Extended Coronavirus Timeline

Posted Apr 15, 2020

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Extended timeline of events during Coronavirus situation (and slightly before)

includes health, politics, news, etc.

This information comes from various timelines in wikipedia, (coronavirus and political) as well as news articles, twitter feeds and other sources I've tracked personally
(Yes, I know there is some formatting errors. I may fix those later.)

10/18/19

• Military World Games held in Wuhan- The Military World Games bring together military athletes from around the world every four years. This one involved 10,000 soldier-athletes from 109 countries. With 300 members, the U.S. had one of the largest contingents, behind China's team of 553 and Brazil's 329. A total of 230,000 volunteers were mobilized locally from Wuhan to assist in the games.

10/24/19

• Chinese orienteering team caught cheating at Military World Games in Wuhan; disqualified for using secret paths and markings

10/31/19- Halloween
11/03/19- Daylight saving's time ends
11/11/19- Veteran's day

11/17/19

• The original case of the novel coronavirus emerged on 17 November 2019 according to official Chinese government sources, but was not recognized at that time

11/19/19

• Lieutenant Colonel Alexander Vindman, Department of State official Jennifer Williams, former U.S. Ambassador to NATO Kurt Volker and adviser to the president Tim Morrison all testify publicly before the House impeachment inquiry.
  Volker changes his previous testimony after learning that "a great deal of new information" had been revealed.

11/20/19

• President Trump visits an Apple manufacturing plant in Austin, Texas.
• U.S. Ambassador to the European Union Gordon Sondland testifies publicly to the House impeachment inquiry that he worked with Rudy Giuliani to pressure Ukraine to investigate Joe Biden at the "express direction of the president".
• Laura Cooper, a top Pentagon official, and David Hale, the undersecretary of state for political affairs, testify publicly to the House impeachment inquiry that Ukrainian officials knew about delayed American aid as early as July, undermining President Trump's defense that there was no "quid pro quo".

11/21/19

• Former adviser to the president Fiona Hill testifies publicly to the House impeachment inquiry that President Trump's pressure on Ukrainian officials to open investigations into his rivals was a "domestic political errand" which damaged American foreign policy, refuting the "fictional narrative" presented by President Trump and his allies.
• Diplomat David Holmes also testifies publicly to the House impeachment inquiry about a conversation he overheard between Ambassador Sondland and President Trump in which the president repeatedly sought information concerning the investigations into the 2016 presidential election.

11/22/19

• Secretary of the Navy Richard V. Spencer is fired by Secretary of Defense Mark Esper over a dispute between President Trump and Spencer after the president intervened in the war crimes trial of Chief Petty Officer Eddie Gallagher, a Navy SEAL commando.
• Mike Bloomberg (Billionaire founder/owner of Bloomberg news) officially entered the 2020 Democratic presidential race.
• Bloomberg News announces they will refrain from investigating Mike Bloomberg or his Democratic rivals in the primaries. Bloomberg News' investigations into President Trump will proceed.

11/25/19

• President Trump holds a bilateral meeting with Bulgarian prime minister Boyko Borisov at the White House.
• A federal judge rules that former White House counsel Don McGahn must be allowed to testify to the House impeachment inquiry, overruling President Trump's assertion of executive privilege over McGahn, adding that "presidents are not kings."

11/26/19

• President Trump and First Lady Melania Trump participate in the National Thanksgiving Turkey Presentation.
• President Trump holds a rally in Sunrise, Florida.
• Chairman of the House Judiciary Committee Jerrold Nadler (D-NY) invites President Trump and his legal counsel to participate in the impeachment inquiry, allowing him to ask questions of witnesses.
• Members of the Senate Committee on Commerce announced sweeping new proposals for federal laws to protect online privacy.
• The US government imposed strict controls on US companies as to their ability to do business with Huawei, thus disrupting sales of Huawei phones overseas.

11/27/19

• President Trump and First Lady Melania Trump make an unannounced Thanksgiving visit in order to meet with American troops stationed in a combat zone at Bagram Airfield in Afghanistan.

11/28/19- Thanksgiving

12/01/19

• The first known patient started experiencing symptoms on 1 December 2019. He had not been to the Huanan Seafood Wholesale Market of Wuhan. No epidemiological link could be found between this case and later cases
• President Trump's legal team announces that they will not accept the House Judiciary Committee's invitation to participate in the impeachment inquiry over complaints that the inquiry lacked "any semblance of a fair process".
• Today is Secretary of Energy Rick Perry's official last day, following his previous letter of resignation to President Trump.

12/02/19

• President Trump arrives in London for the upcoming NATO summit.
• The Senate confirms Dan Brouillette, a former lobbyist for Ford Motor Company as the next Secretary of Energy, succeeding Rick Perry.

12/03/19

• President Trump holds bilateral meetings with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, French President Emmanuel Macron and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
• President Trump and First Lady Melania Trump attend a NATO dinner hosted by Queen Elizabeth II at Buckingham Palace.
• In a 300-page report the House Intelligence Committee accuses President Trump of placing his "personal and political interests above the national interests of the United States" and jeopardizing national security through his requesting of foreign assistance to aid his political campaign.
• ijr.com- Since his campaign began, Andrew Yang has said media was unfairly ignoring him. A slew of recent data shows he might be right.
• Whistleblower and ex-Pintrest employee Eric Cochran received an Impact Award during the 3rd Annual Impact Awards hosted by Liberty Consulting President Ginni Thomas and by United Purpose. He received the award for blowing the whistle on how Pinterest censors conservative content.

12/04/19

• President Trump holds bilateral meetings with German Chancellor Angela Merkel, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen and Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte, cancels a scheduled press conference and leaves the Nato summit early.
• The House impeachment inquiry invites four legal scholars to testify whether President Trump's actions concerning Ukraine warranted impeachement. Three scholars said the president's actions did require impeachment, saying that Trump's conduct was worse than any preceding president. One scholar did not agree with the others, adding that impeachment would set a "dangerous precedent" in future impeachments.
• Republican members of the House Education and Labor Committee said they were seeking to offer a new solution to surprise medical billing that would be more provider-friendly.

12/05/19

• Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) announces that the House committee chairmen will proceed with articles of impeachment against President Trump, adding that the "President leaves us no choice".
• Huawei submitted a petition in the US Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit against the FCC's decision to prohibit rural U.S. network providers from using equipment from the China-based vendor due to national security concerns, asking that the recent FCC order be overturned.
• Rep. Adam Schiff (D-CA) & Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) attack Trump via twitter for adjusting Food stamp rules to remove an estimate of 688,000 able-bodied, childless adults ages 18-49.
• Katy Tur for Washington Post via Twitter- "Wall-to-wall impeachment coverage is not changing any minds. Here's how journalists can reach the undecided."

12/06/19

• The U.S. unemployment rate drops to 3.5%, the lowest in 50 years.
• Kansas City, Missouri becomes the first city in the U.S. to approve free public transportation.
• The House of Representatives approves 228-187 to restore parts of the Voting Rights Act of 1965. President Trump threatens to veto if the bill is approved by the Senate.
• campusreform.org- Jonathan Turley was the only person on the panel of law professors who testified before Congress on impeachment and suggested that the case had not been made for Trump's impeachment. He says that before he was even finished testifying, he received an influx of threatening messages.

12/07/19

• Adam Schiff's (D-CA) 300-page House Intelligence impeachment report contains names and phone numbers of fellow congressmen and news reporters that were in communicaiton recently with Trump, his staff and attorneys.
• Wall Street Journal columnist Kimberley Strassel- "If nothing else, Mr. Schiff (D-CA) claims the ignominious distinction of being the first congressman to use his official powers to spy on a fellow member and publish the details. If you think politics is ugly now, imagine a world in which congressional partisans routinely track and expose the call lists of their political rivals and disfavored media."

12/08/19

• Between 8 and 18 December 2019, seven cases later diagnosed with novel coronavirus were documented; two of them were linked with the Huanan Seafood Wholesale Market; five were not.

12/09/19

• The House impeachment inquiry hears arguments both for and against impeachment of President Trump from Republican and Democratic lawyers, who argue that "the Democrats are obsessed with impeaching President Trump" and the evidence against the President "is overwhelming", respectively.
• The Democratic members of the House of Representatives announces that it will release articles of impeachment against President Trump on December 10.
• forbes.com- The Net Worth Of Every 2020 Presidential Candidate- Only 3, Julian Castro, Tulsi Gabbard (D-HI) & Pete Buttigieg (D-IN) have less than $1 million in net worth and none have less than $100,000
• New York Post- Senior US officials failed to tell the truth about the war in Afghanistan throughout the 18-year campaign - and hid "unmistakable evidence" that it was unwinnable
• Department of Justice Inspector General Michael Horowitz released his report on the origins of the Russia investigation, which he says were Lawful, But Found 'Serious Performance Failures' by the FBI. 51 procedure violations and 9 provably false statements. However, no criminal indictments will occur from this.
  Official Report: "We identified at least 17 significant errors or omissions in the Carter Page FISA applications, and many additional errors in the Woods Procedures. These errors and omissions resulted from case agents providing wrong or incomplete information to OI and failing to flag important issues for discussion."
  John Solomon (Blogger)- To put that in perspective, former Trump aides Mike Flynn and George Papadopoulos were convicted of making single false statements to the bureau. One went to jail already, and the other awaits sentencing. The FBI made nine false statements to the court.
• The Media Research Center (MRC) filed a complaint with the Federal Election Commission (FEC) against Bloomberg LP, the owner of Bloomberg News, Michael Bloomberg and Mike Bloomberg 2020, Inc. The complaint maintains that the policy adopted by Bloomberg News to omit investigating Mike Bloomberg and the other Democratic presidential candidates while continuing to investigate Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump potentially is an improper contribution to Bloomberg's campaign under FEC regulations.
• Russia banned from Olympics by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) for four years due to tampering with doping tests.

12/10/19

• Wei Guixian, one of the earliest known coronavirus patients, starts feeling ill.
• President Trump meets with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov.
• President Trump holds a rally in Hershey, Pennsylvania.
• House Democratic leaders release two articles of impeachment against President Trump, contempt of Congress and abuse of power.
• BBC- Golden Globes criticised for all-male director nominees
• People Of The State Of New York, By Letitia James, Attorney General Of The State Of New York, Plaintiff,- V- Exxon Mobil Corporation
  Following twelve days of trial and testimony from eighteen witnesses; the Court finds that the Office of the Attorney General has failed to establish by a preponderance of the evidence that ExxonMobil either violated the Martin Act or Executive Law;) 63(12) in connection with its public disclosures concerning how ExxonMobil accounted for past, present and future climate change risks.
• Washington Post- Federal judge blocks Trump plan to spend $3.6 billion in military funds on border wall
• Two people entered a kosher market in Jersey City and began shooting, killing three civilians and one police officer
  Joy Behar on The View immediately pinned the blame on the right and "anti-Semitic" President Trump. "Yes. You will concede that the national-- these white nationalists have been let out out of their holes,...The liar in chief is the one who spouting all this stuff! Well just the other day he used an anti-Semitic trope. Trump did. I mean, he's the worst one! And he's at the top!"
  Later that day, the suspects, who were killed by police during the shootout, turned out to be black males who were associated with the "Black Israelites," an anti-white, anti-Semitic group.

12/11/19

• President Trump signs an executive order defining Judaism as a nationality or race, not just as a religion, in response to increased anti-Semitism in universities.
• in a Senate Judiciary Committee, Department of Justice Inspector General Michael Horowitz reiterated his belief that the evidence provided to his team showed the FBI had an "adequate basis" to begin a collusion probe.
  However, Horowitz tore into the FBI after his investigation found numerous errors by the agency over the authorization and renewals of FISA warrants on Page. "The activities we found here don't vindicate anybody who touched this..."
• Ex-founder of Wikipedia Larry Sanger's Twitter followers reported that they couldn't see the tweets he had put out about a social media strike. They were marked as as 'Sensitive Content'.

12/12/19

• The House Judiciary Committee ejected Reuters photographer Josh Roberts from yesterday's hearing after CNN's live feed caught him photographing documents on desks during a break.

12/13/19

• The House Judiciary committee votes along party lines to approve the two articles of impeachment against President Trump, sending the articles to the House floor for further debate and voting.
• President Trump holds a bilateral meeting with Paraguayan president Mario Abdo Benítez at the White House.
• dailysignal.com- Election Irregularities Persist in Palm Beach County 20 Years After Bush-Gore Standoff- You would think that after being one of the centers of the election storm in 2000 when the hotly contested Florida recount determined whether George Bush or Al Gore would be president of the United States, Palm Beach County would have gotten its act together. But as is evident from a recent report from the Public Interest Legal Foundation, which shows problems such as the dead rising from their graves to vote, Palm Beach County still is not properly supervising the election process or maintaining accurate voter registration rolls.

12/14/19

• Reuters- Anger erupts at U.N. climate summit as major economies resist bold action- Major economies such as Chile resisted calls for bolder climate commitments as a U.N. summit in Madrid headed toward conclusion, dimming hopes that nations will act in time to stop rising temperatures devastating people and the natural world.

12/15/19

• dailysignal.com- "To me, capitalism is irredeemable," Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., declared at the 2019 South by Southwest conference. The present state of affairs in America is "garbage," she added, because "if you don't have a job, you are left to die."

12/16/19

• Patient admitted to Wuhan Central Hospital with infection in both lungs but resistant to anti-flu drugs. Staff later learned he worked at a wildlife market connected to the outbreak.
• New deal announced regarding US-China trade dispute.

12/17/19

• President Trump holds a bilateral meeting with Guatemalan president Jimmy Morales at the White House.
• Congress ready to enact major spending bill, which Trump expects to sign. this is needed to avert government shutdown.
• CNN- Pope Francis has abolished Vatican secrecy rules for cases of sexual abuse, effectively allowing the Catholic church to share documents and information with civil authorities, and allow victims to be updated of the status of their cases.
• Impending California Gig Law AB 5 Triggers Vox Media to Cut Hundreds of Freelance Jobs
• U.S. Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court (FISA) Presiding Judge Rosemary Collyer- "The FBI's handling of the Carter Page applications, as portrayed in the OIG report, was antithetical to the heightened duty of candor described above. The frequency with which representations made by FBI personnel turned out to be unsupported or contradicted by information in their possession, and with which they withheld information detrimental to their case, calls into question whether information contained in other FBI applications is reliable."
  "Therefore, the Court orders that the government shall, no later than January 10, 2020, inform the Court in a sworn written submission of what it has done, and plans to do, to ensure that the statement of facts in each FBI application accurately and completely reflects information possessed by the FBI that is material to any issue presented by the application."
  The order is a rare public statement from the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court, which operates mostly in secret as it receives applications from the FBI and Justice Department to eavesdrop on American soil on people they suspect of being agents of a foreign power
• The House of Representatives had less than 24 hours to review spending bills, totaling 2,000+ pages and worth $1.4 trillion, to keep the government fund through the next fiscal year. Despite the small time frame, the representatives passed the bill in order to avert a shutdown, which would have happened on Friday. In total, the House voted on 12 spending bills, which "allots $49 billion in funding across the government."
  Chip Roy, US House candidate, (R-TX) via Twitter- Swamp update: received $1.4 Trillion 2313 pages of spending at 4:30pm yesterday. Yet was just noticed we will vote at 1:10-1:25 p.m today- less than 24 hours later. I will vote no on both bills. @realDonaldTrump should veto & @HouseGOP & @SenateGOP should oppose. But...

12/18/19

• President Trump holds a rally in Battle Creek, Michigan.
• House of Representatives approved articles of impeachment against Trump on charges of abuse of power and obstruction of Congress in a vote of 230-197 on the first article and 229-198 on the second article of impeachment.
• Rep. Jeff Van Drew (New Jersey) switched from the Democrat to the Republican Party after casting his vote in opposition to impeaching President Trump

12/19/19

• Acting U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine William Taylor, a key witness in the congressional impeachment inquiry into President Trump, announces that he will step down from his post and leave Kiev before Secretary of State Mike Pompeo visits in early January 2020.
• The United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), President Trump's replacement for the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), is passed by the House of Representatives in a vote of 385-41.
• Christianity Today, a conservative evangelical Christian magazine, publishes an editorial calling for President Trump to be "removed from office" due to his violation of the Constitution and "profoundly immoral actions".
• Washington Post congressional reporter Rachael Bade via Twitter (now deleted)- "Merry Impeachmas from the WaPo team! [Paul Kane] is buying ... w/[Karoun Demirjian] [Seung Min Kim] [Mike DeBonis],"
  Bade, Demirjian, and Kim are CNN political analysts.
  In response to the avalanche of ridicule, Bade announced- "I'm deleting a tweeting tonight that is being misinterpreted by some as an endorsement of some kind. To be absolutely clear, we at the Post are merely glad we are getting a break for the holidays after a long 3 months. I will retweet the group photo w/ a better caption!"
• In his opening statement during Thursday's Democratic presidential debate on PBS, businessman Andrew Yang took a few swings at the media for being untrustworthy and smearing good Americans in their explanations for why Donald Trump was elected president. "The media networks didn't do us any favors by missing why Donald Trump became our president in the first place. If you turn on cable network news today, you would think he's our president because of some combination of Russia, racism, Facebook, Hillary Clinton, and emails all mixed together. But Americans around the country know different."

12/20/19

• Winner Medical Group decided to cancel their executive meeting in Hubei.
• The First Family depart Washington for an extended Holiday stay at President Trump's Mar-a-Lago resort in Palm Beach, Florida.
• In October 2019, Snopes first reported on a pro-Trump media outlet named The BL ("Beauty of Life") "whose reach is rapidly expanding on Facebook and is linked in multiple ways to The Epoch Times," a company already accused of Facebook violations. In November, we identified hundreds of fake accounts of largely Vietnamese origin used to promote BL-linked groups without disclosure. In that investigation, we argued that the outlet's social media presence was "built on unambiguously inauthentic or fraudulent tactics."
  On Dec. 20, Facebook announced - citing its own "internal investigation" and "open source reporting" - that it had removed The BL's Facebook presence entirely

12/21/19

• President Trump complains that windmills are "very expensive", claiming that they "kill many bald eagles" and that "he has studied [wind power] better than anybody" during a speech to a group of young conservative supporters in West Palm Beach, Florida.
• UK Parliament Overwhelmingly Passes Boris Johnson's Brexit Deal

12/22/19

• Rep. Jeff Van Drew (R-NJ) interview on why he switched parties- "The party is moving further and further to the left, where there is discussion of it being a socialist party. And I am a proud capitalist. I believe in hard work. I believe that we can give people opportunity, but that they also, when they get that opportunity, have to work hard to achieve success. You can't give them success. But the final sign for me was oddly enough actually in my home county when one of the county chairmen came to me and said, 'I have to speak with you.' I said, 'Sure.' He said, 'I just want to let you know that you have to vote for impeachment ... If you don't, you're not going to be able to run in my county.'"

12/23/19
12/24/19

• First publicly reported collection of virus sample from patient for genetic sequencing.

12/25/19- Christmas

• Report of medical staffs in two hospitals in Wuhan suspected to be infected and were being isolated around 25 December.

12/26/19

• A laboratory identified the coronavirus from the sample collected on 24 December as to be most closely related to a bat SARS-like coronavirus.

12/27/19

• Almost complete genetic sequencing of the previous sample have been finished and shared to Institute of Pathogen Biology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College (CAMS&PUMC).
• Wuhan health officials are told that a new coronavirus is causing the illness.
• President Trump retweets an article from the Washington Examiner that contains the name of the alleged whistle-blower who started his impeachment inquiry. Legal experts disagree on whether a tweet that reveals the name of a whistle-blower violates the Intelligence Community Whistleblower Protection Act, as the law forbids individuals from retaliating against whistle-blowers, but not from revealing their names.
• The Federal Reserve releases a study showing that President Trump's tariffs have led to both job losses and higher consumer prices.
• The K-1 Air Base in Iraq, which hosts Iraqi and U.S. military personnel, is attacked, killing an American contractor.

12/28/19
12/29/19

• The U.S. Department of Defense reports a series of airstrikes against Kata'ib Hezbollah's weapons depots and command centers in Iraq and Syria, reportedly killing at least 25 militiamen and wounding 55 more. (Seems the attack occurred 12/27, based on the retaliation that occurs 12/31)

12/30/19

• Genetic sequencing report of the pathogen of a patient indicated inaccurately the discovery of Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS coronavirus) in the test result.
• After receiving the test result, multiple doctors in Wuhan shared the information via internet, including Dr. Li Wenliang, an ophthalmologist at Wuhan Central Hospital, who posted a warning to alumni from his medical school class via a WeChat online forum that a cluster of seven patients treating within the ophthalmology department had been unsuccessfully treated for symptoms of viral pneumonia and diagnosed with SARS.
• Because these patients did not respond to traditional treatments, they were quarantined in an ER department of the Wuhan Central Hospital. In the WeChat forum, Li posted that this cluster of patients appeared to be infected by SARS. Dr. Li posted a snippet of an RNA analysis finding "SARS coronavirus" and extensive bacteria colonies in a patient's airways according to a chat transcript that he and other chat members later shared online.
• Ai Fen, a top director at Wuhan Central Hospital, posts information on WeChat about the new virus. She was reprimanded for doing so and told not to spread information about it.
• Wuhan doctor Li Wenliang also shares information on WeChat about the new SARS-like virus. He is called in for questioning shortly afterward.
• Wuhan medical authorities forbade doctors from making public announcements and ordered them to report cases internally.
• News of an outbreak of "pneumonia of unknown origin" started circulating on social media. The social media reports stated that 27 patients in Wuhan-most of them stall holders at the Huanan Seafood Market-had been treated for the mystery illness.
• This evening, an "urgent notice on the treatment of pneumonia of unknown cause" was issued by the Wuhan Municipal Health Committee on its Weibo social media account. It was reported that since the beginning of December, there had been "a successive series of patients with unexplained pneumonia"-27 suspected cases in total, seven of which were in critical condition and 18 were stable, two of which were on the verge of being discharged soon.
• The Wuhan Municipal Health Committee reported to the WHO that 27 people had been diagnosed with pneumonia of unknown cause.
  Most were stallholders from the Huanan Seafood Wholesale Market, seven of whom were in critical condition. The Wuhan Municipal Health Commission also made a public announcement regarding the situation.
• Early investigations into the cause of the pneumonia ruled out seasonal flu, SARS, MERS and bird flu.
• Hong Kong Secretary for Food and Health Sophia Chan Siu-chee announced after an urgent night-time meeting with officials and experts, "[any suspected cases] including the presentation of fever and acute respiratory illness or pneumonia, and travel history to Wuhan within 14 days before onset of symptoms, we will put the patients in isolation."
• A famous police officer in Jiangning District, Nanjing mentioned the BSL-4 laboratory of Wuhan Institute of Virology when commenting on the outbreak by expressing confidence on its technological power and ability to fix the incident.
• In response to Wuhan authority announcement on the "pneumonia of unknown cause", Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan immediately tightened their inbound screening processes as a result.
• The Chinese National Health Commission announced later that evening that 8 doctors engaging in the WeChat forum had been arrested by Wuhan Police and charged with "llegal acts of fabricating, spreading rumors and disrupting social order."
• President Trump signs the Debbie Smith Reauthorization Act to help eliminate the number of rape kits needing testing that are currently stalled in backlog.

12/31/19

• According to a CCDC publication on 31 January 2020, the facts leading up to the identification of the 2019-nCoV were as follows, "On 29 December 2019, a hospital in Wuhan admitted four individuals with pneumonia and recognized that all four had worked in the Huanan Seafood Wholesale Market, which sells live poultry, aquatic products, and several kinds of wild animals to the public. The hospital reported this occurrence to the CCDC, which led Wuhan CCDC staff to initiate a field investigation with a retrospective search for pneumonia patients potentially linked to the market. The investigators found additional patients linked to the market, and on 30 December, health authorities from Hubei Province reported this cluster to CCDC. The following day, CCDC sent experts to Wuhan to support the investigation and control effort. Samples from these patients were obtained for laboratory analyses."
• Qu Shiqian, a vendor at the Huanan Seafood Market, said government officials had disinfected the premises on 31 December 2019 and told stallholders to wear masks. Qu said he had only learnt of the pneumonia outbreak from media reports. "Previously I thought they had flu," he said. "It should be not serious. We are fish traders. How can we get infected?"
• "Chinese state television reported that a team of experts from the National Health Commission had arrived in Wuhan on 31 December 2019 to lead the investigation, while the People's Daily said the exact cause remained unclear and it would be premature to speculate."
• Chinese state broadcaster CCTV reported that a team of senior health experts had been dispatched to the city of Wuhan and were reported to be "conducting relevant inspection and verification work."
• Tao Lina, a public health expert and former official with Shanghai's center for disease control and prevention, said, "I think we are [now] quite capable of killing it in the beginning phase, given China's disease control system, emergency handling capacity and clinical medicine support."
• Taiwan says it reported its concerns to a WHO framework called the International Health Regulations on Dec. 31, 2019. The IHR framework is intended to be an exchange of epidemic data between 196 countries.
  The WHO did not address Taiwan's claims when asked about the nation's accusation that the WHO failed to act on its coronavirus transmission warning.
  Instead, WHO spokesperson Tarik Jasarevic said its country office in China was informed of a "pneumonia of unknown cause" in Wuhan on Dec. 31.
  (Taiwan/China have hostile political relations)
• China tells the World Health Organization's China office about the cases of an unknown illness.
• The American embassy in Iraq is attacked by protestors angered by U.S. air strikes targeting an the Iran-backed militia group, Kataib Hezbollah.
• President Trump calls the impeachment proceedings against him in Congress a "big fat hoax" and says the Senate trial would go "very quick."
• Hundreds of protesters throw stones and set fires at the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad, Iraq in response to a December 27 bombing of Iranian-backed militias that left 25 dead. Trump blames Iran for the embassy attack and deploys 750 troops to Baghdad.
• News Radio 1180- For the fourth year in a row, the state of New York has lost population.
  The undeniable goal of Andrew Cuomo (D) and the Democratic Party is the political and social cleansing of a vast rural population which is culturally and philosophically different from its progressive New York City masters. The people who are moving out of New York are the people Andrew Cuomo doesn't want, and their departures year after year are merely the falling dominoes of his tightening grip around the neck of a people he hates.
  When Andrew Cuomo said there was no place in New York for those with whom he disagrees - the "extreme conservatives" with their Christianity and their Second Amendment - it was the statement of a policy. It was the declaration of an objective. It was a decree.

01/01/20- New Year's Day

• According to the Chinese state-sponsored Xinhua News, the Huanan Seafood Market was closed on 1 January 2020 for "regulation." However, in the Consortium's report of 24 January 2020, it was stated that the Huanan Seafood Market had been closed on 1 January 2020 for "cleaning and disinfection."
• Chinese state news reports that Wuhan police interviewed eight residents for spreading "misinformation" referring to the new infection as another SARS and "exaggerating" the danger. (referring to what happened 12/30)
• However, CNA reported on the same date that Wuhan police said they had punished eight people for "publishing or forwarding false information on the internet without verification."
• A genetic sequencing company was notified by the Wuhan Municipal Health Committee that further sequencing of novel coronavirus samples were no longer allowed, existing samples must be destroyed and all data must be kept secret.
• Crowds of demonstrators remain outside the Embassy of the United States and are smaller than on December 31, 2019 in Baghdad, Iraq. President Donald Trump sent 750 marines to guard the embassy and Tweeted a threat against Iran.
• Recreational marijuana becomes legal in Illinois.
• State laws on bail, the gig economy, minimum wages, data privacy, and red flag gun control take effect in several states, including California, New York, Colorado, Nevada, and Hawaii.
• Several new federal regulations take effect in the US as of this date, including new regulations on retirement funds, new minimum wage rules, and new overtime rules.
• Pete Buttigieg resigns as mayor of South Bend, Indiana. He is succeeded by James Mueller (D).
• The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormons) pull 400,000+ from the by scouts and close their relationship with the organization due to the Boy Scouts opening its arms to openly gay youth members and adult volunteers as well as girls and transgender boys

01/02/20

• 41 admitted hospital patients in Wuhan, China, were confirmed to have contracted (laboratory-confirmed) the 2019-nCoV (Novel coronavirus); 27 (66%) patients had direct exposure to Huanan Seafood Wholesale Market. All 41 patients were subsequently relocated from the hospital they had originally been diagnosed in to the Jinyintan Hospital in Wuhan, China.
• Central Hospital of Wuhan banned its staffs from discussing the disease publicly or recording them using text or image that can be used as evidence; situation of individual patients can only be mentioned verbally when doctors change shift.
• Major General Qasem Soleimani, Iran's top security and intelligence commander, is killed in an airstrike at Baghdad International Airport. The Department of Defense issues a statement that the strike was carried out "at the direction of the President".
• Chinese researchers map the new coronavirus' complete genetic information. This information is not made public until Jan. 9.
• Julian Castro drops out of the presidential race.
• Secretary of State Mike Pompeo postpones his trip to Ukraine, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Cyprus due to the situation in Iraq.
• Governor Ralph Northam (D-VA) requests a bill to remove the Robert E. Lee statue from the U.S. Capitol building.

01/03/20

• Chinese scientists at the National Institute of Viral Disease Control and Prevention (IVDC) determined the genetic sequence of the novel ß-genus coronaviruses (naming it '2019-nCoV') from specimens collected from patients in Wuhan, China, and three distinct strains were established.
• Health authorities in Wuhan reported 44 cases, a big jump from the 27 reported on Tuesday. Eleven of the 44 were seriously ill, the Wuhan Municipal Health Commission said, although there had been no reported deaths to date. The health of the 121 close contacts of the cases was being monitored.
• Dr. Li Wenliang, the Wuhan ophthalmologist who had been arrested for spreading false "rumors" on WeChat, was summoned to the Wuhan Public Security Bureau where he was told to sign an official confession and admonition letter promising to cease spreading false "rumors" regarding the coronavirus.
  In the letter, he was accused of "making false comments" that had "severely disturbed the social order".
  The letter stated, "We solemnly warn you: If you keep being stubborn, with such impertinence, and continue this illegal activity, you will be brought to justice-is that understood?" Dr. Li signed the confession writing: "Yes, I understand."
  Li would later be supported e.g. in a blog run by China's Supreme People's Court on 28 January 2020.
• China's National Health Committee Office published an announcement classifying the novel coronavirus as a highly pathogenic microorganisms (type 2), and request all the samples to be handed to provincial or higher level health authority, other organization or person with the virus sample should either destroy or transfer them and keep the log, and emphasis that all data must be kept secret and prior approval from the authority will be needed before any results can be published.
• Thailand began screening passengers arriving from Wuhan at four different airports.
• Singapore has also begun screening passengers at Changi Airport.
• Iranian leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has threatened the United States with 'jihad' for the killing of Qassem Soleimani.
• Poland's Ministry of Energy presented the draft Energy Policy of Poland, which reads that all existing wind turbines will be scrapped by 2035. No new wind farms will be built to replace them.

01/04/20

• The head of the University of Hong Kong's center for Infection, Ho Pak-leung, warned that the city should implement the strictest possible monitoring system for a mystery new viral pneumonia that infected dozens of people on the mainland, as it was highly possible that the illness was spreading from human to human. The microbiologist also warned that there could be a surge in cases during the upcoming Chinese New Year. Ho said he hoped the mainland would release more details as soon as possible about the patients infected with the disease, such as their medical history, to help experts analyse the illness and to allow for more effective preventive measures to be put in place.
• The Singapore Ministry of Health said on Saturday, 4 January, that it had been notified of the first suspected case of the "mystery Wuhan virus" in Singapore, involving a three-year-old girl from China who had pneumonia and a travel history to the Chinese city of Wuhan. On 5 January, the Singapore Ministry of Health released a press statement stating that the earlier suspected case was not linked to the pneumonia cluster in Wuhan and was also tested negative for the SARS and MERS-CoV.
• Chinese officials were criticized for failing to disclose any information about the "mysterious virus" that machine translations of official reports suggested may be caused by a new coronavirus.
• The WHO waited for China to release information about the "mysterious new pneumonia virus". The United Nations agency activated its incident-management system at the country, regional and global level and was standing ready to launch a broader response if it was needed.
• The WHO's regional office in Manila said in Twitter posts Saturday.: "#China has reported to WHO regarding a cluster of pneumonia cases in Wuhan, Hubei Province. The Govt has also met with our country office, and updated @WHO on the situation. Govt actions to control the incident have been instituted and investigations into the cause are ongoing."
• The Wuhan Institute of Virology didn't respond to an emailed request for comment on the infectious source.
• President Trump threatens on Twitter to attack Iranian cultural sites if Iran retaliates for the assassination of Gen. Soleimani.
• Thousands of people in 70 cities across the country protest against a new war in the Middle East.
• The White House officially notifies Congress about the airstrike that killed Qassem Soleimani, in accordance with the 1973 War Powers Resolution.

01/05/20

• The number of suspected cases reached 59 with seven in a critical condition. All were quarantined and local medical officials commenced the monitoring of 163 of their contacts.
• At this time, there had been no reported cases of human-to-human transmission or presentations in healthcare workers.
• World Health Organization (WHO) via Twitter- Chinese authorities informed WHO that they have ruled out a number of causes of the outbreak of #pneumonia in Wuhan City. The pathogen is not influenza, avian flu, adenovirus, SARS or MERS. Work continues to identify the cause.
• President Trump returns to Washington, DC after spending the holidays at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach, Florida. (which started 12/20)
• The Iraqi parliament votes to expel U.S. troops from the country.
• Al-Shabaab attacks a U.S. military base in Kenya. Three Americans are killed and two are injured.
• 25,000 people march against Antisemitism in the United States in New York City.
• Sixty people of Iranian descent, including American citizens, are detained at the Peace Arch Border Crossing in Washington.

01/06/20

• Wuhan health authorities announced they continued seeking the cause but had so far ruled out influenza, avian influenza, adenovirus, and coronaviruses SARS and MERS as the respiratory pathogen that had infected 59 people as of 5 January.
• The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (USCDC) issued a travel watch at Level 1 ("Practice usual precautions"), with recommendations on washing hands and more specifically advising avoiding animals, animal markets, and contact with unwell people if travelling to Wuhan.
• Hong Kong began screening passengers arriving on trains stopped at Wuhan.
• The Senate returns from winter break.
• President Trump holds a bilateral meeting with the Saudi Arabian vice minister of defense Prince Khalid bin Salman.
• Former national security adviser John Bolton announces that he is willing to testify in the Senate trial of President Trump if subpoenaed.
• US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) announced she would introduce a resolution to limit Trump's ability to take actions against Iran.
• Tennessee Congressman Phil Roe (R-1) is the 26th Republican to announce he will not seek reelection.
• Julian Castro endorses Elizabeth Warren for president.
• Former Rhode Island governor Lincoln Chafee announces his candidacy for president with the Libertarian Party.
• Kelly Loeffler (R-GA) is sworn in as a United States Senator.

01/07/20

• On 7 February 2020, Chinese state-sponsored news reported that Dr. Li had died from complications arising from his infection to the Wuhan coronavirus only to later delete the post and report Dr. Li as being in critical condition. He was subsequently confirmed the same day as having regrettably indeed deceased.
• Dr. Li is now being heralded as a whistleblower who exposed the Chinese government's early efforts to cover up the seriousness of the coronavirus pandemic which resulted in its rapid spread across China and the world.
• Since the outburst of social media discussion of the mysterious pneumonia outbreak in Wuhan, China, Chinese authorities censored the hashtag #WuhanSARS and were now investigating anyone who was allegedly spreading misleading information about the outbreak on social media.
• The world continued to wait for China to disclose more information about what had triggered an unexplained pneumonia outbreak in Wuhan, China's tenth-largest city.
• "The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a travel notice Monday for travelers to Wuhan, Hubei province, China due to the cluster of cases of pneumonia of an unknown etiology..."
• Chinese president and party secretary Xi Jinping raised demand on the prevention and control of the pneumonia epidemic caused by novel coronavirus in Wuhan in a Politburo Standing Committee of the Communist Party of China meeting, according to article published by himself in February.
• The House returns from winter break.
• President Trump holds a bilateral meeting with Greek prime minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis at the White House.
• The Pentagon verifies an attack on U.S. forces: "At approximately 5:30 p.m. (EST) on January 7, Iran launched more than a dozen ballistic missiles against U.S. military and coalition forces in Iraq."
• Congressman Duncan D. Hunter (R-CA) sends a letter of resignation to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), effective January 13.
• Between six and nine missiles fired by the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps hit U.S. bases in Iraq, including Al Asad Airbase in the western part of the country. No casualties or damages are reported.
• CNN has settled the lawsuit brought by Nicholas Sandmann over coverage of the incident in which Sandmann was falsely accused of trying to intimidate a Native American activist, according to local TV reports. Sandmann filed lawsuits against CNN, The Washington Post, and NBC. Initially the lawsuits were dismissed, but recently a portion of the lawsuits were reopened by the court and all three lawsuits were reactivated.
• George Soros was recognized as Inside Philanthropy's "philanthropist of the year."

01/08/20

• Scientists in China announced the discovery of a new coronavirus.
• South Korea announced the first possible case of virus coming from China. South Korea put a 36-year-old Chinese woman under isolated treatment amid concerns that she had brought back a form of viral pneumonia that had sickened dozens in mainland China and Hong Kong in the previous weeks. The unidentified woman, who worked for a South Korean company near capital Seoul, had experienced cough and fever since returning from a five-day trip to China on 30 December, the KCDC said in a press release. The woman had spent time in Wuhan, China, but had not visited the Huanan Seafood Market.
• President Trump discusses diplomatic tensions with Iran in a televised address, warning Tehran of retaliation should they strike again, adding that "Iran appears to be standing down."
• Ukrainian Airlines Flight 752 crashes on departure from Tehran International Airport killing all 176 passengers aboard.
• President Trump wishes North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un happy birthday, calling him a "very good friend".
• Maricopa County, Arizona, Assessor Paul Petersen (R) resigns after being indicted for his alleged involvement in human-trafficking.

