The coronavirus pandemic has taken over almost every facet of day-to-day life. New developments seem to appear on the scene every hour, and the situation between one area and the next can be dramatically different.
As a safety provider, we recognize the fear and uncertainty is difficult for businesses to face. But one of our biggest responsibilities during these difficult times is to prevent the spread of misinformation.
To that end, we’ve compiled a list of some of the biggest news updates of the week on the COVID-19 pandemic. Keep reading for a quick review of the major headlines.
The U.S. Leads the World in COVID-19 Deaths
As of April 17, the United States now leads the world in coronavirus deaths, surpassing Italy and Spain with over 35,000 coronavirus deaths as of early this morning and 677,529 confirmed cases.
Globally, there are more than 2.1 million confirmed coronavirus cases and 146,291 deaths, though experts believe these numbers to be far below the actual toll of the coronavirus due to insufficient testing.
The United States is also one of the areas where coronavirus cases are increasing at a frighteningly high rate. Worse, two-thirds of coronavirus cases are concentrated in just seven states: New York, New Jersey, Michigan, Louisiana, California, Massachusetts, and Pennsylvania.
Global Deaths Cross 100K
Globally, coronavirus cases aren’t looking any lighter.
Spain has the next highest number of confirmed coronavirus cases after the United States, but its numbers are still less than half the confirmed cases in the United States. That said, Italy appears to be emerging from its darkest days, with a fall in the number of hospitalizations and deaths.
The crisis also seems to be easing in parts of Europe, though the region as a whole remains on an anxious tightrope.
The Latest from Lockdown
Then there is the question everyone wants to know: when will we be out of lockdown?
The answer remains unclear.
Countries are beginning to weigh the economic benefits of easing lockdown restrictions against the medical benefit of keeping lockdowns in place. In the United States, Dr. Anthony Fauci, the nation’s leading infectious disease expert, cautioned against eagerness and said that any measures to ease lockdowns must be taken as part of a slow, careful process to avoid new outbreaks.
There is also the question of what lockdown easing entails. China had a reduced number of cases in recent weeks, but it had a sudden uptick in cases after allowing Chinese citizens to return from Russia, which is experiencing its own uptick in cases.
Stay Safe During This Difficult Time
We understand that this is a trying time for individuals, families, and businesses. But the most important thing to do is to stay safe, stay informed, and remember that we’re all in this together.
If you need more guidance on the coronavirus, make sure to check out blog for more posts on the virus. This post covers what you need to know about the virus itself. We’ve also posted on recording occupational cases of coronavirus and major topics in health and safety during the pandemic.
