According to the World Health Organization, the coronavirus infection rates in countries that have eased social restrictions meant to slow the spread of the virus are increasing. The epicenter of the pandemic is currently in countries of Central, South and North America, especially the United States who has over 1.96 million total confirmed cases and about 110,000 deaths.
"On upticks [of infection], yes we have seen in countries around the world--I'm not talking specifically about Europe--when the lockdowns ease, when the social distancing measures ease, people sometimes interpret this as 'OK, it's over," W.H.O. spokesperson Margaret Harris stated during a United Nations briefing in Geneva, reported by Reuters.
"It's not over," adding that protestors in the United States should take precautions against the virus when gathering. "It's not over until there is no virus anywhere in the world."
In addition to commenting on the virus's enduring spread, the W.H.O. also updated its guidance on facial coverings on Friday. The global health agency is now recommending that nations instruct their public to wear fabric face masks in public areas where there is a risk of transmission to help reduce the spread.
The new guidance was issued due to evidence from studies conducted in recent weeks, with the agency stressing that the masks reduce the risk of spreading and should not give a false sense of protection, according to Reuters.
W.H.O.'s coronavirus lead, Dr. Maria Van Kerkhove, said in an interview with Reuters: "We are advising governments to encourage that the general public wear a mask. And we specify a fabric mask--that is, a non-medical mask...We have evidence now that if this is done properly it can provide a barrier...for potentially infectious droplets."
Total Global Cases: Over 6.84 Million
Total Deaths: Over 398,000
Total Recovered: Over 3.33 Million
New York City
According to the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, Wednesday marked the first day of no confirmed coronavirus in New York City, a statistic the United States epicenter has not recorded since March.
The confirmed COVID-19 deaths only account for those who tested positive for the virus prior to their death. The city noted that they are looking into three possible cases of coronavirus deaths for Wednesday, meaning they showed signs of infection but were unable to be tested. According to CNBC, probable deaths can be reclassified as confirm COVID-19 deaths after tests are processed.
New Research
United Kingdom researchers have stopped a major drug trial for the anti-malaria drug hydroxychloroquine on Friday, after early results showed that the drug had no effect on the outcome for coronavirus patients.
"Today's preliminary results from the RECOVERY trial are quite clear--hydroxychloroquine does not reduce the risk of death among hospitalized patients with this new disease," Martin Landray, an Oxford University epidemiologist and co-leader of the RECOVERY trial," issued in a press release. "This result should change medical practice worldwide and demonstrates the importance of large, randomized trails to inform decision about both the efficacy and the safety of treatments."
The RECOVERY trial of the drug had randomly assigned 1,542 COVID-19 patients to a treatment that included hydroxychloroquine and standard care, and compared them with 3,132 COVID-19 patient treated with just standard care. Results concluded that there was no significant difference in death rates, hospital stay lengths or other outcomes between the two groups after 28 days.