China reports zero new cases of infections for a second day on March 19. As the Asian country celebrates the success of combating the virus, the virus continues to claim victims in other countries and territories.
Seven new countries have reported their first cases of infections in the past 24 hours (March 18-March 19). The number of infections globally is at 209,839, with new cases at 16,556. As of Thursday night, 8,778 people already died with new fatalities of 828 recorded in the past 24 hours.
The number is significant in that it took the rest of the world three months to reach the 100,000 marks of infections while it only took 12 days to get to the next 100,000. This trend was highlighted in the latest situation report released by the World Health Organization.
In his speech on March 19, WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus highlighted some positive development amid the chaos brought by the novel coronavirus. He said more than 70% of countries that reported infections were quick to set up COVID-19 national preparedness and response plan. Also, 89% have lab testing capacity while more than 70% have event-based surveillance for COVID-19. Lastly, 68% have a multi-sectoral partner coordination mechanism.
Kyrgyzstan in Centra Asia is among the seven countries that reported its first cases of infection. The patients are three people who returned from the Umrah pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia. All patients are placed under home quarantine while all entry and exit in the district where they live are closed in the meantime.
Djibouti also recorded its first case of COVID-19 infections. The patient is a Spanish national who was part of the Spanish Special Forces unit. The whole unit has 32 members and is returning immediately to Spain.
Barbados meanwhile has reported three new cases after confirming its first two cases this week. The new patients included the spouse of Barbados' first patient. The other patients are one individual who traveled from New York while the other was on a cruise ship.
Montserrat's first COVID-19 patient is an individual who traveled from the United Kingdom. The person was aboard flight BA 2157 coming from London. The person was with a companion who also tested positive in Antigua.
Mauritius reported its first three cases of COVID-19. The patients are two workers on separate cruise ships and the other traveled from the UK.
The Gambia's first patient is a woman who traveled from the United Kingdom. She was immediately placed under isolation.