01/09/20

• The WHO confirmed that the novel coronavirus had been isolated from one person who had been hospitalised.
• The European center for Disease Prevention and Control posted its first risk assessment.
• The WHO also reported that Chinese authorities had acted swiftly, identifying the novel coronavirus within weeks of the onset of the outbreak, with the total number of positively tested people being 41.
• The first death from the virus occurred in a 61-year-old man who was a regular customer at the market. He had several significant medical conditions, including chronic liver disease, and died from heart failure and pneumonia. The incident was reported in China by the health commission via Chinese state media on 11 January.
• Chinese scientists reported on Chinese state broadcaster CCTV that they had found a new "coronavirus in 15 of 57 patients with the illness in the central city of Wuhan, saying it has been preliminarily identified as the pathogen for the outbreak". The scientists announced that the current 'Wuhan Virus', a coronavirus, appears to not be as lethal as SARS. They reported that the new viral outbreak was first detected in the city of Wuhan on 12 December 2019. (They reported an correct date, either on purpose or by accident)
• Additionally, a total of 59 people have been identified as contracting the illness, seven patients had been in a critical condition at some stage, and no healthcare workers were reported as having been infected.
• China announces it has mapped the coronavirus genome.
• Trump Administration officials, led by the Secretary of State Pompeo, C.I.A. Director Haspel and Defense Secretary Esper, hold closed-door classified briefings with the House and the Senate on the strike that killed Soleimani.
• The House of Representatives votes to limit President Trump's ability to order military operations against Iran, unless explicitly authorized by Congress.
• President Trump suggests that the reason for the Soleimani strike was to prevent a plot to "blow up the embassy" in Baghdad.
• Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) endorses a resolution to change the Senate rules to allow it to dismiss the articles of impeachment against President Trump if they are not transmitted from the House of Representatives to the Senate within a period of 25 days.
• Facebook reiterates that it will allow politicians to lie on political ads, although users are free to block them.
• The New York City Bar Association asks Congress to investigate Attorney General William Barr for political bias and ethics violations.
• Three Republicans join House Democrats and one Independent in voting 224-194 in favor of the Iran War Powers Resolution sponsored by Congresswoman Elissa Slotkin (D-MI).
• Tom Steyer will join Joe Biden, Bernie Sanders (D-VT), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Pete Buttigieg, Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), and Andrew Yang in the 7th Democratic presidential debate on January 14.
• Anti-war protests in 370 U.S. cities.
• Staff for the Andrew Yang 2020 presidential campaign unionize. Workers for Buttigieg, Warren (D-MA), Sanders (D-VT), and Biden are also unionized.
• President Trump holds a rally in Toledo, Ohio.

01/10/20

• Dr. Li Wenliang, Chinese ophthalmologist and coronavirus whistleblower, started having symptoms of a dry cough. On 12 January 2020, Dr. Wenliang started having a fever. He was admitted to the hospital on 14 January 2020. His parents also contracted the coronavirus (presumably from Dr. Wenliang) and were admitted to the hospital with him. Dr. Wenliang tested negative several times for the coronavirus until finally testing positive on 30 January 2020.
• First two patients in Shenzhen, Guangdong, China attend University of Hong Kong-Shenzhen Hospital.
• The gene sequencing data of the isolated 2019-nCoV, a virus from the same family as the SARS coronavirus, was posted on Virological.org by researchers from Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center and Fudan University, Shanghai. A further three sequences from the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, one from the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, and one from Jinyintan Hospital in Wuhan were posted to the Global Initiative on Sharing All Influenza Data (GISAID) portal. The same day, Public Health England issued its guidance.
• Beginning of the 2020 Chunyun travel season in China.
• In an interview with Fox News's Laura Ingraham, President Trump says Iran had been targeting four American embassies before he ordered the killing of Soleimani. "I can reveal that I believe it would've been four embassies."
• Marianne Williamson announces she has ended her presidential campaign.
• virological.org- The Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center & School of Public Health, in collaboration with the Central Hospital of Wuhan, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, the Wuhan Center for Disease Control and Prevention, the National Institute for Communicable Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control, and the University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia is releasing a coronavirus genome from a case of a respiratory disease from the Wuhan outbreak. (Released 1/12)
• The F.B.I. told a secretive court on Friday that it was increasing training and oversight for officials who work on national security wiretap applications in response to problems uncovered by a scathing inspector general report last month about botched surveillance targeting a former Trump campaign adviser.

01/11/20

• World Health Organization (WHO) via Twitter- BREAKING: WHO has received the genetic sequences for the novel #coronavirus (2019-nCoV) from the Chinese authorities. We expect them to be made publicly available as soon as possible.
• Iranian officials admit that the crash of Ukrainian Airlines Flight 752 was caused by a missile strike brought about by human error and increased tensions as a result of "US adventurism".
• Two American soldiers are killed and two wounded by an improvised explosive device (IED) in southern Afghanistan.
• Independent Congressman Justin Amash (I-MI) accuses President Trump of selling U.S. troops after Trump tells Laura Ingraham that Saudi Arabia deposited $1 billion in a bank account in return for an increased military presence.
• Jan. 11-17: Important prescheduled CCP meeting held in Wuhan. During that time, the Wuhan Health Commission insists there are no new cases.

01/12/20

• Chinese state broadcaster CCTV reported in a broadcast airing that a "new viral outbreak was first detected in the city of Wuhan, China, on 12 December 2019." (Off by at least 1 month)
• Dr. Li Wenliang, who contracted coronavirus from a patient he treated, was hospitalized
• In China, more than 700 close contacts of the 41 confirmed cases, including more than 400 healthcare workers, had been monitored, with no new cases reported in China since 5 January.
• The WHO published initial guidance on travel advice, testing in the laboratory and medical investigation.
• Hubei's provincial representatives from all over the province meat in Wuhan until 18 January.
• Virus gene data Accession MN908947 that was announced 1/10 is posted for public use to Genbank "Please feel free to download, share, use, and analyze this data. We ask that you communicate with us if you wish to publish results that use these data in a journal. If you have any other questions -then please also contact us directly." Professor Yong-Zhen Zhang, Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center & School of Public Health, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
• After publishing the first genome sequence of the virus, Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center was closed without reason.

01/13/20

• Thailand witnessed the first confirmed case of 2019-nCoV, the first outside China. The affected 61-year-old Chinese woman, who is a resident of Wuhan, had not visited the Huanan Seafood Wholesale Market, but was noted to have been to other markets. She had arrived in Bangkok on 8 January.
• The USCDC announced that the genome had been posted on the NIH genetic sequence database, GenBank.
• World Health Organization official document "Diagnostic detection of Wuhan coronavirus 2019 by real-time RTPCR" Repeatedly refers to "Wuhan virus"
• Senator Cory Booker drops out of the 2020 presidential campaign. He will run for reelection to the U.S. Senate instead.
• All 16 Roman Catholic bishops in Texas and two large newspapers, The Dallas Morning News and the Houston Chronicle condemn Texas governor Greg Abbott's decision to bar refugees from settling in the state.

01/14/20

• Two of the 41 confirmed cases in Wuhan were reported to include a married couple, raising the possibility of human-to-human transmission.
• World Health Organization (WHO) via Twitter- Preliminary investigations conducted by the Chinese authorities have found no clear evidence of human-to-human transmission of the novel #coronavirus (2019-nCoV) identified in #Wuhan, #China.
• Reporters from Hong Kong are taken to police station after trying to film situation within Wuhan hospital.
• Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) announces that the House will vote on Wednesday to send the articles of impeachment against President Trump to the Senate and appoint impeachment managers.
• Two white women and four white men participate in the 7th Democratic Party presidential debate in Des Moines, Iowa.
• President Trump holds a rally in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

01/15/20

• A second death occurred in a 69-year-old man in China.
• The patient who will become the first confirmed U.S. case leaves Wuhan and arrives in the U.S., carrying the coronavirus.
• The WHO published a protocol on diagnostic testing for 2019-nCoV, developed by a virology team from Charité Hospital.
• President Trump and Chinese Vice premier Liu He sign phase one of a trade deal, pausing two years of dispute between China and the United States.
• The House of Representatives votes 228-193 to transmit the articles of impeachment against President Trump to the Senate and appoints impeachment managers.
• U.S. Speaker of the United States House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) names the seven managers of the impeachment team and the House votes to send its impeachment resolutions to the Senate for a trial of President Donald Trump.
• Whitefield Academy in Kentucky expels a 15-year-old girl after a video shows her wearing a rainbow sweater and blowing out candles on a rainbow birthday cake in her home.
• Virginia becomes the 38th state to ratify the Equal Rights Amendment. It is unclear if, or when, it will become law.
• Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) holds a vote to send articles of impeachment to the Senate. Pelosi (D-CA) and House Democrats celebrate the "solemn" occasion with a signing ceremony, using commemorative pens.
• The entire Russian government is resigning, Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev announced, after Vladimir Putin proposed sweeping reforms that could extend his decades-long grip on power beyond the end of his presidency.

01/16/20

• The WHO was alerted by Japan's Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare that a 30-year-old male Chinese national had tested positive to 2019-nCoV during a hospital stay between 10 and 15 January. He had not visited the Huanan Seafood Wholesale Market, but possibly had close contact with an affected person in Wuhan.
• The Senate trial on the removal from office of President Trump begins.
• The United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), President Trump's replacement for the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), is ratified by the Senate in a vote of 89-10.
• Chief Justice of the United States John Roberts and 99 Senators are sworn in at the Trump impeachment trial. Senator Jim Inhofe (R-OK) misses the vote because he is in Oklahoma with a sick relative.
• The U.S. Senate ratifies the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) on a vote of 89 to 10. Environmentalists argue the treaty does not go far enough.
• Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (D-MA) reveals she has Alopecia areata, also called "spot baldness".

01/17/20

• Yang Xiaobo, head of the Assets Supervision and Administration Commission, died of pneumonia caused by the virus on 17 January.
• President Trump entertains the Louisiana State University football team, 2019 College Football Champions, at the White House.
• The National Archives acknowledges that it altered photographs of the 2017 Women's March on Washington, blurring the word Trump in a sign that reads, "God Hates Trump" and another that reads, "Trump & GOP - Hands Off Women".
• The Federal Election Commission (FEC) grants Michael Bloomberg a 45-day extension to file his financial disclosure form, until after the Super Tuesday primaries.
• An illegal alien has been arrested in the rape and murder of a 92-year-old woman in New York City. The suspect had been detained by the NYPD but was released prior to the crime despite an ICE detainer.
• Insiders say they suspect the Grammys fired its first-ever female boss in an attempt to silence her - after she wrote a memo to HR alleging misconduct inside the organization, including sketchy voting practices, financial mismanagement and conflicts of interest.

01/18/20

• After the first 41 laboratory-confirmed cases were identified on January 2, 2020, Chinese officials announced no new cases for the next 16 days, then reported 17 additional laboratory-confirmed cases, three of which were in critical condition. This brought the number of laboratory-confirmed cases in China to 62. The patients' ages ranged from 30 to 79. 19 were discharged and eight remain critical.
• On the same day, the Wuhan City government held an annual banquet in the Baibuting community celebrating the Chinese New Year with forty thousand families in attendance despite the officials' knowledge of the spread of the Wuhan coronavirus. They shared meals, plates and ate together.
• Trump goes golfing at Trump International Golf Course in West Palm Beach, Florida

01/19/20

• The first confirmed cases were reported in China, outside Wuhan, one in the southern province of Guangdong and two in Beijing. Wuhan reported 136 additional laboratory-confirmed cases, bringing the total number of laboratory-confirmed cases in China to 201.
• A new death was also reported in Wuhan, bringing the total number of fatalities in China to three.
• www.globaltimes.cn- News reports in China refer to "a new form of viral pneumonia that broke out in Wuhan"
• Beijing sends epidemiologists to Wuhan.
• Puerto Rico's emergency services director fired after warehouse discovered with supplies from Hurricane Maria
• President Trump travels to Austin to address the American Farm Bureau, touting the greatness of his administration through achievements such as the trade agreement with China and USMCA.
• Trump goes golfing at Trump International Golf Course in West Palm Beach, Florida

01/20/20- Martin Luther King Jr. Day

• Scientists from the China CDC identified three different strains of the 2019-nCoV confirming that the original Wuhan coronavirus had mutated into two additional strains.
• Chinese premier Li Keqiang urged decisive and effective efforts to prevent and control the epidemic.
• First confirmed case reported in South Korea.
• Shanghai confirms its first case, bringing the total number of laboratory-confirmed cases in China to 218.
• The investigation team from China's National Health Commission confirmed for the first time that the coronavirus can be transmitted between humans.
• At least two people had become infected whilst living hundreds of miles from Wuhan.
• Five attendees of an as-yet-unnamed private international sales company meeting of 109 attendees, 94 from overseas, held from 20-22 January at the Grand Hyatt Hotel, Singapore were diagnosed with the Wuhan coronavirus upon returning home: one from Malaysia, two from South Korea and two from Singapore. One of the attendees was from Wuhan, China. It was reported that the company held a buffet for their delegates. These four diagnoses were not reported until 5 February 2020.
• The first laboratory-confirmed case in Singapore of an unrelated 67 year-old native of Wuhan was not reported until 23 January 2020. These cases linked to the meeting were the first evidence that the Wuhan coronavirus had spread through human-to-human contact outside China, which the WHO has said is deeply concerning and could signal evidence of a much larger outbreak. As of 5 February 2020, the sister of a Malaysian who attended the meeting had been infected and four more local staff in Singapore were confirmed as having virus symptoms.
• Chinese premier Li Keqiang urged decisive and effective efforts to prevent and control the epidemic.
• The investigation team from China's National Health Commission confirmed that the coronavirus can be transmitted between humans.
• In its commentary published online today, the Communist Party's Central Political and Legal Commission talked of China having learned a "painful lesson" from the SARS epidemic and called for the public to be kept informed. Deception, it warned, could "turn a controllable natural disaster into a man-made disaster".
• The fourth year of the Trump presidency begins.
• President Trump and Vice President Pence make a visit to the Martin Luther King Memorial to pay tribute to the late Martin Luther King on Martin Luther King Day.
• President Trump's legal team submits a 110-page brief to the Senate concerning the articles of impeachment against him, arguing that the adoption of the articles was a "dangerous perversion of the Constitution" and that President Trump must be acquitted.
• Most Democratic Presidential candidates marched together in Columbia, South Carolina. Then they went to Des Moines, Iowa for the "Brown and Black Forum."
• 22,000 people, many heavily armed, participated in the Richmond, Virginia gun rally.
• January 20 - 24: World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. Ivanka Trump, Jared Kushner (Trump's son in law), and several Cabinet members will be in the U.S. delegation. President Trump talks about the U.S. economy and warns about fearmongering on climate change.

01/21/20

• A total of 291 cases have now been reported across major cities in China, including Beijing and Shanghai. However, most patients are in Wuhan, the central city of 11 million at the heart of the outbreak.
• A report by the MRC center for Global Infectious Disease Analysis at Imperial College London suggested there could be more than 1,700 infections. However, Gabriel Leung, the dean of medicine at the University of Hong Kong, put the figure closer to 1,300.
• After 300 confirmed diagnoses and 6 deaths, Chinese state media and top political commission in charge of law and order warned lower-level officials not to cover up the spread of a new coronavirus. Officials declared that anyone who concealed new cases would "be nailed on the pillar of shame for eternity", the political body responsible for law and order said.
• Local Chinese officials initially withheld information about the epidemic from the public.
• It later vastly under-reported the number of people that had been infected, downplayed the risks and failed to provide timely information that experts say could have saved lives.
• When Wuhan mayor Zhou Xianwang was asked on state television why the Jan 18 banquet was held in Wuhan even after the number of cases had risen to 312 he responded, "The reason why the Baibuting community continued to host the banquet this year was based on the previous judgment that the spread of the epidemic was limited between humans, so there was not enough warning."
• CCP flagship newspaper People's Daily mentions the coronavirus epidemic and Xi's actions to fight it for the first time.
• The Wuhan Municipal Health Commission reported at least 15 medical workers in Wuhan have also been infected with the virus, with one in a critical condition.
• WHO Begins daily Situation Reports, listing case locations, quantities, outbreaks, etc.
• New cases were also reported outside of mainland China.
• Taiwan reported its first laboratory-confirmed case,
• China's Wuhan Institute filed to patent the use of Gilead's remdesivir for the treatment of novel coronavirus.
• United States reported its first laboratory-confirmed case in the state of Washington, the first in North America.
• The World Health Organization announced that it would hold an emergency meeting on the virus the following day to determine if the virus is a "public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC)".
• The Panamanian government has enhanced its sanitary control and screening measures at all ports of entry, in order to prevent the spread of the virus, isolating and testing potential cases.
• President Trump arrives in Davos, Switzerland to attend the 2020 Davos World Economic Forum.
• President Trump's impeachment trial begins as senators debate procedural rules that will govern the proceedings. Eleven Democratic amendments are rejected in votes of 53-47.
• In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Hillary Clinton says "nobody likes" Senator Bernie Sanders and refuses to promise to support him if he wins the 2020 Democratic Presidential Nomination.

01/22/20

• New data showed indications of the current rapid spread of the disease and an increase in the rate of transmission.
• Officials announce a quarantine of the greater Wuhan, China area to commence tomorrow 10:00 am. No traffic will be allowed in or out of the city.
• However, statistics compiled by the Chinese Railway Administration showed that on the same day approximately 100,000 people had already departed from Wuhan Train Station by the deadline. (Wuhan population was ~10-11 million at this time)
• Furthermore, many Wuhan residents bypassed the checkpoints by taking antipyretics, having seen tips shared on Sina Weibo.
• At night, Wuhan government announced that citizens must wear face mask in public facilities.
• North Korea closed its borders and banned foreign tourists over the virus.
• WHO's emergency committee was unable to reach a consensus-with one member stating that the vote was "50/50. Even."-on whether the outbreak should be classified as a PHEIC due to lack of information. The committee will resume discussion the next day.
• President Trump returns to the White House from Switzerland.
• President Trump made his first public comment about the coronavirus, during an interview on CNBC, making it sound like no threat at all:
  Joe Kernen: Are there worries about a pandemic at this point?
  President Trump: No. Not at all. And - we're - we have it totally under control. It's one person coming in from China, and we have it under control. It's going to be just fine.
• The Senate votes 53-47 to approve the rules of President Trump's impeachment trial, blocking the inclusion of new evidence or witness testimony at this stage in the trial.
• Opening arguments begin in the impeachment trial of President Trump, with impeachment managers accusing Trump of trying to cheat in the upcoming 2020 presidential election, adding that his actions demonstrate that "he believes that he's above the law and scornful of constraint".
• On the second day of the Donald Trump impeachment trial, Senate Republicans complain that House Democrats have not introduced any new evidence one day after voting against allowing new evidence.
• Hawaii Rep. Tulsi Gabbard (D-HI) filed a $50 million defamation suit against Hillary Clinton over accusations of calling her a "Russian asset" (being a Russian spy).
• A new study finds that college professor donations went to Democrats over Republicans by 95:1 ratio.

01/23/20

• Singapore reported its first laboratory-confirmed case, a 66-year-old man from China.
• Vietnam confirmed its first two laboratory-confirmed cases, a 65 or 66-year-old father and 27 or 28-year-old son from China.
• In Wuhan, construction began near midnight for a specialist emergency hospital, modelled after the Xiaotangshan Hospital during the 2003 SARS outbreak in Beijing, after it was proposed earlier in the afternoon. The new Huoshenshan Hospital opened on 3 February with a capacity of at least 1,000 beds.
• The three provinces of Zhejiang, Guangdong, and Hunan declared a level 1 public health emergency (the highest possible).
• The release of all seven major films for the Lunar New Year was practically cancelled. In an example of black humor, Plague Inc., which was released in 2012, surged to become the most popular app in China.
• Singaporean airline Scoot cancelled flights to Wuhan between 23 and 26 January over the virus outbreak after a lockdown was imposed.
• Flights in and out of North Korea were halted. Coronavirus cases in Sinuiju were suspected and promptly quarantined for two weeks.
• Schools have also asked parents to declare their travel plans and monitor their children's health. Other measures will also be taken to ensure the safety of students.
• MINDEF has since issued two medical adviseries to service personnel.
• In the second day of opening arguments in the impeachment trial of President Trump, impeachment managers present their case that Trump abused his office in an attempt to discredit former Vice President Joe Biden, calling on Republican senators to allow new witness testimony to be heard in the trial.
• Prince Charles ignores and walks past U.S. Vice President Mike Pence without shaking his hand at the World Holocaust Forum in Jerusalem.
• The U.S imposes new visa rules limiting entry by pregnant women.
• Government tells court it lacked probable cause in last two of four eavesdropping applications for Carter Page (a focal point of the FBI investigation into trump's pre-election activities)

01/24/20

• Nepal confirmed its first case, a student who returned from Wuhan.
• France reported its first three confirmed cases, the first occurrences in the EU.
• The French Health Minister Agnès Buzyn stated that it is likely other cases would arise in the country.
• The first confirmed incidence of human-to-human transmission outside of China was documented by the WHO in Vietnam.
• A study by Chinese researchers indicates that people can be symptom-free for several days while the coronavirus is incubating, increasing the risk of contagious infection without forewarning signs.
• A consortium of Chinese medical experts charged by the Chinese CDC with investigating the inception of the virus published their report in The Lancet, reporting details of 41 first known patients.
• By the end of the day, the entire Hubei province had gone under a city-by-city quarantine, apart from Xiangyang and Shennongjia Forestry District.
• China extends the lockdown to cover 36 million people and starts to rapidly build a new hospital in Wuhan. From this point, very strict measures continue to be implemented around the country for the rest of the epidemic.
• Seven provinces, two autonomous regions, and four municipalities declared a level 1 public health emergency, in chronological order.
• All 70,000 Chinese cinemas were closed until further notice.
• Multiple tourist sites across China were closed until further notice, including Mount Wutai, Pingyao, Yanmen Pass, Xuanwu Lake, Qixia Mountain, Nanking Massacre Museum, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall, Canton Tower, Gulangyu, Yu Garden, Shanghai Disneyland, West Lake, and Forbidden City.
• Citing the coronavirus outbreak, Starbucks and McDonald's suspended some operations in China.
• The Beijing and Shanghai governments have "urged residents returning from coronavirus outbreak areas to stay at home for 14 days to prevent its spread."
• The Vietnam Aviation Authority sent a written directive requesting that all flights to and from Wuhan are to be cancelled immediately until further notice and that the tickets will be refunded. Exceptionally, the Authority operates four special flights to carry Wuhan passengers home during the period from 24-27 January, and a backward flight to evacuate Vietnamese citizens and diplomats.
• Border control measures in Singapore have been enhanced and extended to land and sea checkpoints, with the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority and Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore starting temperature checks from noon of that day.
• The Russian Far East closes its border with China until 7 February, while Russian tour operators were inhibited starting 27 January.
• Trump on Twitter- China has been working very hard to contain the Coronavirus. The United States greatly appreciates their efforts and transparency. It will all work out well. In particular, on behalf of the American People, I want to thank President Xi!
• President Trump delivers remarks at anti-abortion March for Life rally in Washington, DC.
• Democratic house managers conclude their opening arguments on the first article of impeachment, abuse of power, as well as the second article of impeachment, obstruction of Congress.
• Congressman Adam Schiff (D-CA) concludes the opening arguments in the impeachment trial of Donald Trump by calling upon Senators to show "moral courage" in voting to call witnesses.
• DC Solar, a Benicia-based company, Plead Guilty to Participating in a Billion Dollar Ponzi Scheme-one of the Biggest Criminal Fraud Schemes in the History of California

01/25/20

• Chinese Communist Party general secretary Xi Jinping called the "accelerating spread" of the coronavirus a "grave situation" in a Party Politburo meeting, and that it was "mutating" as Beijing escalates measures to contain the illness.
• Australia confirmed its first four cases, one in Victoria and three in New South Wales.
• Malaysia reported its first three cases in Johor Bahru, and a fourth case later.
• Canada confirmed its first case in Toronto.
• A Chinese and a Sri Lankan suspected with the infection were admitted to a hospital in Sri Lanka.
• Liang Wudong, a 62-year-old doctor, reportedly died in Hubei province from the coronavirus.
• After new declarations in 13 areas, a level 1 health emergency was in effect in all 30 of the 31 provincial-level divisions in mainland China with cases reported, the exception being Tibet.
• China's National Health Commission had sent 1,230 medical staff in six groups to Wuhan City, central China's Hubei Province, to combat the novel coronavirus outbreak in the region. As of 25 January, three of the six groups began their work in the virus-hit area. Local media earlier reported that 450 military medical personnel have also landed in the city to offer support.
• Wuhan announced building a second emergency specialty hospital, named Leishenshan Hospital, with a planned capacity of 1,300 beds, to be in use in half a month.
• Beijing announced it will halt all inter-provincial bus and train services starting tomorrow.
• The Politburo of the Communist Party of China met to discuss novel coronavirus prevention and control. Xi Jinping, general secretary of the CPC Central Committee, stated that the country is facing a "grave situation" as the number of infected people is accelerating.
• Straco has shut Shanghai Ocean Aquarium, Underwater World Xiamen and Lixing Cable Car temporarily to curb the virus spreading around.
• Hong Kong declared a state of emergency and announced it would close schools until 17 February.
• Hong Kong Disneyland and Ocean Park are closed until further notice.
• The United States announced plans to evacuate US citizens out of Wuhan by charter jet. The US government later clarified that it only had limited capacity for private citizen evacuations.
• President Trump's legal defense in his impeachment trial begin opening arguments, refuting the accusations made by the impeachment managers and accusing them of trying to remove him from office as they believed they could not win the 2020 presidential election.

01/26/20

• The Spring Festival holiday was extended to contain the coronavirus outbreak.
• Shanghai reported its first death, an 88-year-old man.
• The Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CCDC) has started developing vaccines against the coronavirus, an official with the center said on Sunday.
• Health officials in Ivory Coast are dealing with a suspected case of coronavirus, the country's health ministry has announced.
• The United Nation's WHO Director-General Tedros Ghebreyesus said he was on his way to Beijing to confer with Chinese officials and health experts about the coronavirus outbreak.
• China started requiring nationwide use of monitoring stations for screening, identification and immediate isolation of coronavirus-infected travelers, including at airports, railway stations, bus stations and ports.
• A tentative clinical profile for the new coronavirus (2019-nCoV) was published by an assistant professor of population health science at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York. The lethality of the virus is unknown; however, the death toll has now climbed to above three percent.
• Wang Xianliang, a Hubei provincial government official, died of pneumonia caused by the virus.
• The leading group on the prevention and control of the novel coronavirus outbreak was established, led by Chinese Premier Li Keqiang. The leading group has decided to extend the Spring Festival holiday to contain coronavirus outbreak.
• The city of Shantou declared a partial lockdown, though this was quickly reversed.
• China banned all wildlife trade with immediate effect.
• Schools in Beijing would stay closed until further notice to prevent further spread of the coronavirus.
• The Beijing Government stated it will not lock-down the city.
• Hong Kong announced it will ban anyone who has been to Hubei Province in the last 14 days from entering the city starting 27 January.
• Singers Andy Lau and Leon Lai have postponed their concerts in Hong Kong and Macau respectively.
• Oxiris Barbot, New York city's health commissioner- "It's inevitable that we will have someone who is positive with coronavirus...We are encouraging New Yorkers to go about their everyday lives and suggest practicing everyday precautions that we do through the flu season," Barbot said. She even added that those "who had recently traveled from Wuhan were not being urged to self-quarantine or avoid large public gatherings."
• Taking his cue from Fox News personality Mark Levin, President Trump threatens to eliminate funding for National Public Radio (NPR) two days after Secretary of State Mike Pompeo lost his temper after an interview with reporter Mary Louise Kelly.
• Washington lawmakers admitted the taxes they raised specifically to make tuition at public colleges affordable - or free - for students across the state are insufficient by $28-$50 million

01/27/20

• Dr. Gabriel Leung, Dean of the University of Hong Kong medical school and one of the foremost world experts on SARS and viruses, gave a three-hour presentation published on YouTube wherein he made nowcasts and forecasts of the coronavirus. Using traditional scientific modeling techniques that predict the spread of viruses, Dr. Leung projected the true number of coronavirus infections was likely 10 time more than the official reported numbers. Dr. Leung estimated that there were between 44,000-100,000 infections in China as of 24 January 2020. He stated that draconian measures were needed to slow the progress of the virus but that these measures would have no effect in stopping the coronavirus pandemic. He projected that the number of infections would continue exponentially peaking out in late April or May 2020. Dr. Leung predicted that at the peak of the pandemic, there could be up to 100,000 new infections per day. Dr. Leung subsequently published an article in The Lancet nowcasting and forecasting the likely progression of the Wuhan coronavirus taking into consideration numerous variables.
• Zhou Xianwang, the mayor of Wuhan, said on a Chinese state television talkshow that rules imposed by Beijing limited what he could disclose about the threat posed by the Wuhan coronavirus as it unfolded, suggesting "the central government was partially responsible for a lack of transparency that has marred the response to the fast-expanding health crisis."
• Canada reported its first confirmed case and another presumptive case.
• The Sri Lankan Health Ministry confirms its first case of coronavirus, a 43 year old Chinese woman.
• Cambodia confirms its first case of the virus, a Chinese man who came with his family to Sihanoukville.
• Germany confirmed its first case in Bavaria, a case of domestic transmission.
• Taiwan reports its first case of domestic transmission of the coronavirus.
• Beijing reports its first death from coronavirus.
• The 'Matei Bal?' Institute reported the first possible case in Romania.
• Ecuador reported a suspected case of coronavirus, a Chinese citizen who arrived from Hong Kong.
• Fiji authorities are holding six Chinese travelers in quarantine in Nadi as a precaution after they failed to gain entry to Samoa due to Samoa's quarantine requirements that were implemented Friday. The quarantine requirements, imposed after an emergency Cabinet meeting, compel anyone who's been in China to "self-quarantine" in a country free from the coronavirus for 14 days.
• In Poland, two children were admitted to the Kraków hospital with the suspicion of coronavirus.
• In Mongolia a 14-year-old girl who was studying in China had fallen ill with a suspected case of pneumonia and laryngitis; she was pronounced dead on the same day. Health authorities have since taken a sample from the deceased girl to be analysed at the National Center for Communicable Diseases in Ulaanbaatar.
• Two Mongolian students returning from Taiwan to Chinggis Khaan International Airport have shown symptoms of high fever and rising temperature and were put into quarantine after landing in Mongolia.
• In Germany, the first specific, global case of coronavirus being transmitted by a person with no symptoms has been reported. The originally-infected individual is from Shanghai.
• Chinese Premier Li Keqiang visited Wuhan, the center of the virus outbreak, to direct the epidemic prevention work.
• China's Finance Ministry and National Health Commission extended 60.33 billion yuan (US$8.74 billion) to help contain coronavirus.
• Xiangyang announced the suspension of ferry services starting midnight tonight, putting the entirety of Hubei province under a city-by-city quarantine, save for Shennongjia Forestry District. The move came after the closure of its railway stations at 00:00 on 27 January, and shutting down of its airport and inter-city bus services earlier.
• Wuhan suspends visa and passports services for Chinese citizens until 30 January.
• The Shanghai government has said companies in the city are not allowed to resume operations before 9 February.
• Chinese tech company Tencent asks staff to work from home until 7 February due to coronavirus.
• The mayor of Wuhan acknowledges criticism over his handling of the crisis, admitting that information was not released quickly enough. He said he would resign if it helped with public opinion but pointed out the local government was obliged to seek permission before fully disclosing information about the virus, and that their response had since become "tougher than others".
• Tangshan suspends public transit to prevent spread of coronavirus.
• Mongolia closed its border with China, shut down schools until 2 March, and called for all public gatherings to be cancelled.
• The pair of international border gates Hekou (Yunnan, China)-Lào Cai (Vietnam) are suspended against Chinese tourists. The decision was declared by the head of Lào Cai Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, after an urgent notice from Yunnan Province's authorities.
• The Government of Gilgit Baltistan decided to delay opening the China-Pakistan border crossing point at Khunjerab Pass, scheduled for February.
• Following the action from Hong Kong authorities, Macau stated that it will deny entry to visitors from the Mainland's Hubei province or those who had visited the province 14 days prior to arrival unless they are virus-free.
• Singapore imposed a 14 days leave of absence for those working in schools, healthcare and eldercare who traveled to China in the last 14 days. Students who returned from these places will do home-based learning instead. In addition, people who went to China the last 14 days must fill health and travel declarations and monitor health with temperature checks.
• Malaysia suspends all visa facilities for Chinese tourists from Hubei and its neighboring provinces in China.
• Tijuana, Mexico receives its final scheduled non-stop flight from mainland China before a previously scheduled suspension of service. Passengers and crew were screened by health officials upon arrival to the Tijuana International Airport. Flights between Tijuana and Mainland China are scheduled to resume in May 2020.
• The USCDC expands travel advisery from Wuhan to the whole of Hubei Province.
• Later, the US State Department raised the travel advisery for China to Level 3 ("Reconsider Travel: Avoid travel due to serious risks to safety and security.") due to the coronavirus.
• The USCDC again updates its travel health notice to Warning- Level 3, Avoid All Nonessential Travel to China.
• Trump forms Coronavirus task force
• President Trump's legal defense team continue their opening statements arguing that Trump did nothing wrong and the impeachment inquiry was illegitimate from the start. John Bolton makes a claim that he heard Trump say that he (Trump) wanted the freeze on military aid to Ukraine to continue until Ukrainian officials announced investigations into Joe Biden. Alan Dershowitz, a member of President Trump's legal counsel, claims that "nothing in the Bolton revelations, even if true, would rise to the level of an abuse of power, or an impeachable offense."
• President Trump holds a bilateral meeting with Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House.
• Dr. Laura Hawks from Harvard University publishes a study in the JAMA Internal Medicine that shows that even many people who have private insurance cannot afford to pay for hospital care and doctor's visits.
• The US Army announces that its Artificial Intelligence Task Force (AITF) has developed a new Artificial Intelligence (AI) system, Aided Threat Recognition from Mobile Cooperative and Autonomous Sensors (ATR-MCAS) that may transform future operations.
• The U.S. House of Representatives Select Committee on the Climate Crisis has demanded Google demonetize "climate skeptics", and provide education to millions of people who have been exposed to "dangerous misinformation".

01/28/20

• China's Supreme People's Court ruled that whistleblower, Li Wenliang, had not committed the crime of spreading "rumors" when on 30 December 2019 he posted to a WeChat forum for medical school alumni that seven patients under his care appeared to have contracted SARS. In their ruling, the Supreme People's Court stated, "If society had at the time believed those 'rumors', and wore masks, used disinfectant and avoided going to the wildlife market as if there were a SARS outbreak, perhaps it would've meant we could better control the coronavirus today," the court said. "rumors end when there is openness."
• Thailand's health minister, Anutin Charnvirakul, states that "we are not able to stop the spread" of coronavirus in the country.
• Singapore confirms two more cases, bringing the total infected in Singapore to seven. That was followed by a Hubei-related suspension from 29 January.
• Japan confirms 3 additional cases, bringing the total infected in Japan to seven, including a man who had never visited Wuhan. He was working as a tour bus driver and had driven a group from Wuhan earlier in January.
• Germany's first confirmed case, reported the previous day, had occurred in a German citizen who had not traveled to China. However, he had close contact with a visiting Chinese colleague who reported starting to feel ill during her return flight to Shanghai and she was diagnosed with coronavirus infection after arriving in China.
• Germany confirmed 3 new cases, all of whom were coworkers of the first confirmed patient.
• France confirmed its fourth case, an elderly Chinese tourist who is in critical condition.
• The Brazilian Ministry of Health reports three suspected cases ongoing in three locations: Belo Horizonte (MG), Curitiba (PR) and São Leopoldo (RS).
• Canada reports a new presumptive case in British Columbia, a man in his 40s who had recently traveled to Wuhan.
• A UK-Chinese medical research paper reports a statistical model finding that "estimates suggest the actual number of infected cases could be much higher than the reported, with estimated 26,701 cases (as of 28th January 2020)."
• Scientists from The Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity (Doherty Institute) in Melbourne reported that they had successfully grown 2019-nCoV from a patient sample.
• Xiangyang became quarantined starting 00:00; the entire Hubei province thus became quarantined save for Shennongjia Forestry District.


• Wanda Group waives all rent and property fees for all merchants from 24 January to 25 February, amounting to an estimated fee reduction of ¥3-4 billion (US$432-577 million).
• Sasseur REIT shuts four malls temporarily, with another seven outlet malls shut to slow the outbreak.
• Dasin Retail Trust shortens hours for its five malls and temporarily closed crowded places.
• The Philippines and Sri Lanka suspended issuance of visas-on-arrival to Chinese nationals.
• Singapore announced a suspension from 29 January, 12pm of entry or transit for all new visitors with a recent travel history to Hubei within the last 14 days, or holders of China passports issued in Hubei.
• Hong Kong temporarily closes four of the eleven ports with the Mainland.
• Carrie Lam, the Chief Executive, stated the high-speed rail service between Hong Kong and mainland China would be suspended starting 30 January and all cross-border ferry services would also be suspended in a bid to stop the spread of coronavirus.
• Flights from mainland China would be cut in half, cross-border bus services reduced, and the Hong Kong government is asking all its employees (except those providing essential or emergency services) to work from home.
• In a later press conference, Carrie Lam said that the Man Kam To and Sha Tau Kok border checkpoints would be closed.
• Thailand starts scanning all travelers from China with immediate effect.
• The UK's Foreign Office warns Britons not to travel to mainland China unless their journey is essential.
• The USCDC stated it was boosting staffing at 20 US airports that have quarantine facilities.
• Singer Miriam Yeung postponed a concert in Singapore, which was scheduled on 8 February. This comes after the virus situation in China worsened with most of the logistics coming from there.
• Mayor de Blasio- "What we now know is this virus was underestimated by the Chinese government. It was actually beginning to spread and was not recognized sufficiently and talked about openly. And you know, that has a lot to do with the situation in China and the way things are governed. . . . So really emphasizing to New Yorkers, it's probably here already. That's the sad reality. It's probably here in the form of individuals who in the, you know, existing in individuals who have been to Wuhan or have family members who've been to Wuhan and have had some prolonged exposure and the symptoms."
• President Trump holds a joint press conference with Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House to announce a proposed Middle East peace plan.
• President Trump's legal defense team completes its opening arguments.
• President Trump holds a rally in Wildwood, New Jersey.
• The defense wraps up in the Impeachment trial of Donald Trump.
• FBI Reviewing Claims Ilhan Omar Married Her Brother so he could obtain a green card and study in America.
• Fox News Interview- Tucker Carlson: "Why am I watching impeachment coverage all day?"
  Senator Tom Cotton(R): "I suspect that months from now or perhaps even years from now when people look back at this time, coronavirus will be considered the bigger story than impeachment."

