficult for everyone. Businesses need to reopen. People want to end this self-isolation and we want to return to normal, but this virus is potentially deadly, especially for the elderly and those with pre-existing conditions," Ige said.
The coronavirus has killed more than 200,000 people globally. Here are the latest global COVID-19 numbers, provided by researchers at Johns Hopkins University:
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Total confirmed cases: 2,892,508
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Total confirmed deaths: 202,455
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Total confirmed recoveries: 815,658
The U.S. has more confirmed cases than any other nation with 936,293 cases confirmed.
Gov. Cuomo addresses the media while holding an n95 mask during a press briefing on COVID-19. (Darren McGee/Office of Governor Andrew M. Cuomo via AP)
U.K. Prime Minister Boris Johnson will return to work on Monday, CNN reported. Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs Dominic Raab has been acting as Prime Minister while Johnson recovered from COVID-19, which he was hospitalized for earlier this month
Smoking could increase the chances of contracting COVID-19, according to The U.S. Food and Drug Administration. In addition, smoking can worsen the outcome in people who develop the virus. “People who smoke cigarettes may be at increased risk of infection with the virus that causes COVID-19, and may have worse outcomes from COVID-19,” the FDA told Bloomberg.
Harris County in Texas will begin enforcing that all residents over the age of 10 wear face coverings. The order will begin being enforced on April 27, KHOU 11 News reported. To assist residents in following the order, the city of Houston announced they will begin handing out free masks at various locations, beginning Saturday.
Over a dozen sailors on a U.S. Navy destroyer ship in the Caribbean have tested positive for COVID-19, U.S. officials told Reuters. There are believed to be a few hundred sailors on the ship. It is also believed that the cases are the first onboard a ship that is currently at sea. The destroyer was sent to the Caribbean in an effort to fight drug cartels. There is now concern that the outbreak could lead it to return to the United States. A similar situation happened to an aircraft carrier in the Asia Pacific when 850 tested positive causing the ship to dock in Guam for medical assistance.
U.S. military sentinels stand watch at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier no matter the weather and even as COVID-19 has led to a shutdown in and around the nation's capital. U.S. Defense Secretary Mark Esper recently reminded Americans of those sentinels' duties when he posted a photo of one guarding the tomb in wet spring weather. Rain is in the cards there on Friday, with sunshine returning over the weekend, according to the AccuWeather forecast. Last year, AccuWeather's Jonathan Petramala reported on the constant watch the sentinels provide, even when the weather makes it difficult. Volunteers from the U.S. Army's 3rd Infantry have been standing watch at Arlington National Cemetary in Virginia every minute of every day since 1948. Watch his report here.
Florida will receive a shipment of antibody test kits on May 1, Gov. Ron DeSantis said at a press conference. The antibody testing kit company had to send kits to New York before they could fulfill the order for Florida, DeSantis said. “We have now been confirmed that we will have the antibody tests that the state has ordered,” DeSantis said.
A passenger carries her luggage through a nearly deserted terminal at the Tampa International Airport Friday, April 24, 2020, in Tampa, Fla. Business at the airport has been at a near standstill due to the coronavirus outbreak. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)
New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo said he will sign an executive order to authorize all independent pharmacies in the state to be collection sites for testing. “Just a quick clarification, the tests at the pharmacies will be diagnostic tests, positive negative, not antibodies tests," Cuomo said. “You will be able to go into a pharmacy and get a test, the parlance is the sample will be collected at the pharmacy, the pharmacy then sends it to a lab, the lab conducts the test.”
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) warned officials in law enforcement and school systems of the security risks posed by cybercriminals and cyber-actors exploiting online users. “We assess cybercriminals likely view schools’ greater reliance on eLearning tools due to the pandemic as an opportunity to conduct a range of criminal activity against educational institutions, faculty and students who use these tools,” the April 24 document said according to ABC News. The risks outlined range from theft of login information to identity theft and more.
