Corona Tsunami: How nations are combating the deadly virus

With more than 2,76,000 people affected and 11,000 lives lost, coronavirus in all likelihood is not disappearing from the face of the earth so soon. In the days to come, a sense of trepidation doesn't appear to wane especially when there is no vaccine at hand to counter the virus.

Hyderabad:So far coronavirus has infected more than 2,76,000 people and claimed 11,000 lives. In the absence of a vaccine and drastic measures to contain the rapid spread novel virus, there appears to be no end to the spiralling casualties.

The COVID-19 illness causes mild or moderate symptoms in most people, but severe symptoms are more likely in the elderly or those with existing health problems. Almost 86,000 people have recovered so far, mostly in China. Apart from China, there are nearly 168 nations that are grappling in fear due to the deadly virus. ETV Bharat picks some countries that are badly affected by the coronavirus.

China -- Affected: 81,008, Deaths: 3,255

Since December 2019, China has been putting up a firm battle to combat the spread of coronavirus. With over 3, 248 deaths (the number may be much more), authorities in China have put some stringent measures in place to take on the virus. Although it has not banned travellers from abroad, Beijing and other cities have mandated that all incoming passengers undergo 14-day quarantines, either at home or at a government-designated facility such as a hotel or makeshift observation centre. Some flights to Beijing are being rerouted to regional airports to relieve pressure on the capital for screening large numbers of incoming passengers.

China is slowly coming back to life with the government saying about 80% of economic activity has been restored, although millions of workers remain stranded by travel bans. Beijing's tourism industry is still on hold, just as it should be ramping up for the summer season. The Great Wall is largely shut and it remains forbidden to visit the Forbidden City.

Sri Lanka -- Affected: 73, Deaths: 0

The Sri Lankan government on Friday imposed a 2 1/2 day curfew across the whole island in a bid to contain the spreading of the coronavirus.

The curfew will be in effect from Friday 6.00 p.m. until Monday 6.00 a.m. The number of positive cases has risen to 59.

Australia -- Affected: 1051, Deaths: 7

Australia has ratcheted up its social distancing regulations to slow the spread of the new coronavirus, demanding indoor venues provide at least four square meters (43 square feet) of space per person. The space constraint announced Friday follows a ban on Wednesday of non-essential indoor gatherings of more than 100 people including weddings and restaurants.

Gatherings considered essential include schools, supermarkets and workplaces which are exempt. Australia has also tightened regulations on travel to and from remote indigenous communities in a bid to spare them COVID-19 outbreaks.

United States -- Affected: 19774, Deaths: 275

The death toll in Washington from the new coronavirus has increased to 74 and the number of cases has topped 1,300. According to state health officials, King County reported four new deaths — bringing its total to 60 — while Snohomish, Benton and Island counties each reported one death. The UN World Food Programme Executive Director David Beasley says he has been diagnosed with COVID-19. In a statement, Beasley (63) said he began to feel ill after returning from an official visit to Canada and put himself into quarantine at his South Carolina home last Saturday. In Seattle, the Army combat support hospital and one field hospital will soon be deployed to take care of patients affected by coronavirus. According to a defence official, the likely two locations at this point are New York City and Seattle. The California Gov. Gavin Newsom went on record saying that over 56% of the state's population could contract the virus over the next eight weeks.

UK-- Affected: 3,983, Death: 177

The British government on Friday ordered all pubs, restaurants, movie theatres and gyms to close in sweeping new restrictions to fight the spread of coronavirus. Prime Minister Boris Johnson said those venues should close as soon as possible on Friday and not reopen until further notice. Restaurants could continue to serve takeout food, he added.

Britain has already asked people to avoid unnecessary contact with others and avoid pubs, restaurants and other venues. Londoners have been told to use public transport only for essential journeys. As of Friday, Britain had recorded 177 deaths among people with the virus, 40 more than the day before.

Iran -- Affected: 19,644, Deaths: 1,433

Iran reported its first confirmed cases of SARS-CoV-2 infections on 19 February 2020 in Qom. So far there have been 1,433 COVID-19 deaths in Iran with more than 19,644 confirmed infections. As of the same date, Iran has the third-highest number of COVID-19 deaths after China and Italy, the highest in Western Asia and the third-highest number of SARS-CoV-2 cases, surpassed only by Mainland China and Italy. Government sources estimate the numbers of SARS-CoV-2 infections and COVID-19 deaths are much higher than official figures.

South Korea -- Affected: 8,799, Death: 102

South Korea says it will test all passengers coming from Europe for the coronavirus starting on Sunday as it strengthens border controls to prevent the illness from re-entering amid broadening outbreaks on the continent.

South Korean Health Ministry official Yoon Tae-ho on Friday said the country also from Sunday will enforce 14-day quarantines on South Korean nationals returning from Europe and foreigners arriving from Europe for long-term stay in South Korea, regardless of whether they have symptoms.

Yoon says the country has no immediate plans to expand such measures to passengers arriving from the United States. South Korea has already strengthened screening for all passengers arriving from abroad, requiring them to undergo temperature checks, fill in health questionnaires, provide their cellphone numbers and download an app to send daily reports about their health status to authorities.

Brazil -- Affected: 970, Death: 11

Brazil is the latest country to block international travellers from flying in including those coming from areas hardest hit by the new coronavirus.