01/29/20

• Tibet reported its first suspected case identified on the previous day and declared a level 1 health emergency in the evening, the last mainland provincial division to do so.
• Suspected cases have now been reported in all 31 mainland provincial divisions.
• Companies in Hubei are required not to resume services before 13 February, and schools in Hubei are to postpone the reopening of schools.
• The UAE confirms its first case.
• Shortly afterwards, an Emirates' news agency confirmed four people from a Chinese family to be infected.
• Finland reports its first case of the virus in Lapland, found in a Chinese tourist who left Wuhan before Wuhan was locked down.
• Singapore confirms three more cases of the virus, bringing the total infected to 10.
• Malaysia confirms three additional cases, bringing its total to seven.
• Japan reports four additional cases, including a tour bus guide that was on the same bus as one of the cases confirmed on 28 January and three evacuated from Wuhan.
• France confirmed a fifth case, the daughter of the patient in the fourth case.
• Two Chinese nationals were placed in isolation wards in Armenia amid the first suspected case of coronavirus in the country. The Chinese nationals were tourists travelling to Armenia from neighbouring Georgia. Liana Torosyan, the head of the Department of Infectious Diseases, advised that samples will be sent to European labs, as Armenia does not have the capacity to test for the novel coronavirus.
• Brazil reports a total of 9 suspected cases in six states of the country.
• Air Canada is halting all direct flights to China following the federal government's advisery to avoid non-essential travel to the mainland due to the coronavirus epidemic. The suspension is effective Thursday and slated to last until February 29.
• Chinese police drop their case against eight people, accused on 1 January of spreading "false rumors" about a "new SARS-like virus"; they have been referred to as "the eight brave (???)" on some Chinese social media.
• CapitaLand temporarily shuts all four malls in Wuhan and both malls in Xian after instructions from local authorities, with supermarkets still open. The company's remaining 45 malls will operate shorter periods. It has also set up a 10 million Yuan fund to fight the coronavirus.
• The government of Papua New Guinea banned all travelers from Asian countries and closed its border with Indonesia. The order takes effect from 30 January.
• Palau and Vanuatu temporarily suspended flights from mainland China, Macau, and Hong Kong until the end of February and restricted diplomatic work in those countries.
• The government of Kazakhstan suspended visa issuances to Chinese citizens. In addition, all transport links from and to China have been halted; accordingly, movement by train will stop on 1 February, and will stop by airplane from 3 February.
• Georgia temporarily suspended all direct flights with China.
• Rasuwa Fort, which is a border crossing between Rasuwa District (Nepal) and Tibet (China), will be sealed for 15 days starting 29 January. The decision was preceded by a meeting between security and immigration authorities of two countries earlier that day.
• The WHO announces that its director-general has decided to reconvene their international health regulations emergency committee on 30 January to reconsider declaring a global health emergency, technically a "public health emergency of international concern" (PHEIC). The reconvening is due "mainly on the evidence of increasing number of cases, human-to-human transmission outside of China, and the further development of transmission." The committee meeting is planned to start at 13:30 Geneva time.
• Further, the WHO announces their having set up "The Pandemic Supply Chain Network (PSCN)" in collaboration with the World Economic Forum.
• The Government of Canada issued a travel advisery to avoid non-essential travel to China due to the novel coronavirus outbreak.
• The Government of Canada also issued a regional travel advisery to avoid all travel to the Province of Hubei-including the cities of Wuhan, Huanggang and Ezhou-due to the imposition of heavy travel restrictions in order to limit the spread of the novel coronavirus.
• The Minister of Foreign Affairs François-Philippe Champagne announced that an aircraft would be sent to repatriate Canadians from the areas affected by the novel coronavirus in China.
• As a result of the travel adviseries issued by the Canadian government, Air Canada suspended all direct flights to China until at least 29 February.
• The Ministry of Popular Power for Health announced that the Rafael Rangel National Institute of Hygiene (Spanish: Instituto Nacional de Higiene Rafael Rangel) in Caracas will perform the detection of other respiratory viruses based on non-influenza types, including coronaviruses in humans. It is also the only health institute in the country with the installed capacity for the diagnosis of respiratory viruses in Venezuela and is able carry out logistics in the 23 states, the Capital District and Federal Dependencies.
• British Airways and Lufthansa cancel all flights to and from mainland China.
• Singapore expanded temperature screening to cover all incoming flights with additional checks on flights from China and passengers from Hubei.
• The Panama Canal began to require all ships to report if they had any contact with coronavirus-infected countries. The Panamanian health ministry also established an isolation ward for coronavirus patients.
• President Trump signs the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA).
• U.S. senators begin the 2 day question portion in President Trump's impeachment trial. Senate Republicans move to further block new witnesses, instead opting to push the trial to a verdict.
• whitehouse.gov- Statement from the Press Secretary Regarding the President's Coronavirus Task Force- President Donald J. Trump announced the formation of the President's Coronavirus Task Force. Members of the Task Force have been meeting on a daily basis since Monday (1/27). At today's meeting, which the President chaired, he charged the Task Force with leading the United States Government response to the novel 2019 coronavirus and with keeping him apprised of developments.

01/30/20

• Tibet confirms its first case, which was previously suspected.
• Cases have now been confirmed in all 31 provincial divisions of mainland China.
• India confirms its first case of coronavirus in a student who had returned from Wuhan University to the Indian state of Kerala.
• Philippines confirms its first case of coronavirus in a female Chinese national who arrived in Manila via Hong Kong on 21 January.
• Japan confirms three more cases, bringing the total to 14.
• Malaysia confirms one more case, bringing the total to eight.
• Singapore confirms three more cases, bringing the total to 13.
• South Korea confirms two more cases, with one of them being the first human-to-human transmission there.
• Vietnam confirms three new cases, bringing the total to five.
• France confirms its sixth case.
• Italy confirms its first two cases in a press conference by the Prime Minister, Giuseppe Conte.
• Germany confirms its fifth case, an employee of the company where the four previously known cases are also employed.
• The United States confirmed its sixth case, the spouse of another patient in Chicago.
• This is the first confirmed case of human to human transmission within the United States.
• As of 30 January, inter-provincial charter cars in mainland China and inter-provincial passenger routes to Hubei have all been suspended. Passenger transport on roads in ten provinces and municipalities including Hubei and Beijing has been suspended, inter-provincial passenger trains have been suspended in 16 provinces, urban bus routes have been suspended or partially suspended in multiple cities in 28 provinces, and urban rail transportation has been suspended in 5 cities including Wuhan.
• The Huanggang Communist Party committee announced the dismissal of its health chief, Tang Zhihong.
• Vietnam shuts down air traffic with China. The Ministry of Public Security temporarily ceased issuing visa to Chinese citizens within the epidemic areas. Additionally, crossing at gateways, airports, seaports are put under higher supervision, with strict monitoring and medical check-ups (applied to both humans and items; prohibited against wildlife animals and derivatives).
• Later that day, after confirmation of the virus for the first three Vietnamese patients, the Prime Minister ordered for further visa restrictions apart from diplomatic work, suspension of activities at border gates (with China) which are still active, evacuation for citizens when necessary, and an emergency alert being considered.
• The Liaison Office between the two Koreas in the border town of Kaesong was shut down for an unspecified time regarding infection concern. The decision was made after negotiations between the representatives of both countries early in the morning on 30 January, informed by the Unification Ministry of South Korea.
• North Korea's news agency KCNA declared a "state emergency" and reported the establishment of anti-epidemic headquarters around the country.
• Singapore announced that every household was to receive four masks starting from 1 February.
• Russia announces restrictions on railway travel with China, such that only a direct train between Moscow and Beijing remains.
• The WHO director-general declares the coronavirus outbreak a "Public Health Emergency of International Concern" (PHEIC), reversing two previous decisions after emergency committee meetings in the last week.
• Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte stated in a press conference that Italy had closed all air traffic to and from China. It is believed that Conte has also called a cabinet meeting for Friday to discuss further actions.
• Six thousand people are briefly quarantined on board an Italian cruise ship as tests are carried out on two Chinese passengers suspected of having coronavirus, a spokesman for the Costa Crociere cruise company said. The same day, all passengers are released as it is found that the ill individual has the flu, not coronavirus.
• The US State Department issued an updated travel advisery as "Level 4: Do Not Travel to China." Its website stated that "Those currently in China should consider departing" and warning that "Travelers should be prepared for travel restrictions to be put into effect with little or no advance notice". Additionally, it authorised American diplomatic staff and their families to evacuate China.
• The State of Washington in the US declared a Level 1 Emergency and activated its Emergency Response Center for dealing with the now global coronavirus outbreak.
• British foreign secretary Dominic Raab disclosed that the emergency flight containing about 120 Britons from Wuhan that was delayed by 24 hours was due to land at RAF Brize Norton on Friday morning, where the passengers will be taken to Wirral for a fortnight's quarantine.
• Trinidad and Tobago's health min­is­ter, Ter­rance Deyals­ingh, announced that Trinidad and Tobago had decided to implement restrictions on persons travelling from China. Persons who are living or who have visited China will be barred from entering Trinidad and Tobago unless they had already been out of China 14 days prior to attempting to travel to Trinidad and Tobago.
• Air France and KLM cancel all flights to mainland China until February 9.
• Two K-pop concerts in Singapore by Taeyeon and NCT Group respectively were postponed after the virus situation worsened.
• U.S. senators conclude the 2-day question period in President Trump's impeachment trial.
• President Trump holds a rally in Des Moines, Iowa.
• Trump campaign aide Carter Page files lawsuit against the Democrat National Committee (DNC), the law firm Perkins Coie, and those connected to the funding of the Christopher Steele dossier. The suit alleges that they "used false information, misrepresentations and other misconduct to direct the power of the international intelligence apparatus and the media industry against" Page "to further their political agenda."

01/31/20

• The United Kingdom and Russia confirmed their first coronavirus infections.
• The first Swedish and Spanish cases were confirmed.
• The seventh confirmed case in the U.S. is in Santa Clara County, California.
• A fourth case of coronavirus in Canada has been confirmed in London, Ontario.
• Thailand confirmed five more cases with the first human-to-human virus transmission inside the country of a local taxi driver, bringing the total to 19.
• Singapore confirmed three more cases, bringing the total to 16.
• Chinese health experts warn the public that coronavirus patients can become reinfected.
• China starts repatriating citizens to Wuhan.
• China National Railway Group announced that starting 1 February, rail ticket purchases must provide the traveller's mobile phone number (email address for foreign nationals).
• Russian authorities announced the border closure with China would be extended to at least 1 March.
• Authorities in Guangxi (China) and Ling Son (Vietnam) announced the temporary suspension of nine auxiliary border gates (namely: Tân Thanh, Chi Ma, Câc Nam, Bình Nghi, Pò Nhùng, Bân Chot, Co Sâu, Na Hình, and Nà Nua) and border markets starting 31 January until 8 February, and prohibited all travel over cross-border trails.
• Singapore closed borders to all visitors arriving from mainland China (including passengers transiting through Singapore) except Singaporeans, Singapore residents and long-term visa holders.
• Macau announced it would postpone schools indefinitely and that schools should contact students to arrange for assignments to be done online.
• Hong Kong extends the public holiday to 2 March, and also requests all visitors who have been in Hubei in the past 14 days to be quarantined. All government employees may work from home until 9 February.
• Italy declared a state of emergency, the first EU country to do so, and allocates an initial 5 million Euros to tackle the virus.
• The United States government declares a Public Health Emergency due to the coronavirus, and is closing its borders to all foreign nationals "who pose a threat of transmitting the virus from entering the country and would quarantine U.S. citizens returning from Hubei province in China, the epicenter of the outbreak, for up to 14 days," starting Sunday, February 2 at 5 p.m.
• The 195 Americans on the Air Force base in California whom were recently evacuated from Wuhan recently will also be quarantined.
• Jamaica's health min­is­ter, Christopher Tufton, announced a government decision to ban travel between China and Jamaica. All persons entering Jamaica from China will be subject to immediate quarantine for at least 14 days, and anyone who was allowed to land and shows symptoms of the virus will be put in immediate isolation. In keeping with the new policy, 19 Chinese nationals who arrived at the Norman Manley International Airport on the evening of 31 January were denied entry, quarantined and put on a flight back to China on 1 February.
• Sometime In January, Roberto Burioni, a virologist at Milan's San Raffaele University who rose to prominence in recent years for his battles against anti-vax campaigners-was among the first people in Italy to say everyone returning from China should be quarantined. In a sign of how the response to the outbreak has become entangled in the country's febrile politics, he was branded a fascist and a supporter of Salvini's far-right League party on social media.
• The Ecuadorian Ministry of Health, Catalina Andramuño, announced that the country now possesses reagents for testing new cases locally, becoming the first in South America.
• LOT Polish Airlines cancels all flights to Beijing until 9 February.
• Delta Airlines suspends all China flights.
• American Airlines pilots sue for same action.
• Later, American Airlines ceased flights to China as well.
• Later still, United Airlines halts all flights to China, excepting San Francisco to Hong Kong.
• Basra International Airport in Iraq has declared that passengers of any nationality travelling from China will be denied entry.
• Turkish Airlines halted all flights to China until 9 February.
• K-pop band Got7's concert in Singapore, supposedly on 22 February, was postponed due to the virus.
• Former Vice President Joe Biden at community event in Fort Madison, Iowa while running for presidential nominee- "We have, right now, a crisis with the coronavirus... This is no time for Donald Trump's record of hysteria and xenophobia- hysterical xenophobia- and fearmongering to lead the way instead of science."
• President Trump signs an executive order adding six more countries to his ban on travel from certain mainly-Muslim countries. The added countries are Nigeria, Myanmar, Eritrea, Kyrgyzstan, Sudan, and Tanzania.
  whitehouse.gov- Trump signs order banning travel to/from China and other places. "Proclamation on Suspension of Entry as Immigrants and Nonimmigrants of Persons who Pose a Risk of Transmitting 2019 Novel Coronavirus"
• The Senate formally blocks an attempt to call new witnesses in President Trump's impeachment trial in a vote of 51-49, with Senators Mitt Romney (R-UT) and Susan Collins (R-ME) siding with the Democratic Party.
• Senate rejects calling witnesses in Trump impeachment trial.
• The Trump Administration ends the ban on land mines in South Korea.
• Heavily armed gunmen, some with masks, take over the Capitol in Frankfort, Kentucky in gun rally.
• Congressman John Delaney 2020 presidential campaign drops out of the 2020 presidential race.
• www.theguardian.com- Outbreaks of xenophobia in west as coronavirus spreads- Incidents of hostility towards Asian people reported in Italy, France, Canada and UK
• Brexit becomes reality- After 1,316 days of political turmoil, the UK now stands alone as the first nation to have ever left the European Union.
• DNC receives anger over dropping donor requirements to allow Mike Bloomberg onto DNC debate stage after the same rules kept Cory Booker, Julian Castro and others from previous debates.

02/01/20

• Australia reported another three cases, including the first two cases in South Australia, bringing their total to 12.
• Japan reported three more cases, increasing their total to 20.
• Singapore confirms two more cases, bringing the total to 18.
• South Korea confirmed the twelfth case of the coronavirus: a 49-year-old Chinese man who works as a Japanese tour guide in western Seoul.
• Spain confirmed its first case of the virus on La Gomera in the Canaries.
• The United States of America reported its eighth case, a man from Boston who recently returned to college after traveling to Wuhan.
• Vietnam confirmed its sixth case in Khánh Hòa Province, another domestic transmission in direct contact.
• Import duties and US-specific tariffs were exempted on imported materials donated for epidemic prevention and control, including VAT and sales tax; the duties and tariffs previously levied were to be refunded.
• The Ministry of Ecology and Environment issued a notice late in the evening to deploy medical wastewater and urban sewage supervision, regulate emergency medical wastewater treatment, sterilization and disinfection requirements, in order to prevent the spread of new coronavirus through feces and sewage, after the feces of a patient was tested positive for the virus in Shenzhen.
• The Department of Civil Affairs of Hubei Province suspends all marriage registrations starting on 3 February 2020.
• Huanggang, Hubei implements a much stricter control, allowing only one person from each household every two days to be on the street for purchases, unless for medically-related reasons, required for epidemic control, or as shop workers.
• Alibaba Group announced free taxi service for health professionals in Wuhan.
• Hunan government required companies in the province not to resume business before 24:00 on 9 February; the new semester is not to start earlier than 17 February for primary and secondary schools and kindergartens, and 24 February for post-secondary institutions.
• Tianjin government issued a notice to postpone business resumption and the start of the new semester.
• Huanggang, Hubei converted Dabie Mountain Regional Medical center to an emergency treatment hospital, adding 1000 new beds.
• Huoshenshan Hospital was fully electrified on 23:49.
• China Securities Regulatory Commission waived the 2020 annual listing fee that listed companies in Hubei are required to pay to the stock exchange.
• China Federation of Radio and Television Associations issued a notice to pause the filming of all films and TV dramas in mainland China during the epidemic.
• 310 Hubei citizens were repatriated from Thailand, Malaysia, and Japan.
• Apple Inc. temporarily closed all Apple Stores in mainland China until 24:00 on 9 February.
• China's National Health Commission (NHC) announced new regulations Saturday requiring that all who lose their lives to the coronavirus must be cremated at the nearest facility. "No farewell ceremonies or other funeral activities involving the corpse shall be held," according to the new ruling.
• The Badminton World Federation announced it has postponed the 2020 Lingshui China Masters tournament, originally scheduled to be held from 25 February to 1 March.
• Australia's Department of Health issued directives, going into effect from 1 February. Accordingly, travel advisery was increased to level 4: do not travel to all of mainland China. All travelers arriving out of mainland China were asked to self-isolate for a period of 14 days from the time of leaving. Additional border measures were implemented to deny entry of people who have arrived from the mainland China, with the exception of Australian citizens, permanent residents and their immediate family and air crews who have been using appropriate personal protective equipment.
• International border gates Móng Cái (Qu?ng Ninh Province, Vietnam)- Dongxing (Guangxi, China) ceased functioning on 1 February for an unspecified time; border gates Hoành Mô and B?c Phong Sinh experienced a 24-hour closure, awaiting further measurements from authorities.
• Taiwan barred nationals from Guangdong (mainland China) and travelers who recently visited the area will be subject to a mandatory 14-day quarantine, from entry beginning 1 February.
• With the sixth case being another domestic transmission, Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguy?n Xuân Phúc signed an epidemic declaration. Aviation permits which already had been granted for flights between Vietnam and China Mainland-Hong Kong-Macau were all revoked, effective immediately from 13:00 (UTC+7, 1 February) for an unspecified time.
• India banned the export of N95 masks with immediate effect.
• The Government of Japan barred: entry of foreign nationals infected with the virus, and entry of Chinese citizens with passports issued in Hubei province.
• 102 German citizens and 26 relatives, all of whom were symptom-free on departure, were evacuated from the Wuhan region to Frankfurt am Main by the Executive Transport Wing of the German Air Force. After their return, they were placed in quarantine in a military barrack in Rhineland-Palatinate for 14 days. The coronavirus was found in two passengers on 2 February. On the outward flight, the Bundeswehr aircraft had 10,000 protective suits on board, which were handed over to the Chinese authorities.
• Trinidad and Tobago's travel restrictions on persons arriving from China goes into full effect. Persons now have to wait 14 days after leaving China before being able to enter Trinidad & Tobago. Additionally persons who may already be at a port of entry and who were in China or are showing symptoms will be subject to quarantine measures. Thermal screening is also being conducted on passengers arriving from Canada, Panama, the United Kingdom and the United States. Testing will also be done by the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) on 3 February.
• Qatar Airways has suspended flights to mainland China from 3 February until further notice. It is the first air carrier in the Middle East to do so.
• Princess Cruises announces restrictions on crew members and guests who have recently traveled within mainland China. Guests who have traveled through or in mainland China 14 days prior to the scheduled departure of their cruise will not be allowed to board. Crew members from mainland China are prohibited from getting on any ship until further notice from the company. Crew members scheduled on connecting flights to China have been rerouted. Two cruises in June have been cancelled and two cruises have been rerouted to arrive or depart in Tokyo instead of Shanghai.
• Dario Nardella, The mayor of Florence, Italy, initiates "hug a Chinese" via Twitter- (Translated) "we follow the directions of the health authorities and we use caution, but no psychological terrorism and above all enough with the usual jackals who could not wait to use this excuse to hate and insult. United in this common battle!"
• Global Times via Twitter (reported 2/4)- The mayor of Florence, Italy, @DarioNardella initiated "hug a Chinese" on Twitter on Feb 1, opposing anger toward China amid the #nCoV2019 outbreak, and calling for "Unity in this common battle!" Many Italian netizens responded by posting photos of themselves with Chinese.
• Italian residents hug Chinese people to encourage them in coronavirus fight- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mNMdg4morQs
• Flushing, Queens canceled its annual Lunar New Year Chinese Temple Bazaar scheduled for that day.
• Palestinean leader Mahmoud Abbas threatens to cut security ties to the United States and Israel.
• The U.S. Secretary of State says the United States can supply Belarus with 100% of its needed oil and gas after Russia cuts its supply.
• Republican Montana Representative Rodney Garcia (R-MT) said socialists should be shot or jailed. The Republican party of Montana has rebuked him for that comment.
• Trump goes golfing at Trump International Golf Course in West Palm Beach, Florida

02/02/20

• India announced its second case.
• Philippines, saw the first confirmed death from COVID-19 outside mainland China announced. The case was that of a 44-year-old male who was the companion of the first confirmed case in the country; both are Chinese nationals from Wuhan who had arrived in Cebu via Hong Kong on 21 January. He had been in stable condition prior to his death on 1 February.
• South Korea reported three more cases, bringing their total to 15.
• United Arab Emirates reported its fifth case.
• The United States of America, confirmed three more cases, all in California, bringing the total to 11.
• Two Germans aboard the evacuation flight from Wuhan tested positive for the virus, bringing the number of cases there up to twelve.
• Vietnam announced its seventh case of COVID-19, a Vietnamese-American who had had a two-hour layover at Wuhan Airport.
• Wuhan's Epidemic Prevention and Control Headquarters arranged for Jointown Pharmaceutical to overtake the warehouse management of Wuhan Red Cross after days of scandals and controversies regarding the Red Cross' incompetence, extreme delays in allocating donation resources, and unexplained apparent misallocation of crucial medical supplies.
• On the same day, the Prevention and Control HQ issued a set of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) prescriptions "to help treat the infection". This move follows the 22 January recommendation from the National Health Commission to use TCM to treat the disease. The same official file that contains the prescription also demands that all patients in Wuhan be treated by TCM.
• Wenzhou, Zhejiang announces implementing the same measure as Huanggang, where every household may send one person every two days outside for purchases, from 00:00 on 2 February to 24:00 on 8 February.
• Huoshenshan Hospital completed construction in the morning and was transferred to the military, half a day earlier than scheduled.
• Hubei allows imported and re-imported masks that are unlisted in China to be sold in the provincial market.
• The Ministry of Transport extended the cut-off time for the minibus toll-free period of the 2020 Spring Festival to 24:00 on 8 February 2020.
• Meituan starts an initiative to disinfect all shared bikes in eight mainland cities regardless of the brand.
• With immediate effect, Wuhan's government announced the quarantining of "all suspected patients and those known to have been in close contact with a confirmed case." It stated "Patients shall cooperate. Whoever refuses to cooperate will be subject to enforcement by the police."
• Chinese Premier Li Keqiang has asked the European Union to facilitate the sale of medical supplies "through commercial channels". According to a Chinese government statement, the President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen said the European Union will try its best and coordinate all necessary resources to provide assistance to China.
• A new mask factory has started production in Beijing, after only seven days of being proposed and having all licenses on 31 January. According to Beijing Daily the new factory is "capable of producing tens of millions of masks per month". It is located in the Yizhuang Economic-Technological Development Area in southeast Beijing.
• New Zealand has temporarily banned all foreign nationals travelling from, or transiting through mainland China after 2 February to assist the containment of the coronavirus into New Zealand and the Pacific Islands. Foreign travelers in transit to New Zealand on 2 February will be subject to enhanced scanning but pending clearance will be allowed into New Zealand. New Zealand citizens and permanent residents, and their immediate family members, will be allowed to enter New Zealand but must self-isolate for 14 days. The ban will last for 14 days but will be reviewed every 48 hours.
• The Philippines has temporarily banned foreigners arriving from China and its territories, including those who visited such areas within the past 14 days, from entering the country; Filipino citizens and permanent residents of the Philippines arriving from such would have to undergo quarantine for 14 days. Travel from Philippines to China and its territories have been temporarily banned as well.
• According to a diplomatic note distributed to foreign residents in North Korea, North Korean authorities have suspended the flight route between Pyongyang and Vladivostok performed by Air Koryo's. According to the same note "During the month of February, events, ceremonial visits and meetings shall not proceed, and essential meetings shall be conducted via telephone" [...] all diplomats or international organization staff going to North Korea will now be subjected to a mandatory 15-day quarantine process at their "place of residence" from the day of arrival". Those subject to quarantine by North Korean authorities will not be allowed to come into contact with other persons and must not enter public places.
• KCNA reported all people who entered the country after 13 January to have been placed under "medical supervision."
• South Korean Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun announced to the public the entry barring of all foreign nationals, who have been to Hubei Province since 21 January, will go into effect starting 4 February for an unspecified time. Also, the visa-free policy for Chinese citizens to visit Jeju Island is to be temporarily nullified.
• Indonesia banned all flights from and to Mainland China starting from 5 February. The government also stopped giving free visa and visa on arrival for Chinese nationals. They banned those who live or stay in Mainland China for at least 14 days before from entering or transiting Indonesia. Indonesians are discouraged from travelling to China.
• The Vietnamese Ministry of Labors, Invalids and Social Affairs issued directive on temporary suspension to Chinese labours returning to work after public holidays.
• Numerous landmark buildings in the United Arab Emirates lit up a Sunday night showing support for Wuhan and Chinese communities around the world over pain and horror by the novel coronavirus, namely: the Burj Khalifa, ADNOC Headquarters, the Capital Gate, Abu Dhabi Global Market, Emirates Palace, Sheikh Zayed Bridge, Burj Al Arab, Hazza bin Zayed Stadium, etc.
• AirAsia Philippines, Philippine Airlines and Cebu Pacific, has suspended flights to and from mainland China, Macau and Hong Kong.
• Group of Seven countries are seeking a unified approach to combat the spread.
• The Trump administration travel restrictions on air traffic to and from China take effect. Secretary of Health and Human Services Alex Azar declares the coronavirus "poses a public health emergency in the United States."
• Former New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg responds to President Donald Trump's Twitter attacks during the Superbowl LIV. Trump called Bloomberg "Mini Mike" and attacked his candidacy for president; the former mayor responded with, "I stand twice as tall as he does on the stage, the stage that matters."
• Oxiris Barbot, New York city's health commissioner- "The risk to New Yorkers for Coronavirus is low, and our preparedness as a city is very high. There is no reason not to take the subway, not to take the bus, not to go out to your favorite restaurant, and certainly not to miss the parade next Sunday. I'm going to be there"
• Commissioner Oxiris Barbot in a tweet- As we gear up to celebrate the #LunarNewYear in NYC, I want to assure New Yorkers that there is no reason for anyone to change their holiday plans, avoid the subway, or certain parts of the city because of #coronavirus.
• New York State Senator John Liu likewise urged New Yorkers to avoid social distancing. "There is no need to panic and to avoid activities that we always do as New Yorkers," Liu said at a press conference. "We are hardy people. As an Asian-American, I've been disturbed if not outright appalled by some of the comments or gestures that I have seen. Diseases originate from anywhere or from particular places in the world."
• ACLU Comment On U.S. Response To Coronavirus- Jay Stanley, senior policy analyst with the American Civil Liberties Union- "These measures are extraordinary incursions on liberty and fly in the face of considerable evidence that travel bans and quarantines can do more harm than good, including studies from the World Health Organization itself. While every virus is different and such incursions can be justified where scientifically sound, the public needs to know whether scientists - not politicians - are making these calls, whether there are no less-restrictive alternatives, and what provisions will be made available to those forced into quarantine. The more dangerous the actual outbreak, the more critical it becomes that we respond in ways that are grounded in science. The ACLU will be watching closely to make sure that the government's response is ?scientifically justified and no more intrusive on civil liberties than absolutely necessary."
• Trump chastised for disrespectful antics during national anthem at his Super Bowl party

02/03/20

• The number of deaths in Hubei outside Wuhan reached 101.
• India confirmed its third case in Kerala.
• Vietnam announced its eighth COVID-19 case, a Vietnamese woman who had been on the same flight with three other positive cases.
• The Chinese New Year holiday period ended after having been extended for a week. Mainland stock exchanges reopened, Shanghai Stock Exchange falling by 7.72% and Shenzhen Stock Exchange by 8.45%, with a total of 3,177 shares triggering the limit down of 10%. The RMB to USD exchange rate fell through 7.00, opening at 6.9249 and closing at 7.0257.
• In Wuhan, the People's Liberation Army Ground Force takes over medical supplies delivery. "The Beijing leadership realised that almost all the donation points in Hubei and Wuhan have had delivery problems, that there are some opportunists using this crisis to make money," according to a military source.
• 4,000 passengers on the World Dream cruise ship were quarantined, after four among them positive to the coronavirus.
• The Government of Maldives denies entry to passengers arriving from China.
• Hong Kong announced further tightening of border with the mainland. Beginning 00:00 on 4 February, the special administrative region closed most of its border crossings, except the Hong Kong International Airport, the Shenzhen Bay Port and the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge.
• Indonesia set to ban live animal imports from China as coronavirus fears grow.
• The Japanese authorities denied entry to any foreign nationals who have been to Hubei province in the past 14 days, even if there is no symptoms of the virus. Japanese officials quarantined a cruise ship, carrying approximately 3,500 people, off the port of Yokohama due to a former passenger on the ship having contracted the virus.
• The Venezuelan government announced that the country has imposed epidemiological surveillance, restrictions and diagnostic system to detect possible coronavirus patients at the Simón Bolívar International Airport in Maiquetía, Venezuela's main international airport, and that Venezuela will receive a diagnostic kit for the virus strain from the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO).
• Lunar New Year holidays was extended for one week to all k-through-12 students in Ho Chi Minh City; public schools will resume on 10 February. The city authorities also ordered to build two specialty emergency hospitals designed to treat people with the 2019 novel coronavirus. With 500-bed accommodation in total, master plans for construction are due 15 February. The capital city Hanoi is considering taking the same measures.
• The global Cruise Lines International Association bans trips to mainland China and says that it "will deny boarding to any individual, whether guest or crew, who has traveled from or through mainland China within the previous 14 days."
• Boise State University suspends travel to and from China.
• At a news briefing, The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention plan to distribute testing kits to speed up the diagnosis of the coronavirus. The CDC states that this measure will help speed up the testing and diagnosis of the coronavirus after cases in the U.S. reached 11. The Food and Drug Administration first has to approve the test for wider distribution, the CDC said.
• India invalidated all e-visas given to Chinese passport holders since 15 January. It also has stopped giving out new e-visas to Chinese passport holders. India also gave a travel advisery to not travel to China. The travel advisery also stated that anyone who comes to knowledge that had visited China since 15 January could get quarantined.
• Several exhibitors and South Korea's Black Eagles have decided to pull out of the Singapore Airshow. This comes as the virus situation worsens.
• K-pop band Winner cancelled its concert in Singapore, supposed to be held on 8 February. Several Huayi events in Esplanade were cancelled owing to travel restrictions. In addition, a Stage Club play was postponed.
• President Trump's legal team and house managers begin closing arguments.
• Senator Lisa Murkowski (R.-AK) calls President Trump's actions "shameful and wrong." while announcing that she would vote to acquit the president. "I cannot vote to convict," Murkowski told the Senate chamber. "The Constitution provides for impeachment but does not demand it in all instances."
• reuters.com- WHO chief says widespread travel bans not needed to beat China virus- World Health Organization chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said on Monday there was no need for measures that "unnecessarily interfere with international travel and trade" in trying to halt the spread of a coronavirus that has killed 361 people in China.
• Rush Limbaugh announces lung cancer- Tulsi Gabbard (D-HI) is only Democratic presidential candidate to send public statement of support to him.
• President Trump wins Republican Iowa Caucus.
• 2020 Iowa Democratic caucuses:
  The Democratic caucus results are delayed thirteen hours due to a snafu with a vote-counting app.
  With 99.94% of precincts reporting, the results are: Buttigieg, 26.1% (14 delegates); Sanders 26.1% (12 delegates); Warren 18.0% (8 delegates); Biden 15.8% (6 delegates); and Klobuchar 12.3% (1 delegate).
  2020 Iowa Republican caucuses: Donald Trump 97%, Joe Walsh 1.4%, Bill Weld 1.2% with 8% of the votes counted.
  Former Massachusetts governor Bill Weld gets one delegate and Trump gets 39 delegates to the 2020 Republican National Convention.

02/04/20

• Belgium confirmed its first case, bringing the total in the European Union to 24.
• Hong Kong confirmed its first death from a 39-year-old patient, the thirteenth confirmed case in the city.
• Malaysia confirmed two more COVID-19 cases, which included a Malaysian citizen, bringing the total to 10 cases.
• Singapore confirmed six more cases, including the first locally transmitted cases involving four, bringing the total to 24. 2 others came from an evacuation plane from Wuhan.
• South Korea confirmed its 16th COVID-19 case after a tourist returned from Thailand, the first to have been infected there.
• Thailand confirmed six more cases, bringing the total to 25.
• Vietnam announced its ninth and tenth COVID-19 case, including a Vietnamese man who had been on the same flight with four other positive cases.
• The People's Bank of China provided an additional 500 billion yuan (roughly US$71 billion) of liquidity into the country's financial system on Tuesday, following 1.2 trillion yuan (over US$170 billion) the previous day.
• Chinese state-backed importers of liquefied natural gas (LNG) are investigating the invocation of force majeure to halt existing LNG contracts, as the coronavirus outbreak depresses energy demand.
• The President of Federated States of Micronesia, David Panuelo, declared a state of emergency. Accordingly, Micronesian citizens are banned from visiting mainland China. Anyone who had been in mainland China from 6 Jan were barred from entering the country.
• Iran bans exports of facial masks to reduce shortages as domestic use increases significantly.
• The Nanning-Hanoi through train shall cease service as per agreement between the two national operators. Accordingly, the last train from Nanning railway station departed at 18:05 4 February, and the last from Gia Lâm railway station at 21:20 5 February.
• The city government of Macau ordered a shut down of all casinos for at least 15 days.
• The United Kingdom directed its citizens to leave China if possible. Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said, "We now advise British Nationals in China to leave the country if they can, to minimise their risk of exposure to the virus."
• The Knesset in Israel is forming a special committee to deal with coronavirus.
• Cathay Pacific Airways, the flag carrier of Hong Kong, announces that it is ceasing 90% of its flights to mainland China.
• Royal Caribbean Cruises cancels more ships and adds Hong Kong on the No-Board list. This goes beyond what the Cruise Lines International Association had done, the day before.
• Princess Cruises confirmed quarantine of the Diamond Princess carrying about 3,700 people after one of its passengers tested positive in a Hong Kong hospital, and, at least, 20 more infected by the ship's return to Japan.
• Hyundai, blaming a parts shortage due to the effects of coronavirus infection, announces it will shut down some production.
• Nike has also temporarily shut down half of all their stores in China, due to the virus epidemic.
• Air India announces that starting from 8 February, they will temporarily suspend flights to Hong Kong.
• An aviation conference during the Singapore Airshow is cancelled to allow leaders to deal with the coronavirus. This comes after 16 exhibitors pulled out of the Airshow.
• Radiologists and doctors at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York City published a study of computed tomography scans - more commonly known as CT scans - of lungs of coronavirus patients in China. The study, concluded that the CT scans for COVID-19 had many similar features to SARS and MERS, and that "experience from those epidemics may be helpful in managing the current outbreak."
• China's consul general in New York, Huang Ping, publicly thanked the Chinese-American community and other concerned Americans on Tuesday for their aid in battling the coronavirus outbreak. But he also criticized what he described as an overreaction by the American government in severely restricting travel to and from China. He singled out in particular the decision to evacuate the American Consulate in Wuhan, the city of 11 million in Hubei where the outbreak was first detected.
• Trump gives State of the Union Speech: "...Protecting Americans' health also means fighting infectious diseases. We are coordinating with the Chinese government and working closely together on the coronavirus outbreak in China. My administration will take all necessary steps to safeguard our citizens from this threat."
  The speech has partisan overturns, as Trump refuses to shake Speaker Nancy Pelosi's hand and she tears up the text in disgust at the end.
  President Trump awards Rush Limbaugh the Presidential Medal of Freedom during the State of the Union address.
• Sen. Susan Collins (R.-ME) announces that she will vote to acquit President Trump in his impeachment trial, despite saying that what he did was wrong. Collins says her decision is based on the fact that she believes that "[Trump] has learned from this case" and "will be more careful in the future".
• A 'child' in a Bloomberg Anti-Gun Ad Was found to be a 20 year old Man Killed in Gang Fight
• Specific to Italy
  At a bar beside the Trevi fountain, a notice was put up banning customers from China.
  A music school in Rome told East Asian students not to attend classes due to incidents of racism.
  Four governors of northern Italian regions called for children returning from trips to China not to attend school for 14 days.
  The incidents have prompted condemnation from the Italian authorities.
  Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte reprimanded the regional governors, telling them that they were not competent to make such a call and that nothing justified such fear.