In Fergus Falls, Minnesota, 104-year-old veteran nurse Gertrude Larson sat at her Singer sewing machine, using her decades of experience to make masks for nursing home staff and residents of the city. The machine, bought back in 1939, chugged away as she fed the fabric through and spoke with WSBT-TV, telling them she had no arthritis in her hands and can see well enough. Born in 1916, Larson remembered her mother isolating the children on the farm they lived on during the 1918-1919 Spanish Influenza pandemic. Decades later, she attended and graduated from St. Luke’s School of nursing in Fargo, North Dakota, in 1938, and had handled procedures including orthopedic surgery. Today, she’s still doing what she can to help people, even outside of a hospital.
The Sunshine State is starting to see a plateau in coronavirus numbers, according to VOX. “It looks to me like we are not really declining at this point, but we’re on a plateau,” Thomas Hladish, a research scientist at the University of Florida’s Emerging Pathogens Institute told VOX, continuing the Florida outbreak was “clearly not growing exponentially.” New findings show hot, humid weather may slow the spread of COVID-19, Senior Official Performing the Duties of the Under Secretary for Science and Technology for the Department of Homeland Security Bill Bryan said. In raw totals, Florida had the eighth-most coronavirus cases as of April 24. It has the third-most people, so if you adjust for population, Florida slides all the way down to 18th in Covid-19 cases per capita, according to USA Today.
Previous coverage:
Click here for previous daily briefings on the coronavirus outbreak from April 22-24
Click here for previous daily briefings on the coronavirus outbreak from April 18-21
Click here for previous daily briefings on the coronavirus outbreak from April 12-15
Click here for previous daily briefings on the coronavirus outbreak from April 12-14
Click here for previous daily briefings on the coronavirus outbreak from April 8-11
Click here for previous daily briefings on the coronavirus outbreak from April 5-7
Click here for previous daily briefings on the coronavirus outbreak from April 1-4
Click here for previous daily briefings on the coronavirus outbreak from March 29-31.
Click here for previous daily briefings on the coronavirus outbreak from March 26-28.
Click here for previous daily briefings on the coronavirus outbreak.
Reporting by Lauren Fox, John Murphy, Brian Lada, Mark Puleo, Maria Antonieta Valery Gil, Kevin Byrne, Chaffin Mitchell, Adriana Navarro, John Roach, Dexter Henry, Bill Wadell, Jonathan Petramala, and Monica Danielle
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News / Health
Previous coronavirus briefings April 25-27
Published Apr 29, 2020 11:11 AM EST
Current daily briefings on the coronavirus can be found here. Scroll below to read precious reports, listed in eastern time.
April 27, 9:58 p.m.
JetBlue travelers are required to wear face coverings starting on May 4. The new policy comes after JetBlue began requiring crew members to wear face coverings while working. “This is the new flying etiquette. Onboard, cabin air is well circulated and cleaned through filters every few minutes but this is a shared space where we have to be considerate of others. We are also asking our customers to follow these CDC guidelines in the airport as well,” said Joanna Geraghty, president, and chief operating officer of JetBlue, according to ABC News.
April 27, 9:22 p.m.
Utah’s Sand Hollow State Park had to start turning people away Saturday afternoon, after being closed for several weeks due to COVID-19. “They closed it. They put cones in front of it and wouldn’t let us in. So we just had to park out on the street and walk in,” park visitors Jane Dickson and Hailey Burbuch told Fox 13. Sand Hollow Park posted on Facebook that park employees started limiting access to visitors at 1 p.m. due to full parking areas. Those with reservations for camping were allowed in, but all others were turned away. “We estimate that when we are full, we can have probably 2,500 cars," park manager Jonathan Hunt said according to Fox 13. “Today we kind of just hit our limit.” A time-lapse video captured by a motorist showed just how long the line was over the weekend.
April 27, 8:40 p.m.
Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards said that the state's stay-at-home order is extended until May 15. The White House announced criteria for states for phase one of reopening that includes a decrease in the number of new cases and hospitalizations, which Louisiana has not met yet according to Edwards. “While this is not the announcement I want to make, I am hopeful, and all of Louisiana should be hopeful, that we will enter into the next phase of reopening soon, in mid-May," he said in a statement. "I am anxious to get all areas of our economy reopened, but if we accelerate too quickly, we may have to slam on the brakes. That will be bad for public health and for businesses, bad for our people and bad for our state.”
April 27, 7:35 p.m.
National parks across the country remain closed due to the coronavirus, but people can still enjoy the parks from the comfort of their own homes. Zion National Park is one of the most-visited national parks in the country, and has created "virtual hikes" for people of all ages. “Even though the park is still closed, we would like to connect you to the trails in Zion National Park through these time-lapse video hikes,” the park said on Facebook. “Be ready to hit the "pause" button in case you see a view you want to explore more.” So sit back, relax and enjoy this dirt-free virtual hike in Zion National Park.
April 27, 6:40 p.m.
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott announced he will let the state’s stay-at-home order expire Friday. Businesses such as restaurants, movie theaters and malls, will begin reopening in phases starting May 1, to restart the Texas economy amid the coronavirus pandemic. Abbott said a second phase of businesses reopening could come as soon as May 18, as long as the state sees "two weeks of data to confirm no flare-up of COVID-19." According to his plan, the second phase would allow businesses to expand occupancy to 50%, according to the governor.
April 27, 5:55 p.m.
While many parts of the country remains locked down, delivery drivers are still expected to come to work every day, and Steve Lopez, who works for the United States Postal Service is no exception. Each day he delivers packages to homes throughout Long Beach, California, oftentimes containing vital items, such as medications. Lopez takes many precautions while on his route in order to protect himself and others, including wearing a mask, gloves, not touching his face and wiping down the steering wheel of his truck. “We’re not cops, we're not firemen, we're not health care workers. But we are essential to getting people their items that they need dearly,” Lopez told AccuWeather’s Dexter Henry.
April 27, 5:18 p.m.
World War II vet, 98, released from hospital after beating COVID-19. It's a scene that's been repeated many times over the last couple of months -- and it never gets old. A patient being discharged from the hospital after overcoming COVID-19 is given a standing ovation by hospital medical staff, and it's all caught on video. One of the latest patients to receive this honor is Douglas Moore from Wellingborough, England. According to BBC News, Moore served as a signaller in England's Eighth Army during the Second World War. He was stationed in Egypt, where he helped discover enemy combatants who were on the attack.
Moore went into the hospital on April 15 after suffering a fall at home and developing a cough and fever, which doctors realized was being caused by COVID-19. He made the turnaround within two weeks and, as he was wheeled out of the hospital, waved at the doctors and nurses as they applauded him. Clearly, he'd made an impression. "We were just so impressed with Mr. Moore," Lucy Elliott, from Kettering General Hospital, said. "He was lovely to look after and a very nice chap." Moore said afterward, "I felt very special when they gave me a clap when I left." He's one of many elderly patients who have stood down the withering effects of the new coronavirus and triumphed.
April 27, 4:35 p.m.
Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine announced plans to gradually re-open businesses across the state in the coming weeks. While businesses being to open back up, the stay-at-home order will remain in effect. “The #StayHomeOhio order will still be in place -- for gatherings, the order of no more than 10 people will remain,” DeWine said on Twitter. Here is the timetable that DeWine announced on Monday:
May 1: Dentists and veterinarians will be able to re-open. “All healthcare procedures that do not require an overnight stay in a hospital can move forward,” DeWine added.
May 4: Manufacturing, distribution and construction operations will be able to re-open, but workers will need to follow strict guidelines, such as wearing masks and maintaining social distancing.
May 12: Consumer, retail and services re-open, but with patrons following social distancing guidelines.
