Coronavirus Today

→ July 2nd, 2020

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Coronavirus Breaking News

Defense Department Authorizes Travel to Just 47 US States

The US Secretary of Defense recently signed a memo, moving to a conditions-based approach to personnel travel. The Secretary's #1 priority during the COVID-19 pandemic is protecting the military workforce.

As of June 29, 2020, there are 47 US states that meet the new conditions to lift travel restrictions, subject to individual military installation assessments.

California, Florida, and Michigan are the only US states to which service members are not authorized to travel for permanent-change-of-station moves, temporary duty, and other non-essential purposes.

However, if installation conditions are subsequently not met, the approval authority decides if travel restrictions should be reinstated, stated this DoD press statement.

Alert: Contact-Tracing Scams in the USA

Part of the continued effort to fight fraud connected to the COVID-19 pandemic, the US Department of Justice, the Department of Health and Human Services, and the Federal Trade Commission announced on June 30, 2020, they are partnering to alert the public of emerging threats to steal money and sensitive information through contact tracing scams.

Scammers may send text messages or emails with fake links, or call people pretending to be contact tracers.

Their goal is to get money, Social Security numbers, or other sensitive information not required for authentic contact tracing.

Treating COVID-19 Patients with Convalescent Plasma Found Safe

The first peer-reviewed study of COVID-19 and convalescent plasma therapy in the USA shows the treatment to be safe, with 76% of patients improving after receiving the treatment. No adverse events as a result of plasma transfusion were observed. Whole-genome sequencing data did not identify a strain genotype-disease severity correlation.

This study's data indicate that the administration of convalescent plasma is a safe treatment option for those with severe COVID-19 disease.

Puerto Rico Requires American Visitors Pass COVID-19 Test

Puerto Rico's governor announced on June 30, 2020, new rules for all airline passengers arriving into Puerto Rico. Starting July 15th, all visitors, including USA citizens, must take a coronavirus test 72 hours prior to their arrival and submit the results to officials at the airport, reported Fox13 news.

Those who refuse to do so, or tested positive, or do not have the test results available, will be forced into a 2-week quarantine.

During that time, these visitors have to undergo a COVID-19 test and share the results if they want to be released from quarantine, said Puerto Rico Health Secretary Lorenzo Gonzalez.

USA Consolidates Coronavirus Treatment Market

On June 29, 2020, the US Department of Health and Human Services announced an agreement to secure large supplies - about 90% of all production - of the drug remdesivir for use by American hospitals.

According to international media, this implies European health authorities may not be able to acquire any supplies of remdesivir until the Fall of 2020.