COVID-19: What you need to know about the coronavirus pandemic on 9 May

May 9, 2020

A Vesak lantern in a shape of coronavirus is seen at a house on the following day of Vesak day, which is celebrated on May 7th and 8th in Sri Lanka, to commemorate the birth, enlightenment and death of Buddha, during the curfew amid concerns about the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), in Colombo, Sri Lanka, May 8, 2020. Image: REUTERS/Dinuka Liyanawatte

Linda Lacina

This daily roundup brings you a selection of the latest news updates on the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic, as well as tips and tools to help you stay informed and protected.
Today's top stories: UK to announce 14-day quarantine for all travelers entering the country; Italy's cases edge down as the death toll passes 30,000; reinfected coronavirus patients are likely false positives; and how one Latin American country is keeping the virus under control.

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What is the World Economic Forum doing about the coronavirus outbreak?

1. How COVID-19 is impacting the globe

Confirmed coronavirus cases are approaching 4 million worldwide, according to Johns Hopkins University. More than 275,000 people have died from the virus, while over 1.3 million have recovered.
The UK government is expected to announce plans for a 14-day quarantine on all travelers coming into Britain in an effort limit a second wave of the virus.
Confirmed deaths from coronavirus in Italy rose above 30,000, even as new daily infections fell slightly.
US lawmakers are at loggerheads over a new multibillion-dollar stimulus package, while unemployment hit a record 14.7%.

2. Smallpox proves a vaccine alone cannot conquer COVID-19: WHO briefing
On the 40th anniversary of the eradication of smallpox, World Health Organization (WHO) officials shared lessons learned from conquering that disease, including the importance of global cooperation.

“That same solidarity...is needed now more than ever to defeat COVID-19," said Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus at a briefing in Geneva Friday.

3. 'Reinfected' coronavirus cases are likely false positives

Officials in South Korea raised concerns recently after recovered patients tested positive for coronavirus, Reuters reported. Research has found, however, that these cases are likely "false positives" caused by non-infectious bits of the virus still in these patients' lungs. According to the findings, those who appear to have relapsed are actually still in the recovery process.

4. This Latin American country is keeping COVID-19 firmly under control. How?

Costa Rica has successfully suppressed cases in part thanks to a strategy that has relied on a swift response from the government and cooperation from the people. The country banned mass gatherings in early March and by mid-March had closed its borders and told most workers and students to operate remotely.

“We’ve had a very controlled transmission,” the country’s health minister, Daniel Salas, told The Tico Times in April. “That’s in large part to the actions taken at the appropriate moment, but also due to the very favourable response from a population that understands the challenge we’re facing.”

This is how coronavirus has progressed in Costa Rica. Image: Tico Times

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