“We've gotten this far -- but we have a ways to go. These are the first steps. I know there are other things we all want to do -- get a haircut, go to restaurants -- but we have to see how we are doing with #COVID19 first,” DeWine said.
April 27, 3:41 p.m.
Mayor Carolyn Goodman of Las Vegas announced she will be looking to reopen Las Vegas "as soon as possible while keeping our citizens and visitors as safe as possible." She went on to say she is examining all available data from every major city in the world to help her decision. Goodman also said that Las Vegas will not survive if it doesn't reopen soon and is hoping weather may help Vegas fight the virus, "Although it has not been clearly determined as to the effect that extreme warmth will have on the virus, it is assumed that it shall deter its ferocity," Goodman said in her statement. If the extreme heat does play a role in slowing the virus, Vegas would be one of the first major cities to reopen with average high-temperatures reaching 107 F by July. Las Vegas is expected to reach 100F for the first time this year on Wednesday, according to the AccuWeather forecast. If the mercury reaches triple digits in Sin City prior to Friday, that will be the first time a 100-degree temperature will have been recorded there in the month of April, according to the NWS.And it will be the shortest period between the city's first 90-degree day, which occurred on April 23, and its first 100-degree day.
April 27, 3:22 p.m.
New York has canceled its Democratic presidential primary. The primary was originally moved from April 28 to June 23 due to the coronavirus, but on Monday, the New York State Board of Elections made the call to cancel the presidential primary all together, according to The New York times. New York has become the first state to cancel its Democratic presidential primaries this year. The decision comes after presidential hopeful Senator Bernie Sanders dropped out of the race, paving the way for former Vice President Joe Biden to win the nomination.
Wisconsin faced criticism earlier this month for holding in-person elections amid the pandemic. Although people working at the polls used protective equipment and many voters showed up wearing face masks, at least three dozen cases have been linked to the in-person voting, according to Politico.
April 27, 2:40 p.m.
Though tourism in Hawaii is down 99%, some travelers are still trying to vacation in the state, despite stay at home orders and quarantine restrictions in the state aimed to deter it. Now, if tourists violate the requirement that they quarantine for 14 days upon entering the islands, they will be sent home with their flight paid for by the Hawaii Tourism Authority and Visitor Aloha Society of Hawaii (VASH). Since April 6, when the COVID-19 flight assistance program launched, the nonprofit has sent home 20 tourists. Lynne Matusow, who lives in Honolulu, told The New York Times that while locals cover their faces in masks, tourists are bringing towels, umbrellas and coolers to closed beaches. “Hawaii is known for aloha spirit. Let us get through this hardship then we’ll welcome you back with aloha,” Jessica Lani Rich, president of VASH said.
April 27, 2:19 p.m.
Hong Kong University researchers have developed an antiviral coating they claim can provide a “significant” level of protection against bacteria and viruses, including the one that causes COVID-19, for up to 90 days. The coating, which Reuters reported has been in the works for 10 years, can simply be sprayed onto a frequently used surface, such as elevator buttons and doorknobs. Researchers say the coating, called MAP-1, is safe for human skin and the environment and non-toxic. It goes on sale in Hong Kong starting in May, according to Reuters.
April 27, 1:32 p.m.
Over 3 million cases of COVID-19 have been confirmed around the world, according to Johns Hopkins University. The threshold was reached on Monday just days after the global death toll topped 200,000. Experts speculate that both of those tallies are much higher in reality due to unreported cases. Nearly one-third of those confirmed cases have come from the U.S., while the next five most impacted countries reside in Europe. The U.S. also has more than twice as many reported deaths from the pandemic than any other country.
A girl wearing plastic gloves is helped with her mask before traveling with her family to her home province of Piura, at the bus station in Lima, Peru, Monday, April 27, 2020. After a week of not being allowed to leave the capital under strict quarantine rules to help contain the spread of the new coronavirus, day laborers and informal workers and their families are now allowed to travel home, but local authorities are screening them for COVID-19 before letting them travel. (AP Photo/Martin Mejia)
April 27, 1:14 p.m.
