Some experts are projecting the outbreak will resolve just in time for President Trump to tout during the election cycle. But, for now, the economic repercussions continue to grow and infections and deaths are rising.
The state of play: 2019-nCoV has killed 638 people worldwide, all but two in mainland China, the epicenter where at least 31,161 people infected. There are more than 200 cases in 27 other countries and territories. ...
Last 48 hours
- Trade shows: Ericsson said Friday it will not join the huge trade show in Barcelona, Mobile World Congress, at the end of this month due to contagion concerns. They are following LG, who pulled out earlier, and ZTE, which cancelled a press conference there.
- Travel restrictions: WHO said Friday no new countries reported their first case of virus over the past 24 hours, but that didn't stop the number of state parties with some type of travel restriction to grow to 72.
- U.S. cases: The CDC said Friday the number of cases remains steady at 12 people in the U.S., including two who were infected person-to-person. Cases have been confirmed in California (6), Illinois (2), Wisconsin (1), Arizona (1), Massachusetts (1) and Washington state (1).
- Under investigation: 36 U.S. states report 337 (cumulative total) patients under investigation, of whom 100 are pending and 225 were found negative, the CDC said Friday. The CDC has begun shipping to state and local health authorities diagnostic tests that provide results in four hours.
- No glitches: There are "no glitches" so far in the rapid development of a vaccine by NIH and biotech company Moderna, a U.S. official said Friday. They hope to start trials in 2.5 months.
- Energy: The outbreak is affecting oil markets, energy-related industries and even carbon emissions — underscoring that when it comes to energy, China is the straw that stirs the drink as the world's largest oil-and-gas importer, largest auto market and largest carbon emitter.
- Senate: Two senators asked FDA for assurance the outbreak won't affect the supply chain for American food, pharmaceuticals or medical supplies.
- Hero: One of the Chinese doctors who sounded the alarm on the deadly new virus and had been portrayed as a local hero by many after authorities cracked down on him, has died after contracting the virus. The Wuhan Central Hospital confirmed Li Wenliang's death after a period of confusion in