02/05/20

• China, in Wuhan now reported 10,117 cases in total, exceeding 10,000. Tianjin, reported its first death.
• Chinese experts said that nucleic acid testing was only able to identify 30%-50% positive cases.
• Hong Kong confirmed three more cases, bringing the total to 21.
• Japan confirmed 10 new cases from the quarantined cruise ship Diamond Princess, near Yokohama, bringing the total number up to 35 cases. There were more than 3,500 on board to be tested.
• Malaysia announced two more cases, bringing the total cases to 12.
• Philippines confirmed its third positive case, a 60-year-old woman from Wuhan, China.
• Singapore confirmed four more cases, including a six-month-old Singaporean, bringing the total cases to 28.
• South Korea confirmed two more cases of COVID-19, including a patient who returned from Singapore. That brought the total number of cases to 18.
• The United States of America, saw Health officials in the state of Wisconsin announce the first case in that state.
• The National Health Commission releases the fifth diagnostic criteria. For Hubei, CT scan results are no longer required for declaring suspected cases, and "clinical diagnoses" may now be made using "imaging features of the pneumonia", without nucleic acid testing required. For suspected cases, "respiratory symptoms" are now admitted as part of the criteria nationwide.
• Hubei released an additional ¥200 million (US$28.56 million) as special subsidies for the construction of treatment sites.
• The first shelter hospital is put into use. Designated hospitals in Wuhan will now accept only serious cases (confirmed or suspected); other existing and future patients would be redirected to shelter hospitals or community quarantine points.
• The Wuhan Institute of Virology applied for a patent of Gilead's antiviral drug, remdesivir, as applied toward 2019-nCoV, in China. The granting of a patent by Chinese authorities was not certain, but a patent would provide China with leverage in negotiating license fees with Gilead. The institute said that it made the patent application "out of national interest, and won't exercise its patent rights if foreign pharmaceutical firms work together with China to curb the contagion." Seeking a patent instead of a "compulsory license" option does demonstrate some sensitivity on China's part toward honoring Gilead's intellectual property rights. Gilead is working with China on Phase III clinical trials there.
• Dali City apologises for intercepting and requisitioning 300 thousand masks designated as emergency supplies for Chongqing and promises to "return" all of them.
• The start of the new semester is postponed to at least the end of February in Zhejiang, Jiangsu, Chongqing, and Shanghai.
• Sichuan and Guangdong rolled out measures to help small and medium-sized enterprises in response to the epidemic.
• Tencent news issued a statement saying screenshots of its Epidemic Tracker circulating on the Internet showing substantially higher numbers are doctored.
• China announces that they will halve the tariff on US$75 billion goods imported from America, and Chinese official media Global Times commented that China is considering the use of disaster provision in the US-China Phase One trade deal, which was signed in the previous month.
• United Airlines and American Airlines suspended US flights to and from Hong Kong. Cathay Pacific asked all of its 27,000 employees to take three weeks of unpaid leave in order to preserve cash during the virus epidemic.
• Hundreds more Americans were evacuated by two planes from Wuhan to the United States, landing in this case at Travis Air Force Base near Sacramento, California. One of the planes would continue on to Marine Corps Air Station Miramar in San Diego. All evacuees would undergo a two-week quarantine. "Inbound evacuation flights to Wuhan were using their cargo space to deliver donated medical supplies for coronavirus relief efforts." A 12th US case of coronavirus was confirmed in Dane County, Wisconsin."
• Hong Kong announced the beginning of a mandatory two-week quarantine for all visitors from mainland China or Macau.
• Taiwan banned entry of non-citizens who have been to mainland China, Hong Kong or Macau within the past 14 days.
• With the US CDC's endorsement, Colombia INS confirmed that it to be the first country in Latin America that might detect the novel coronavirus without sending samples to foreign centers.
• Canadian Minister of Foreign Affairs François-Philippe Champagne advised all Canadians in China but outside the quarantine zone to leave the country "via commercial means".
• India starts scanning passengers in flights coming from Singapore and Thailand, along with further travel restrictions on China to prevent the spread of the virus.
• The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation committed over $100 Million for better detection, isolation, and treatment research for the virus.
• Yum China Holdings temporarily closed 30% of all Pizza Hut's and KFC's that they operate in China, due to the virus epidemic.
• Tesla stated that due to the virus epidemic, there would be a delay in the shipment of their Tesla Model 3 car, as they are produced and assembled in a new plant at Shanghai. Production at the plant will restart on 10 February 2020.
• World Health Organization (WHO) stated that there had been a large surge in new cases in the 24 hour period, of an amount that had not been seen in any day since the start of the epidemic. The number being 3,100 new patients confirmed within China.
• Via its contingency fund for emergencies, the WHO has allocated $9 million.
• Countering rumors in the media, the WHO stated that there are no known therapeutics, drugs, or treatments that are effective for the virus yet. At least one news source attributed the stock market and Oil price rise to these rumors.
• New York Health Commissioner Barbot via Twitter- "Today our city is celebrating the Lunar New Year parade in Chinatown, a beautiful cultural tradition with a rich history in our city. I want to remind everyone to enjoy the parade and not change any plans due to misinformation spreading about coronavirus."
• President Trump holds a bilateral meeting with Venezuelan Opposition Leader Juan Guaidó at the White House.
• The US Senate voted on whether or not to convict the president on the charges and evidence as they were presented and debated upon. The senators voted 52 to 48 to find President Trump not guilty on the charge of abuse of power (all 45 Democrats, independent senators Bernie Sanders and Angus King, and Republican senator Romney voted guilty). They voted 53 to 47, in a party-line vote, to find him not guilty on the charge of obstruction of Congress.
• President Trump is acquitted by the United States Senate.
• Senator Mitt Romney (R.-UT) votes to convict in President Trump's impeachment trial on Article I, becoming the only Republican to do so and the first senator from the same party as the president to vote for removal from office.
• US Govt. committee on Foreign Affairs Subcommittee: Asia, the Pacific, and Nonproliferation- Mr. Bera, Chairman- "We meet today for congress's first sharing on the 2019 Novel Coronavirus"

02/06/20

• Doctor Li Wenliang, a whistleblower who notified the public at large on social media of the coronavirus, died of the infection. (There is debate whether he died 2/6 or 2/7)
• Canada announced 2 presumptive cases in British Columbia.
• China, In Zhejiang over 1,000 cases were confirmed, the first such province besides Hubei.
• Germany confirmed its thirteenth case, and Italy confirmed its third, bringing the total number of confirmed cases in Europe to 31.
• Hong Kong confirmed three more cases, bringing the total to 24.
• Italy confirmed one more case, bringing the total number to 3, and the first Italian to be infected.
• Japan confirmed another 10 new cases from Diamond Princess, quarantined in Yokohama, bringing the total to 45.
• Malaysia confirmed two more cases, bringing the total to 14. One of the cases was locally transmitted, the first in Malaysia.
• Singapore confirmed two more cases, bringing the total to 30.
• Taiwan announced three more cases, bringing the total to 16.
• The United Kingdom saw the third case confirmed, with the patient having visited Singapore.
• Vietnam confirmed two more cases, bringing the total to 12.
• A business meeting held in mid-January 2020 at the Grand Hyatt in Singapore of an unnamed international sales company resulted in the infection of four persons in attendance: one from Malaysia, one from Korea and two from Singapore.
• Virgin Australia announced the permanent cancellation of its Hong Kong routes, citing the coronavirus outbreak and anti-government protests.
• Taiwan suspended visas for Hong Kong and Macau citizens.
• The Singapore government stated that a 14-day leave of absence would be mandatory for all workers who return from China.
• Panic buying of consumer goods was reported in Hong Kong due to rumors of an impending quarantine.
• Virgin, KLM, Air France, American Airlines (not including the Hong Kong route), and Iberia extended their current flight suspensions till sometime in March.
• Volvo stated that two plants in China were still not reopened and will reopen after a few more weeks.
• Shinzo Abe stated that the 2020 Summer Olympics would not be postponed.
• Canada started the evacuation of its citizens from Wuhan. The aircraft would land on 7 February.
• The Better Business Bureau warned about face mask scams that attempt to use the ongoing fears and make false claims. The scams will either give low-quality or incorrect masks, or will send no mask at all when paid.
• The Pentagon was asked by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to provide military installations near 11 major airports that could each house up to 220 U.S. citizens in support of coronavirus quarantines. The DoD facilities and the airports they could support include:
  • Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii, near Honolulu International Airport;
  • Great Lakes Training Center Navy Base, Ill., by Chicago's O'Hare International Airport;
  • Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base, Texas, close to Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport;
  • March Air Reserve Base (ARB), Calif., by Los Angeles International Airport;
  • Travis Air Force Base (AFB), Calif., near San Francisco International Airport;
  • Dobbins ARB, Ga., near Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport;
  • Fort Hamilton, N.Y., by John F. Kennedy International Airport;
  • Naval Base Kitsap, Wash., near Seattle-Tacoma International Airport;
  • Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling, D.C., by Dulles International Airport; Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, N.J., by Newark Liberty International Airport;
  • and Fort Custer Training Center, Mich., near Detroit Metropolitan Airport.
• Professor Neil Ferguson, director of the MRC center for Global Infectious Disease Analysis at Imperial College London is summarized in a news report as saying "that the true scale of the coronavirus isn't being reported by Chinese officials and claims that around 50,000 new cases are emerging in the country daily."
• Welsh singer Novo Amor postponed a concert in Singapore to July.
• Oxiris Barbot, New York city's health commissioner on NY1- "The important thing for New Yorkers to know is that in the city currently their risk is low and our city preparedness is high. And so we know that this virus can be transmitted from one individual to another, but that it's typically people who live together. That there's no risk at this point in time - we're always learning more - about having it be transmitted in casual contact, right? So we're telling New Yorkers, go about your lives, take the subway, go out, enjoy life, but practice everyday precautions,"
• NY1 on Twitter- A consequence of the misinformation and hysteria over the new coronavirus is some are discriminating against Chinese New Yorkers, even though influenza has damaged the city more than the coronavirus. Chinatown is hurting as a result, an advocate says. #NY1Politics
• President Trump speaks about politics at the National Prayer Breakfast.
• In what he calls a "celebration" President Trump delivers remarks in the White House East Room to supporters following his acquittal in the impeachment trial.
• President Trump holds a bilateral meeting with Kenyan president Uhuru Kenyatta at the White House.
• Report find awards speeches by famous actors and celebrities often ghostwritten by DNC political writers

02/07/20

• Guangdong confirmed over 1,000 cases in total, the second such province outside Hubei, and recorded its first death.
• Wuhan reported 67 more deaths, bringing the total number of people killed by the virus there to 545; other cities in Hubei reported 14 deaths in total, their net figure now reaching 154.
• Gansu recorded its first death.
• Another 41 tested positive for the coronavirus on Diamond Princess, bringing the total number of cases in Japan to 86.
• Germany announced its fourteenth case.
• Hong Kong confirmed 2 more cases, bringing the total number to 26.
• Malaysia confirmed one more case from a tourist entering from Singapore, bringing the total to 15.
• Singapore confirmed three more cases, bringing the total to 33. Most of these cases were initially of unknown origin, causing the Disease Outbreak Response System Condition (DORSCON) level to increase to Orange.
• Vietnam confirmed one additional case, bringing the total to 13.
• Dr. Li Wenliang dies. Wenliang was a 34-year-old ophthalmologist at Wuhan Central Hospital and one of eight doctors who tried to share information about the coronavirus when it was first emerging, only to be reprimanded by Wuhan police. He likely became infected by the coronavirus while treating patients during January. His death from complications of the infection is declared at 2:58 a.m. local time.
  Dr. Li is widely known for stating: "There should be more than one voice in a healthy society.", exemplifying how the Chinese government botched the containment of the novel coronavirus.
• The Joint Defence and Control Mechanism of the State Council introduced a scheme of "one province for one city", where 16 provinces would provide medical force support for every city in Hubei except Wuhan.
• Hangzhou imposed a temporary ban on retail pharmacies selling fever and cough medicines, asking citizens with the symptoms to see a doctor instead.
• The White House asked scientists in the US to investigate the origins of the virus. One of the reasons for this was because of the large amount of misinformation that is available about the virus online.
• Many colleges across the world were starting to reconsider and look into reviewing current student plans for Study abroad programs to and/or from China. This was due to the health safety for the students. Colby College isolated students who showed no signs of the virus, after they returned from China.
• The third British citizen who contracted coronavirus did so through travel to Singapore. "The government is now telling travelers arriving in the UK from a total of nine Asian countries and territories to check for symptoms. They are advised to stay at home and call the NHS if they are ill and have flown home in the past 14 days." The countries and territories are Thailand, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Singapore, Malaysia, Hong Kong, and Macau.
• Singapore raises its contagion threat level to Orange, as the virus is spreading there from unknown origins. This is only the second time Singapore has activated Code Orange; the first was for the swine flu (H1N1) pandemic of 2009. Similar to reactions in Hong Kong the previous day, panic buying of groceries and consumer goods ensued.
• Two Hong Kong jewelry trade fairs, hosted by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council, got rescheduled due to the virus epidemic.
• Art Basel Hong Kong international art fair, that was being held in March also gets cancelled due to the virus epidemic.
• The Canadian evacuation plane landed in British Columbia for refueling. The plane was also carrying Chinese nationals and citizens who have valid visas for Canada, these were for escorting Canadian minors. The planes final destination is CFB Trenton.
• Continuing the evacuation of American citizens from Wuhan, a rescue plane is landing in Omaha, Nebraska today. Others are landing near San Diego, California and San Antonio, Texas today; two passengers are stated as having symptoms of the virus.
• Royal Caribbean cruise lines bans Chinese, Hong Kong and Macau passport holders, as well as travelers who have been in those locales within the last 14 days.
• The United States announced aid of up to $100 million for China and other nations affected by the new coronavirus.
• The first Canadian evacuation plane lands at its final destination.
• Honda shuts down 3 of its plants around the Wuhan region area till 13 February.
• The Federal Reserve Bank warns that the virus is a potential threat to the growth of the US economy.
• VF Corporation announces that its subsidiary Vans has temporarily closed 60% of all its stores in China.
• Burberry temporarily closes a third of their stores in China.
• India offers to test samples for other Southeast Asian countries.
• Nvidia withdraws from the Barcelona Mobile World Congress by informing the GSMA, due to the threat of the virus.
• 98 Degrees postponed its Singapore concert due to the coronavirus, which was supposed to be held on 20 February.
• Performances of First Fleet, a Mandarin play originally planned from 14 to 23 February, were rescheduled to March 2021.
• Lockheed Martin and Raytheon decided to pull out of the Singapore Airshow as coronavirus fears have caused event turnout to drop. Meanwhile, the United States Department of Defense reduced the size of its delegation for the Airshow.
• New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio's Officials with the New York city's Office of Emergency Management tried to purchase nearly 200,000 n95 masks, but weeks later they learned the vendors had already run out. Comptroller Scott Stringer granted approval for early March orders of masks and hand sanitizer.
• President Trump fires Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman and ambassador Gordon Sondland in retaliation for their cooperation in his impeachment inquiry. Mr. Vindman's brother, Lt. Col. Yevgeny Vindman, also an Army officer, was also fired and escorted from the White House.
• Former Illinois Congressman Joe Walsh drops out of the Republican presidential primaries.

02/08/20

• Wuhan confirmed 63 more deaths, bringing its total to 608; this now includes a Japanese citizen and a US citizen dying on this day.
• Henan became the third province besides Hubei to report over 1,000 cases. Nationally, the number of cases outside Hubei exceeded 10,000.
• Aerosol was confirmed as a medium of transmission for the first time.
• Beijing reported a first type of case involving a patient, who tested positive after three negative test results, and Qingtian, Zhejiang reported a case where the patient tested positive only after being tested for the fifth time.
• France confirmed five cases involving British nationals, bringing the total number to 11.
• Japan, three more cases tested positive on Diamond Princess, bringing the total number of cases in Japan to 89.
• Malaysia confirmed one more case, bringing the total to 16.
• Singapore confirmed seven more cases, bringing the total number to 40.
• Thailand confirmed seven additional cases, bringing the total number to 32.
• United Arab Emirates confirmed two more cases, bringing the total number to seven.
• Shenzhen and Shanghai roll out measures to support companies and reduce costs, including measures estimated to reduce ¥30 billion (US$4.3 billion) in Shanghai.
• The National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) issued an additional ¥200 million (US$28.66 million) for Hubei to improve the treatment capacity of patients with severe infections.
• Leishenshan Hospital begins operation.
• The National Health Commission announces the temporary official names and acronyms for the pneumonia in Chinese and English, respectively (pinyin: xinxíng guanzhuàng bìngdú fèiyán) / Novel Coronavirus Pneumonia and (pinyin: xinguan fèiyán) / NCP.
• The school break in Vietnam was extended in all 63 first-level subdivisions, with the majority to 16 February and five to an unspecified time.
• Apple extends the shutdown period of its stores and corporate offices in China. They will reopen at some time during the week of 10 February which is the week after the originally stated week Apple said they will reopen.
• Norwegian Cruise Line bans Chinese, Hong Kong, and Macau passport holders, or any one who visited these regions in the past 30 days.
• Hyundai has shut down its largest factory due to lack of wiring that connects the electronic systems in its cars.
• Indonesia advised travelers to take precautions and be alert while in Singapore, with the government raising the travel alert to Yellow, the second out of three tiers.
• 24 US Marines were discharged after an investigation over their alleged involvement in drug crimes and a human trafficking operation along the border. One will face 18 months in the brig. Most others avoided military prosecution after chargers were dropped over issues with their arrest.

02/09/20

• China (Mainland) now confirmed a total of 40,213 cases, exceeding 40,000, of which 29,631 were in Hubei. The coronavirus death toll in China rose to 811, surpassing the toll from the SARS epidemic from 2002-03.
• Hong Kong confirmed ten more cases, with nine from the same family, bringing the total number to 36.
• Malaysia confirmed one more case, bringing the total number to 17.
• Singapore confirmed three more cases, bringing the total number to 43.
• South Korea reported three new cases of the virus, bringing the country's total to 27.
• Spain confirmed the second case in the country in Palma de Mallorca.
• Taiwan confirmed its eighteenth case.
• United Kingdom confirmed its fourth case.
• Vietnam confirmed its fourteenth case, a 55-year-old woman in Vinh Phúc.
• Six more cases were confirmed aboard Diamond Princess, bringing the total number of cases on the ship to 70, with Japan having 96 cases.
• The Kuwaiti Embassy in Singapore called its citizens to delay their travel plans after the Singaporean government raised the coronavirus alert level to Code Orange. The Embassy of the State of Qatar has since followed suit.
• Malaysia expands their Chinese traveler ban to include the provinces of Zhejiang and Jiangsu.
• Families in the French village Les Contamines-Montjoie get lined up to get tested for the virus.
• Israel has advised travelers to delay travel to countries and territories hit by the coronavirus. In the mention are Singapore, Thailand, South Korea, Japan, Taiwan, Macau and Hong Kong.
• Mark D. Levine (D-NY) On Twitter- In powerful show of defiance of #coronavirus scare, huge crowds gathering in NYC's Chinatown for ceremony ahead of annual #LunarNewYear parade. Chants of "be strong Wuhan!" If you are staying away, you are missing out!
• President Trump attends the National Governors Association dinner.
• SBA (The Official Twitter page for the Sergeants Benevolent Association) to NY mayor De blasio- Mayor DeBlasio, the members of the NYPD are declaring war on you! We do not respect you, DO NOT visit us in hospitals. You sold the NYPD to the vile creatures, the 1% who hate cops but vote for you. NYPD cops have been assassinated because of you. This isn't over, Game on!
  This references a long time feud the NY police have had w/ De Blasio over accusations of not helping them, and in fact making things harder on police

02/10/20

• Hong Kong confirmed six more cases, bringing the total number to 42.
• Japan confirmed 65 more cases on Diamond Princess, bringing the total to 135.
• Malaysia confirmed one more case involving a citizen, bringing the total to 18.
• Singapore confirmed another two cases including a Certis officer who served Quarantine Orders, bringing the total to 45.
• United Arab Emirates confirmed its eighth case, an Indian national.
• United Kingdom saw four additional cases were confirmed, bringing the total to eight. The transmission in these cases is believed to have occurred in France.
• United States of America confirmed its thirteenth case in San Diego, a patient who had been evacuated from Wuhan.
• Business has now resumed in all 30 mainland province-level divisions, apart from Hubei.
• Food prices in China have risen on month of January. According to the consumer price index (CPI) the price of pork rose 8.5%, while the CPI came in at 5.4%. The reason may be due to food hoarding, besides the disruptions of supply chains due to transportation, lockdown measures and holiday demand. The CPI is the highest since October 2011.
• Chinese Communist Party general secretary Xi Jinping has appeared in public wearing a protective mask and his temperature was checked while visiting the Anhuali Community in Chaoyang District of Beijing.
• Tibetan New Year public activities due to occur on 24 February were suspended due to the Coronavirus disease 2019 epidemic. Praying activities inside monasteries in Lhasa will be held but will be shortened, without the participation of the public and in a smaller scale.
• Amazon, Sony, and Ericsson states that they will not partake in the Barcelona Mobile World Congress due to the virus.
• The virus daily death toll reaches a new record of 97 people dead from the virus in a single day.
• Asian stock markets fell and went into red due to investor fears relating to the virus impact on the economy.
• The plane that was taking people who lived in Brazil or were citizens back home landed in Brazil. The people on the aircraft were taken into quarantine. Before landing in Brazil, that plane landed in Poland, as the plane when it left China were also taking 6 people back to Poland.
• HSBC Women's World Championship, LPGA Tour Championship, and LPGA cancelled two more events overall within Singapore and Thailand due to the virus. Thus meaning only two more events remain uncancelled.
• The United Kingdom included Singapore in a list of countries where travelers returning are advised to self-isolate if they have symptoms as a precautionary measure.
• Sarawak imposed a 14-day quarantine for travelers coming from Singapore in a bid to slow down the spread of the coronavirus. This comes after Singapore's DORSCON was raised to Orange on 7 February.
• Over 70 exhibitors have decided to withdraw or not take part in the Singapore Airshow due to the virus. Lockheed Martin, Bombardier Inc., and De Havilland Canada, are some of the many well known exhibitors or companies that withdrew from the airshow.
• An event commemorating the release of Japanese voice actress Miku Ito's sixth single, the theme song for the anime Plunderer, is delayed by her record label Nippon Columbia due to concerns about the outbreak.
• President Trump holds a rally in Manchester, New Hampshire.
• New York Congressman Jerry Nadler (D-NY) demands that Attorney General Bill Barr explain the Justice Department's special new policy for investigating allegations of corruption based on evidence provided by attorney Rudy Giuliani related to Ukraine. The existence of the non-standard channel of investigation was first revealed by Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC) on February 9.
• Construction begins of the border wall in the Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument, destroying Native American burial sites belong to the Tohono O'odham Nation.
• Report shows 4 people, billionaires Tom Steyer, Michael Bloomberg, Donald Sussman and multimillionaire Fred Eychaner collectively contributed $63,970,900 to boost Democrats' electoral chances in 2020. More than the top 39 donors to Republicans.

02/11/20

• Germany confirmed two more cases, bringing the total number to 16.
• Hong Kong confirmed seven more cases, bringing the total to 49.
• South Korea confirmed one more case, a 30-year-old Chinese woman, bringing the total number to 28.
• Singapore confirmed another two cases, bringing the total to 47.
• Vietnam confirmed its fifteenth case, a three-month-old baby infected by her grandmother.
• Thailand confirmed one new cases, bringing the total in the country to 33.
• WHO gives the disease the new name COVID-19.
  Additionally, the virus itself is named SARS-CoV-2.
  World Health Organization via media briefing- First of all, we now have a name for the disease: COVID-19. I'll spell it: C-O-V-I-D hyphen one nine - COVID-19. Under agreed guidelines between WHO, the World Organisation for Animal Health and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, we had to find a name that did not refer to a geographical location, an animal, an individual or group of people, and which is also pronounceable and related to the disease.
  On WHO's list of pandemic and epidemic diseases, there are several other diseases that explicitly refer to a geographic location, such as: Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS); Lassa fever, referring to a town in Nigeria; and Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever.
  However, it seems this new policy was put into place mid-2015, after those other diseases were named.
• Shenzhen University announced the successful development of a new coronavirus antibody detection kit capable of obtaining a result in 22 minutes and reducing the risk of infection of medical staff.
• The Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security expanded existing relief measures for micro, small, and medium size enterprises.
• The NDRC announced its intention to "strictly curb the practice of restricting the resumption of production and production by simple and crude methods such as via approval."
• The Ministry of Transport (MoT) introduced measures to for the transportation security of both citizens, especially migrant workers, and animal feed.
• The State Taxation Administration allowed enterprises affected by the epidemic to carry forward losses up to 8 years.
• The Ministry of Commerce issued a notice to ensure security of living materials in key cities.
• Guangdong passed an emergency legislation banning the trading and overeating of wildlife and devolves emergency legislative powers to county-level governments. The provincial government authorised Guangzhou and Shenzhen governments with the power of the emergency requisitioning of houses, facilities, and materials for emergency epidemic response. This was the first time a government was authorised with the power of requisitioning private property since the 1978 Chinese economic reform and since the passage of Property Law in 2007.
• China Banking Regulatory Commission proposed to extend Hubei automobile insurance coverage by one month.
• Shanghai Stock Exchange announced the full exemption of the bill service fees charged to Hubei legal persons in Hubei from February to December 2020.
• Shanghai introduced measures to support tech companies and exempt the rent of SMSEs due to nationalised enterprises.
• Jiangsu's bank and government branches introduced financial measures including liquidity support and credit placement.
• Zhejiang implemented a one-time subsidy for key acquisition and processing enterprises of poultry and fresh milk in the province.
• Cainiao released measures to aid the supply chain and logistics industry.
• Tmall reduced costs for vendors for the first half of 2020.
• A man in Chengdu was under police investigation for interference with the prevention and control of the epidemic.
• The first batch of central reserve frozen pork arrived at Wuhan.
• Apple extended its device warranty to provide a one-time exception.
• The Global Grain Conference that was going to take place in Singapore, has been postponed to sometime in June and/or July, due to the virus.
• Authorities in Hong Kong evacuate a Tsing Yi Estate apartment building, after two residents who lived separately got diagnosed with the virus.
• The virus is lowering crude prices worldwide, as China's demand for crude oil decreases due to shutdowns, lockdowns, fears, and other measures. Oil prices has just reached a 1-year low again, and has been falling for 5 weeks.
• South Korea has advised travelers to delay travel to countries and territories hit by the coronavirus; mentioned are Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, Japan, and Taiwan in addition to mainland China.
• Taiwan urged travelers to take precautions when travelling to Singapore or Thailand, and to avoid Hong Kong or Macau unless absolutely necessary.
• Singapore and Malaysia will form a joint working group to prevent and control the coronavirus infection.
• The Thailand public health minister does not allow a Holland America cruise ship, MS Westerdam to disembark in the country. The reason cited by the public health minister is that there are 32 cases in Thailand.
• During a live broadcast on the Fox Business Network, anchor Maria Bartiromo suggests China developed COVID-19 as a biological weapon of mass destruction and deliberately attempted to infect United States diplomats at the White House and in Davos, Switzerland.
• President Trump wins the 2020 New Hampshire Republican Primary, with the most votes for any incumbent President in history.
• The Justice Dept. announces that it will overrule federal prosecutors in the trial of President Trump associate Roger Stone and seek a shorter sentence than what the prosecutors had recommended. This comes after President Trump had complained on Twitter that the sentence the prosecutors had been recommending to Stone was "unfair" and a "miscarriage of justice".
  In response to the DoJ request for a reduced sentence, all four prosecutors (Michael Marando, Adam Jed, Jonathan Kravis and Aaron Zelinsky) withdrew from the Stone trial.
• 2020 New Hampshire Democratic primary
  100% of precincts reporting: Sanders 25.7% (9 delegates), Buttigieg 24.4% (9 delegates), Klobuchar 19.8% (6 delegates), Warren 9.2%, Biden 8.4%
  Andrew Yang and Michael Bennet suspend their presidential campaigns.
• Attack on Florida GOP Voter Registration Tent Was Motivated by Dislike for Trump
• Jussie Smollett Indicted by Special
• Prosecutor on Six Counts Related to False Claim of Hate Crime Attack

02/12/20

• Hong Kong confirmed one more case, bringing the total number to 50.
• Japan confirmed 39 more cases on Diamond Princess, including one quarantine officer, bringing the total to 174. Another case was reported in Japan itself, bringing the total number to 29.
• Singapore confirmed three more cases, bringing the total to 50.
• 300 employees of DBS Bank were asked to evacuate from the office at Marina Bay Financial center Tower 3 due to a confirmed case there.
• United Kingdom- The first case in London was confirmed, bringing the country's total to 9.
• United States of America confirmed one more case, bringing the total number to 14.
• A State Council executive meeting was convened, which emphasized efforts to restore the economy to normal activity and asked local governments to implement measures. The MoT and NHC issued a joint Notice to forbid quarantining of material security providers and drivers if they have not entered Wuhan, provided temperature checks are passed and necessary protection measures are being taken.
• China National Railway Group stopped selling seatless tickets and initiated measures to control train occupancy. Tencent announced free cloud service for SMSEs.
• Jiangsu rolled out measures to help economic development during the epidemic. Zhejiang decreased the price of enterprise utilities until 30 April. Shanghai decreased enterprise gas price and waived residential gas arrear penalties.
• Yunnan now required QR code scanning for entering all public spaces. Airbnb suspended booking in Beijing until 30 April. Foshan, Guangdong was to require advance declaration for vehicles to enter the city starting 13 Feb.
• President Xi ordered a tax cut to invigorate the economy. Many organizations were ordered to keep rents low and banks to keep interest low. A stimulus package is expected.
• Honghu, Hubei began an official investigation into a controversial fine of ¥42630 (US$6110.54) on a local pharmacy for selling 44,000 single-use masks stocked at ¥0.6 (US$0.086) each for ¥1 (US$0.143) each, as it violated a province-wide ban on selling medical items related to the epidemic 15% above the stocking price during the epidemic. The move came after heavy criticism online after the fining became known.
• American Airlines extend their flight suspensions to Hong Kong and China through some point in late April.
• The WHO states that the Coronavirus vaccine could be ready in approximately 18 months.
• The United States Postal Service, Singapore Post, PostNord Sverige, and Austrian postal services will temporarily stop sending mail or other postal services to China, and/or Hong Kong as well as Macau. This is due to the available flight shortages and flight suspensions, which is making it hard to send mail to China, Hong Kong, and Macau.
• Bulgari CEO states that half of its stores in the greater China region have been temporarily closed due to the virus.
• The Formula 1 Chinese Grand Prix 2020 which is set to held in April, was postponed to a later date due to the outbreak.
• The Dalai Lama announced he stopped all public engagement due to the outbreak.
• The Mobile World Congress (MWC), due to start on 24 February, is cancelled.
• CDC announces that a diagnostic kit it developed does not work. This kit was made available to certified laboratories in the United States besides being shared with more than thirty countries. Due to a possible problem with one of the reagents some results could be made inconclusive (neither positive nor negative).
• According to the Deutsche Bank, the outbreak of COVID-19 may contribute to a recession in Germany.
• Three people escape a quarantine facility in Russia. They did this because according to them, the conditions and officials of the quarantine were not good.
• Cancellations in hotel bookings in the Greek island of Santorini have climbed up to 60-70% in the months of February and March, while there are fears of 100% cancellations for April.
• President Trump holds a bilateral meeting with Ecuadorian president Lenín Moreno at the White House.
• Jessie Liu, the U.S. attorney who headed the prosecutions of Roger Stone and Michael Flynn, resigned from the administration after President Trump withdrew her nomination as the Treasury Department's undersecretary for terrorism and financial crimes.
• The UN Human Rights Council has issued a blacklist of over a hundred companies doing business in Israel's Judea and Samaria region (also referred to as the West Bank).
• Deval Patrick suspend his democratic presidential campaign

02/13/20

• Vietnam confirmed its 16th case.
• Japan confirmed four more cases, bringing the total to 33.
• At the same time, 44 new cases were confirmed on the Diamond Princess, bringing the total to 218.
• Later on, Japan confirmed its first death from the virus.
• Hong Kong confirmed three more cases, bringing the total number to 53.
• Malaysia confirmed one more case, bringing the total number to 19.
• Singapore confirmed eight more cases, bringing the total number to 58. A school in National University of Singapore will conduct e-learning from 14 to 21 February as a precaution after one of the cases involved a professor.
• Unites States of America, the CDC confirmed the 15th US coronavirus case, a Wuhan evacuee quarantined at a military base in Texas.
• The government has issued extension of order to shut down all non-essential companies, including manufacturing plants, in Hubei Province until at least 24:00 20 February 2020.
  The same day, Hubei reported newly confirmed cases of 14,840, nearly 10 times more than the previous day, while deaths more than doubled to 242.
  This was due to the change in definition that included clinical (radiological) diagnosis of patients.
  The World Health Organization indicated that for consistency it would report only the number of laboratory-confirmed cases.
• Hubei released 1.3 million masks for civil use, providing pharmacies at ¥1 each and requiring them to sell at the "affordable price" of ¥2 (US$0.287) each.
• In Hubei, The Zhangjiawan District of Shiyan entered wartime control starting 00:00, as well as Dawu County in Xiaogan, the status to be reviewed at least once every 14 days.
• Hubei postponed business resumption and start of new semester across the province; businesses were not to resume before 24:00 on 20 Feb.
• Guangxi prohibited the start of new semester before 1 March.
• Wuhan enacts a new rule prohibiting people from leaving their neighbourhoods for non-medical reasons, updating the curfew to a full lockdown.
• WHO affirmed that the slowdown in the number of new infections should be taken cautiously as the situation can change in any direction. The WHO also stated that it is too early to predict the outbreaks' end.
• A lockdown on Son Lôi Commune (Vinh Phúc Province, Vietnam) was implemented by the authorities after five investigated cases had been infected by a cluster. This would last until 3 March.
• Japan announced that a woman in her eighties outside of Tokyo has died. Two taxi drivers also were tested positive.
• A solo traveler from China was quarantined at Lackland Air Force Base in Texas. This is the 15th case in the U.S.
• Champalimaud Foundation, a Portuguese private biomedical research foundation, announced the cancellation of a conference that was programmed to happen on 12 to 13 March.
• European Union ministers of health held a meeting in Brussels.
• The ship MS Westerdam was allowed to dock in Sihanoukville, Cambodia.
• President Trump publicly acknowledges sending Rudy Giuliani to Ukraine, despite his fervent denials of such a search during his impeachment inquiry and trial.
• Attorney General William Barr says that Trump tweets make it impossible for him to do his job.
• Bill de Blasio on MSNBC's Morning Joe- "We have an extraordinary public health apparatus here in New York City . . . and what became clear to me was it was really about telling the people of our city, this is something we can handle, but you got to follow some basic rules. . . . This should not stop you from going about your life. It should not stop you from going to Chinatown and going out to eat. I am going to do that today myself."
• New York City Council speaker Corey Johnson- "It is important to support the Chinese community in New York City. Unfortunately many businesses and restaurants in Chinatown, Flushing, and Sunset Park are suffering because some customers are afraid of the coronavirus. But those fears are not based on facts and science. The risk of infection to New Yorkers is low. There is no need to avoid public spaces. I urge everyone to dine and shop as usual"
• University of California San Francisco report on how it spreads- The principal mode of transmission is still thought to be respiratory droplets, which may travel up to six feet from someone who is sneezing or coughing. The new coronavirus isn't believed to be an airborne virus, like measles or smallpox, that can circulate through the air. "If you have an infected person in the front of the plane, for instance, and you're in the back of the plane, your risk is close to zero simply because the area of exposure is thought to be roughly six feet from the infected person," said Chiu. Close contact with an infectious person, such as shaking hands, or touching a doorknob, tabletop or other surfaces touched by an infectious person, and then touching your nose, eyes, or mouth can also transmit the virus.
• Mohammed Nuru , A top San Francisco public official to mayors over two decades was charged with public corruption Tuesday, upending City Hall as elected leaders scrambled to reassure the public that bribery and kickbacks would not be tolerated

02/14/20

• Canada confirmed British Columbia's fifth presumptive case, bringing the total number in the country to 8.
• Egypt confirmed its first case, a foreigner of undisclosed nationality. This was the first case on the African continent.
• Hong Kong confirmed three more infections, bringing the total number to 56.
• Japan confirmed four more cases, bringing the total number to 37.
• Singapore confirmed nine more cases, bringing the total number to 67.
• The central districts of Yunmeng County in Xiaogan, Hubei entered wartime control. Huanggang, Hubei escalated control starting 00:00, prohibiting non-essential persons or vehicles from entering and exiting communities and initiating the organised distribution of basic necessities.
• A new test kit was developed by a team led by Zhong Nanshan, able to yield a result in fifteen minutes with a very high sensitivity and expected to raise the positive detection rate.
• Huanggang decided to convert another hospital as a secondary medical institution for COVID-19, after Dabie Mountain Regional Medical Centre.
• Xiantao, Hubei implemented mask ex-factory price control, requiring the ex-factory price of single use medical masks not to exceed ¥1.20 (US$0.172) each and non-medical ones ¥1.00 (US$0.143) each.
• Beijing required all persons returning to the city to self-quarantine for 14 days.
• Shenzhen Metro would start using real-name system starting 16 Feb for epidemic tracing, with passengers able to self-register the carriages they ride in by scanning the QR code in the train.
• The Office of the State Council Education Steering Committee prohibited all after-school training institutions from conducting offline training in any form.
• All mainland IELTS exams in March were cancelled.
• In Bragança, Portugal, two Chinese college students agreed to stay on a voluntary quarantine when they return to Bragança. Although they did not show symptoms and neither had they been in contact with infected persons as far it was known, the reason for the quarantine was a recent holiday travel to China.
• In the United Kingdom, two Members of Parliament, Lilian Greenwood and Alex Sobel, self-quarantined after learning that they had attended a conference on 6 February where a confirmed case had also been in attendance.
• A German citizen in Palma de Mallorca was released from hospital quarantine after he had been tested negative twice. Previously, he had tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 and was always asymptomatic.
• The first case of coronavirus infection on the African continent was reported in Egypt.
• Grab started GrabCare for healthcare workers in Singapore. This came after reports of increased discrimination due to the COVID-19 situation, making it difficult for healthcare workers to get rides.
• Japanese singer and voice actress Yui Ogura will now require attendees at her Valentine's Day event commemorating her fourteenth single to wear masks.
• The Catholic Church of Singapore will suspend masses indefinitely from noon of 15 February in view of the coronavirus.
• Army Secretary Ryan McCarthy announced the Army will not investigate nor take any disciplinary action against Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman in spite of President Trump's comment that the military should "take a look at" whether Vindman said "horrible things" about him.
• Justice Department attorney J.P. Cooney said Friday, "The Government has decided not to pursue criminal charges against...Andrew G. McCabe..." ending the nearly two year long investigation.
• Trump deploys elite Customs and Border Patrol forces to ten sanctuary cities, specifically targeting illegal aliens with extensive criminal records.