A town in Italy has resorted to using snow guns to help disinfect the area. Demaclekno, an Italy-based company that specializes in snow making in the mountains, has been working with authorities in northern Italy to use adapted versions of the snow guns to disinfect public areas. According to Storyful, the device is mounted on a truck then blasts diluted hydrogen peroxide onto the streets and public areas. Demaclenko has been offering the method free of charge to South Tyrolean areas. Watch the video below to see how it works.
April 27, 12:36 p.m.
Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar and her husband John Bessler shared their experience with his diagnosis of COVID-19 on Monday. “It peaked pretty suddenly,” he said. Klobuchar said her husband was reaching fevers of over 100 degrees multiple days in a row, and eventually started to cough up blood before he agreed to go to the hospital. After being hospitalized for five days, where he discovered he also had serious pneumonia and an oxygen level of 70%, he was able to recover, and has since donated his plasma in an effort to help others recover as well. “The fever was probably the worst part. Just kind of constantly feeling dehydrated,” Bessler said.
April 27, 12:05 p.m.
Young COVID-19 patients may be at higher risk than doctors originally believed -- as a growing number are dying from strokes. The Washington Post reported that there have been many recent cases of 30 to 40-year-olds experiencing strokes while testing positive for COVID-19. Seventy-four is the median age for the kind of severe stroke the patients are experiencing, according to interventional neurologist Thomas Oxley. He said the reason for the strokes could be due to blood complications that lead to clotting, especially on the brain.
April 27, 11:15 a.m.
The NBA is reportedly set to begin opening up practice facilities later this week. According to ESPN, teams will still be barred from holding organized group practices, but in places where stay-at-home restrictions are being eased or lifted, facilities will be allowed to open starting on Friday and players will be allowed to go in for individual workouts. The decision is in response to team executives lobbying for players to be allowed to come in and work out at team facilities. Still, the ESPN report went on, the league still has no timeline in place for resuming the interrupted season.
During an appearance on CNN on Sunday, Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban told Wolf Blitzer, he's received no guidance from the NBA on reopening practice facilities and that the report seemed "premature." Cuban went on to say that owners are open to playing games in empty arenas for broadcast on TV. "If we’re able to pull it off without fans, we’re certainly going to do it," Cuban said.
April 27, 10:21 a.m.
People who wear glasses in parts of the country where face masks have been mandated may have encountered an issue when heading out: their lenses fog up. Whether shopping at the grocery store or working at an essential business, this can be a nuisance for glasses wearers, but it's one doctors have long encountered. According to a recent AARP article, the Annals of the Royal College of Surgeons of England published an article in 2011 that provides a simple method to keep glasses from fogging up.
"Immediately before wearing a face mask, wash the spectacles with soapy water and shake off the excess, the researchers wrote. Then, let the spectacles air dry or gently dry off the lenses with a soft tissue before putting them back on. Now the spectacle lenses should not mist up when the face mask is worn."
April 27, 9:18 a.m.
Monday marks British Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s first day back at work after recovering from COVID-19. Johnson, 55, was hospitalized for a week at St. Thomas’ Hospital in London, and spent three days in intensive care. He was released on April 12, and hasn’t been spotted in public since his release. The Associated Press reported that Johnson is the only known world leader to have contracted the virus so far.
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson makes a statement on his first day back at work in Downing Street, London, after recovering from a bout with the coronavirus that put him in intensive care, Monday, April 27, 2020. The highly contagious COVID-19 coronavirus has impacted on nations around the globe, many imposing self isolation and exercising social distancing when people move from their homes. (AP Photo/Frank Augstein)
April 27, 6:54 a.m.
Here are the latest updated totals from around the world, according to researchers from Johns Hopkins University:
Total confirmed cases: 2,982,933
Total deaths: 206,803
Total recovered: 869,935
April 26, 8 p.m.
