As of Thursday February 20, 2020, there have been more than 75,000 known coronavirus infections and over 2,000 deaths. According to the Centers for Disease Control, there have been fifteen confirmed cases of the coronavirus in the United States, and there have been no deaths reported. Deaths from the coronavirus have occurred in China, Iran, South Korea, France, Hong Kong, Japan, the Philippines and Taiwan.
The U.S. State Department updated their guidance and indicated that “U.S. citizens should reconsider travel by cruise ship to or within East Asia and the Asia-Pacific Region.” Screening for the coronavirus has been delayed following problems with the test developed by the CDC. To date, only three of public health labs in the United States have verified the test for use. The preliminary results from two clinical trials prioritized by the World Health Organization are expected in three weeks. In addition, the first two deaths from the Diamond Princess cruise liner were announced. A total of 621 passengers have tested positive for the coronavirus. Earlier this week 328 Americans from the Diamond Princess were flown back to the United States.
As a result of the coronavirus the International Air Transport Association announced that global air travel is expected to decline for the first time since 2009, resulting in $29 billion in lost revenue to airlines.
The Health Law Pulse will continue to provide updates as more is known about this public health crisis.