Infected Americans from quarantined Japanese cruise ship were flown to U.S. against CDC advice
On Monday, 328 Americans were flown back to the U.S. wearing surgical masks and gloves after weeks in quarantine aboard the Diamond Princess cruise ship in Japan. However, test results showed that 14 of them were infected with the novel coronavirus and the U.S. State Department had said that no one with the infection would be allowed to fly back to the U.S. But the State Department forged ahead against the advice of the CDC and brought back all 328 Americans. Read more here.
At least 11 Americans from quarantined Japanese cruise ship test positive for coronavirus
At least 11 American evacuees from the quarantined Diamond Princess cruise ship in Japan have tested positive for the novel coronavirus while back in the U.S. Five other evacuees have also shown symptoms of the virus. However, none of the 16 evacuees have had tests confirmed by the CDC. They were all at Travis Air Force Base in California, but four have been taken to a hospital in Spokane, WA, for treatment. The hospital is one of 10 in the U.S. funded by Congress to treat new or highly infectious diseases. Read more here.
FBI orders $40,000 in hand sanitizer and face masks
The FBI has ordered $40,000 in hand sanitizer and face masks as part of its pandemic preparedness supply order from 3M and PDI Healthcare. The masks are to be stored throughout the U.S. for distribution to employees in the event of a declared pandemic. The supply acquisition document gives the companies one week to fulfill the order. The $40,000 contract pales in comparison to other FBI contracts with private companies, but it helps to illustrate how U.S. agencies are preparing for the possibility that coronavirus could reach pandemic levels in the U.S. Read more here.
South Korea reports big jump in coronavirus cases
South Korea has declared a “special management zone” in the city of Daegu following the spread of COVID-19 that has been linked to a single church service. South Korean coronavirus cases have doubled in the last day and are now over 200. Events have been cancelled or delayed in the city as the government works to prevent the spread of the virus. Daegu is two hours south of Seoul, the capital of South Korea, and has 2.5 million residents. The Shincheonji Church of Jesus has become the source of the largest cluster of infections in the country. Read more here.
More than 500 cases reported in Chinese prisons
China traces hundreds of new coronavirus cases back to four prisons on the mainland, including two in the Hubei province, the epicenter of the outbreak. Wuhan Women’s prison has 230 cases and the Shayang Hanjin prison has 41 cases as of Friday. Rencheng Jail in China’s Shandong province also confirms 207 cases. The Shandong government said a prison guard at the jail began showing signs of the virus early this month. Shilifeng Jail in the Zhejiang province has also confirmed 34 cases there. Read more here.
More coronavirus resources from The Journal of Healthcare Contracting:
- Day-by-day Timeline of major events
- FAQ/Insights – Helpful and relevant links to help you keep track of the ongoing epidemic