The U.S. has 964,937 confirmed cases of COVID-19, according to Johns Hopkins University. Global cases have hit 2,965,363, meaning the U.S. accounts for 32.5% of the global confirmed case count. So far, 5,441,079 people in the U.S. have been tested for the virus.
April 26, 7:02 p.m.
Prime Minister of Italy Giuseppe Conte announced that the country will enter phase two of lifting the lockdown, The BBC reported. Phase two includes:
Visiting relatives in small groups in masks
Opening of parks
Funerals with up to 12 attendees
Travel within regions, but not between regions
The training of individual athletes and sports in
Reopening of bars and restaurants for takeout on May 4
Reopening of bars, restaurants, hairdressers and other beauty salons for in-store service on June 1
More retail shops will open on May 18, including museums and libraries
Group training for sports teams will resume May 18
Despite the number of eases on the restrictions, Conte announced school will remain closed until September.
A man waves the Italian flag as he chants from his window on the occasion of the 75th anniversary of Italy's Liberation Day, in Rome, Saturday, April 25, 2020. Italy's annual commemoration of its liberation from Nazi occupation is celebrated on April 25 but lockdown measures in the coronavirus-afflicted country mean no marches can be held this year and the National Association of Italian Partisans has invited all to sing “Bella Ciao", the anthem of Italy’s communist resistance, from their windows. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)
April 26, 6:06 p.m.
Northwell Health in New York has started clinical trials of treating COVID-19 with an over the counter heartburn medication, Science Magazine reported. Famotidine, which is found in Pepcid, has been given to 187 patients in the hospital at nine times the dose for heartburn. Kevin Tracey, who is a former neurosurgeon leading the research, said if the drug works, they will be able to tell in a few weeks, after testing more patients.
April 26, 5:03 p.m.
Dr. Sunil Desai from Orlando Health said the health system is seeing great results in COVID-19-infected patients through plasma-derived therapy. CNN reported that plasma-derived therapy is when doctors inject the plasma of a recovered COVID-19 patient into a person that is still fighting it, as the antibodies in the plasma help to fight off the virus. Desai said the procedure has been performed on 12 patients, whose conditions have since improved.
April 26, 4:01 p.m.
The last remaining patient on the military hospital ship the USNS Comfort was discharged on Sunday. The hospital ship was anchored in New York Harbor. ABC reported that New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo thought the ship “not only brought comfort but also saved lives,” despite the projected COVID-19 cases not being reached. The ship is now returning to Virginia for maintenance, before embarking on its next mission.
April 26, 2:57 p.m.
As many states begin to consider reopening their economies, New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy warned that the reopening of his state is still weeks away. “The mandate to stay at home and stay away from each other is still very much in effect until we can break the back of this curve,” Murphy said, according to NJ.com.
April 26, 1:45 p.m.
South Carolina received 1.5 million surgical masks, state leaders announced in a press conference. The masks arrived from China to Greenville, South Carolina today in a partnership with Boeing. State leaders thanked Discommon owner Neil Ferrier who sourced the masks in China. The masks will be given to healthcare workers at Prisma Healthcare as well as the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston.
April 26, 12:30 p.m.
More than 105,000 patients have recovered from COVID-19 in the United States, according to the data from Johns Hopkins University. New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo reported total hospitalizations in New York are down to levels seen nearly a month ago. There have been 367 deaths statewide in the last day, down from 437 in the previous 24-hour period, Cuomo announced.
April 26, 11:30 a.m.
CDC adds more coronavirus symptoms. Previously, only fever, cough and shortness of breath were noted as possible symptoms of COVID-19, however, The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has added six new possible symptoms.
These symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus, according to the CDC:
Fever
Cough
Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
Chills
Repeated shaking with chills
Muscle pain
Headache
Sore throat
New loss of taste or smell
April 26, 10:15 a.m.