Foreigners coming from China, the European Union, Iceland, Norway, Switzerland, United Kingdom, Japan, Malaysia, Australia and South Korea will be denied entry to the South American country for the next 30 days starting on Thursday.

Several other nations in the region already have taken the measure. Brazil has confirmed 621 cases of coronavirus with seven people dead.

North Korea -- Info not available

North Korea says it released thousands of people from quarantine including all but three foreigners while maintaining a tough campaign to stem the spread of the coronavirus in the country.

North Korea has not publicly confirmed a single case of the COVID-19 illness, but state media has described anti-virus efforts as a matter of national existence.

Pyongyang’s official Korean Central News Agency on Friday said more than 4,000 people were released in the provinces of North and South Pyongan and Kangwon after health officials confirmed they no longer had symptoms.

When combining the numbers from previous state media reports, it’s presumed that the North has so far released around 8,000 people from quarantine.

The country had initially placed 380 foreigners under quarantine, but the KCNA says only three of them remain under medical isolation. The North earlier this month arranged a special government flight to fly out dozens of diplomats to Vladivostok, Russia.

Experts say an epidemic in North Korea could have dire consequences due to the country’s poor health system and a shortage of medical supplies.

The country has banned foreign tourists, shut down nearly all cross-border traffic with China, intensified screening at entry points and mobilized health workers to monitor residents and isolate those with symptoms.

France -- Affected: 12,612, Death: 450

France's Cannes Film Festival, arguably the world’s most prestigious film festival and cinema’s largest annual gathering, has postponed its 73rd edition.

Organizers of the French Riviera festival, scheduled to take place May 12-23, say they are considering moving the festival to the end of June or the beginning of July.

Organizers had been reluctant to cancel Cannes. But as the coronavirus pandemic spread through France, it became all but inevitable that a massive gathering like Cannes couldn't go on as scheduled. "See you very soon," the festival said in a statement.

Mexico -- Info not available

Mexico's foreign relations minister says he has held talks with U.S. secretary of state Mike Pompeo about travel restrictions at the border that won't paralyze economic activity and leave the border open to commerce and workers.

Marcelo Ebrard said Thursday he would give more details tomorrow.

Pompeo wrote in his Twitter account that he and Ebrard have been working closely on travel restrictions that balance protecting our citizens from the further transmission of #COVID19. Together, we can reduce public health risks and prioritize essential cross-border commerce and trade.

Philippines -- Affected: 262, Death: 18

The Philippines is indefinitely banning the entry of foreigners after the government declared a state of calamity and public health emergency amid the coronavirus outbreak.

The Department of Foreign Affairs said in a statement late Thursday that it is temporarily suspending visa issuances in all its foreign posts effective immediately.

“This goes one imperative step forward: a total ban on incoming foreign visitors of all nationalities,” foreign secretary Teodoro Locsin said in a tweet. "Outgoing foreign visitors should be given all the help to get out. Idiotic to detain them.”

The drastic move exempts foreign government and international organization officials and their dependents as well as foreign spouses and children of Filipino citizens, the department said.

Hawaii -- Info not available

Hawaii state Sen. Clarence Nishihara was informed on Thursday that he tested positive for coronavirus.

Nishihara is the first known Hawaii lawmaker to test positive and the first at the Hawaii State Capitol building, Senate communications spokesman Jesse Broder Van Dyke said.

Senate President Ron Kouchi sent a memo recommending all Senate offices close until further notice.

Haiti -- Affected: 2, Death: 0

Haiti has confirmed its first two cases of the new coronavirus.

President Jovenel Moise said the unidentified patients that tested positive for COVID-19 have been quarantined. He declined to release further details out of fear for their safety.

Moise also said he would close all airports, schools, factories and seaports.

The announcement comes just days after officials closed the border that Haiti and the Dominican Republic share on the island of Hispaniola.

Haiti is the poorest country in the western Hemisphere and many worry the country is not equipped to handle a possible spread of coronavirus.

New Zealand -- Affected: 52, Death: 0

New Zealand's government is bailing out its national airline by offering more than USD 500 million in loans.

Air New Zealand has already stopped most international routes and cut back on domestic flights due to the coronavirus outbreak. Beginning Friday, New Zealand has closed its borders to everyone but citizens and residents, ending most airline travel to the South Pacific nation.

Air New Zealand said it will cut its workforce of 12,500 by 30%. The airline is 52% owned by the government, which has offered loans of 900 million New Zealand dollars (USD 511 million) over two years.

Finance minister Grant Robertson said that without the intervention, New Zealand was at risk of not having a national airline. New Zealand has had 28 confirmed cases of COVID-19, all connected to international travel. There have been no signs yet of a local outbreak.

Portugal -- Info not available

Portuguese Prime Minister António Costa announced that people infected with the coronavirus are to be confined to their residences and most retail outlets must close as part of a 15-day state of emergency in the European country.

Those over 70 years old or with chronic ailments should only leave home for short walks for health reasons. Costa said the rest of the population should only leave home to commute to work, shop for necessities, to help a family member, to accompany children or to walk a pet.

Costa added that all retail shops except supermarkets, bakeries, pharmacies, gas stations and newsstands are ordered to close.

(With inputs from AP)