02/15/20

• France saw the first death outside Asia being confirmed, an 80 year old Chinese tourist in France. The country also confirmed its 12th case.
• Japan confirmed nine additional confirmed cases not aboard Diamond Princess. Japan also confirmed 67 additional cases aboard the cruise ship Diamond Princess, bringing the total number of cases from the ship to 285.
• Malaysia confirmed three more cases, including an American passenger from the cruise ship MS Westerdam flying from Cambodia, bringing the total number to 22.
• Singapore confirmed five more cases, bringing the total number to 72.
• Thailand confirmed one more case, bringing the total number to 34.
• Honghu, Hubei entered wartime control at 00:00, the decision announced in the evening of 13 Feb.
• Jingmen, Hubei escalated control, prohibiting outside vehicles and persons from entering its central districts except for medical and living supplies, and shutting down all business except approved pharmacies, supermarkets, and hotels.
• The MoT announced that all toll roads country-wide would be toll-free from 00:00 17 Feb to the end of the epidemic response.
• The Ministry of Science and Technology introduced measures to strengthen the biosafety management of SARS-CoV-2 high-level virus microbiology laboratories.
• Hubei's Provincial Party Committee issued another ¥100 million (US$14.3 million) to local authorities for epidemic control.
• The Central Bank of China required cash from outbreak areas to be stored for at least 14 days before entering market, 7 days for other areas.
• PBC branches reporting to its Guangzhou branch would destroy all cash retrieved from hospitals, agricultural markets, and public transit.
• The United States announced it would evacuate Americans currently aboard the cruise ship Diamond Princess.
• Trump goes golfing at Trump International Golf Course in West Palm Beach, Florida

02/16/20

• Hong Kong confirmed one new coronavirus case, bringing the total to 57.
• Japan also confirmed six new cases, bringing the total of infected people not aboard Diamond Princess to 59. 70 additional cases were confirmed on Diamond Princess, increasing the tally to 355.
• Singapore confirmed three more cases, bringing the total number to 75.
• South Korea confirmed one more case, bringing the total number to 29.
• Taiwan confirmed its first death from COVID-19, a man in his 60s. Moreover, two new cases were confirmed, bringing the total number to 20.
• United Arab Emirates confirmed one more case, a 37-year-old Chinese citizen, bringing the total number to 9.
• Hubei implements "hard quarantine" in units of natural villages; no outsiders are to be allowed in and each household is allowed one person every three days to go out for provisions and urgent agricultural material, on designated routes and in limited time. All nonessential public spaces in Hubei are to be closed and all gatherings forbidden. Following its decision on the previous day, the city of Wuxue in Huanggang now bans residents and vehicles without medical or epidemic control reasons from the streets. Anyone in violation is to be sent to a stadium for "centralised compulsory study" about the laws and epidemic response, and any such cars would be seized. All communities in Dongcheng District, Beijing are required to implement closed management.
• Guizhou resumes normal traffic, removing all temporary quarantine checkpoints.
• The first two autopsies of patients killed by SARS-CoV-2 were carried out in Jinyintan Hospital; its pathology was obtained and submitted for testing.
• A vaccine of the virus developed by national institutions began its animal experiment stage; clinical trials are expected in April at the earliest.
• The NHC urges for the reduction of the workload of grassroots workers, asking for all legally unnecessary procedures to be halted.
• The General Administration of Customs has introduced 10 measures to support foreign trade enterprises to resume production.
• Instructed by the Office of the State Council, Alipay is now developing a national unified system of "Health Code" first used in Hangzhou on 11 Feb, a digital health evaluation certificate for the safe resumption of business.
• Wuhan released a partial list of hospitals accepting patients not with COVID-19.
• The first internet hospitals open in Hunan.
• Yunnan expedites the approval processes for medical supplies.
• All secondary and tertiary hospitals in Beijing would start operating on an appointment basis by 25 and 20 Feb respectively for all non-emergency departments.
• Nanjing and Suzhou implements real-name system for public transit, following Shenzhen.
• Huanggang announced that any person with fever or cough taking the initiative to see a doctor would receive a financial reward of ¥500 (US$71.6).
• In response to allegations that patient zero was its research student, Wuhan Institute of Virology released a statement saying no members of the Institute was infected and that the student had been working in other provinces for years.
• The Portuguese Directorate General for Health announced it was compiling a list of hospitals in Portugal that might reinforce, if needed, the three hospitals already prepared to received patients. The list should have been ready by 17 February.
• According to the responsible of Portugal's medical emergency services (INEM), Portugal currently had four ambulances prepared to transport patients with the novel coronavirus to the referenced hospitals. All INEM personnel, around 700 medical professionals, would also have refresh courses and new training about the virus.
• Over 2,000 former Justice Department officials present an open letter strongly condemning President Trump and Attorney General William Barr's "interference in the fair administration of justice", and called on Barr to resign due to his involvement in the Stone case.
• Ivanka Trump praises Saudi Arabia and other Mideast countries for the advances they have made on women's rights.
• Tom Cotton, U.S. Senator (R-AR) of Arkansas via Twitter- Let me debunk the debunkers. @paulina_milla and her "experts" wrongly jump straight to the claim that the coronavirus is an engineered bioweapon. That's not what I've said. There's at least four hypotheses about the origin of the virus:
  1. Natural (still the most likely, but almost certainly not from the Wuhan food market)
  2. Good science, bad safety (eg, they were researching things like diagnostic testing and vaccines, but an accidental breach occurred)
  3. Bad science, bad safety (this is the engineered-bioweapon hypothesis, with an accidental breach)
  4. Deliberate release (very unlikely, but shouldn't rule out till the evidence is in)

02/17/20- President's day

• Hong Kong confirmed three more cases, bringing the total number to 60.
• Japan confirmed seven new cases, bringing the total of infected people not aboard Diamond Princess to 66. Diamond Princess in Japan confirmed 99 new coronavirus cases, bringing the total number of infected people on the cruise ship to 454.
• Singapore confirmed two more cases, bringing the total number to 77.
• South Korea confirmed one more case, bringing the total number to 30.
• Taiwan confirmed two more cases, bringing the total number to 22.
• Thailand confirmed one more case, bringing the total number to 35.
• Following its announcement the previous night, Xiaogan now bans all its urban residents from leaving home, all its rural residents from wandering, visiting neighbours, and gathering, and all vehicles from roads. Exceptions are made for medical reasons, medical staff, providers of medical and living provision, pregnancies, deaths, essential vehicles, and others granted permissions. Violators would be subject to up to 10 days of detention and put on the dishonest list.
• Following its announcement on the previous day, Hangzhou resumes normal traffic and public transport service.
• A new makeshift hospital was delivered in Xi'an, the capital of Shaanxi Province. According to Xinhua, the hospital was designated to treat COVID-19 patients, has 500 beds and 666 medical workers have been dispatched to the hospital.
• In a meeting of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) it was considered the delaying of the National People's Congress' annual session in March.
• American passengers evacuate the Diamond Princess and will return to the US. They will be held in quarantine for 14 days.
• Singapore will enforce Stay-Home Notices for all Singapore residents and long-term pass holders returning from China taking effect from 18 February. They will not be allowed to leave home during the next 14 days.
• Following the confirmation of infection aboard the MS Westerdam, the Malaysian authorities barred passengers who had traveled on the luxury cruise ship from entry. Singapore follows suit, only allowing citizens to enter with quarantine imposed.
• Japanese Emperor Naruhito's birthday ceremony and greetings to the public on 23 February will be cancelled.
• The Israeli Ministry of Health requested people returning from Asian countries and territories to self-quarantine. In the mention are mainland China, Taiwan, Macau, Hong Kong, Singapore, Thailand, South Korea and Japan.
• The Tokyo Marathon, due to take place on 1 March, will be restricted to elite runners and wheelchair athletes. Initially, it was expected that 38,000 people would take part but with this change the number will be reduced to 206 participants.
• The seventh episode of A Certain Scientific Railgun T, "Auribus oculi fideliores sunt. (The eyes are more trustworthy than the ears)", is replaced by a rerun of the sixth episode due to production delays associated with the virus outbreak.

02/18/20

• Hong Kong confirmed two more cases, bringing the total number to 62.
• Japan confirmed eight more cases across the nation, bringing the total to 74.
• 88 additional cases aboard Diamond Princess were confirmed, bringing the total on the ship to 542.
• Singapore confirmed four more cases, bringing the total number to 81.
• South Korea confirmed one more case, bringing the total number to 31.
• The State Council introduced exemptions of enterprise social security and housing fund contributions. The State Taxation Administration (STA) extended the February taxation filing deadline outside Hubei to 28 February. The State Council and Ministry of Finance (MoF) announced allocating more budget this year to areas heavily affected by the epidemic.
• Wuhan passes its strictest control measures. Tianjin now requires QR code scanning for entering public spaces and transport services.
• Yiwu International Trade City reopened for business.
• Shanghai requires educational institutions to conduct online education when the new semester starts on 2 March, so that student will not go to school.
• Getty Images confirmed that it was protecting the identity of photojournalists in China "due to worries about their safety".
• Bushiroad, a Japanese entertainment company best known for creating the BanG Dream! and Revue Starlight multimedia franchises, announced that they would postpone and cancel several events up to 19 March due to the outbreak, and that they would offer refunds. The seventh episode of Infinite Dendrogram, "The Dueling Cities", is replaced with a rerun of the first episode due to production delays stemming from the virus outbreak. The 14th Seiyu Awards will have no after-party celebrations, and only winners, presenters, and journalists will allowed to attend the award ceremony on 7 March.
• President Trump commutes the sentences of 11 individuals, including former Illinois governor Rod Blagojevich, who was convicted of attempting to sell a seat in the US Senate, former NYPD commissioner Bernie Kerik, financier Mike Milken, and former San Francisco 49ers owner Eddie DeBartolo Jr., all of whom were convicted on corruption charges.
• Sarah Miyazawa LaFleur of MM LaFleur clothing says the company will lend free clothing to any woman running for office.
• The lawyer for Julian Assange, founder of WikiLeaks, claims that former Congressman Dana Rohrabacher (R-CA) offered Assange a pardon in 2017 in exchange for denying Russian involvement in the DNC leak. In a February 20 interview with Yahoo! News, Rohrabacher admitted that he had offered a pardon to Assange.
• Allegations surface from Bloomberg News reporter that his stories of unfavorable details about China (specifically their leader Xi Jinping) were removed before publication and he was fired. He was told 'If we run the story, we'll be kicked out of China.'

02/19/20

• Hong Kong confirmed its second death from the coronavirus. In addition, three new cases were confirmed, bringing the total number in Hong Kong to 65.
• Iran confirmed its first two cases resulting in deaths.
• Singapore confirmed three more cases, bringing the total number to 84.
• South Korea confirmed 20 more cases, bringing the total number to 51 with the majority of these transmissions happening in a church in Daegu.
• Taiwan confirmed one more case, bringing the total number to 23.
• Passengers started to disembark from Diamond Princess, one of the cruise ships in the outbreak. The sheer number of passengers infected has led to questions over the effectiveness of quarantine measures. 79 more cases are confirmed on the cruise ship, bringing the total number to 621. Japan also reported 10 new cases not aboard the cruise ship.
• The NHC published the sixth pilot version of Diagnostic and Treatment Plan of the Novel Coronavirus Pneumonia, which removed the category of clinical diagnosis introduced in the previous edition for Hubei, as well as adjusted several descriptions, criteria, and treatment guidelines of COVID-19,.
• Following its announcement on the previous day, Zhejiang now requires declaration for vehicles entering the province. Meanwhile, public transport across the province apart from Wenzhou will now resume normal service. Guangdong resumes inter-provincial busses in response to the travel needs of migrant workers.
• Wuhan bans all vehicles from roads apart from essential vehicles.
• Hunan introduced measures to support businesses. Chengdu adjusted its epidemic control procedures and business resumption would no longer require approval.
• The Nipponbashi Street Festa in Osaka, a cosplay event described as the biggest of its kind, was cancelled due to concerns with the virus outbreak.
• Mediacorp, Singapore's main broadcaster, cancelled its Star Awards ceremony, initially scheduled for 26 April due to concerns over the ongoing outbreak.
• President Trump holds a rally in Phoenix, Arizona.
• President Trump fires acting director of national intelligence, Joseph Maguire, after last weeks briefing to the House Intelligence Committee by the top election security official, Shelby Pierson, on Russian interference in the upcoming 2020 election. The president announced that he was replacing Maguire with Richard Grenell, the current ambassador to Germany, who will oversee 17 U.S. intelligence agencies.
• Assange lawyer: Trump offered WikiLeaker a pardon in exchange for denying Russia hacked Democrats' email
• President Donald Trump signs memorandum directing more of the water to California farmers and other agriculture interests in a prime agricultural area during a stop in the state.

02/20/20

• Hong Kong confirmed four more cases, bringing the total number to 69.
• Iran confirmed three more cases, bringing the total number to five.
• Japan confirmed ten more domestic cases, bringing the total number to 94.
• Singapore confirmed one more case, bringing the total number to 85.
• South Korea confirmed 53 more cases, bringing the total number to 104. The first death from the virus was also confirmed.
• Taiwan confirmed one more case, bringing the total number to 24.
• The United States confirmed one more case in California, bringing the total number to 16.
• Two deaths were confirmed aboard the cruise ship Diamond Princess along with 13 more cases, bringing the total number to 634.
• Hubei requires businesses in the province not to resume before 10 March, except for essential industries.
• Wenzhou removed all checkpoints except in Yueqing and reopened highways.
• Wuhan requires residents to measure their temperature twice daily and report any measurements exceeding 37.3 °C (99.1 °F).
• The Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security authorises provinces to exempt certain social security contributions from SMSEs starting February for up to five months.
• Macau reopened all casinos after a 15-day closure. However, all patrons and service staff would be required to wear masks as part of enhanced measures to reduce the virus spread.
• Israel banned passengers who have been to China, Hong Kong, Thailand or Singapore in the previous 14 days.
• In Novi Sanzhary, Ukraine, the buses carrying the evacuees from China were attacked by a mob hurling stones and engaging in violent clashes with the
• police.
• Iraq halted travel to and from Iran after the number of cases spiked there. At the same time, travelers from Iran will not be allowed entry.
• President Trump holds a rally in Colorado Springs, Colorado.
• Roger Stone is sentenced to 40 months in prison for, in the words of Judge Amy Berman Jackson, "covering up for the president".
• New York Times interviews a Taliban leader for first time

02/21/20

• Australia confirmed four more cases involving evacuees from the cruise ship Diamond Princess, bringing the total number to 19.
• Canada confirms one more case, a woman who had recently visited Iran, bringing the total number to nine.
• Israel also confirmed its first case, an evacuee from Diamond Princess.
• Italy confirmed 17 cases, bringing the total number to 20. Authorities also reported the first death, a 78-year-old man.
• Iran announces 13 new cases, bringing the total to 18. Two more deaths were also confirmed.
• Japan confirmed 15 more cases, bringing the total number to 109.
• Lebanon confirmed its first case.
• Singapore confirmed one more case, bringing the total number to 86.
• South Korea confirmed 100 more cases, bringing the total number to 204. The country also reported its second death.
• Taiwan confirmed two more cases, bringing the total number to 26.
• United Arab Emirates confirmed two more cases, bringing the total number to 11.
• The United States confirmed 20 more cases, bringing the total number to 35.
• The Association of Public Health Laboratories (APHL) announced that only three states were capable of testing for the corona virus: California, Nebraska, and Illinois.
• More than 500 cases has been confirmed in five prisons in Hubei, Shandong, and Zhejiang. Following the news of the outbreak, the responsible officials in Shandong and Hubei were sacked.
• Henan and Shandong removed all road quarantine measures.
• Gansu adjusts its emergency response level for COVID-19 from level 1 to level 3.
• Following some public confusion with the data released, Hubei prohibited the subtracting of clinically diagnosed cases. A corrected province-wide statistical report was available late in the evening.
• Wuhan finished the testing of all existing suspected patients, patients with fever, and people with close contact.
• South Korea designated Daegu and Cheongdo County as "special care zones", coming after a spike in cases reported. The government also announced plans to send military medical staff and temporary isolation facilities to stop the virus. In Seoul, large protests and demonstrations held on weekends would not be allowed. The military also banned all soldiers from taking leave, leaving the barracks and receiving guests. Residents in Daegu were advised to stay indoors, with commanders of a major US base imposing movement restrictions.
• President Trump holds a rally in Las Vegas, Nevada.
• British Police Federation report Police Fear Arresting Climate Protesters
• Philip Haney, DHS whistleblower during Obama era, found dead of single gunshot wound
• Traffic stop finds $12+ million worth of cocaine, meth during traffic stop in North Arizona

02/22/20

• Australia confirmed three more cases, bringing the total number to 22.
• Hong Kong confirmed one more case, bringing the total number to 70.
• Iran confirmed 10 more cases, bringing the total number to 28. A fifth death was also confirmed.
• Italy confirmed 59 more cases spread across three different administrative regions, bringing the total number to 79, making Italy the European country with the biggest number of cases of coronavirus infections. The second death was also confirmed, an Italian woman from Lombardy.
• Japan confirmed 26 more cases, bringing the total number to 135.
• Singapore confirmed three more cases, bringing the total number to 89.
• South Korea confirmed 229 more cases, bringing the total number to 433. Concerns are raised that 9 tourists from South Korea may have caused a widespread exposure in Israel.
• The United Arab Emirates confirmed two more cases, bringing the total number to 13.
• The urine sample of a patient tested positive.
• A genome analysis indicated that the virus in Huanan Seafood Market originated from outside.
• Hubei introduced measures to reduce business cost.
• Liaoning adjusted its COVID-19 emergency response level from level 1 to level 3.
• Wuhan requires a 14-day quarantine for patients discharged from COVID-19.
• Kuwait halts flights to and from Iran, and imposed a ban on travelers arriving from Iran as a precaution. Any Kuwaiti returning will be isolated. In addition, authorities there advised against travel to Iran.
• Samsung shut its phone factory in Gumi until 24 February, with the floor the infected employee worked shut until 25 February. This comes after a cases was confirmed involving a worker there.
• Australia announced an easing of travel restrictions for Chinese students in Year 11 or 12 except for those in Hubei, which will be considered on a case-by-case basis. The students will need to get approval from states and territories, as well as the schools involved. Similar exemptions for Chinese university students are being considered.
• 2020 Nevada Democratic caucuses
  Bernie Sanders won the caucuses by a substantial margin, with Joe Biden coming in second and Pete Buttigieg in third; no other candidate crossed the 15% vote threshold statewide.
• In news article, CEO of one of the world's largest airlines said Muslim men traveling alone are more likely to be 'bombers' and should be profiled at airports

02/23/20

• Canada confirmed one more presumptive case in Ontario. The samples had been sent to the National Microbiology Lab for further testing. Later, the cases was confirmed positive, bringing the total number to 10.
• Hong Kong confirmed four more cases, bringing the total number to 74.
• Iran confirmed 15 more cases and two more deaths, bringing the total number to 43 and 8 respectively.
• Israel confirmed one more case, who was a passenger on the cruise ship, bringing the total number to 2.
• Italy confirmed 73 new cases, bringing the total to 152 spread across five different administrative regions. The third death was also reported. Italy is now the third country in the world by number of cases, after China and South Korea.
• South Korea confirmed 169 more cases, bringing the total number to 602. Four more deaths were also confirmed.
• Taiwan confirmed two more cases, bringing the total number to 28.
• The United Kingdom confirmed four new cases, all involving evacuees from the Diamond Princess cruise ship, bringing the total number to 13.
• There were 57 more cases aboard Diamond Princess, bringing the total number to 691. One death associated to the cruise ship was also confirmed, bringing the total number to 3.
• Guizhou adjusted its emergency response level for COVID-19 from level 1 to level 3, and Shanxi to level 2.
• Turkey shut down its border with Iran and banned all incoming flights as a precaution for stopping the spread of disease after Iran had reported 43 cases. Pakistan also closed its border with Iran, Afghanistan suspends travel to and from Iran and Jordan bans citizens from China, Iran, and South Korea. Georgia imposes restriction on inbound air flights with Iran, allowing passengers only in one direction.
• Italy introduces strict measures which place almost 50,000 people in lockdown in an attempt to control the virus. Fines are imposed on those caught entering or leaving outbreak areas. Carnival of Venice is cancelled.
• South Korea raises its disease alert to the highest level, coming after the number of cases had continued to increase sharply.
• Singapore expanded its health advisery to Daegu and Cheongdo in South Korea, advising travelers to "avoid non-essential travel". At the same time, the definition of suspect cases was expanded to include travelers arriving from these two cities.
• Kuwait banned ships coming from Iran to stopping at its ports due to the coronavirus.
• Israel extended its travel ban to Japan and South Korea taking effect the following day, following a previous travel ban that included Taiwan, Italy, Australia, and Macau.
• Taiwan banned its healthcare professionals in hospital from travelling out to manage the shortage of workers amid the outbreak. Those who need to attend important meetings overseas have to seek permission. This comes after three local governments banned travel by public servants. In addition, military personnel are advised to avoid places affected by COVID-19, with quarantine imposed should they return from these places.

02/24/20

• Afghanistan confirmed its first case involving a person who recently returned from the Iranian city of Qom.
• Bahrain confirmed its first case involving a Bahraini citizen who traveled to Iran.
• Canada confirmed one more case in British Columbia, bringing the total number to 11.
• Hong Kong confirmed seven more cases, bringing the total number to 81.
• Iran confirmed 18 more cases, bringing the total number to 61. Four more deaths were also reported in the country, bringing the total number to 12.
• Iraq confirmed its first case involving an Iranian student.
• Italy confirmed 74 new cases, bringing the total to 229 spread across six different administrative regions. Four more deaths were also confirmed, bringing the total number to 7.
• Kuwait announced their first cases involving five people arriving from the Iranian city of Mashhad.
• Oman confirmed its first cases involving two Omani women who had come from Iran.
• Singapore confirmed one more case, bringing the total number to 90.
• South Korea confirmed 231 more cases, bringing the total number to 833. The seventh death was also confirmed.
• Spain confirmed its third positive case, an Italian man, in Tenerife, Canary Islands.
• Taiwan confirmed two more cases, bringing the total number to 30.
• The United States confirmed 18 more cases including evacuated passengers from the cruise ship, bringing the total number to 53.
• A patient in Sichuan province tested positive only on her 9th test.
• Quarantine measures in Wuhan were eased slightly, with non-residents allowed to leave the city under certain conditions.The notice was declared null and void hours later as it was published without the proper authorisation. Several officials behind the order were reprimanded as a result.
• Yunnan adjusted its emergency response level from level 1 to level 3, and Guangdong and Jiangsu to level 2. Jiangxi adjusted its levels to level 3 or level 2 depending on the risk of the county.
• Draft legislation was introduced to the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress with a comprehensive ban of the trading and overeating of wildlife.
• The Third Session of the 13th CPPCC National Committee originally scheduled for 3 March was postponed.
• Oman halted flights to and from Iran with immediate effect. This comes after its first confirmed case there.
• In Germany the Light + Building Trade Fair in Frankfurt was postponed until September.
• In Najaf, Iraq, mid-year exams which had already started will be cancelled until further notice to protect the health of students.
• UAE banned citizens from travelling to Iran and Thailand as a precaution against the coronavirus. Oman also banned citizens from travelling to Iran.
• Hong Kong bans travelers arriving from South Korea starting from 25 February at 6am. This comes after the number of cases there increased sharply. Authorities there have also advised against trips there, with a quarantine of 14 days imposed should Hong Kong residents arrive from Daegu and Cheongdo. Several tour groups have since cancelled trips there.
• Six countries have since banned travelers from South Korea from entering their countries. They include Israel, Bahrain, Jordan, Kiribati, Samoa and American Samoa. Nine others have since placed restrictions.
• Mongolia will ban flights to South Korea starting from 25 February to 2 March. The flight ban has since included Japan, with the ban on both countries to last until 11 March.
• Taiwan revises rules to require approval for healthcare professionals in hospital to travel to Level 1 and 2 countries, with a ban on travel to Level 3 countries.
• Rock lobster deliveries from the US to China are on hold, and wedding dress orders in the US are not able to be fulfilled due to shortage of them as 80% of wedding dresses used in the US are made in China.
• President Trump begins a two-day state visit to India, during which, he attends a "Namaste, Trump" rally in Gujarat and visits the Taj Mahal.
• theatlantic.com- Certain containment measures will be appropriate, but widely banning travel, closing down cities, and hoarding resources are not realistic solutions for an outbreak that lasts years. All of these measures come with risks of their own. Ultimately some pandemic responses will require opening borders, not closing them.

02/25/20

• Algeria reported its first case, an Italian man who arrived on 17 February.
• Austria reported its first two cases, two Italians living in Tyrol tested positive for the coronavirus. One of the couple was a receptionist at a hotel and as a result the hotel in the Alpine tourist hub of Innsbruck was sealed off in an effort to contain the outbreak.
• Bahrain confirmed its second case, a Bahraini woman who had traveled from Iran through Dubai International Airport. This later increased to eight confirmed cases with the addition of two Bahraini men and four Saudi Arabian women. Later on the same day, Bahrain updated the number of cases to 17, with all infected people travelling from Iran. This total later rose again to 23 cases, again all having traveled from Iran.
• Brazil Ministry of Health reported the first positive case of coronavirus in the country and South America, a 61-year-old man from São Paulo, who traveled to Lombardy, Italy, between 9 and 21 February. He was showing mild symptoms and quarantined at home, the confirmation test was also positive.
• Croatia announced its first case of the virus, with a patient hospitalised in the capital, Zagreb, who had traveled to Italy and stayed in Milan.
• France saw two additional cases: one was a French man returning from a trip in the Lombardy region of Italy; the other was a young Chinese woman returning to France from a trip to China. This took the total number of cases in the country to 14.
• Germany saw a case identified in the state of North Rhine-Westphalia of a person recently returned from Italy, taking the country's cases to 17. Another man was later confirmed to be positive, bringing the total number to 18.
• Hong Kong confirmed three more cases, bringing the total number to 84.
• Iranian officials confirmed the death toll was officially now 16. There were 34 more cases, bringing the total number to 95. The same day, Iranian MP Mahmoud Sadeghi confirmed he had tested positive for the virus, along with Iraj Harirchi, the Deputy Minister for Health, who had the previous day been part of a press conference about Iran's handling of the virus.
• Iraq confirmed five more cases- an Iranian student and a family of four who had arrived from Iran, taking the total number of cases to 6.
• Italy confirmed 94 new cases, bringing the total to 323 spread across nine different administrative regions. Three more deaths were also confirmed, bringing the total number to 10. This later in the day rose to four deaths, bringing the total to 11.
• Kuwait confirmed four additional cases, all of them people who had returned from Iran, taking their total to 9 cases.
• Oman confirmed two additional cases, taking its total to four cases. Both the additional cases were linked to travel to Iran.
• Singapore confirmed one more case, bringing the total number to 91.
• South Korea confirmed 144 more cases, bringing the total number to 977. Four more deaths were also confirmed, bringing the total to 11. Among those infected included a Korean Air crew member.
• Spain, Canary Islands: on the island of Tenerife two Italian hotel guests tested positive for the virus. This resulted in hundreds of guests at the H10 Costa Adeje Palace hotel being isolated to facilitate further testing and to halt the spread of the disease. Later in the day, the first case was reported in mainland Spain, with a woman from Catalonia, who had recently returned from Italy, diagnosed in Barcelona. A seventh case was confirmed in the late evening by the Madrid regional government.
• Switzerland's government announced the first infection in the country.
• Taiwan confirmed one more case, an 11-year-old boy, bringing the total number to 31.
• Thailand reported two more cases, taking its total to 37. The two new cases, both Thai nationals, were people who were being monitored due to the travel history of others who had traveled to countries with infection risks.
• The fourth death associated with Diamond Princess was confirmed.
• In response to the epidemic situation in South Korea and an apparent significant surge of demand for flight tickets from South Korea to Shandong cities, Qingdao will now quarantine all persons entering with a travel history of areas with the epidemic, Weihai will now quarantine all persons entering from Japan and South Korea for 14 days, Shenyang will now test the temperature of all passengers entering from the city, and Dalian will now include all foreigners into its epidemic control mechanism.
• The State Council introduced an exemption of the VAT of small-scale taxpayers in Hubei for three months, as well as aid measures for individual businesses and stimulus measures for migrant workers and university graduates.
• Inner Mongolia adjusted its emergency response level to level 3.
• Guangzhou will now test all inpatients for SARS-CoV-19.
• Shenzhen introduced a legislation draft for public comment, intending to ban the consumption of all non-aquatic animals except for nine enumerated.
• Iraq banned travelers from China, Iran, Thailand, South Korea, Japan, Italy, and Singapore from entering the country. Iraqis were also advised not to travel to these places.
• Bahrain suspended all schools, nurseries and universities for two weeks to curb the spread of COVID-19 infection.
• Singapore banned visitors arriving from Cheongdo and Daegu in South Korea from 26 February after cases had increased rapidly in these two cities.
• Singapore citizens, permanent residents and long-term pass holders returning from Cheongdo and Daegu within the last 14 days would be issued a Stay-Home Notice (SHN) lasting 14 days.
• North Korea quarantined 380 foreigners, enacted a mandatory 30 day quarantine for all foreigners coming from outside the country and cancelled the Pyongyang Marathon.
• Due to the coronavirus situation in Japan, organizers of the Asia's 50 Best Restaurants Awards decided to hold the ceremony online instead.
• In the United States, officials warned that community transmission of COVID-19 was expected, urging local governments, schools and businesses to develop plans to deal with potential outbreaks. In addition, disruptions to drug supplies could also be expected.
• The Badminton World Federation announced it has postponed the Vietnam International Challenge tournament, originally scheduled to be held from 24 to 29 March.
• President Trump holds a bilateral meeting and joint press conference with Indian prime Minister Narendra Modi.
• President Trump attends a state dinner hosted by Indian president Ram Nath Kovind.
• Supreme Court Justices Sonia Sotomayor and Ruth Bader Ginsburg are attacked on Twitter by President Trump as he demands that they recuse themselves from "all Trump, or Trump-related" cases.
• Dr. Anthony Fauci, the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases- "You need to do nothing different than you're already doing," but if an outbreak occurred, "these are the kinds of things you want to think of."
• Italy's Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte- "These measures will be able to contain the outbreak, Italy is a safe place for nationals and tourists alike,"
• Disney CEO Bob Iger steps down in surprise announcement

02/26/20

• The WHO Director-General, Tedros Adhanom, noted that "...14 countries that have had cases have not reported a case for more than a week, and even more importantly, 9 countries have not reported a case for more than two weeks: Belgium, Cambodia, Finland, India, Nepal, Philippines, the Russian Federation, Sri Lanka and Sweden."
• Australia confirmed one more case, bringing the total number to 23.
• Bahrain confirmed three additional cases, bringing its total to 26. Later in the evening it confirmed another 7 cases, taking the total to 33.
• Canada confirmed a new case in Toronto of a woman with travel history to Iran. This took the country's total to 12.
• Croatia confirmed its second and third cases, the second being the twin brother of the first patient and the third being a man who works in Parma, Italy.
• Finland reported its second case.
• France confirmed three new cases, taking it to 17 cases. It also announced its second death from the disease, a 60-year-old French man who had been diagnosed the night before. An eighteenth case was later declared.
• Georgia reported its first case in the country, a Georgian native travelling from Iran.
• Germany reported five additional cases. By the end of the day the overall total number of cases in the country had risen to 27.
• Greece confirmed its first case, a 38-year-old woman who had recently traveled to Italy.
• Hong Kong reported six new cases, including a 16-year-old boy and his 21-year-old sister who were both aboard Diamond Princess, bringing the total to 91 cases.
• Italy confirmed 51 additional cases, bringing its total to 374. It also confirmed the twelfth death from the virus. In the evening they declared 27 new cases followed by an additional 54 cases, with two earlier cases declared false positives.
• Iran confirmed four more deaths, taking the total to 19. Another 44 cases were confirmed, bringing the total number to 139.
• Japan confirmed its second death from the virus. It also reported 5 new confirmed cases in Nagoya. A third death was later confirmed.
• Kuwait confirmed that their total of confirmed cases had risen to 12 with one new case. Later that day they confirmed the overall total had risen to 25.
• Lebanon confirmed its second case.
• North Macedonia confirmed its first case, a woman who had recently returned home from Italy.
• Norway confirmed its first case, a person who had returned from China.
• Pakistan confirmed its first case, a 22-year-old man from Sindh province who had traveled to Iran, and also confirmed a second case with no further details.
• Romania confirmed its first case.
• Russia confirmed three more cases, who were passengers on the cruise ship Diamond Princess, bringing the total number to 5.
• Singapore confirmed two more cases, bringing the total number to 93.
• Spain confirmed five more cases including a man who was hospitalised in Seville after testing positive, bringing the total number to 12. This was the first confirmed case in the southern region of Andalusia. Another case was later confirmed in the Canary Islands.
• South Korea confirmed 169 more cases, bringing the total number to 1,146. It also recorded an additional death, increasing its total to 12. In the afternoon, the country reported 115 more infections, bringing the total number to 1,261.
• Sweden reported a new case, the second in the country.
• Taiwan confirmed an additional case, bringing its total to 32.
• Thailand confirmed three additional cases, bringing its total to 40 cases.
• The United States confirmed three new cases- one being a domestic case in California with no travel history, and the other two being former passengers aboard Diamond Princess- bringing the total number to 60.
• Diamond Princess saw 14 new confirmed cases, taking it to 705 cases aboard the ship. It is estimated that more passengers on the ship could be infected than previously thought.
• For the first time, a case was re-imported back to China from another country; the patient traveled from Iran.
• Beijing required foreign travelers arriving from areas affected by COVID-19 to be quarantined for 14 days.
• National measures were introduced to aid business resumption, clamp down on malicious disruptors of traffic and logistics, and prohibit the excessive raising of essential medical supplies or disruption of market order.
• Jilin adjusted its emergency response level to level 2, and Hainan to level 3. Fujian adjusted its level to level 2 or 3 based on the risk of the region.
• Yantai, Shandong will now test all persons entering China from the city for SARS-CoV-2 for free.
• Japanese prime minister Shinzo Abe called for sports and cultural events to be stopped for two weeks. This comes after Japan confirmed its second local death, amid concerns the 2020 Tokyo Olympics could be cancelled. Hokkaido will close schools from 27 February to 4 March, while Tokyo allowed schools to start some classes later.
• As of this date the 2020 Tokyo Olympics shall go ahead as planned, albeit with some adjustments. This comes as major sports are being cancelled (or played behind closed doors, such as with the Japan Davis Cup); the Japan Sumo Association is weighing whether to cancel a sold-out sumo tournament scheduled for 8 March in Osaka.
• Toyota cancelled non-urgent trips for Japan workers as the coronavirus situation worsens. Its production schedule will remain unchanged.
• Spain advised travelers to refrain from going to places like four Italian regions affected, Japan, Iran, South Korea, Singapore and China unless required. Measures will be put in place to slow the spread of the virus.
• Thailand advised travelers to postpone trips to China, Hong Kong, Singapore, Italy, Macau, Taiwan, Iran and some areas in South Korea and Japan. Healthcare workers are not allowed to travel to places affected by COVID-19 unless absolutely necessary, with these workers asked to self-quarantine and adopt enhanced hygiene measures for 14 days.
• The World Health Organisation reported that the number of new cases outside China had exceeded the number of new cases in China for the first time on 25 February, after a spike of cases in Italy, Iran and South Korea with cases in China dropping.
• Ireland's Six Nations Championship match with Italy, which was supposed to be held on the weekend of 6 to 8 March, has been postponed due to the coronavirus, and may be cancelled. This comes after a meeting with health officials led by Simon Harris, the Health Minister.
• The Badminton World Federation announced it has postponed the 2020 German Open and Polish Open tournaments, originally scheduled to be held from 3 to 8 March and 26 to 29 March respectively.
• AnimeJapan 2020 was cancelled.
• Mayor de Blasio press announcement on Coronavirus Preparedness- "No one should take the coronavirus situation lightly. In fact, I think the problem we're seeing in many countries of the world is that there was not an aggressive approach and there was not transparency and there was not a willingness to fully acknowledge the danger. Here in New York City, we took the exact opposite approach. We acknowledged it from day one in a very open manner that allowed us to communicate with our people about what they needed to do. I want to thank New Yorkers. New Yorkers heard the instructions that were offered by our public health officials and they acted on them and our focus right now is on addressing this crisis and ending it, but when the story is told later, New Yorkers will prove that they once again showed strength and resiliency by following through and doing exactly what they need to do to protect themselves and their families and their neighbors. That's part of why we have the situation in this city that we have today, which is clearly better than many other places."
• Chinese authorities confiscated more than 31 million counterfeit surgical masks.
• President Trump and First Lady Melania Trump return to Washington after a two-day trip to India.
• President Trump announces vice-president Mike Pence to be in charge of the U.S. coronavirus response.
• Donald Trump files a lawsuit against The New York Times for libel for saying Russia supported his 2016 campaign.
• Senior ABC correspondent David Wright suspended after video of him admitting bosses spike news important to voters and doesn't 'give Trump credit for what things he does do'

