Deaths from the COVID-19 outbreak worldwide are now at 1,770 while confirmed cases currently stand at 71,204. Of that, 58,712 are in Hubei, in China, the epicenter of the outbreaks.
The United States, so far, confirmed 15 cases, Canada seven, Germany 16, the United Kingdom nine, Italy three, the Russian Federation two, Spain two, Belgium 1, Finland 1, Sweden 1, the United Arab Emirates eight and Egypt one. France, meanwhile, reported the first death outside Asia. The patient was an 80-year-old Chinese tourist. His daughter, meanwhile, remains under strict monitoring at a local hospital.
The US has begun evacuating citizens from Diamond Princess cruise ship docked in Japan. American passengers will be screened before they will be allowed boarding to US aircraft deployed to evacuate them. Those who refused to be evacuated will not be allowed entry to the US until March 4. Once the evacuated passengers land in the US, they will undergo a 14-day quarantine period in California and Texas.
So far, 40 US citizens onboard Diamond Princess tested positive for COVID-19. The ship has 3,700 passengers, including crew. Of that, 355 tested positive for the virus.
In Australia, officials are already planning to evacuate 200 citizens aboard the Diamond Princess cruise ship. The country is waiting for the announcement of a final operation procedure concerning the evacuation. At the same time, universities are worried that with travel bans currently in place, more than 100,000 Chinese students will not return to Australia. The possibility means looming financial concerns for Australian universities.
Similar concerns are expressed in New Zealand, with universities calling for the government to allow entry of Chinese students. About 12,000 Chinese students could no longer enroll due to travel bans.
Meanwhile, Israel confirmed the three of its citizens onboard Diamond Princess was infected. The country, however, will instead send its health expert to look into the patient's case.
UAE confirmed its ninth case of coronavirus in the country. The country said the patient is a 37-year-old Chinese national.
In Germany, the government released 100 nationals who underwent quarantine at a military base in the country. These nationals were evacuated from Wuhan and all of them tested negative for the virus.
Albania, so far, reported no cases but has measures in place. The region updates its guidelines for clinicians on how to collect specimens used in testing for the COVID-19.
Lithuania and Slovakia have yet to detect the virus but regional campaigns are in place to make people aware of the situation and to observe preventive measures.
