Coronavirus Cruise Ship and Politician News Updates
Posted on 03/09/2020
The Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) started out in China and now there are over 100,000 cases in more than 90 countries. There is no specific drug or vaccine to treat COVID-19, instead medical professionals tell people to utilize hygiene and quarantine.
The U.S. State Department issued a release not advising on cruise ship travel, “U.S. citizens, particularly travelers with underlying health conditions, should not travel by cruise ship. CDC notes increased risk of infection of COVID-19 in a cruise ship environment. In order to curb the spread of COVID-19, many countries have implemented strict screening procedures that have denied port entry rights to ships and prevented passengers from disembarking. In some cases, local authorities have permitted disembarkation but subjected passengers to local quarantine procedures. While the U.S. government has evacuated some cruise ship passengers in recent weeks, repatriation flights should not be relied upon as an option for U.S. citizens under the potential risk of quarantine by local authorities.
This is a fluid situation. CDC notes that older adults and travelers with underlying health issues should avoid situations that put them at increased risk for more severe disease. This entails avoiding crowded places, avoiding non-essential travel such as long plane trips, and especially avoiding embarking on cruise ships.”
Coronavirus News Updates on Politicians
The U.S. House Administration Committee plans to form a center to coordinate computers and phones into a telecommuting system, according to an internal memo. The memo states, “In light of the unique and unusual circumstances presented by the coronavirus … this will provide the opportunity for staff to receive technical assistance they may need to be prepared to work remotely.”
U.S. Senator Ted Cruz decided to self-quarantined after shaking hands with a person who tested positive for COVID-19, he said in a news release. Ted Cruz shook hands with the attendee at the Conservative Political Action Conference in Maryland in February 2020.
Portugal President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, aged 71, has canceled all public activities and will stay at home due to the COVID-19 outbreak. His office said that the president had no symptoms, but did meet with a group of students in which one had been carrying COVID-19.
Fatemeh Rahbar, aged 55, an Iranian lawmaker died from COVID-19, according to state news agency IRNA.
A second member of France’s National Assembly was tested and confirmed to have COVID-19. Five other French lawmakers are being tested for coronavirus.
Asia
China’s National Health Commission raised the total number of cases on the mainland to 80,735 at the end of March 8, 2020, with a death total of 3,119.
South Korea has confirmed 7,382 cases as of March 9, 2020 with a death total at 50.
Bangladesh confirmed its first three cases of coronavirus, the infected people returned home from Italy recently.
Europe
At March 8, 2020, Italy totaled 7,375 cases, while France total 1,126 cases.