In Madrid, children under the age of 14 are now allowed outside for the first time in six weeks. The government declared they have one hour of supervised outdoor activity per day between 9 a.m. and 9 p.m., staying within close proximity to their home. The relaxation came as Spain registered its lowest daily increase in the coronavirus death toll in more than a month. Currently, Spain has 223,759 total confirmed cases and 22,902 deaths.
April 26, 9 a.m.
Tampa’s Mayor Jane Castor posted an apology to Tom Brady after he was removed from a local park that was closed due to coronavirus. “Tom, my apologies for the miscommunication when you arrived - not the best first impression,” Castor wrote in a statement posted to Twitter on Saturday. The NFL season set to begin as scheduled on September 10.
April 26, 7:45 a.m.
The World Health Organization (WHO) recommended countries refrain from issuing certificates of immunity to people who have been infected with the virus since there is still no evidence that people who test positive for the new coronavirus and recover are immunized and protected against reinfection, The World Health Organization warned. "There is currently no evidence that people who have recovered from COVID-19 and have antibodies are protected from a second infection," WHO said in a statement.
April 25, 9:51 p.m.
Hawaii Gov. David Ige announced the state's sixth supplementary emergency proclamation, extending the stay at home order in the state to May 31. The order also restricts outdoor activities such as surfing, swimming and walking pets. “This was not an easy decision. I know this has been difficult for everyone. Businesses need to reopen. People want to end this self-isolation and we want to return to normal, but this virus is potentially deadly, especially for the elderly and those with pre-existing conditions," Ige said.
April 25, 8:23 p.m.
The coronavirus has killed more than 200,000 people globally. Here are the latest global COVID-19 numbers, provided by researchers at Johns Hopkins University:
Total confirmed cases: 2,892,508
Total confirmed deaths: 202,455
Total confirmed recoveries: 815,658
The U.S. has more confirmed cases than any other nation with 936,293 cases confirmed.
Gov. Cuomo addresses the media while holding an n95 mask during a press briefing on COVID-19. (Darren McGee/Office of Governor Andrew M. Cuomo via AP)
April 25, 7:14 p.m.
U.K. Prime Minister Boris Johnson will return to work on Monday, CNN reported. Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs Dominic Raab has been acting as Prime Minister while Johnson recovered from COVID-19, which he was hospitalized for earlier this month
April 25, 6:10 p.m.
Smoking could increase the chances of contracting COVID-19, according to The U.S. Food and Drug Administration. In addition, smoking can worsen the outcome in people who develop the virus. “People who smoke cigarettes may be at increased risk of infection with the virus that causes COVID-19, and may have worse outcomes from COVID-19,” the FDA told Bloomberg.
April 25, 5:07 p.m.
Harris County in Texas will begin enforcing that all residents over the age of 10 wear face coverings. The order will begin being enforced on April 27, KHOU 11 News reported. To assist residents in following the order, the city of Houston announced they will begin handing out free masks at various locations, beginning Saturday.
April 25, 4:02 p.m.
Over a dozen sailors on a U.S. Navy destroyer ship in the Caribbean have tested positive for COVID-19, U.S. officials told Reuters. There are believed to be a few hundred sailors on the ship. It is also believed that the cases are the first onboard a ship that is currently at sea. The destroyer was sent to the Caribbean in an effort to fight drug cartels. There is now concern that the outbreak could lead it to return to the United States. A similar situation happened to an aircraft carrier in the Asia Pacific when 850 tested positive causing the ship to dock in Guam for medical assistance.
April 25, 3 p.m.
U.S. military sentinels stand watch at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier no matter the weather and even as COVID-19 has led to a shutdown in and around the nation's capital. U.S. Defense Secretary Mark Esper recently reminded Americans of those sentinels' duties when he posted a photo of one guarding the tomb in wet spring weather. Rain is in the cards there on Friday, with sunshine returning over the weekend, according to the AccuWeather forecast. Last year, AccuWeather's Jonathan Petramala reported on the constant watch the sentinels provide, even when the weather makes it difficult. Volunteers from the U.S. Army's 3rd Infantry have been standing watch at Arlington National Cemetary in Virginia every minute of every day since 1948. Watch his report here.
