The World Health Organization stated that the treat of a global pandemic is rising as the virus rapidly spreads across the world. "Now the that virus has a foothold in so many countries, the threat of a pandemic has become very real," director-general Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus stated. "When you reach 100 countries and when you reach 100,000 cases, it is time to step back and think, two weeks ago it was 30 countries," said Dr. Mike Ryan, executive director of the WHO's emergencies program.
Total Number of Cases: over 113,500
Total Number of Deaths: almost 4,000
Total Recovered: over 62,800
What Happened Today:
Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte stated that he will sign a decree that will extend the lock down of the Lombardy region to the entire country. Citizens are barred from leaving their homes for reasons other than work or emergencies and all public gatherings and sporting events have been banned. Iraq has also banned all public gatherings and have ask citizens to not visit sacred cities to stop the deadly spread. Similar bans were also in Ireland, Spain and Saudi Arabia.
U.S. President Donald Trump downplayed the severity of the outbreak, tweeting: "So last year 37,000 Americans died from the common Flu. It averages between 27,000 and 70,000 per year. Nothin is hut down, life & economy go on. At this moment there are 546 confirmed cases of CoronaVirus, with 22 deaths. Think about that!" Trump has repeatedly criticized American media for over its coverage of the outbreak. On Sunday, the president tweeted: "We have a perfectly coordinated and fine tuned plan at the White House for out attack on CoronaVirus. We moved VERY early to close borders to certain areas, which is a Godsend. V.P. is doing a great job. The Fake News Media is doing everything possible to make us look bad. Sad!"
Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT) and Apple (NASDAQ: AAPL) both donate $1 million to aid COVID-19 response in Seattle. Apple also updated its iPhone care instructions, saying that it is ok to use disinfectant wipes to clean their products. Google (NASDAQ: GOOGL) and Amazon (NASDAQ: AMZN) have asked workers in New York and New Jersey to stay home at least until the end of the month.
Another two Princess cruise ships have reported passengers with flu-like symptoms and is being kept at sea to wait for virus testing.
Tracking the Spread:
Americas: The United States has announced 83 new cases Monday, bringing the nation's total to 624. Canada has announced 11 new cases with one new death, Colombia-2 new cases, Chile- 3, Peru-2 and Ecuador-1.
Europe: Italy has reported 1,797 new cases and 97 new deaths, making Monday the country's largest one day increase. Spain has 555 new cases and 13 new deaths. France had 203 new cases and 11 new deaths, Germany-151 new cases and 2 new deaths, Sweden-57, Denmark-55, Norway-48, the Netherlands- 56 new cases and 1 new death, U.K.- 43 new cases and 2 new deaths, Switzerland-42, Belgium-39, Austria-27, San Marino- 14 new cases and 1 death, Greece-11, Portugal-9, Finland-8, Iceland-7, Slovenia-7, Czechia-6, Poland- 6, Ireland-3, Latvia-3, Romania-2, Georgia-2, Hungary-2, Bosnia and Herzegovina- 2, Slovakia-2, North Macedonia, Croatia and Malta-1. The Channel Islands announced their first case today.
Middle East: Iran reported 595 new cases and 43 new deaths on Monday. Bahrain-24, United Arab Emirates-14, Israel-11, Lebanon-9, Saudi Arabia-9, Pakistan-9, Palestine-6, Iraq-6, Qatar-3, Oman-2, Cyprus-2, Kuwait and Serbia-1.
Asia: South Korea reported 165 new cases and 3 new deaths. China is reaching record lows with 44 new cases and 23 new deaths. Japan-28 new cases and 2 new deaths, Malaysia-18, Philippines-14, Indonesia-13, India-7, Russia-3, Maldives-2, Vietnam and Brunei-1.
Africa: South Africa-4, Tunisia-3 and Nigeria-1.
Oceania: Australia-10.