02/27/20

• Austria reported its third case, the first in Vienna.
• Canada confirmed the first human-to-human transmission in Toronto, the husband of the woman who had traveled to Iran, bringing the total cases in the country to 13. The country later reported a presumptive case in Quebec. The patient had travel history to Iran. This presumptive case was the first case in Quebec, bringing the total number to 14.
• China reported through the National Health Commission 433 new cases and 29 new deaths across the mainland. Of those, 409 cases and 26 deaths were in Hubei province.
• Denmark confirmed its first case, a person who had recently returned from Italy.
• Estonia reported its first case, an Iranian man who had recently returned from Iran.
• France reported 20 new cases, raising the number of cases in the country to 38.
• Germany saw another case reported in North Rhine-Westphalia. In the evening it was reported that there were 14 new cases in the same state, bringing Germany's total to 40 cases. The cases rose to 45 by the end of the day.
• Greece confirmed two more cases, the first patient's daughter and another woman in Athens, bringing the total to 3 cases.
• Hong Kong reported two additional cases, both women infected after visiting a Hong Kong temple at the center of a COVID-19 cluster. This took the total number of cases to 93.
• Iran reported that 22 people had now died amid 141 people infected by the virus. The chairman of Iran's National Security Committee, Mojtaba Zolnour, announced he had been infected. Iran later announced an increase to 26 deaths and 245 cases. The country's Vice President for Women and Family Affairs Masoumeh Ebtekar also tested positive.
• Iraq reported a new case associated with travelling to Iran, the sixth in the country and the first in Baghdad. A seventh case was confirmed in Kirkuk later in the day.
• Israel reported an additional case, a person who had traveled to Italy, bringing the total number to 3.
• Italy reported that two more people had died, bringing the death toll to 14. The Civil Protection agency reported the number of confirmed cases had risen from 420 to 528. Later in the day it
• was announced that three more people had died, taking the death toll to 17, and the total confirmed cases had risen to 650. At the end of the day, the total cases rose to 655. Mayor Pietro Mazzocchi of Borgonovo Val Tidone was diagnosed with the virus.
• Japan reported 17 new cases. It confirmed a case involving a recovered patient being reinfected with COVID-19. The total number of local cases had increased to 186. An eighth person died, a Japanese man in his 80s, who lived in the northern-most island of Hokkaido. Additionally, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe asked that all elementary, middle, and high schools shall be closed until late March.
• Kuwait confirmed the total cases in the country were 43, with all having recently traveled to Iran.
• Lebanon reported a third case with the person having traveled from Iran.
• Malaysia confirmed an additional case, a woman who had recently traveled to Japan, bringing the total to 23. That made it the first case to be imported from Japan.
• The Netherlands reported its first case, a person who had been skiing in Italy.
• Nigeria confirmed its first case, an Italian citizen who worked in Nigeria and returned from Milan. It was the first case of coronavirus in sub-Saharan Africa.
• Norway confirmed three additional cases, two in Oslo and one in Bærum, taking the total to four cases. Two returned from Italy and one from Iran.
• Oman reported an additional case, raising the country's total to 5. An additional case was confirmed later that day, who had traveled from Iran.
• San Marino confirmed its first case.
• Singapore confirmed three more cases, bringing the total number to 96.
• South Korea reported 334 new cases, bringing the total number to 1,595. 171 additional cases were later confirmed, taking the total number to 1,766.
• Spain saw a new case reported in Valencia and two more in Madrid. A further case was reported in Barcelona. By the early evening, the total number of confirmed cases had risen to 22. In the evening six additional cases were declared in Valencia.
• Sweden had five new cases confirmed, one in the Uppsala region, three people in Västra Götaland, and one in the Stockholm region.
• Switzerland reported more cases, with a total of six confirmed cases across five cantons. By the end of the day, a total of eight cases had been detected.
• The United Arab Emirates reported the recovery of two patients, and six new cases, bringing the total number to 19. It also saw two suspected cases attached to the UAE Tour, a cycling event, which resulted in the cancellation of the event.
• The United Kingdom confirmed two more cases, contracted in Italy and Tenerife, taking the total to 15 cases. In the evening, a sixteenth case was confirmed, and the first case in Northern Ireland, someone who had come from Italy via Dublin.
• Saudi Arabia banned pilgrims and foreigners from entering the country due to the coronavirus.
• Fiji extends travel ban with Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama announcing that travelers who had been in Italy, Iran and the South Korean cities of Daegu and Cheongdo will be denied entry into Fiji. He also added that thermal scanners will be installed at the country's port of entry. From 28 February, all cruise ships entering Fiji would be required to make first berths at ports in Suva and Lautoka, where passengers will undergo a medical and travel history checks.
• Due to mounting worries about the coronavirus outbreak, various U.S. stock market indices including the NASDAQ-100, the S&P 500 Index, and the Dow Jones Industrial Average posted their sharpest falls since 2008, with the Dow falling 1,191 points, its largest one-day drop since the 2008 financial crisis.
• Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe requested all elementary, junior high, high and special needs schools to close from 2 March until spring break in a bid to stop the virus. He also called for the creation of a national face mask reserve, that would be stocked with potential overproduction of face masks.
• Following the confirmation of the 2nd and 3rd case in Greece, the Health Minister announced that all carnival celebrations in the country will be suspended.
• Australia drew up a pandemic plan in preparation of a bigger spread. It also extended a travel ban on travelers coming from China until 7 March, the third time it has done so.
• The World Health Organisation urged countries not to assume that they will be spared the coronavirus, pointing out that it would be a "fatal mistake" to do so. It also warned that the virus "has pandemic potential".
• Iran cancelled Friday prayers in some cities. Iran has since banned travelers from China entering the country. A ban on conferences, cultural events and closure of cinemas was extended by another week.
• Facebook cancelled the F8 developer conference, which was supposed to be held on 5-6 May.
• British Airways cancels 56 flights to Italy between 14 and 26 March due to the large amount of cancellations.
• Taiwan raised its alert level to the highest after sporadic cases of transmission.
• The Asian Football Confederation announced the postponement of 8 matches of the Champions League group stage originally scheduled for 2-4 March.

02/28/20

• Australia confirmed one additional case, a former Diamond Princess passenger now in Western Australia, bringing the total number to 24.
• Azerbaijan confirmed its first case, a Russian national who recently returned from Iran.
• Bahrain announced three new cases, raising the total to 36. An additional two cases were later confirmed, both having recently traveled from Iran, one being a Saudi Arabian national.
• Belarus confirmed its first case, a student from Iran.
• Canada reported two positive cases in Ontario. One of them had travel history to Iran, while the other had visited Egypt. The total number of cases rose to 16.
• China confirmed an additional 327 new confirmed cases, of which 318 were in the province of Hubei. There were 44 deaths of which 41 were in Hubei, one in Xinjiang and two in Beijing.
• Croatia confirmed two new cases, one being the girlfriend of the first patient and the other the wife of the third patient, bringing the total number to 5.
• Denmark confirmed an additional case, bringing the total number to 2.
• Finland confirmed an additional case, taking it to 3 confirmed cases.
• France announced two new cases, bringing the total number to 40. The total number of cases later rose to 57.
• Georgia confirmed a second case, a citizen who had returned from Italy. More than 18 people were reported to be in quarantine.
• Germany reported cases totalling "almost 60", according to a Health Ministry official.
• Greece confirmed an additional case, who had recently traveled to Italy. This was the country's fourth case.
• Hong Kong confirmed an additional case, a patient from Diamond Princess, bringing the total number to 94.
• Iceland confirmed its first case, a person who had returned from Italy.
• Iran confirmed 143 new cases and 6 more deaths, with a total of 388 cases and 32 deaths. Four MP's had tested positive, an increase from the two who had already announced their cases.
• Iraq confirmed an eighth case, a woman who recently came back from Iran.
• Israel confirmed an additional case, the second in the country- the wife of the previous person diagnosed. Five additional cases were later confirmed, taking the total to 7. One of the new cases was an Israeli who had recovered in Japan, who was diagnosed again after returning.
• Italy reported that four more people had died, bringing the death toll to 21. The number of confirmed cases had risen from 650 (the day before) to 888.
• Japan announced an additional death, bringing the total to 5. They also confirmed 12 new cases in Hokkaido. Japan also later confirmed another death regarding a British native on board Diamond Princess, marking the first foreign victim on the cruise ship.
• Kuwait announced two additional cases, taking its total to 45.
• Lebanon confirmed its fourth case, a Syrian man, the first case of local transmission.
• Lithuania confirmed its first case, a woman who returned from Italy.
• Malaysia confirmed two more cases, bringing the total number to 25.
• Mexico confirmed its first two cases, one in Mexico City and one in Culiacán. Both cases were individuals who recently returned from a trip to Bergamo, Italy.
• Monaco saw the government confirm the first case in the principality.
• New Zealand confirmed its first case, an individual who had returned from Iran to Auckland earlier in the week.
• The Netherlands confirmed its second case.
• Norway confirmed two other cases, with the second having serious implications. First it was confirmed that a person from Bergen, who returned from Italy, tested positive. Later it was confirmed that a person working at Ullevaal Hospital in Oslo also tested positive, after having returned from Italy. According to standard recommendation he was told to go to work, since he had no symptoms, and he had worked with a significant number of patients for a couple of days before testing positive. Norway now has 6 confirmed cases.
• Romania confirmed two new cases, both having recently returned from Italy.
• Singapore confirmed two more cases, bringing the total number to 98.
• Spain confirmed more cases, taking it to 32 cases with 5 in Madrid, 8 in Comunidad Valenciana, 6 in the Canary Islands, 6 in Catalonia, 1 in the Balearic Islands, 6 in Andalucía, 1 in Aragón and 2 in Castilla y León.
• South Korea confirmed 256 new cases, bringing the total number of infected in the country to 2,022. 182 of the new cases were in Daegu. There were three new deaths, raising the number to 16. Later, the number of cases there shot up by 315, bringing the total number to 2,337.
• Sweden confirmed four more cases, raising the country's total to 11.
• Switzerland's cases increased to 15.
• Taiwan confirmed two additional cases, taking its total to 34.
• Thailand confirmed an additional case, taking the overall number to 41.
• The United Kingdom reported its 17th and 18th cases, in people who had traveled from Iran, and its 19th case and the first in Wales, being someone who had traveled from Northern Italy. In the evening, the 20th case was confirmed, the first case of being passed on in the UK from an unknown source.
• The United States confirmed 4 more cases, including 2 former passengers of Diamond Princess. Washington state authorities later confirmed two additional presumptive cases, bringing its total to 66. One had recently returned from South Korea, and the other case was unrelated and locally acquired.
• SARS-CoV-2 was detected for the first time in tears and conjunctival secretions (pink eye) of a patient. This was only detected in 1 out of the 30 patients that were tested. The excerpt from the study stated, "In the study of this small sample, we used conjunctival test paper to obtain tears and conjunctival secretions of 30 patients for standard RT-PCR assay. Only one patient with conjunctivitis found viral RNA in his tear fluid and conjunctival secretion twice."
• In response to New Zealand's first reported case, the New Zealand Government temporarily banned travelers from Iran. The patient had reportedly returned from Iran to Auckland earlier in the week. While New Zealand citizens and permanent residents will be allowed to return, they must self-isolate for 14 days. In addition, the Health Minister David Clark confirmed that Chinese international students would not be allowed to re-enter the country and that there would be an increased health presence at airports.
• Cyprus decided to close four checkpoints on the divided island for a week starting 29 February - the first closure since the crossings between the two sides were eased in 2003 after decades of disputes. The United Nations peacekeeping force on the island, UNFICYP were informed of the decision.
• Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo DisneySea will close from 29 February to 15 March to limit the spread of the virus. Legoland Japan and Universal Studios Japan follow suit.
• Malaysia banned all travelers arriving from South Korea with immediate effect. In addition, Malaysians, permanent residents, and long-term social visit pass and student pass holders returning from Daegu or Cheongdo in the last 14 days must undergo health screening, and separate immigration lanes for travelers from South Korea, Japan, Italy and Iran will be set up.
• South Korean band BTS cancelled their April 2020 Map of the Soul Tour scheduled to be held at the Seoul Olympic Stadium. The band's label Big Hit Entertainment released a statement that is "impossible at this time to predict the scale of the outbreak" and that they "must take into consideration the health and safety of hundreds of thousands of guests as well as our artists."
• According to BBC, internal sources in the Iranian health system stated that at least 210 COVID-19 patients have died in Iran.
• Shopify cancelled the Shopify Unite Conference which supposed to be held on 6 to 8 May in Toronto.
• The Geneva Motor Show scheduled to start on 5 March in Switzerland is cancelled. This comes after Switzerland banned public gatherings of more than 1,000 people to contain the virus.
• In Russia, 88 foreigners in Moscow will be deported for breaking quarantine.
• The Game Developers Conference, which was set to take place in March, has been postponed to an undisclosed date in the summer.
• Japan's Hokkaido declared a state of emergency until 19 March as the number of cases continued to rise, with people asked to stay indoors.
• The World Health Organisation raised the coronavirus alert to the highest level. This comes after more countries confirmed their first cases with the outbreak reaching sub-Saharan Africa.
• A Hyundai factory in Ulsan in South Korea shut down after a case was confirmed involving a worker there.
• In the United States, a school in Washington and another in Oregon, will be temporarily closed. This happens after a staff member in each of the two schools had flu like symptoms, and were found positive for the coronavirus.
• In Japan, authorities asked online auction sites to stop listing face masks, in an effort to prevent mask shortages caused by people buying face masks in bulk to sell them in online auctions.
• Anthony Fauci, Clifford Lane, and Robert R. Redfield via New England Journal of Medicine- "China, the United States, and several other countries have instituted temporary restrictions on travel with an eye toward slowing the spread of this new disease within China and throughout the rest of the world. The United States has seen a dramatic reduction in the number of travelers from China, especially from Hubei province. At least on a temporary basis, such restrictions may have helped slow the spread of the virus."
• National Economic Council Director Larry Kudlow responds from the White House to questions about the coronavirus.
• President Trump holds a rally in North Charleston, South Carolina.
  During the rally, Donald Trump accuses the Democrats of politicizing the coronavirus and says the media are perpetuating a "hoax" as new outbreaks are reported in the United States, Iran, South Korea, and Italy.
  News stories start to run, saying Trump called the virus a hoax, instead of him saying his political opponents are going to use this virus as their latest hoax attack on him
  During the rally, Trump also said- "the Democrat policy of open borders is a direct threat to the health and well-being of all Americans. Now, you see it with the coronavirus."
• President Trump announces on Twitter that he will nominate Rep. John Ratcliffe (R.-TX) to be his director of national intelligence.
• Federal Appeals Court dismisses PragerU suit against Google, rules YouTube is not a 'public forum'
• Europe hit by a massive migrant wave after Turkey opened border crossings. 30,000+ migrants started amassing along the Greek and Bulgarian borders, with Turkish authorities offering free bus rides for illegal migrants to reach border crossings.

02/29/20

• Australia confirmed one more case, bringing the total number to 25.
• Austria confirmed four new cases, bringing the total to 10.
• Azerbaijan reported two new cases, both recently returned from Iran.
• Bahrain confirmed three additional cases, all who had traveled to Iran, bringing the total number to 41.
• Brazil confirmed the second case, a 32-year-old man who arrived from Milan, Italy.
• Canada confirmed four new cases, three in Ontario and one in British Columbia, bringing the total to 20.
• China confirmed 427 new cases- 423 of which were in Hubei province- bringing the total number to 79,251. Deaths increased by 47, to a total of 2,835.
• Croatia confirmed its sixth case, a close relative of the third and fifth patients.
• Denmark confirmed its third case, a person recently returned from a trip to Munich, Germany, where he came into contact with someone who was later determined to have the virus.
• Ecuador confirmed its first case, a woman who recently returned from a trip to Spain.
• France confirmed 16 additional cases, bringing the total number to 73. Additional cases were confirmed, taking the number to 100.
• Georgia confirmed one new case, taking the total number to 3.
• Germany's confirmed cases increased to 66.
• Greece confirmed three new cases, two of which were close contacts of a previous confirmed case, the other had traveled to Italy.
• Iran confirmed 205 new cases, and 9 new deaths, bringing the total to 593 infected and 43 dead.
• Iraq confirmed 5 new cases, bringing the total number to 13. Four of them are in Baghdad and the fifth is in Babil province.
• Ireland confirmed its first case, associated with travel to northern Italy.
• Italy confirmed 239 new cases and 8 new deaths, bringing it to 1,128 cases and 29 deaths.
• Lebanon confirmed three more cases, bringing the total number of cases to seven.
• Luxembourg confirmed its first case.
• Mexico confirmed two more cases, one man in the State of Mexico who participated in the same trip to Bergamo, Italy, that the first two infected made, and a woman in Coahuila who traveled to Milan, Italy, between January and February, bringing the total to 4.
• The Netherlands confirmed four additional cases, bringing the total to 6. A seventh case was later confirmed.
• Norway confirmed nine new cases, bringing the total to 15.
• Pakistan confirmed two mores cases, bringing its total to 4. One is a person from Karachi who had recently traveled to Iran, and the other case was in the Federal Area.
• Qatar confirmed its first case, a Qatari national who had recently returned from Iran.
• Singapore confirmed four more cases, bringing the total number to 102.
• South Korea confirmed 594 more cases, bringing the total number to 2,931. This later increased with another 219 cases declared, bringing the total number to 3,150. Another death was confirmed, bringing the total to 17. The first reinfection case was also confirmed.
• Spain confirmed 26 more cases, bringing the total number to 58.
• Sweden reported two new cases, taking the total to 13.
• Switzerland confirmed 3 more cases, bringing the total number to 18.
• Taiwan confirmed five more cases, bringing the total number to 39.
• Thailand confirmed one more case, bringing the total number to 42.
• The United Kingdom confirmed three additional cases, taking the total to 23.
• The United States confirmed its first death, a man from Washington near the Seattle area. The country also reported two more cases, bringing the total number to 68.
• Vietnamese authorities announced the visa-free policy for Korean citizens to be temporarily invalidated, starting 29 February. Also, medical quarantine was imposed for Korea-related passengers who arrive in Vietnam.
• The United States bans travel from Iran, and increases its travel warnings to Italy and South Korea.
• Iran bans the exporting of soaps, bleaches, and disinfectants to try to reduce shortages. Also in Iran, handwashing has been blamed as the cause of unusually high water consumption in Tehran. Because of high use some areas have had reduced water pressure, with some towns and villages even being temporarily cut of from water. The Tehran Province Water and Wastewater Company has urged residents to try to conserve water and not waste it.
• Azerbaijan shuts down its border with Iran.
• The US-ASEAN Summit in Las Vegas on 14 March, between the U.S. President and ten leading representatives of Southeast Asian countries, was postponed.
• An Iranian Member of Parliament, Mohammad Ali Ramazani, has died due to the coronavirus.
• According to Portugal's General Directorate of Health, Graça Freitas, in the worst-case scenario, Portugal may have one million infections (in a population of roughly more than ten million) over several months of outbreak, 12 to 14 weeks of intense contagion and around 20% severe cases of the total infected population. In this scenario the mortality rate may be around 2.3% to 2.4%. In the most probable scenario is it estimated that Portugal will have around twenty one thousand cases in the most severe week of the outbreak.
• France temporarily banned gatherings of more than 5,000 people to contain the virus, coming after new cases are reported. As a result, the Paris half-marathon is cancelled, and the annual farm show will end today instead.
• Australia will ban travelers arriving from Iran starting 1 March. travelers who do so will be required to stay in another country for 14 days.
• The United Arab Emirates suspends all extracurricular school activities and orders nurseries closed until further notice as measures to prevent the spreading of the virus.
• Several cherry blossom festivals in Japan were cancelled due to fears of the coronavirus spreading uncontrollably.
• Nasa releases new satellite images over China that show air pollution has decreased a large amount due to reduced travel and industrial facilities being closed.
• In Hong Kong, several small surgical mask factories began mass production.
• The Food and Drug Administration declared that other labs besides their own could develop their own coronavirus tests.
  Mayor de Blasio and Health Commissioner Barbot issued statements welcoming the move.
• President Trump gives a speech in Oxon Hill, Maryland to the 2020 Conservative Political Action Conference.
• The United States and the Taliban sign an agreement that may lead to the end of the war in Afghanistan.
• Joe Biden is declared the winner of the 2020 South Carolina Democratic primary.
• Police in Greece fought back to repel thousands of illegal immigrants along the Turkish border. The push back comes as tens of thousands of migrants are beginning to amass along the Turkish-Greek border. Angry migrants pelted stones at Greek guards and attempted to cut through border fences, news reports said. The Greek police fired tear gas in response.

03/01/20

• Armenia confirmed its first case, a 29-year-old man returning from Iran.
• Australia confirmed the first death in the country, a 78-year-old man from the cruise ship Diamond Princess. One additional case was confirmed, bringing the total number to 26.
• Austria confirmed four more cases, bringing the total number to 14.
• Bahrain confirmed six more cases, bringing the total number to 47.
• Canada confirmed four new cases in Ontario, bringing the total number to 24. All four patients have travel history to Iran or Egypt.
• China confirmed 573 new cases; 570 of which were in Hubei province, bringing the total number to 79,824. Deaths increased by 35 to a total of 2,870.
• Czech Republic confirmed the first three cases in the country, individuals that have traveled from Northern Italy.
• Dominican Republic confirmed its first case, a 62-year-old Italian tourist.
• Ecuador confirmed five more cases, bringing the total to six.
• Egypt confirmed one more case, bringing the total number to 2.
• Finland confirmed two more cases related to woman diagnosed on 27 February, bringing the total number to 6.
• France confirmed 30 more cases, bringing the total number to 130.
• Germany confirmed 63 more cases, bringing the total number to 129.
• Hong Kong confirmed three more cases, bringing the total number to 98.
• Iran confirmed 385 new cases with 11 more deaths, bringing the total number to 978 and 54 respectively. A total of 23 members of Parliament of Iran, about 8%, have tested positive for the virus.
• Iraq confirmed six more cases, bringing the total number to 19.
• Israel confirmed three more cases, bringing the total number to 10.
• Italy confirmed 566 new cases and five deaths, bringing the total number to 1,694 and 34 respectively.
• Japan confirmed another death from the coronavirus, bringing the total to 6.
• Malaysia confirmed four more cases, bringing the total number to 29.
• Mexico confirmed one additional case, bringing the total number to 5.
• The Netherlands confirmed three more cases, bringing the total number to 10.
• Saint Barthélemy confirmed its first case.
• Saint Martin confirmed its first case.
• San Marino confirmed seven more cases, bringing the total number to 8. The first death was also confirmed.
• Scotland confirmed its first case.
• Singapore confirmed four more cases, bringing the total number to 106.
• South Korea confirmed 376 more cases, bringing the total number to 3,526. Another 210 cases were later confirmed with the 18th death reported, bringing the total number to 3,736.
• Spain confirmed 26 more cases, bringing the total number to 84. Spain also confirmed its first death due to the outbreak, in Valencia.
• Sweden confirmed one more case, bringing the total number to 14.
• Thailand confirmed its first death from the coronavirus, a 35-year-old retail worker who also had dengue fever.
• The United Kingdom confirmed an additional thirteen cases of the virus, including one person from Essex who had not traveled to any country previously affected by the virus, bringing the total in the country to 35.
• The United States reported the second confirmed death in Washington state. The first cases in Rhode Island, Florida, and New York were confirmed. The authorities confirmed 21 more cases in total, bringing the number to 89.
• Health officials announced the first confirmed case in New York, a woman who contracted the virus while in Iran.
• Authorities in South Korea advised people to stay indoors and not attend any events. In addition, the school break was extended by one week across the country, and three weeks in Daegu.
• Seoul authorities have filed a complaint to prosecutors, asking them to charge the leader of Shincheonji Church of Jesus, Lee Man-hee and 11 others for murder and obstructing efforts to contain the coronavirus.
• In the United States, the American Physical Society cancelled its annual meeting, which was to be held in Denver, Colorado from 2 to 6 March.
• In Japan, one of Sharp Corporation's LCD panel factories will turn some of its production capacity to surgical masks. At end of March it will produce 150,000 masks a day, eventually rising to 500,000 a day. Other Japanese mask makers have increased their production 5-fold, rising from 20 million, to 100 million masks per week, combined.
• Pete Buttigieg (D-IN) withdraws from the 2020 Democratic Party presidential primaries.
• Joe Biden says he will insist that the 2020 Democratic presidential nominee has a majority, not a plurality, of votes at the DNC national convention.
• U.S. District Judge Randolph Moss rules that Ken Cuccinelli was not eligible to serve as acting director of the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services and suspends two policies Cuccinelli implemented while leading the agency.

03/02/20

• Andorra confirmed its first case.
• Australia confirmed four new cases, bringing the total number to 30, including its first human-to-human transmission.
• Bahrain confirmed two more cases, bringing the total number to 49.
• Canada confirmed three more cases, all in Ontario, bringing the total number to 27.
• China confirmed 202 new cases, bringing the total number to 80,026. Deaths increased by 42 to a total of 2,912.
• France confirmed 61 more cases, bringing the total number to 191. The third death was also reported.
• Germany confirmed 21 more cases, bringing the total number to 150.
• India reported its first cases since the initial outbreak. One case was detected in New Delhi, while the other is from Telangana. Another confirmed case was later detected in Jaipur, bringing the total number to 6.
• Indonesian president Joko Widodo announced the first two confirmed cases in the country. The two patients contracted the virus from a Japanese in Depok, who later tested positive in Malaysia. The mother and daughter are now hospitalized in North Jakarta.
• Iran's total cases rose to 1,501 with 66 deaths.
• Iraq confirmed two more cases, bringing the total number to 21.
• Israel confirmed two more cases, bringing the total number to 12.
• Italy confirmed 342 new cases and 18 deaths, bringing the total number to 2,064 and 52, respectively.
• Jordan confirmed its first case.
• Kuwait confirmed ten more cases, bringing the total number to 56.
• Latvia confirmed its first case.
• Morocco saw its first case confirmed.
• The Netherlands confirmed eight new cases, bringing the total number to 18.
• Portugal confirmed its first two cases, one of whom had returned from Italy, the other from Spain.
• Qatar confirmed four new cases, taking their total to 7.
• Russia confirmed one additional case, bringing the total to 6 cases.
• Saudi Arabia confirmed their first case in a citizen who had traveled to Iran and returned to Saudi Arabia via Bahrain.
• Senegal confirmed its first case, where the person had recently traveled from France.
• Singapore confirmed two more cases, bringing the total number to 108.
• South Korea confirmed 476 more cases, bringing the total number to 4,212. Four more deaths were confirmed, bringing the total to 22. Another 123 cases were later confirmed, bringing the total number to 4,335.
• Spain confirmed 36 more cases, bringing the total number to 120.
• Sweden confirmed one more case, bringing the total number to 15.
• Taiwan confirmed one additional case, bringing the total to 41 cases.
• Thailand confirmed one more case, bringing the total number to 43.
• Tunisia confirmed its first case.
• The United Kingdom confirmed three additional cases, taking the total to 39. An original fourth diagnosis of positive of a patient was confirmed later as negative.
• The United States confirmed 13 more cases, bringing the total number to 102. Five more deaths were also confirmed, bringing the total number to 6.
• Wuhan closed its first makeshift hospital, one of the 16 built to contain the epidemic after the last person was discharged. This came as the number of new cases declined.
• The European center for Disease Prevention and Control announced that it has increased the risk level from moderate to high for people in the European Union.
• In the United States, several schools were closed in the state of Washington due to the rise of coronavirus cases.
• The United Kingdom calls an emergency meeting on the virus, as cases there increased by 12.
• The Lower House of the Polish Parliament passed a bill on special measures regarding the spread of the new coronavirus.
• The leader of Shincheonji Church of Jesus, Lee Man-hee, apologised for its role in the outbreak.
• New Zealand extended travel restrictions on Iran and China by seven days. In addition, travelers arriving from northern Italy and South Korea will be required to self-isolate for 14 days.
• The Badminton World Federation announced it has postponed the Portugal International tournament, originally scheduled to be held from 5 to 8 March.
• Bill de blasio- "In fact, the facts are reassuring, all New Yorkers should really pay attention to this. We have a lot of information now. Information is actually showing us things that should give us more reason to stay calm and go about our lives."
• World Health Organization (WHO) via Twitter
  DO- talk about the new #coronavirus disease (#COVID19)
  DON'T- attach locations or ethnicity to the disease, this is not a "Wuhan Virus", "Chinese Virus" or "Asian Virus". The official name for the disease was deliberately chosen to avoid stigmatization
• nature.com- "The species Severe acute respiratory syndrome-related coronavirus: classifying 2019-nCoV and naming it SARS-CoV-2"- An article explaining the naming of the virus (SARS-CoV-2) that produces Covid-19
• President Trump holds a bilateral meeting with Colombian president Iván Duque Márquez at the White House.
• President Trump holds a rally in Charlotte, North Carolina.
• President Trump meets with representatives from numerous pharmaceutical companies in an effort to develop an efficient plan to develop a vaccine and treatments for the coronavirus pandemic in the United States.
• Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) suspends her 2020 presidential campaign and endorses the Joe Biden 2020 presidential campaign.
• Michael Bloomberg pledges carte blanche support for Israel in a speech before AIPAC.
• A report by the British newspaper The Guardian shows that Texas leads the South in closing down voting places, making it more difficult for Democratic-leaning African-Americans and Latinos to vote.

03/03/20

• Argentina confirmed its first case, a patient who had recently returned from Italy.
• Australia confirmed eight more cases, bringing the total number to 38.
• Canada confirmed six more cases, two in Ontario and four in British Columbia, bringing the total to 33.
• Chile confirmed its first case.
• China confirmed 125 new cases, the lowest number of new cases since January, bringing the total number to 80,151. 31 new deaths were also confirmed, bringing the total to 2,943.
• Ecuador confirmed three more cases, bringing the total number to 10.
• France confirmed 21 more cases, bringing the total number to 212. The fourth death was also reported.
• Germany confirmed 38 more cases, bringing the total number to 188.
• Gibraltar confirmed its first case, a person who had traveled back from Northern Italy via Malaga airport.
• Iran confirmed that 23 MPs were diagnosed with the virus. The country confirmed 835 more cases with 11 more deaths, bringing the total number to 2,336 and 77, respectively.
• Ireland confirmed one more case, bringing the total number to 2.
• Italy confirmed 466 new cases and 28 deaths, bringing the total number to 2,502 and 80, respectively.
• Liechtenstein confirmed its first case.
• Malaysia confirmed seven more cases, bringing the total number to 36.
• San Marino confirmed two new cases, bringing the total number to 10.
• Singapore confirmed two more cases, bringing the total number to 110.
• South Korea confirmed 600 more cases, bringing the total number to 4,812. 12 more deaths were also confirmed, bringing the total to 34. 377 more cases were confirmed in the afternoon, along with two more deaths, taking total to 5,186 cases and 36 deaths.
• Spain confirmed the first death in the country, a patient who died on 13 February, making him the earliest recorded death in Europe. The country reported 31 more cases, bringing the total number to 151.
• Sweden confirmed 15 more cases, bringing the total number to 30.
• Ukraine confirmed its first case, a person having traveled from Italy via Romania.
• The United Kingdom confirmed 12 new cases, bringing the total number to 51.
• The United States confirmed three more deaths, bringing the total to 9. The first case of coronavirus in North Carolina was reported, coming from the nursing home in Washington state responsible for the first deaths from the virus. Another case in Florida was presumptively confirmed positive, bringing the total number of Floridian cases to three. The number of cases stood at 126, increasing by 24 from 102.
• Shanghai and Guangdong province will quarantine travelers arriving from coronavirus-hit countries for 14 days.
• South Korean president Moon Jae-in declared war on the epidemic, with more hospital beds and face masks to be made available. More than 30 trillion won will be injected into the economy for support, and government agencies will operate round the clock.
• South Korean CDC officials approve the first test completed by a Korean life science company and approve another test the following day.
• Indonesia plans to build a hospital in Galang Island to treat people with the coronavirus .
• Singapore will ban visitors arriving from South Korea, Iran and northern Italy from 4 March, with Singapore citizens, permanent residents and long-term pass holders returning from these places to be issued Stay-Home Notices (SHN) lasting 14 days. In addition, all travelers entering Singapore with fever or signs of respiratory illness will be required to undergo swab tests, with penalties for refusal. The travel advisery is expanded to include Iran, northern Italy, Japan and South Korea.
• India suspended all visas belonging to citizens of Italy, Iran, South Korea and Japan immediately, along with travelers who went to these places. Authorities advised against non-essential travel to China, Iran, Italy and South Korea, along with medical screening for travelers arriving from 14 places.
• Iran has temporarily released more than 54,000 prisoners due to the spread of the new coronavirus in crowded jails. Iran has also announced plans to mobilise 300,000 soldiers and volunteers against the outbreak.
• Hong Kong arranged four chartered flights to evacuate 533 Hong Kong residents stuck in Hubei province.
• The World Health Organization (WHO) director general has stated that the latest global death rate of the new coronavirus outbreak is far higher than seasonal flu, 3.4% and much less than 1% respectively.
• France has closed about 120 schools in virus-hit areas having the highest number of infections, with more expected to shut in the coming days. Schools in Oise will remain shut until further notice, while schools in Morbihan will remain shut until 14 March.
• Australia will use a little-known biosecurity law (the Biosecurity Act 2015) to restrict the movements of those suspected to have the coronavirus, which since its enactment had only been used for agricultural purposes. This came after cases of community transmission were confirmed there.
• Italy announced that it may set up quarantine red zones to contain the spread of the virus. As a result of the outbreak, a wine fair has been cancelled.
• President Trump speaks to the press concerning the coronavirus pandemic in the United States after Trump was criticized for his delayed response to the virus. Trump also disputed the World Health Organization's (WHO) official mortality rate for the virus of 3.4%, instead claiming the death rate to be "a fraction of 1%.
• Super Tuesday presidential primary elections
  Joe Biden wins Alabama, Massachusetts, Minnesota, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas, and Virginia. Preliminary results place him second in California. He leads with 453 pledged delegates.
  Bernie Sanders (D-VT) wins Colorado, Utah, and Vermont and leads in California. He is in second place with 382 pledged delegates.
  Elizbeth Warren (D-MA) fails to win any states, but she is in third place with 50 pledged delegates.
  Michael Bloomberg has 44 delegates, including four from American Samoa. On March 4 he drops out and endorses Biden.
  Tulsi Gabbard (D-HI)has two delegates from American Samoa.
• The Texas Democratic primary for the Railroad Commission of Texas is expected to be a major test on climate change. No candidate wins the primary, so there will be a runoff on May 26.
• During a meeting of the House Ways and Means Committee, Congressman Bill Pascrell (D-NJ) accuses Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin of lying and breaking the law by hiding President Trump's tax returns.