April 25, 1:45 p.m.
Florida will receive a shipment of antibody test kits on May 1, Gov. Ron DeSantis said at a press conference. The antibody testing kit company had to send kits to New York before they could fulfill the order for Florida, DeSantis said. “We have now been confirmed that we will have the antibody tests that the state has ordered,” DeSantis said.
A passenger carries her luggage through a nearly deserted terminal at the Tampa International Airport Friday, April 24, 2020, in Tampa, Fla. Business at the airport has been at a near standstill due to the coronavirus outbreak. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)
April 25, 12 p.m.
New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo said he will sign an executive order to authorize all independent pharmacies in the state to be collection sites for testing. “Just a quick clarification, the tests at the pharmacies will be diagnostic tests, positive negative, not antibodies tests," Cuomo said. “You will be able to go into a pharmacy and get a test, the parlance is the sample will be collected at the pharmacy, the pharmacy then sends it to a lab, the lab conducts the test.”
April 25, 10:55 a.m.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) warned officials in law enforcement and school systems of the security risks posed by cybercriminals and cyber-actors exploiting online users. “We assess cybercriminals likely view schools’ greater reliance on eLearning tools due to the pandemic as an opportunity to conduct a range of criminal activity against educational institutions, faculty and students who use these tools,” the April 24 document said according to ABC News. The risks outlined range from theft of login information to identity theft and more.
April 25, 9:45 a.m.
In Fergus Falls, Minnesota, 104-year-old veteran nurse Gertrude Larson sat at her Singer sewing machine, using her decades of experience to make masks for nursing home staff and residents of the city. The machine, bought back in 1939, chugged away as she fed the fabric through and spoke with WSBT-TV, telling them she had no arthritis in her hands and can see well enough. Born in 1916, Larson remembered her mother isolating the children on the farm they lived on during the 1918-1919 Spanish Influenza pandemic. Decades later, she attended and graduated from St. Luke’s School of nursing in Fargo, North Dakota, in 1938, and had handled procedures including orthopedic surgery. Today, she’s still doing what she can to help people, even outside of a hospital.
April 25, 7:30 a.m.
The Sunshine State is starting to see a plateau in coronavirus numbers, according to VOX. “It looks to me like we are not really declining at this point, but we’re on a plateau,” Thomas Hladish, a research scientist at the University of Florida’s Emerging Pathogens Institute told VOX, continuing the Florida outbreak was “clearly not growing exponentially.” New findings show hot, humid weather may slow the spread of COVID-19, Senior Official Performing the Duties of the Under Secretary for Science and Technology for the Department of Homeland Security Bill Bryan said. In raw totals, Florida had the eighth-most coronavirus cases as of April 24. It has the third-most people, so if you adjust for population, Florida slides all the way down to 18th in Covid-19 cases per capita, according to USA Today.
Previous coverage:
Click here for previous daily briefings on the coronavirus outbreak from April 22-24
Click here for previous daily briefings on the coronavirus outbreak from April 18-21
Click here for previous daily briefings on the coronavirus outbreak from April 12-15
Click here for previous daily briefings on the coronavirus outbreak from April 12-14
Click here for previous daily briefings on the coronavirus outbreak from April 8-11
Click here for previous daily briefings on the coronavirus outbreak from April 5-7
Click here for previous daily briefings on the coronavirus outbreak from April 1-4
Click here for previous daily briefings on the coronavirus outbreak from March 29-31.
Click here for previous daily briefings on the coronavirus outbreak from March 26-28.
Click here for previous daily briefings on the coronavirus outbreak.
Reporting by Lauren Fox, John Murphy, Brian Lada, Mark Puleo, Maria Antonieta Valery Gil, Kevin Byrne, Chaffin Mitchell, Adriana Navarro, John Roach, Dexter Henry, Bill Wadell, Jonathan Petramala, and Monica Danielle
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