The coronavirus pandemic has now topped 4 million confirmed cases worldwide after just 6 months of known spread. Even though the virus has impacted nearly the entire world, there is still much to learn about COVID-19.
On Monday, the World Health Organization stated that several countries that have lifted previous restrictions and reopened businesses have seen increases in coronavirus cases, even though these countries have implemented large-scale testing and contact tracing measures.
"In the Republic of Korea, bars and clubs were shut as a confirmed case led to many contacts being traced," W.H.O. Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said during the agency's coronavirus press conference in Geneva on Monday. "In Wuhan, China, the first cluster of cases since the lockdown lifted was identified. Germany has also reported an increase in cases since the easing of restrictions."
The W.H.O. cautioned countries who are working towards reopening to first make sure the epidemic is under control, ensure that their health system can handle a potential resurgence and have necessary testing, tracing and isolating infrastructure in place.
Dr. Michael Ryan, W.H.O.'s chief of emergencies, said that robust contact tracing that has been adopted by Germany and South Korea can help countries detect and stop virus clusters while they are still containable.
"Shutting your eyes and trying to drive through this blind is about as silly an equation as I've seen," Ryan said. "And I'm really concerned that certain countries are setting themselves up for some seriously blind driving over the next few months."
Nevertheless, some countries that do not meet official health experts' recommends have begun to shift their policies towards economy recovery rather than pandemic response.
The United Kingdom had changed its safety message on Sunday, in a move that some criticized as being confusing in a time when clarity is needed. Prime Minster Boris Johnson told the public over a televised message to "stay alert, control the virus, save lives," a change from the previous "stay at home, protect the NHS (National Health Service), save lives."
At the same time, states across the United States are continuing to ease their restrictions. Many of the states that are either open or beginning to open do not meet the White House's initial guidelines for easing public restrictions.
"We're not reopening based on science," Dr. Thomas R. Frieden, former director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, told The New York Times. "We're reopening based on politics, ideology and public pressure. And I think it's going to end badly."
Total Global Cases: Over 4.1 Million
Total Deaths: Over 287,000
Total Recovered: Over 1.5 Million
Call for Aid
California Governor Gavin Newsom announced on Monday that his state has joined with Oregon, Washington, Nevada, and Colorado to ask the federal government for $1 trillion in coronavirus related aid. Newsom tweeted that the aid will help fund schools, public health, and public safety services. This is the first public announcement of states banding together to request aid.
F.D.A. Approved
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