FDA enables emergency use of CDC’s 2019-nCoV Real-Time RT-PCR Diagnostic Panel test for coronavirus
The FDA issued an emergency use authorization (EUA) to enable emergency use of the CDC’s 2019-nCoV Real-Time RT-PCR Diagnostic Panel. To date, the test has been limited to use at CDC laboratories. The authorization allows the use of the test at any CDC-qualified lab across the U.S. Under this EUA, the use of the test is authorized for patients who meet the CDC criteria for the new coronavirus, 2019-nCoV, testing. The diagnostic is a reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test that provides presumptive detection of 2019-nCoV from respiratory secretions, such as nasal or oral swabs. A positive test result indicates likely infection with the new coronavirus. Read more from the FDA here.
Reported deaths approach 500 in China; second evacuation of Americans underway
The death toll from coronavirus continues to rise in China, as it is reported near 500. New cases in China have risen by double-digit percentages in the past 11 days. New figures from China’s Health Commission on Wednesday showed that 65 people died on Tuesday and that 3,887 more people had been infected, bringing the reported total in China to 24,324 people. The mortality rate of coronavirus is about 2% so far and appears to be far lower than SARS, which has a morality rate of approximately 10%. However, experts warn they still lack full data to say how lethal the new coronavirus is.
A second round of evacuations of American citizens out of China has begun. The U.S. State Department said, “two planes have departed Wuhan en route to the United States,” on Wednesday. It is believed that like the first Americans evacuated from Wuhan, the passengers will likely be taken to a military base and directed to remain there pending medical tests. Read more about the U.S., Britain and France urging their citizens to leave China here.
Hong Kong hospital workers go on strike, demanding mainland China border close
Hundreds of “non-essential” hospital workers in Hong Kong went on strike this week, demanding the border with mainland China be completely closed to reduce the risk of coronavirus spreading. Hong Kong has suspended cross-border rail and ferry services, but healthcare workers want a complete border closure. There have been 15 confirmed cases of coronavirus in Hong Kong. It has a population of 7 million people and is part of China but retains significant autonomy. The border functions in much the same way as a normal international checkpoint. Read more here.
U.S. hospitals on high alert for coronavirus amid flu season
U.S. hospitals are bracing for a potential escalation of the coronavirus outbreak that has disrupted travel to and from China. UHS (King of Prussia, PA), one of the largest healthcare systems in the country, activated its emergency response team Jan. 15. The Greater New York Hospital Association has stated that protocols like identifying, isolating and treating patients, which hospitals use for all infectious diseases, would kick in if a patient arrived at an emergency department and was suspected of having coronavirus, known as 2019-nCoV. Read more from S&P Global Market Intelligence about U.S. hospital preparedness here.
Past outbreaks provide roadmap for U.S. government response to coronavirus
The threat of coronavirus in the U.S. remains low. But a network of U.S. government agencies is ramping up efforts to contain the disease and they aren’t starting from scratch. Previous outbreaks, including Ebola, Zika and SARS have informed the government’s response to the new coronavirus. An effective response to any infectious disease requires the White House, a network of federal agencies, Congress and parts of the military react simultaneously. Read more about the U.S. government’s response and learning from past outbreaks here.
Epidemic’s impacts ripple abroad in life and business
The coronavirus epidemic is disrupting life and business across the globe. Hyundai, the South Korean carmaker, said it has idled factories because of Chinese supply chain problems. Japan has quarantined a cruise ship with 3,700 people aboard because a passenger has tested positive for the virus. And Macau, a gambling hub and special administrative region of China, has shut down its casinos for two weeks. Wuhan, a city of 11 million people and the epicenter of the outbreak, is quiet and desolate. Track how the virus has spread 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