03/04/20

• Brazil confirmed two more cases, bringing the total number to 4.
• Canada confirmed one more case in British Columbia, bringing the total number to 34.
• China confirmed 119 new cases, bringing the total number to 80,270. 38 new deaths were also confirmed, bringing the total to 2,981.
• Faroe Islands confirmed its first case.
• France confirmed 73 more cases, bringing the total number to 285.
• Germany confirmed 52 more cases, bringing the total number to 240.
• Hong Kong confirmed a case of human-to-animal transmission involving a pet dog.
• Hungary confirmed its first cases, two Iranian students who are asymptomatic.
• India confirmed 23 more cases, including 15 Italian tourists, bringing the total number to 29.
• Iraq confirmed its first death from the coronavirus.
• Italy confirmed 28 more deaths, bringing the total to 107. This made it the highest jump in a single day. The country confirmed 587 new cases, bringing the total number to 3,089.
• Cases in Japan have topped the 1,000 mark (including 706 cases on the cruise ship Diamond Princess which the World Health Organization classifies as being located "on an international conveyance" and not in Japan) with the first confirmed case in Yamaguchi prefecture.
• Malaysia confirmed 14 more cases, bringing the total number to 50.
• New Zealand confirmed its second case of the coronavirus. The infected individual had returned the previous week from Italy with her family on an Air New Zealand flight from Singapore to Auckland.
• Poland confirmed its first case.
• San Marino confirmed five more cases, bringing the total number to 15.
• Singapore confirmed two more cases, bringing the total number to 112.
• Slovenia confirmed its first case. A patient traveled through Italy.
• South Korea confirmed 516 more cases, bringing the total number to 5,328. Another 293 cases were confirmed in the afternoon, bringing the total number to 5,621.
• Sweden confirmed 22 more cases, bringing the total number to 52.
• The United Kingdom confirmed 34 new cases, then Northern Ireland confirmed an additional two, bringing the total number to 87.
• The United States confirmed 11 total deaths, with the first death outside of Washington state in California. California's total of infections has jumped to 51. The country confirmed 33 new cases, bringing the total number to 159.
• Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced the creation of a new cabinet committee to manage "the federal response to the coronavirus disease."
• The Malaysian state of Sarawak bans entry by travelers who had visited Italy, Iran, South Korea, and China in the last 14 days.
• The Portuguese Parliament is due to discuss the outbreak on 4 March, as the Portuguese prime minister António Costa will open the biweekly debate on the theme of "the prevention and containment of the COVID-19 epidemic".
• Thailand has advised travelers arriving from nine countries to self-quarantine and register their addresses. They are Singapore, China (including Hong Kong and Macau), Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Germany, France, Italy, and Iran. The authorities later clarified that quarantine is not compulsory until a high-risk list of countries is finalized.
• Iraq has since shut schools, universities, cinemas, cafes and other public places, which will reopen on 7 March. In addition, authorities have banned mass prayers including on Fridays until further notice.
• French cycling team Cofidis are placed under quarantine in the UAE, lasting until 14 March. This comes after several staff members tested positive for the coronavirus, leading to the cancellation of the UAE Tour.
• The Tokyo government urged residents to refrain from joining in cherry blossom parties in parks in view of the coronavirus.
• Russia banned exports of hazmat suits, masks, and respirators among a list of 17 items to ensure that medics can access these items to treat people. The decree, which was published today, started two days ago and will expire on 1 June. The ban does not cover exports for humanitarian and personal purposes.
• The Australian Football League has moved a game between St Kilda Saints and Port Adelaide Power, originally scheduled on 31 May in Jiangwan Stadium in Shanghai, China to Docklands Stadium in Melbourne, Australia, to be played on 7 June instead.
• The Louvre, a museum in France, reopened after a three-day strike by staff concerned over the coronavirus.
• Italy will close schools and universities until 15 March to contain the virus, with crowd control measures instituted. At the same time, Serie A matches could be played without spectators in a bid to stop the virus.
• Workers in the UK who self-isolate will get statutory sick pay from the first day since being off work.
• UK-based regional airline Flybe collapsed at 10pm GMT and was sent into administration, risking the possible closure of several local airports throughout the UK.
• Saudi Arabia suspended the umrah pilgrimage temporarily for citizens and residents there owing to the coronavirus. It also disallowed visits to the mosque in Medina.
• Japan said that the torch relay for the 2020 Olympics could be adjusted to prevent the spread of the virus.
• Malaysia suspended all autogate and e-gates systems at all checkpoints to deal with the virus.
• In Hong Kong, small business owners started a petition for the government to provide them with HK$6 billion in aid, as they had trouble staying open. The government began to use female prison inmates to produce 180,000 surgical masks per month.
• Emirates removed its charges for changing flight bookings.
• The number of total deaths in the United States from the coronavirus disease is 11. Ten are in Washington state and one is in California.
• 2020 Alabama Republican primary: In the presidential primary, Donald Trump gets 96% of the vote and all 50 delegates; Bill Weld gets 1.5% of the votes. Former attorney general and senator Jeff Sessions will face football coach Tommy Tuberville in a runoff election for the Republican Senate nomination on March 31.
• Medical investigators found nine new cases in New York, including a man from Westchester, his wife & son, a 20-year-old college student in Manhattan; his daughter, 14; and a neighbor who drove the man to the hospital.
  Health Commissioner Bardot tells reporters, "There's no indication that being in a car, being in the subways with someone who's potentially sick is a risk factor, because, again, it goes back to the issue of casual contact."

03/05/20

• Algeria confirmed nine additional cases, bringing the total number to 17.
• Belgium confirmed 27 new cases, bringing the total number to 50.
• Brazil confirmed three new cases, bringing the total to 8.
• Bosnia and Herzegovina confirmed the first two cases in the country.
• Canada confirmed 11 new cases in Ontario, and the first one in Alberta, bringing the total to 45.
• China confirmed 139 new cases, bringing the total number to 80,409. 31 new deaths were also confirmed (all in Hubei), bringing the total to 3,012.
• Ecuador confirmed three more cases, bringing the total number to 13.
• Egypt confirmed the first case in an Egyptian national, who had recently traveled from Serbia via France.
• France registered 92 new confirmed cases, taking the total number of cases to 377. It also saw deaths rise from 4 to 6. This then rose to 423 total cases and 7 deaths. Jean-Luc Reitzer, was the first Assembly member to be diagnosed with the virus.
• Georgia confirmed five new cases, all of whom had recently returned from Italy.
• Germany confirmed 87 new cases, taking it to a total of 349.
• Greece confirmed its tenth case. It later confirmed an additional 21 cases, taking it to a total of 31.
• India confirmed one more case, bringing the total number to 30.
• Iran saw its largest daily increase in cases, with 591 new cases, taking it to a total of 3,513 confirmed cases. It also saw 15 new deaths, increasing its total to 107. Hossein Sheikholeslam, a diplomat and a former member of parliament and Iran's former ambassador to Syria died from the virus.
• Ireland confirmed six new cases, bringing the total number to 13.
• Israel confirmed two new cases, bringing the total to 17. And of these is a bus driver from East Jerusalem who drove a group of Greek tourists in Israel and the West Bank, the other having recently returned from Italy.
• Italy reported 769 new cases and 41 new deaths, bringing the total number to 3,850 and 148 respectively.
• Martinique confirmed its first two cases.
• The Netherlands confirmed 44 new cases, bringing the total number to 82.
• New Zealand confirmed its third case, an Auckland man who had contracted the virus after family members had returned from a trip to Iran. Relatives of the man at two Auckland schools, Auckland Grammar School and Ormiston Junior College, had also been placed into isolation.
• Norway confirmed six new cases, bringing the total number to 66.
• Pakistan confirmed a sixth case, a 69-year-old man in Karachi.
• Palestine reported its first cases in the West Bank city of Bethlehem. Seven staff at a hotel were reported to be infected by visiting tourists from Greece. These tourists were the same ones who the Israeli bus driver was infected from.
• Russia confirmed one more case, bringing the total number to 7.
• Saudi Arabia confirmed three additional cases, bringing the total number to 5.
• Scotland confirmed three more cases, bringing the total to 6.
• Singapore confirmed five more cases, bringing the total number to 117.
• South Africa records its first case in the KwaZulu-Natal province.
• South Korea confirmed 145 more cases, bringing the total number to 5,766. The death toll had reached 35.
• Spain have confirmed that the total amount of cases had risen to 234.
• Sweden confirmed 42 more cases, bringing the total number to 94.
• Switzerland reported its first death from the virus.
• The United Kingdom's total increased to 90. The UK also later confirmed the total number of cases had increased further up to 116, as well as recording the first death in the country, an older patient with underlying health conditions.
• One additional death in Washington State brought the U.S. total to 12. The United States saw a significant increase in cases, with 31 new cases in Washington state. In New York state, cases doubled to 22. Colorado's first two cases were confirmed. In total, the US confirmed 69 more cases, bringing the total number to 228. Three more deaths were reported, bringing the total number to 14.
• South Korea extends a daycare closure across the whole country for two more weeks. On the same day, a new 'special care zone' was declared in Gyeongsan after a spike in cases there.
• Australia banned travelers arriving from South Korea, as well as from mainland China and Iran. Enhanced screening will be conducted on travelers arriving from Italy.
• The Rome Marathon, scheduled for 29 March, was cancelled.
• The Paris Marathon, scheduled for 5 April, was postponed until October 2020.
• Indonesia will ban travelers arriving from the worst-affected regions of Iran, Italy and South Korea from 8 March. Indonesians who arrive from these places will undergo a health examination.
• The Catholic Church of Singapore will resume services on 14 March with precautions in place.
• In a dramatic shift, de Blasio declared, "What we do know is when you have a community-spread dynamic, you have to assume it could be anywhere in the city. So, we are going to work on an assumption of the intense vigilance."
• New York Health Commissioner Bardot directed anyone arriving in the city from China, Iran, Italy, South Korea, or Japan to isolate themselves for 14 days.
• The Attorney General of New York warns televangelist Jim Bakker against profiting off an unproven cure for the novel coronavirus.
• The Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) 2020 presidential campaign ends after a dismal showing on Super Tuesday.
• Former Congressman Aaron Schock (R-IL), a leading anti-LGBTQ voice while in Congress, comes out as gay.
• Climate Justice Warriors in Hawaii protest against a wind energy project being built near a small village

03/06/20

• Austria announced 13 new cases, taking its total to 55.
• Belgium confirmed 59 new cases, bringing the total to 109.
• Bhutan announced its first case, an American tourist who had recently also traveled to India after leaving the United States on 18 February.
• Brazil confirmed five new cases, bringing the total number to 13.
• Cameroon confirmed its first case, a French citizen.
• Canada confirmed four new cases in Ontario, bringing the total to 51 with 26 from Ontario. A husband and wife returned from the cruise ship Grand Princess in California and two men returned from Iran and Las Vegas.
• China confirmed 143 new cases, bringing the total number to 80,552. 30 new deaths were also confirmed, bringing the total to 3,042. Hubei had no cases as a result. In addition, the country detected 4 new cases in Beijing, all visiting Italian nationals.
• Colombia confirmed its first case, a woman who recently traveled from Italy.
• Costa Rica has confirmed its first case involving an American patient from New York.
• Egypt confirmed 12 additional cases, bringing the total number to 15.
• France confirmed 190 new cases and two additional deaths, bringing the total to 613 cases and 9 deaths.
• Germany confirmed 185 new cases, taking it to a total of 534. 105 more cases were later confirmed, bringing the total number to 639.
• The cruise ship Grand Princess announced it had 21 people on board testing positive.
• Greece confirmed 14 additional cases.
• Iceland confirmed six additional cases, bringing the total to 43.
• India confirmed one more case, bringing the total number to 31.
• Indonesia confirmed two more cases, bringing the total number to four.
• Iran confirmed 1,234 new cases and 16 new deaths, taking its totals up to 4,747 cases and 124 deaths. They also reported 913 people had recovered.
• Italy announced 778 new cases and 49 new deaths.
• Malaysia confirmed 28 new cases, the largest daily increase in the country's number of confirmed cases. This took the country's total to 83.
• The Netherlands reported its first death, and 44 new cases, bringing it to a total of 128 cases.
• New Zealand confirmed its fourth case: a man who is the partner of the second case confirmed on 3 March.
• North Macedonia confirmed two additional cases, taking its total to 3.
• Peru confirmed its first case.
• Poland confirmed four additional cases (two people that traveled from Italy, one person who traveled from United Kingdom and one person who traveled from Germany with the first case confirmed day earlier), taking their total to 5.
• Portugal confirmed four additional cases (three in Porto and one in Lisbon), bringing the total to 13. All three cases in Porto have a connection with Italy.
• Qatar confirmed three new cases, taking it to a total of 11.
• Russia confirmed six more cases, bringing the total number to 13.
• Serbia confirmed its first case.
• Singapore confirmed 13 new cases, bringing the total number to 130. This is the largest increase of cases in a single day so far.
• Slovakia confirmed its first case.
• Spain confirmed 104 additional cases, bringing the total number to 360.
• Sweden confirmed 43 additional cases, bringing the total number to 137.
• Switzerland announced 123 additional cases, raising it to a total of 210 cases and one fatality.
• Togo confirmed its first case.
• In the United Kingdom, the total number of cases were confirmed as 163, a rise of 47 and the highest day-on-day increase.
• In the United States, the first three cases were confirmed in the state of Maryland. Two deaths in Florida were confirmed. Officials in the US state of Hawaii have confirmed their first case, a former passenger of the cruise ship Grand Princess. In total, the US confirmed 104 more cases, bringing the total number to 332. One more death in Washington State plus two in Florida brought the total number of U.S. deaths to 17. WHO has different data: 19 new cases, 148 in total. 1 new death, 10 in total.
• The Vatican City confirmed its first case.
• Vietnam confirmed one more case, bringing the total number to 17. It was the first case in three weeks.
• Russia isolated 700 people in St. Petersburg, including many students, due to contact with an Italian student who had been diagnosed the day before.
• Bhutan banned all tourists from arriving in the country for two weeks with immediate effect. This comes after its first confirmed case. Schools will also be closed for two weeks in the Dzongkhags of Thimphu, Paro and Punakha, and international conferences and seminars are postponed.
• After India confirmed its 31st case, India ordered all international passengers to be screened upon entry to the country.
• Samsung Electronics moved all of its phone production from Gumi, South Korea to a factory in Vietnam, as production was constantly being stopped and six workers at the Gumi factory had already contracted the virus.
• In Panama, the Health Ministry (Minsa) enabled a hotline (169) to allow people who potentially has coronavirus to consult a doctor. On the same day, it was announced that over 800 people are under medical surveillance, and 30 people had tested negative for the virus. The Minsa also advised against using a surgical mask, as it could cause paranoia within society. Panama has also further enhanced its screening measures at all points of entry.
• In the US, several states introduced measures that order health insurance to not charge people usual fees (co-payment, co-insurance) associated with COVID-19 related healthcare visit or COVID-19 laboratory tests.
• Several events were cancelled too.
• In Austin, Texas, the major music and media festival SXSW has been cancelled for the first time in its 34-year history, a local disaster having been declared despite there being no coronavirus cases in the city itself.
• In Seattle, Washington, the Emerald City Comic Con has been cancelled and postponed until summer.
• DC Comics cancelled all March convention events, and several Jewish institutions in New York City, most notably Yeshiva University, either closed or took other prophylactic measures. Miku Expo's North American tour dates have also been postponed.
• TwitchCon Europe 2020, scheduled to take place in Amsterdam from 2-3 May 2020 was announced to be cancelled as a precautionary measure.
• Vis Moot competition, scheduled for April 2020 in Vienna, was cancelled and moved to an online platform.
• The three-day International Indian Film Academy Awards (IIFA) (dubbed Bollywood's Oscars), supposed to be held from 27 to 29 March, has been delayed due to fears of the coronavirus.
• Mayor Bill de Blasio blamed President Trump for the city's severe shortage of COVID-19 supplies even though City Hall didn't secure its first order for emergency protective gear until today. See 02/07/20
• Mayor de Blasio press conferrence on COVID-19- "Obviously, this is this a new reality of community spread. So the fact is, even compared to a few days ago, we have a very different reality. When we began the week, our focus was on people who had traveled to effected countries overseas and those who had come in contact with people who traveled to those countries. What's happened in just the last few days is the initiation of community spread, meaning that these cases now are coming from within our communities in an untraceable fashion. That's going to lead to a series of changes."
• President Trump signs the Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Supplemental Appropriations Act into law.
• While visiting the CDC center in Atlanta, Georgia, President Trump praises the CDC's response to the coronavirus. Trump also calls Washington state governor Jay Inslee "a snake" for criticizing his response to the coronavirus pandemic after Inslee called on Trump to "[stick] to the science and [tell] the truth".
• The same day, Vice President Mike Pence praised Washington Governor Jay Inslee for his efforts to control the outbreak of the coronavirus
• President Trump fires acting Chief of Staff Mick Mulvaney and announces Rep. Mark Meadows (R-NC) as his replacement.
• The Donald Trump 2020 presidential campaign sues CNN for libel.
• The Tulsi Gabbard (D-HI) 2020 presidential campaign appeals to Joe Biden and Bernie Sanders to support her participation in the March 15 presidential debate after a change in DNC rules denies her a spot.
• Five senior members of the Atomwaffen Division right-wing hate group are charged with federal crimes in two cases across four states.
• Ken Roth, the head of Human Rights Watch (HRW), allegedly took close to half a million dollars in Saudi donations "by promising
• not to support advocacy" of gay rights in the Muslim-dominated Middle East and North Africa
• Archive of secret Iranian nuclear documents draws fresh scrutiny as Tehran stockpiles enriched uranium
• Saudi Authorities Launch New Crackdown On Crown Prince's Opponents and arrested members of the country's ruling royal family

03/07/20

• Afghanistan confirmed three additional cases, taking the total to 4.
• Argentina confirmed its first death, also the first in South America, a 64-year-old man who had traveled to Paris.
• Bahrain confirmed 19 new cases, taking the total number to 79.
• Belgium confirmed 60 additional cases, bringing the total number to 169.
• Brazil confirmed six new cases of COVID-19, raising the total number to 19.
• Canada confirmed six additional cases, taking the total to 57.
• Egypt confirmed 33 new cases on a Nile cruise ship.
• France's total rose to 949 cases and 16 deaths.
• Germany confirmed 45 new cases, taking it to a total of 684. Another 116 cases were later confirmed, bringing the total number to 800.
• Iran confirmed 1,076 new cases and 21 additional deaths, taking it to a total of 5,823 infected and 145 dead. They also confirmed 16,000 cases were hospitalised as suspect cases and 1,669 cases had recovered. Another MP, Fatemeh Rahbar, died. She had recently been elected to the parliament.
• Iraq confirmed 8 new cases taking the total to 46.
• Italy confirmed 1,247 new cases and 36 new deaths.
• Maldives confirmed its first cases, two overseas hotel employees.
• Malaysia confirmed 10 more new cases, bringing the total number to 93.
• Malta reported its first three cases, an Italian family who are residents in Malta. They had gone on holiday to northern Italy and had been in self-quarantine before being tested for the coronavirus. They are now in isolation at Mater Dei Hospital.
• Moldova confirmed its first case, a patient taken to hospital after arriving on a flight from Italy.
• New Zealand confirmed its fifth case of the coronavirus: a woman who was the partner of the third COVID-19 case confirmed in New Zealand.
• Paraguay confirmed its first case.
• Peru confirmed five more cases, bringing the total to six.
• Poland confirmed an additional case, bringing the total to 6.
• Singapore confirmed eight more cases, bringing the total number to 138.
• South Korea confirmed 274 new cases and 4 new deaths, taking total cases to 7,041.
• Spain confirmed 70 new cases and 2 deaths. The total number of cases was now 516 cases.
• The United Arab Emirates confirmed 15 additional cases, taking its total to 45.
• In the United Kingdom, 42 additional cases and one additional death were confirmed, taking the total to 206 cases and 2 deaths. 3 additional cases were confirmed in Northern Ireland later in the day, taking the total to 209 cases.
• In the United States, the number of deaths rose to 19 with 16 in Washington, 1 in California, and 2 in Florida. The total for the country increased to 444 confirmed cases. WHO has different data: 65 new confirmed cases, totalling 213. And 1 new death, 11 in total.
• Vietnam confirmed three new cases, bringing the total number to 20.
• The Xinjia Express Hotel in Quanzhou City, Fujian Province, China collapsed while containing dozens of close contacts of people with coronavirus. 29 people died as a result.
• The International Ice Hockey Federation cancelled the Women's World Championship, scheduled from 31 March to 10 April in Canada, due to concerns about the coronavirus.
• In Singapore, the People's Association suspends activities and classes and activities attended by confirmed cases for 14 days, as well as all singing classes.
• The Trump administration ignores CDC recommendation that elderly people should be advised to avoid commercial air flights in response to the coronavirus.
• Trump goes golfing at Trump International Golf Course in West Palm Beach, Florida
• President Trump holds a working dinner with Brazilian president Jair Bolsonaro at Mar-a-Lago.

03/08/20

• Albania confirmed the first two cases in the country.
• Austria confirmed 25 additional cases, taking its total to 104.
• Bahrain confirmed 17 new cases, taking the total to 94.
• Bangladesh confirmed its first three cases, two people who had come from Italy separately, and a contact of one of the cases.
• Belgium confirmed 31 additional cases, bringing the total number to 200.
• Brazil confirmed six new cases of COVID-19, raising the total number in the country to 25.
• Bulgaria confirmed its first four cases.
• Canada confirmed 12 new cases, bringing the total number to 69.
• Egypt confirmed its first death (and the first death in Africa)- a German national who was hospitalised on 1 March and then suffered respiratory failure caused by acute pneumonia on 7 March.
• France confirmed that the number of cases had risen to 1,126 and 19 deaths. Elisabeth Toutut-Picard became the second Assembly member to be diagnosed with the virus.
• Germany's cases rose to over 1,000 with 1,018 cases confirmed.
• Hong Kong confirmed four new cases, taking the total to 114, and a third death.
• India confirmed five additional cases, all in Kerala. This took the country's total up to 39.
• Indonesia confirmed two additional cases, taking them to 6 cases. One of the new cases is a male crew member from the Diamond Princess.
• Iran confirmed 49 additional deaths, the highest daily toll in the country, taking it to a total of 194 deaths. Total cases have risen to 6,566, an increase of 743.
• Israel confirmed 11 additional cases, taking its total to 29.
• Italy confirmed an additional 1,492 cases and 133 deaths, taking it to a total of 7,375 cases and 366 deaths.
• Kuwait confirmed an additional case, taking its total to 62.
• Latvia confirmed an additional case.
• Lebanon confirmed four more cases, bringing the total number to 32.
• Malaysia confirmed an additional six cases, taking the total to 99.
• Poland confirmed two additional cases, taking the total to 8. In the evening, three more cases were confirmed, bringing the total number to 11.
• Portugal confirmed four additional cases.
• Qatar confirmed three additional cases, taking their total to 15.
• Saudi Arabia confirmed four additional cases, bringing the total number to 11.
• Singapore confirmed 12 new cases, bringing the total number to 150.
• Spain announced the new total was 616 cases, along with 17 deaths, an increase of seven.
• South Africa confirmed its third case, the wife of the first diagnosed case.
• South Korea confirmed an additional 93 new cases, taking its total to 7,134 and two additional deaths.
• Switzerland confirmed there are now 332 confirmed cases, with all those people placed in isolation. There have been two deaths.
• The United Kingdom announced an increase of 64 new cases, taking it to a total of 273 cases. The UK also confirmed the third death in the country. Five new cases were additionally confirmed in Northern Ireland.
• The United States confirmed 120 more cases, bringing the total number to 564. Two more deaths were confirmed, bringing the total number to 21. According to WHO, the number of confirmed cases was 213, total deaths 11. No new cases, no new deaths were recorded.
• Vietnam confirmed ten more cases, bringing the total number to 30.
• Organizers of the Bahrain Grand Prix, which is the second round of the 2020 Formula One World Championship, decided to hold the 2020 event without any spectators permitted.
• Italy placed more than 16 million people under quarantine in Lombardy and 14 other central and northern provinces, together with closure of schools, gyms, museums, nightclubs and other venues across the country.
• The President of Portugal canceled all his public activities and will stay at home in a self-imposed quarantine after receiving a group of students from a school which has since been closed following the detection of a student with COVID-19.
• France banned gatherings of over 1000 people in a bid to curb the spread of the virus.
• All schools and universities in Saudi Arabia have been closed until further notice to control the spread of the virus.
• Qatar bans passagers from Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Philippines, Iran, Iraq, Lebanon, South Korea, Thailand, Nepal, Egypt, China, Syria and India amid fears of spread of the virus.
• Twitter applies new "manipulated media" label for the first time on an edited video of Joe Biden that President Donald Trump retweeted.
• Mayor de Blasio press conferrence- De Blasio discouraged handshakes and demonstrated the "elbow tap" with Fire Commissioner Daniel Nigro.
  "Based on the information we have today we are not, not altering our stance on public events. But we are making clear, people, I think it's straightforward and obvious, but it bears being said in a straightforward fashion. If you are sick, you shouldn't be going to a public event..."
  Beyond that recommendation, large public gatherings were still permitted.
• Trump goes golfing at Trump International Golf Course in West Palm Beach, Florida

03/09/20

• Australia's number of confirmed cases rose to 80, with six additional cases.
• Bahrain confirmed an additional 24 cases, taking the total to 118.
• Belgium confirmed 39 additional cases, bringing the total number to 239.
• Brazil confirmed five new cases in the state of Rio de Janeiro, raising the total number to 30.
• Brunei's health ministry confirmed a first case of a local man who returned from Kuala Lumpur on 3 March. Symptoms began on 7 March and preliminary tests indicate the patient is positive.
• Canada recorded its first COVID-19-related death. The country also confirmed ten more cases, bringing the total number to 79.
• Colombia confirmed two additional cases.
• Cyprus confirmed its first two cases.
• Finland confirmed seven new cases.
• France saw Guillaume Vuilletet and Sylvie Tolmont confirmed as infected deputies, before Michèle Victory became the fifth deputy of the Assembly to be diagnosed with the virus. The number of cases increased to 1,412. It was also confirmed that the culture minister, Franck Riester, had tested positive.
• Germany reported its first deaths with two fatalities. Cases increased to 1,176.
• Guernsey confirmed its first case.
• Hungary confirmed two new cases.
• India confirmed five additional cases, taking the total to 44.
• Indonesia confirmed 13 additional cases, bringing the total number to 19.
• Iran announced an update to the total cases to 7,161, with a revised number of deaths to 237. New infections are 595 new cases and 43 additional deaths. Those recovered has reached 2,394.
• Ireland confirmed three additional cases, taking the country's total to 24.
• Italy saw confirmed cases rise to 9,172 and deaths to 463.
• Kuwait announced three additional cases, taking it to a total of 65.
• Lebanon reported nine new cases, taking the total to 41.
• Malaysia confirmed 18 new cases, taking it to 117.
• The Netherlands announced 56 additional cases.
• Nigeria confirmed its second case, a Nigerian who had contact with the Italian first case.
• Norway declared 11 additional cases. By the end of the day 227 cases had been confirmed.
• Oman reported two additional cases, both of whom had traveled to Iran. This took the country's total to 18, 17 of whom had traveled to Iran and one to Italy.
• Panama announced its first COVID-19 case, a 40 year old Panamanian woman from Spain.
• The Philippines confirmed 10 additional cases, doubling the current country count to 20. Another four cases were later confirmed, bringing the total number to 24.
• Pakistan saw nine new cases, bringing the total number to 16.
• Poland confirmed five more cases, bringing the total number to 16.
• Saudi Arabia confirmed four additional cases, increasing the total to 15.
• Scotland confirmed five additional case, bringing the total to 11.
• Singapore confirmed 10 more cases, bringing the total number to 160.
• South Africa confirmed another four cases, bringing the total number to 7.
• South Korea confirmed an additional 96 cases, taking it to a total of 7,478.
• Spain's numbers increased to 1,231 cases with 30 deaths, with 32 people having recovered.
• Sweden confirmed 45 additional cases, taking its total to 203. This later rose to 252 cases including the first confirmed local transmission case.
• Switzerland confirmed 42 new cases, rising to a total of 374.
• The United Arab Emirates reported 14 additional cases, taking its total to 59. Four were Emiratis and the remainder from various other nationalities.
• The United Kingdom's confirmed cases increased by two, with the confirmation of cases in Wales. Figures released in the afternoon showed the UK had risen to 317 cases. A fourth death was reported, and then a fifth.
• The United States confirmed 153 additional cases, bringing the total number to 717. Five more deaths were reported, bringing the total number to 26. According to WHO, the number of confirmed cases is 213, total deaths 11. No new cases, no new deaths were recorded.
• Vietnam confirmed an additional case, taking its total to 31.
• 11 out of 16 makeshift hospitals set up in Wuhan were closed after discharging their last person, with the most recent being a converted sports center and a factory. This comes as the number of cases continued to drop.
• Italy imposes a country-wide quarantine, restricting travel except for necessity, work, and health circumstances. As a result, people flocked to the supermarkets and prison riots erupted.
• Romania bans the flights to and from Italy until 23 March. In addition, all schools in Romania are closed from 11 to 22 March.
• Seychelles announced a temporary closing for cruise ships.
• Stock markets crash worldwide in reaction to the coronavirus outbreak and falling oil prices.
• The BNP Paribas Open tennis tournament, originally scheduled to take place in March in Indian Wells, California, United States, was cancelled after a confirmed case is reported in the local area.
• In Panama, the Panama Metro began to clean its trains more frequently, using different disinfectants. The Minsa also announced that 1,073 people are under medical surveillance.
• Re:ZERO Season 2 was delayed
• Former Wells Fargo Chairwoman Elizabeth "Betsy" Duke and James Quigley resign three days before House Committee on Financial Services hearings on the Wells Fargo account fraud scandal.
• President Trump proposes a payroll tax (FICA) cut to stimulate the economy. Democrats oppose the idea, proposing paid sick leave and infrastructure spending instead.
• Bernie Sanders during presidential campaign public town hall interview, questions about Coronavirus:
  Bret Baier: If you had to, would you close down the borders?
  Bernie Sanders: No. What you don't want to do right now when you have a president who has propagated xenophobic, anti-immigrant sentiment from before he was elected. What we need to do is have the scientists take a hard look at what we need to do. There are communities where the virus is spreading. What does that mean? It may mean self-quarantine, maybe not having public assemblies.
  But let's not go back to the same old thing. Isn't it interesting that a president who has been demagoguing and demonizing immigrants, the first thing that he can think about is closing down the border. So we need scientists to tell us the appropriate approach, not a political approach.

03/10/20

• Australia reported 14 new cases, taking the country to a total of 107.
• Austria confirmed 25 additional cases, taking the total to 182.
• Bahrain confirmed one additional case, taking the total to 119.
• Belgium confirmed 28 new cases, bringing the total number to 267.
• Bolivia confirmed its first cases, two women who had been in Italy, arriving the country without showing any symptoms.
• Brazil confirmed four new cases, including the first case in Rio Grande do Sul, raising the total number to 34.
• Brunei confirmed six cases.
• Bulgaria confirmed two additional cases, bringing the total to 6.
• Burkina Faso confirmed its first cases with two infections, a couple who had returned from France in February.
• China saw only 19 new infections, 17 in Wuhan and 2 imported from overseas. 17 deaths were reported in Hubei.
• Democratic Republic of Congo reported its first case, a foreigner who flew into Kinshasa from Belgium who tested positive on arrival and was isolated. It was later confirmed by the Ministry of Health that the information they had originally released was incorrect and that that the first case was rather a Congolese citizen returning From France, who had contacted the Health Services two days after his arrival in Congo and had been quarantined in a local neighbourhood.
• Denmark confirmed 174 additional cases, taking it to 264 cases (including two in the Faroe Islands).
• France saw cases rise to 1,784 people and 33 people dead, with 86 people in a serious condition.
• Georgia confirmed eight additional cases, bringing the total to 23.
• Germany's number of case rose to 1,565, with the death roll remaining at 2. 341 new cases were reported in the previous 24 hours.
• Greece confirmed five new cases, bringing the total number to 89.
• Hong Kong confirmed an additional five cases, taking the total to 120 confirmed and 1 assumed case.
• India saw 18 additional cases, many in Kerala, taking the total to 62.
• Indonesia confirmed eight more cases, bringing the total number to 27.
• Iran's confirmed cases rose to 8,042 and deaths rose to 291.
• Ireland reported 10 additional cases, bringing the total number to 34.
• Israel confirmed seven more cases, taking the total to 58.
• Italy saw an increase of cases to 10,149, with deaths rising to 631.
• Jamaica confirmed its first case, a Jamaican national who traveled to the country from the United Kingdom.
• Japan confirmed 59 new cases and three new deaths.
• Jersey confirmed its first case, a person who returned from Italy.
• Kuwait announced four additional cases, increasing the total number to 69.
• Lebanon confirmed its first death from the virus.
• Malaysia confirmed 12 additional cases, taking the total to 129.
• Moldova confirmed two additional cases, taking the total to 3. The male and female, have both visited Italy in late February.
• Mongolia announced its first COVID-19 case.
• Morocco confirmed its first death, and two additional cases.
• The Netherlands confirmed 61 additional cases and a fourth death.
• Northern Cyprus reported its first case, a 65-year-old German woman who was visiting as a tourist.
• Norway confirmed 147 new cases, with total cases now standing at 374.
• Panama announced its first death and seven new cases, bringing the total number to 8.
• Pakistan confirmed an additional case, bringing the total to 20.
• Palestine recorded an additional case, taking the total to 26.
• The Philippines confirmed nine more cases, bringing the total number to 33. This comes after the tally was erroneously reported as 35.
• Poland confirmed eight additional cases, taking the total to 22.
• Qatar confirmed six additional cases, taking it to 24 confirmed cases.
• Romania confirmed eight additional cases, bringing the total number to 25.
• Russia confirmed four additional cases, bringing the total to 17.
• San Marino confirmed 11 new cases, taking it to a total of 62 cases and two deaths.
• Saudi Arabia confirmed ten additional cases, taking the total to 20.
• Scotland confirmed 7 new cases, bringing the total to 18.
• Serbia confirmed three additional cases, taking the total to 5.
• Singapore confirmed six more cases, bringing the total number to 166.
• Slovenia confirmed 15 additional cases.
• Spain confirmed 415 new cases and five new deaths. The total number of cases rose to 1,674.
• Sweden reported 78 new cases, taking the country's total to 326.
• Tunisia announced an additional three cases, taking the total to 5.
• Turkey confirmed its first case.
• The United Arab Emirates confirmed 15 additional cases, taking the total to 74.
• The United Kingdom confirmed 54 additional cases, taking it to 373 cases with six confirmed deaths. Later this increased to 382 cases with the nine additional cases in Wales. Nadine Dorries, Health Minister, was diagnosed with the virus.
• The United States confirmed 283 additional cases, bringing the total number to over 1,000. Five more deaths were reported, bringing the total number to 31.
• Vietnam confirmed three new cases, bringing the total number to 34.
• Chinese Communist Party general secretary Xi Jinping visits Wuhan and issues a statement claiming that COVID-19 has been eradicated in Wuhan and Hubei province.
• Mongolia put multiple cities, including its capital Ulaanbaatar, under quarantine until 16 March after the country's first case was confirmed.
• The Malaysian state of Sabah bans travelers from Iran and Italy from entering. The ban applies to all foreign travelers who have traveled to Iran and Italy within the last 14 days including Malaysians who are non-residents of Sabah.
• All primary and secondary schools in the Czech Republic were closed.
• In Greece, all primary and secondary schools, universities and cram schools (known in Greece as frontistirio) were closed for two weeks, starting from 11 March until 24 March. Because 25 March is the national holiday for the Greek War of Independence, schools will reopen on 26 March. These preventive measures were taken in order to limit the spread of coronavirus in Greece. However, according to the Greek minister of education, Niki Kerameus, the school year may be extended if the measures for the closure of all schools get extended. Additionally, the Greek ministry of education prepared a plan to cover up for the lost school days. Among others, this plan includes an extension of the school year, a reduction of the school lessons' duration in 35 minutes in order to increase the teaching hours each day, reduction of Easter holidays, distance learning and cuts on the curriculum. Furthermore, the postponement of university entrance exams from June to July or September is also considered, while the military and student parades across Greece on 25 March were cancelled.
• Panama suspended the school year in Panama City, and activities involving large amounts of people until 7 April. The school year suspension in other parts of the country was set to last until 20 March, but it was later extended to 7 April. The Minsa also announced that 66 people were under medical surveillance.
• RuPaul's DragCon LA 2020, which supposed to take place on 1 to 3 May in Los Angeles has been cancelled. The fate of RuPaul's DragCon in NYC and UK is currently unknown.
• Polish archbishop, the President of the Polish Episcopal Conference said that Polish churches should increase the number of masses, so that fewer people will attend at once.
• The Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (Also known as Rojava), closed a border crossing underneath its control with neighboring Iraq. The Administration also released a statement asking European journalists following the Syrian Civil War not to visit parts of Syria underneath its control, and that medical checks would be done at all crossings into their territory in response to the Coronavirus.
• Singapore's Ministry of Health announced a suspension of activities for seniors from 11 March for 14 days. This comes after many people went out while unwell. In addition, social distancing will be implemented for other activities. Senior care services will continue running with additional precautions.
• Bill de blasio- "For the vast majority of New Yorkers, life is going on pretty normally right now; we want to encourage that," De Blasio told MSBNBC. "We have to look out for people here, especially those who are over 50 years old and have pre-existing conditions, like lung disease, heart disease, cancer, diabetes. These are the folks we really, really need to be careful for. But if you're under 50 and you're healthy, which is most New Yorkers, there's very little threat here. This disease, even if you were to get it, basically acts like a common cold or flu. And transmission is not that easy. I think there has been a misperception that Coronavirus hangs in the air, waiting to catch you. No. It takes direct person-to-person contact, direct transmission of fluids."
• President Trump presents the Medal of Freedom to General Jack Keane.
• Six Democratic primaries and caucuses
  Kansas City mayor Quinton Lucas (D) says he was not allowed to vote in the Missouri Democratic primary at his regular polling place.
  Joe Biden defeats Bernie Sanders in the Michigan Democratic primary.

03/11/20

• Albania reported three new cases, taking the country's total to 15. The first death in the country was also reported.
• Armenia confirmed three new cases, bringing the total number to 4.
• Australia reported 19 new cases, taking the country to a total of 126.
• American actor Tom Hanks and wife Rita Wilson were diagnosed with the illness during the filming of the Baz Luhrmann's upcoming-biographical film Elvis in Australia.
• Austria confirmed 24 additional cases, taking the total to 206.
• Bahrain confirmed 77 additional cases, citizens evacuated from Iran on a flight. This brought the country's total to 189.
• Belgium reported its first death.
• Bosnia and Herzegovina confirmed seven additional cases.
• Brazil confirmed 34 additional cases, raising the total number to 69.
• Bulgaria reported its first death. It also confirmed one additional case, bringing the total to 7.
• China confirmed 11 new cases across the Mainland, in addition to 13 new cases and 22 new deaths in Hubei province.
• Colombia confirmed three additional cases, bringing the total to 6. Later on the same day, three more cases were confirmed, bringing the total to 9.
• Cuba confirmed its first three cases.
• Denmark confirmed 180 additional cases, raising the total to 442.
• Egypt confirmed seven additional cases, six of whom were Egyptian. The country now has 67 cases of which eight have recovered.
• France reported 487 new cases and 15 fatalities, for a total of 2,281 cases and 48 deaths.
• French Polynesia reported its first case. The patient is Maina Sage, a member of the French National Assembly.
• Georgia reported five additional cases, increasing the total to 23.
• Germany saw its cases rise to 1,908.
• Greece confirmed 10 additional cases, taking the country's total to 99, 95 of whom are Greek and 4 are foreign nationals.
• Honduras confirmed its first two cases, one patient from Spain and one from Switzerland.
• Indonesia confirmed seven more cases, bringing the total number to 34. Its first death was also reported, confirmed by the United Kingdom's Foreign and Commonwealth Office as a 53-year-old female British national.
• Iran announced that there are now 9,000 infected, with 354 deaths. New infections were 958 with 63 additional deaths. Those recovered total 2,959. Iran's first vice president, Eshaq Jahangiri was reported infected.
• Ireland confirmed nine additional cases and the first death in the country from the virus.
• Israel confirmed 97 cases.
• Italy announced 2,313 new cases and 196 new deaths. Total cases stood at 12,462, with deaths at 827. It was also confirmed Juventus and Italian footballer Daniele Rugani had tested positive for coronavirus.
• Ivory Coast declared its first case, a local citizen who had recently been in Italy.
• Kuwait reported three additional cases, bringing its total to 72.
• Lebanon recorded eight new cases, taking the total to 59, and a second death.
• Lithuania confirmed two additional cases, a married couple that came back from Italy, taking the total to 3 cases.
• Malaysia confirmed 20 additional cases, taking the total to 149.
• Maldives confirmed two additional cases.
• Morocco confirmed two additional cases, bringing the total to 5.
• The Netherlands' total increased to 503 cases, and one new death was reported.
• Norway confirmed 200 additional cases, taking the total number to 602.
• Paraguay confirmed three new cases.
• The Philippines confirmed 16 additional cases, bringing the country's total to 49. The second death was also confirmed.
• Portugal announced 18 new cases.
• Qatar reported six new cases, increasing the country's total to 24. It later announced 238 new cases in expatriates who came in contact with three infected people, and had been quarantined. The revised number of cases is now 262.
• Réunion confirmed its first case.
• Romania confirmed 18 new cases, bringing the total to 47.
• Saudi Arabia reported an additional case, an Egyptian, taking the country's total to 21.
• Scotland confirmed 18 new cases, bringing the total number to 36.
• Singapore confirmed 12 new cases, bringing the total number to 178.
• South Africa confirmed six more cases, taking the total to 13.
• South Korea announced 242 new cases and 6 new deaths.
• Spain's cases rose to 2,231, with 54 confirmed deaths.
• Sri Lanka announced one additional case, bringing the total number to 2.
• Sweden reported 98 additional cases, taking the total to 500, and announced the first death in the country.
• Taiwan confirmed one additional case, raising the country's total to 48.
• Thailand confirmed six additional cases, taking the country's cases to 59.
• The United Kingdom confirmed an additional 86 cases, with its overall total now at 456. Two more deaths were confirmed, bringing the total to 8. The number later increased to 460, with four cases declared in Wales, including the first instance of community transmission in Wales.
• The United States confirmed 272 additional cases, bringing the total
• number to over 1,272. Seven more deaths were reported, bringing the total number to 38. Twenty four of those are in Washington state
• The Utah Jazz's Rudy Gobert and Emmanuel Mudiay were diagnosed with the illness. As a result, the NBA suspended the entire season after the night's games. The Utah Jazz vs Oklahoma City Thunder game was postponed after doctors reported Gobert had the illness.
• Vietnam confirmed three additional cases, raising the country's total to 38.
• The World Health Organisation declared COVID-19 a pandemic. The declaration followed extensive criticism that the WHO response had been weak and inappropriately favorable toward the government of China.
• Hubei's provincial government announces that businesses related to epidemic control, public utilities and daily necessities are allowed to resume work now. Other businesses will be allowed to resume work on 20 March.
• Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced a CA$1,000,000,000 COVID-19 Response Fund that includes a $50 million contribution to the World Health Organization and an additional $275 million to fund coronavirus research in Canada.
• All schools and universities in Poland were closed for two weeks.
• The World Health Organization declared the COVID-19 outbreak a pandemic after cases outside China increased 13-fold over the past two weeks.
• The Prime Minister of Denmark announced that all schools, universities and kindergartens will be shut down for two weeks.
• In the United States, the National Collegiate Athletic Association announced that both its Division I Men's Basketball Tournament and Women's Basketball Tournament, scheduled from mid-March to early April, will be held without any spectators in attendance. Boise, Idaho's popular Treefort Music Fest was postponed until 23 to 27 September. The 2020 Electronic Entertainment Expo was canceled.
• The U.S. and Canada's National Basketball Association announced that it will suspend the remainder of its 2020 season after players tested positive for the disease.
• India will suspend visas for travelers, including visa-free travel from 13 March until 15 April, except those on diplomatic, official, employment and project visas. Even travelers allowed to enter will be subject to quarantine orders.
• Israel bans gatherings exceeding 100 people after a spike in cases. Schools will continue to remain open, with universities and other higher learning institutes urged to explore distance learning in case of closure. In addition, companies are asked to let employees work from home.
• The Institut Pasteur de Dakar and DiaTropix team up with Mologic, a British biotech firm, to develop "point of need" test kits that can diagnose COVID-19 in 10 minutes.
• President Trump addresses the nation on prime-time television concerning the ongoing coronavirus pandemic as the total number of confirmed cases passes 1,000. During the address, Trump announces that he will suspend all travel to and from Europe for 30 days, starting on midnight Friday. The United Kingdom is exempt from this restriction.
• Tom Hanks and his wife, Rita Wilson, announced they had tested positive for coronavirus.
• Black Woman Arrested for Allegedly Carving 'White Pride' Into Sidewalk in Front of Tennessee Business
• Russia's parliament voted 383 to 0 to change the constitution so Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin can hold on to the presidency until 2036.
• Statement from Mayor de Blasio on President Trump's COVID-19 Address
  "After weeks of minimizing what has now become a global pandemic, we were hoping for concerted action. Instead, the President remains all but silent on the most important thing: rapid, expansive testing.
  "Our 'leader' is more preoccupied with who to blame than how to protect people now that it's in our communities. New Yorkers don't care where the virus came from. They just want every level of Government to do the utmost to halt the spread. We're doing as much as we can, it's time the White House do their part."

03/12/20

• Algeria confirmed five additional cases and the first death.
• Brazil confirmed 82 new cases, raising the total number to 149.
• Brunei reported five new cases, bringing the total number to 11.
• Bulgaria reports nine new cases from the capital, bringing the total number to 16. They later reported seven more cases, bringing the total number to 23.
• Colombia confirmed four more cases, raising the total to 13.
• Egypt confirmed 13 new cases and one new death.
• France's total increased to 2,876 and 61 deaths.
• Germany announced 546 new cases and two additional deaths, taking the totals to 2,745 cases and 6 deaths.
• India confirmed its first death, a 76 year old Indian national with existing health conditions, who had recently returned from Saudi Arabia.
• Italy confirmed 189 more deaths, bringing the total number to 1,016, and 2,651 new cases were also confirmed, bringing the total number to 15,113.
• Ireland confirmed 27 new cases, bringing the total to 70. 22 of the new cases were by local transmission.
• Kuwait confirmed eight more cases, taking the total number to 80.
• Norway reported its first death.
• The Philippines confirmed three more cases, bringing the total cases to 52.
• Romania confirmed one new case, bringing to total number to 48.
• San Marino repored 15 new cases and three additional deaths.
• Singapore confirmed nine more cases, bringing the total number to 187.
• St. Vincent & the Grenadines confirmed its first case.
• Spain confirmed 782 new cases and 31 new deaths, raising the country's total to 3,059 cases and 86 dead.
• Sri Lanka confirmed an additional case, taking the total number to 3.
• Switzerland confirmed 212 new cases and 2 additional deaths.
• Trinidad & Tobago confirmed its first case, a Swiss national.
• Ukraine reported two new cases, bringing the total number to 3.
• The United Kingdom confirmed 136 new cases, bringing the total number to 596. Two more deaths were also confirmed, bringing the total to 10. It was confirmed Arsenal head coach Mikel Arteta had tested positive for COVID-19.
• The United States confirmed 373 additional cases, bringing the total number to over 1,645. Three more deaths were reported, bringing the total number to 41. The Utah Jazz's Donovan Mitchell tested positive for the virus.
• Vietnam confirmed six new cases, bringing the total number to 44.
• A team member of McLaren tested positive for the coronavirus, throwing the 2020 Australian Grand Prix into disarray.
• Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian alleges that the US military had brought the virus to Wuhan in a controversial Tweet.
• Stock markets worldwide suffer their greatest single-day fall (I.E. the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) drops 10%) since the 1987 crash in response to the coronavirus pandemic and the previous day's announcement of the 30-day travel ban between the U.S. and Europe.
• Canadian Prime Minister Trudeau begins a self-quarantine for 14 days after his wife Sophie Trudeau tests positive for the virus.
• Israel and Sri Lanka close schools early from 13 March, with term holidays lasting until 20 April to stem the spread of the coronavirus. Schools are also asked to refrain from planning excursions during this period.
• Singapore closes mosques for five days starting from 13 March for cleaning as a precaution against the coronavirus with prayers cancelled for that day. In addition, activities at the mosques will be stopped until 27 March. This comes after two people were infected from a gathering in Malaysia. Separately, the Catholic Church of Singapore will continue suspending services indefinitely after the World Health Organization declares the coronavirus a pandemic, rescinding an initial plan to resume services on 14 March.
• The Osim Sundown Marathon, supposed to be held on 23 May in Singapore, has been cancelled due to the coronavirus, with runners having direct entry to next year's event. Several other runs have also been postponed too.
• The suspension of Cortes Generales, Spain's Parliament, will be extended by 15 days due to the coronavirus.
• Turkey closes all primary, secondary and high schools for a week, and universities for three weeks starting from 16 March. All sports matches will be played without spectators until end of April. Students will continue education from their homes via internet and TV channels from 23 March for a week.
• Following the National Basketball Association's suspension of its season one day earlier, other major professional sports leagues in the United States and Canada and sporting organizers do the same. The National Hockey League indefinitely pauses the remainder of its 2020 season, while Major League Soccer imposes a 30-day suspension on its 2020 season. Major League Baseball cancels the remainder of its spring training and delays the start of its 2020 season for at least two weeks. The National Collegiate Athletic Association, which had previously announced that all of its winter championship events, including its Division I Men's Basketball Tournament and Women's Basketball Tournament, would be played with no spectators, cancels all championship events until the 2020-21 season. The Professional Golfers' Association of America cancels the Players Championship and other upcoming golf events.
• The World Health Organization says that the COVID-19 pandemic can be controlled as long as countries take the pandemic seriously. This comes after some countries did not take adequate measures to slow transmission, and also after WHO denied the outbreak was a pandemic.
• Before midnight, the Government of Estonia declared an emergency situation to last until 1 May. Special measures announced for the duration of the emergency situation include a prohibition of all public gatherings, concerts, performances, conferences, sport events, regular study in all schools and universities (remote forms of study are allowed), closure of museums, cinemas; introduction of border checks; and visitation limits to hospitals, social service centres and prisons.
• As a result of a McLaren team member testing positive, the entire McLaren team pulled out of the 2020 Australian Grand Prix.
• Euroleague Basketball announces all leagues suspension including the Euroleague and the Eurocup until an unknown date.
• The 2020 Summer Olympics torch relay began in Olympia, Greece, in a scaled-down ceremony without spectators. It was the first Olympic flame lighting ceremony to be held without public attendance since 1984.
• Several theme parks in the United States have closed due to the coronavirus. In Orlando, Florida, SeaWorld Orlando, Disney World, Disney Cruise Lines, and Universal Orlando Resort have closed. In California, Disneyland and Universal Studios Hollywood have closed too. Separately, Disneyland also closed its Disneyland Paris park in France.
• Mayor de Blasio on CNN- "I accept the notion of travel bans in this environment. So I disagree with President Trump on many things but actually I think the travel-ban piece of his strategy has been, in many ways, warranted. It does not replace a proactive strategy by the United States of America to address our own issues because we have our own community spread now." He repeated that he was reluctant to close schools because so many parents cannot work with their children at home, and that for some students, school is their only source of guaranteed meals and other basic services.
  During Mayor de Blasio's daily press conference- "We receive extraordinary new information on what now literally feels like an hourly basis. . . . Literally, yesterday morning feels like a long time ago."
• De Blasio declares NYC state of emergency to stem coronavirus
  De Blasio declared that New York City's public schools would remain open despite the outbreak, although extracurricular activities and parent-teacher conferences are either going online or will be canceled.
  Additionally, he said he would authorize 10% of city employees to work from home and put another 20% on staggered schedules, "as much as possible away from the rush hours."
• www.businessinsider.in- Trump called the coronavirus a 'foreign virus,' part of a clear strategy to blame the pandemic on other places like China and Europe (Article referring to Trump's comments during Oval Office address on Wednesday, which announced a travel ban on 26 European countries.)
• President Trump holds a bilateral meeting with Taoiseach Leo Varadkar of Ireland at the White House.
• Two Americans and a British soldier are killed during a rocket attack in Iraq.
• New released FBI notes show that Anatoli Samochornov, the translator during the Russia/Trump campaign July 12, 2017 meeting, told the FBI there was no discussion of the election or collusion.
• New York Times Retracts their headline and reported sources used in Sunday March 9 front page story that was highly unfavorable toward Project Veritas

03/13/20

• Antigua and Barbuda confirmed its first case.
• Aruba confirmed its first two cases, people who traveled in from New York.
• Bulgaria confirmed three new cases, bringing the total number to 26. Bulgaria later confirmed five additional cases, bringing the total to 31.
• Brazil confirmed 22 new cases, bringing the total number to 171. President Jair Bolsonaro tested negative for COVID-19.
• Brunei confirmed 14 new cases, bringing the total number to 25.
• The Cayman Islands confirmed its first case.
• Colombia reported three more cases, raising the total to 16.
• Costa Rica reported three new cases since 12 March, bringing the total number of cases to 26.
• Curaçao reported its first case, a Dutch tourist.
• Ethiopia confirmed its first case.
• France's numbers increased to 2,876 cases and 81 deaths.
• Gabon confirmed its first case.
• Germany's case total rose to 3,675.
• Ghana confirmed its first two cases, a Norwegian Embassy official and a Turkish citizen.
• Guadeloupe confirmed its first case, a citizen who recently returned from France.
• Guatemala confirmed its first case, a traveller from Italy.
• Guinea reports its first case, an employee of the EU delegation.
• Italy's cases rose to 17,660 and deaths rose to 1,266, a rise of 250 deaths in 24 hours.
• Kazakhstan confirmed its first two cases, which were also the first in Central Asia.
• Kenya confirmed its first case, a Kenyan national who had returned from the United States via London.
• Kosovo confirmed its first two cases.
• Lithuania confirmed three new cases, bringing the total number to 6. A Spanish citizen from Madrid is confirmed in Vilnius, along with a woman in Klaipeda who arrived from Tenerife, and a man in Kaunas who arrived from Italy on 29 February.
• Malaysia confirmed 39 new cases, bringing the total number to 197.
• The Philippines confirmed 12 more cases, bringing the total number to 64.
• Puerto Rico confirmed its first three cases, a 71-year-old man and an Italian couple, aged 68 and 70.
• Saint Lucia confirmed its first case, a 63-year-old woman who had traveled to the UK.
• Singapore confirmed 13 more cases, bringing the total number to 200. The
• number of imported cases surpassed that of local cases.
• Slovakia confirmed 11 new cases, bringing the total number to 32.
• Spain's cases rose to 4,231. 35 more deaths were also confirmed, bringing the total to 121.
• Sri Lanka confirmed three new cases, bringing the total number to 6.
• Sudan confirmed its first case and first death, a man in his 50s who traveled to the United Arab Emirates.
• Suriname confirmed its first case.
• Switzerland reported 1,125 cases (of which 116 are undergoing final analysis), a 31% day-on-day increase.
• Turkey confirmed its second case. Later in the day, the case count increased to 5. All cases are related to the first case, who contracted the virus from Europe.
• Ukraine reported its first death, a 71-year-old woman from Radomyshl, Zhytomyr Oblast who recently traveled to Poland.
• The United Kingdom confirmed 202 new cases, bringing the total number to 798. The first death was confirmed in Scotland, bringing the total deaths across the UK to 11.
• The United States confirmed 559 additional cases, bringing the total number to over 2,204. Eight more deaths were reported, bringing the total number to 49.
• U.S. Virgin Islands confirmed the first case in the territory.
• Uruguay confirmed its first four cases, all of them having traveled from Milan, Italy.
• Venezuela confirmed its first two cases, one a traveller from the United States, and the second who had traveled from Spain.
• Vietnam confirmed three additional cases, bringing the total number to 47.
• With a member of the McLaren team testing positive the day before, and the team withdrawing from the race, F1 and the FIA decided to cancel the opening round of the 2020 Formula One World Championship, the Australian Grand Prix. Later, it was announced that the next two rounds, to be held in Bahrain and Vietnam, would be postponed.
• The Auckland Council canceled the annual Pasifika Festival in Auckland in response to health concerns about the coronavirus.
• Cricket Australia announced that the three-match series against New Zealand would go ahead, but that fans would not be admitted into the venue.
• The Czech Republic announced a complete travel ban effective midnight on 16 March, banning all foreigners from entering and Czech nationals and long-term resident foreigners from leaving the country. The lockdown will be effective for the duration of the 30-day state of emergency declared on 12 March.
• Singapore banned travelers from France, Germany and Spain, and places citizens and residents from affected countries under quarantine for 14 days.
• Switzerland issued sweeping restrictions on places of public gatherings, closing schools throughout the country and imposing a ban on public gatherings of more than 100 people until 30 April. This is implemented by most cantons as a closure of cinemas, theaters, museums, youth centers, sports centers, fitness centers, swimming pools, wellness centers, discos, pianos-bars, night clubs, and erotic clubs.
• In the UK, the Premier League, along with the English Football League and FA Women's Super League, suspended their respective seasons until April after both Arsenal F.C. manager Mikel Arteta and Chelsea F.C. player Callum Hudson-Odoi tested positive for the disease.
• Apple Inc. announced that their annual Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) will be held as an online-only conference for the first time as a precaution. They later announced the closure of all Apple Stores outside of Greater China until 27 March. Further, a commitment of US$15 million towards the COVID-19 response was announced.
• Australia's chief medical officer advised the government to ban mass gatherings of more than 500 people to stop the coronavirus.
• In Panama, businesses began to impose and enforce limits on how many food and personal hygiene items a customer may buy at a time.
• President Trump declares a national state of emergency to combat the coronavirus pandemic. The declaration opens access to $50 billion in emergency funding, lifts restrictions on doctors and hospitals, and waives student loan interest.
• In response, US stock market Dow Jones Industrial Average posted its largest single-day gain since October 2008.
• When challenged about the slow response to provide testing, Trump blamed prior administrations saying, "I don't take responsibility at all".
• The Pentagon announces it will keep two aircraft carrier groups in the Persian Gulf after carrying out airstrikes against five depots for Iranian rockets in Iraq.
• Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian tweeted support for a conspiracy that says the disease actually started from the Oct 2019 Military World Games- Specifically blaming USA
• Twitter confirmed they will not label Joe Biden's video attacking Donald Trump as "manipulated media", even though Washington Post gave the video "Four Pinocchios" in a recent fact-check. The new policy began on March 5, according to Twitter. Since Biden's video was tweeted out on March 3, Twitter will not use the new labeling on it.

03/14/20

• Brazil confirmed seven more cases, bringing the total number to 178.
• Brunei reported three new cases, bringing the total to 40.
• Bulgaria confirmed six new cases bringing the total number to 37. One more death was also confirmed, bringing the total number to 2.
• Central African Republic confirmed its first case.
• Colombia reported additional eight more cases, taking the total to 24.
• Congo Republic confirmed its first case, a person who had traveled from France.
• Denmark confirmed the first death in the country, an 81-year-old man.
• Equatorial Guinea confirmed its first case, a 42-year-old woman who returned from Madrid.
• Eswatini confirmed its first case, a 33-year-old woman, who traveled to the United States and then Lesotho before returning home to Eswatini.
• France confirmed 838 new cases, bringing the total number to 4,499. 12 more deaths were confirmed, bringing the total to 91.
• Iran confirmed 1,365 new cases, bringing the total number to 12,729. 97 more deaths were confirmed, bringing the total to 611.
• Ireland confirmed 39 new cases, the largest to date, and one more confirmed death. 129 total confirmed cases and 2 deaths.
• Italy confirmed 3,497 new cases, bringing the total number to 21,157. 175 more deaths were also confirmed, bringing the total to 1,441.
• Malaysia confirmed 41 new cases, bringing the total number to 238.
• Mauritania confirmed its first case.
• Mayotte confirmed its first case.
• Moldova confirmed 4 new cases.
• Namibia confirmed its first cases, two tourists visiting the country.
• New Zealand confirmed its sixth case, a man who had returned from the United States on 6 March.
• The Philippines confirmed 47 more cases, bringing the total number to 111.
• Rwanda confirmed its first case.
• Saudi Arabia confirmed 17 additional cases, with its total rising to 103.
• Singapore confirmed 12 more cases, bringing the total number to 212.
• Seychelles reported its first two cases.
• Spain confirmed 1,522 new cases, raising its total to 5,753 cases. 62 more deaths were confirmed, bringing the total to 183.
• Sri Lanka confirmed two new cases, bringing the total number to 8. Another three cases were later confirmed, bringing the total number to 11.
• Thailand confirmed seven more cases, bringing the total number to 82.
• The United Kingdom confirmed 342 new cases, bringing the total number to 1,140. 10 more deaths were reported, bringing the total to 21.
• The United States confirmed 612 new cases, bringing the total number to over 2,816. One of the cases was 24-year-old Christian Wood of the Detroit Pistons. Eleven more deaths were reported, bringing the total number to 60.
• Vietnam confirmed six additional cases, bringing the total number to 53.
• In response to a rise in imported cases, Beijing authorities announced that everyone arriving from overseas will be quarantined for 14 days.
• The New Zealand Government cancelled the Christchurch mosque shootings memorial service scheduled to be held at Christchurch's Horncastle Arena on 15 March due to COVID-19 concerns. Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced that anyone entering New Zealand from midnight on 15 March would have to isolate themselves for 14 days. Cruise ships will be barred from entering New Zealand from midnight 14 March until 30 June. In addition, anyone with coronavirus symptoms will not be allowed to enter the Pacific Islands and those who have been traveling overseas will have to wait for 14 days before traveling to the Pacific.
• Malaysian Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin ordered the cancellation or postponement of all public gatherings including international meetings, sport, social and religious events until 30 April due to COVID-19 concerns. The Prime Minister also announced that the Government would be evacuating 65 Malaysians in Iran and 323 in Italy in humanitarian missions.
• The US State of Georgia announced they would move their primary election for president from 24 March to 19 May, becoming the second state to do so after Louisiana.
• De Blasio Calls for Nationalizing Industries to Stop Virus
• US President Donald Trump had his physician release a memo which shows he tested negative for the virus.
• Panama banned all flights from and to Europe and Asia for 30 days. The Panamanian government also began to regulate activities involving over 50 people.

03/15/20

• Bahamas confirmed their first case, a patient with no recent travel history.
• Brunei confirmed ten new cases, bringing the total number to 50.
• Bulgaria confirmed eight new cases, bringing the total number to 51.
• Finland has ceased testing for people returning from trips abroad, and all of the people suffering flu symptoms in the country. The tests are reserved for health professionals only.
• Guam confirmed its first three cases, two people who arrived from Manila and one other person with no recent travel history.
• Indonesia confirmed 21 more cases, bringing the total number to 117. Among the new diagnoses include North Sulawesi and Yogyakarta's first cases.
• Ireland confirmed 40 new cases, the largest to date with 23 males and 17 females. 169 total confirmed cases and 2 deaths.
• Italy confirmed 3,590 more cases, bringing the total number to 24,747. The country also recorded 368 new deaths, bringing the total number to 1,809. This was the largest death rate in a day for a country since the pandemic started.
• Malaysia confirmed 190 new cases, bringing the total number to 428. Most of these cases are linked to a gathering in Kuala Lumpur.
• Moldova confirmed 11 new cases, bringing the total number to 23.
• New Zealand confirmed two new cases, a Wellington man and a Danish woman, bringing the total to 8.
• Saudi Arabia confirmed 15 new cases, bring the total number to 118
• Singapore confirmed 14 new cases, bringing the total number to 226. This is the highest number of new cases in the country in a single day.
• Sri Lanka confirmed eight more cases, bringing the total to 19. There are 18 active cases with one recovered case.
• Thailand confirmed 32 more cases, bringing the total number to 114.
• Turkey confirmed 12 more cases, bringing the total number to 18.
• The United Kingdom confirmed 232 new cases, bringing the total number to 1,372. 14 more deaths were reported, bringing the total to 35.
• The United States confirmed 669 new cases, bringing the total number to over 3,485. Five more deaths were reported, bringing the total number to 65.
• Uzbekistan confirmed its first case, a citizen who had returned from France.
• Vietnam confirmed four additional cases, bringing the total number to 57.
• All schools in Banten province of Indonesia are closed until 28 March. This comes after the Governor of Banten Wahidin Halim declared the virus an "extraordinary event". Other provinces such as Jakarta, Central Java, West Kalimantan, and West Java also did the same thing.
• Brunei banned all citizens and foreign residents from leaving in response to the coronavirus pandemic. The Ministry of Health has also banned mass gatherings including weddings and sporting events. In addition the National Football Association of Brunei Darussalam, the Tutong District Amateur Football Association League, and the Brunei Basketball Association have suspended all matches and games.
• Finland has ceased testing for people returning from trips abroad, and all of the people suffering flu symptoms in the country. The tests are now reserved for health professionals only.
• Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi proposed a SAARC fund called SAARC COVID-19 Emergency Fund to tackle coronavirus via video conference. He proposed setting up a volunteer basis COVID-19 emergency fund with India committing USD 10 million initially for it.
• South African President Cyril Ramaphosa declared a national state of disaster in terms of the Disaster Management Act and declared measures to be put in place that comprised imposing a travel ban on foreign nationals from high risk countries, including Italy, Iran, South Korea, Spain, Germany, the United States, the United Kingdom, and China; performing high-intensity screening on travelers from medium-risk countries, such as Portugal, Hong Kong, and Singapore, as well as testing and isolation for South African citizens returning from high-risk countries; closing 35 of the 72 land, sea, and air ports of entry; the prohibition of gatherings of more than 100 people; the closing schools from 18 March 2020 until mid April 2020; and the suspension of visits to correctional centres (prisons and rehabitiation facilities) for 30 days.
• The Panamanian government began to enforce the temporary closure of all businesses where large (over 50) numbers of people may gather, including pubs, cinemas, grills, casinos, gyms, convention centers and stadiums. Supermarkets may only have up to 50 customers inside at any given time, with ingress being regulated. Activities (like parties and weddings) are banned from having over 50 people present at any given time, and violations are punishable with forceful termination of the activity and a fine. The government also banned people from visiting beaches and other similar places (like large rivers).
• De Blasio closes New York Schools
• In response to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, the Federal Reserve cuts interest rates to 0% and releases $700 billion in quantitative easing.
• Joe Biden and Bernie Sanders debate; Biden promises to choose a female running mate.
• Donald Trump says he is considering a full pardon for Michael Flynn.

03/16/20

• Benin confirmed its first case, a 49-year-old man who had traveled to Belgium and Burkina Faso.
• Bulgaria confirmed two new cases, bringing the total number to 53. Bulgaria later confirmed nine more cases, bringing the final total to 62.
• Cyprus confirmed 13 new cases, taking the total to 46.
• Egypt confirmed 40 new cases, taking the total to 166. It also confirmed two additional deaths.
• France confirmed that cases had risen to 6,633 with 148 deaths.
• Germany's case rose to 7,272 with 17 deaths.
• Greece confirmed 21 new cases to a total of 352.
• Greenland confirmed its first case.
• Guatemala confirmed five more cases, bringing the total to 6 and the first death in the country from the virus.
• Indonesia confirmed 17 more cases, 134 in total.
• Iran's cases rose to 13,938 with its death toll rising by 129 to 853.The deaths included Hashem Bathaie Golpayenagi, Grand Ayatollah and a representative of the Tehran Province in Iran's Assembly of Experts.
• Ireland confirmed 54 new cases, the largest to date. 223 total confirmed cases and 2 deaths.
• Italy's confirmed cases rose to 27,980 and deaths to 2,158. This total included 3,233 new cases and 349 new deaths.
• Jordan confirmed four new cases, taking its total to 15.
• Kuwait confirmed 11 new cases, taking the total to 123.
• Liberia confirmed its first case.
• Malaysia announced another 125 cases taking it to a total of 553 with many of the new cases linked to a recent religious festival in the country.
• Moldova announced another six cases, taking its total to 29.
• Oman confirmed two additional cases, raising the total to 24.
• Pakistan confirmed its first death.
• Qatar reported 64 new cases taking it to 401.
• Singapore confirmed 17 more cases, bringing the total number to 243. This is the biggest spike of new cases in a single day.
• Somalia confirmed its first case.
• Spain reported 9,942 cases and 342 deaths.
• Sri Lanka confirmed eleven more cases, bringing the total to 29.
• Tanzania confirmed its first case.
• Turkey announced that the number of cases had risen to 47, with 29 new cases confirmed.
• The United Kingdom confirmed a total of 1,543 positive tests, up from 1,372.
• The United States confirmed 974 new cases, bringing the total number to over 4,459. 22 more deaths were reported, bringing the total number to 87.
• Ukraine confirmed two new cases: two women, one of whom recently returned from Italy. Later in the day, two more cases were confirmed, bringing the total to 7.
• Vietnam confirmed four additional cases, bringing the total number to 61.
• The Chinese National Bureau of Statistics releases figures showing that industrial output fell 13.5%, fixed asset investment fell 24.5%, private sector investment fell 26.4%, and retail sales shrank 20.5% in January-February 2020 as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.
• The Australian Border Force suspends the removal operations of New Zealand citizens to New Zealand up to 30 March, effective midnight 16 March.
• Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announces restrictions to entry into Canada, allowing only Canadian and American citizens, permanent residents, closest family of citizens, diplomats, and air crew. Any Canada-bound passengers showing symptoms of COVID-19 would be refused boarding. Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe announces the closure of all primary and secondary schools in the province effective 20 March.
• Costa Rican Health Minister Daniel Salas confirmed 41 cases of coronavirus. The government also decreed a state of national emergency. Classes were suspended in all public and private schools and colleges until 4 April. Borders would be closed starting Wednesday, 18 March and last until 12 April, Costa Ricans and permanent residents have no entry restriction. Those entering must remain in quarantine for at least 14 days.
• Guatemalan President Alejandro Giammattei announced Guatemala will close its borders for two weeks as part of measures to contain the virus.
• Malaysian Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin bans Malaysian citizens from going overseas and foreigners from entering Malaysia from 18 to 31 March. Malaysians returning from overseas will have to go through health checks and a 14-day self-quarantine.
• Pink Dot SG, an event in support of the LGBT community in Singapore supposed to be held on 27 June, is cancelled due coronavirus pandemic, the first time it did so. In its place will be a livestreaming session where people can tune in.
• Bill De Blasio goes to YMCA gym in Brooklyn to work out (9am- 10am)
• The New York Times reported that for the past week, the mayor's "top aides were furiously trying to change the mayor's approach to the coronavirus outbreak. There had been arguments and shouting matches between the mayor and some of his advisers; some top health officials had even threatened to resign if he refused to accept the need to close schools and businesses, according to several people familiar with the internal discussions." Hours before all gyms in New York had to close, Mayor de Blasio had one final workout at the gym at his local YMCA. Even his former staffers offered scathing criticism. Rebecca Katz, a former special adviser whom the mayor once called a metaphorical member of his family, declared, "No current or former staff member should be asked to defend this. The mayor's actions today are inexcusable and reckless." Jonathan Rosen, once one of de Blasio's closest allies, called the mayor's gym visit "pathetic, self-involved, inexcusable."
• Los Angeles releases 600 inmates to prevent the spread of coronavirus.
• Trump via Twitter- "The United States will be powerfully supporting those industries, like Airlines and others, that are particularly affected by the Chinese Virus. We will be stronger than ever before!"
• US President Donald J. Trump refers to COVID-19 as the "Chinese virus," drawing allegations of racism from Chinese and WHO officials.
• In a press conference at the White House, President Trump urges Americans to avoid gatherings greater than 10 people, warning that the coronavirus pandemic could last into the summer.
• Congressman Louie Gohmert (R-TX) holds up the bipartisan coronavirus relief bill that provides for free testing; paid sick, family, and medical leave; strengthen unemployment insurance and food security; it increases funds for Medicaid. Gohmert's objections are purely technical. "He just wanted them to actually write the changes into a bill before they voted on it," a spokesperson said. "It wasn't written in the form that passed until late yesterday afternoon."
  Gohmert via Twitter- "We still do not have a final draft of the negotiated changes being called 'technical corrections' and some of us believe that the newly worded laws should be finished before we pass them."
• state.gov- Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo spoke by with Yang Jiechi, Director of the Office of Foreign Affairs of the Communist Party of China. Secretary Pompeo conveyed strong U.S. objections to PRC efforts to shift blame for COVID-19 to the United States. The Secretary stressed that this is not the time to spread disinformation and outlandish rumors, but rather a time for all nations to come together to fight this common threat. (attributable to Spokesperson Morgan Ortagus)
• Zoom, MS Teams and other online meeting platforms experience trouble while trying to handle the massive increase in usage due to so many people now working from home
• The Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) falls 2,997 points, losing 12.9% in its largest point drop ever.
• Springfield, Missouri gunman kills five, including a police officer.
• Governor Mike DeWine (R-OH) postpones the primary elections until June 2. This comes one day after a judge said he could not do so. Kentucky then postponed its primary for five weeks.
• A Lebanese military court releases Amer Fakhoury, a Lebanese-American who was accused of aiding an Israeli-backed militia group. The judge appeals the verdict.

03/17/20

• Barbados reported its first two cases, people who recently returned from the US.
• Bulgaria confirmed five new cases, bringing the number to 67, and then an additional 14 new cases, bringing the total number to 81.
• Brazil confirmed the first death in the country, a 62-year-old man in the state of São Paulo.
• France confirmed 7,730 people had now tested positive with 175 deaths.
• Gambia reported its first case.
• Hungary reported 11 new cases, bringing the total number to 50.
• Indonesia reported 38 new cases, bringing the total number to 172.
• Ireland confirmed 69 new cases, the largest to date. 292 total confirmed cases and 2 deaths.
• Italy confirmed an increase to 31,506 cases and 2,503 deaths.
• Kuwait confirmed seven new cases, taking the total to 130.
• Malaysia reported its first two deaths, a 60 year old pastor in Sarawak and a 34-year-old man from Johor who had attended a Muslim religious gathering. 120 new cases were also confirmed, bringing the total number to 673.
• Montenegro reported its first two cases. One infected was from Podgorica, and the other from Ulcinj. Montenegro was the last country in Europe without any confirmed cases.
• The Netherlands confirmed 1,705 cases and 43 deaths.
• New Zealand confirmed four new cases, bringing the total to 12.
• Pakistan confirmed its first death.
• The Philippines reported 45 new cases, taking the total to 187.
• Singapore confirmed 23 new cases, bringing the total number to 266. This is the highest number of new cases in the country in a single day so far.
• Sint Maarten confirmed its first case, a 26-year-old local resident who traveled to UK and Miami.
• Slovakia confirmed 25 new cases, bringing the total number to 97.
• Panama confirmed several new cases, bringing the total number to 86.
• Ukraine reported seven new cases and its second death, bringing the total number of cases to 14.
• The United Kingdom reported 407 new cases, with the total rising from 1,543 to 1,950.
• The United States confirmed 1,676 new cases, bringing the total number to 6,135. 25 more deaths were reported, bringing the total number to 112. The Brooklyn Nets announced that four of their players had tested positive, including forward Kevin Durant.
• Vietnam confirmed five more cases, bringing the total number to 66.
• New Zealand Health Minister David Clark announced that New Zealand Government will deport foreign tourists who flout government requirements to self-quarantine for two weeks. Later, Immigration New Zealand detained two foreign tourists for refusing to comply with self-quarantine requirements. That same day, Finance Minister Grant Robertson announced a NZ$12.1 billion Covid-19 coronavirus business package to aid businesses, beneficiaries, and health services affected by the Covid-19 outbreak.
• Jon Landau, the co-producer of the Avatar film sequels, announced that film production at the New Zealand-based Stone Street Studios had been suspended in response to the coronavirus outbreak. However, filming will continue in Los Angeles.
• Panama banned all non-resident foreigners from entering the country. Panamanian authorities also began to use the #QUEDATEENCASA (#STAYATHOME) hashtag on social media in an attempt to convince people to stay at home in self-quarantine.
• The UEFA announced the upcoming Euro 2020 will be postponed to June 11 to July 11, 2021, marking the first time in the 60-year history of UEFA championship that has ever been postponed.
• Nevada Gov. Sisolak orders all 'nonessential' businesses, casinos to close
• Elizabeth Warren via Twitter- "Student loan debt cancellation MUST be a part of the next emergency coronavirus package to deliver relief immediately to millions of families and remove a giant weight that's dragging down our economy. Senate and House progressives are in this fight all the way."
  Ayanna Pressley via Twitter- "Student loan cancellation has to be part of the next emergency funding package.@SenWarren & I are calling on Senate & House leadership to prioritize this."
• Cuomo (D), de Blasio clash over possible shelter-in-place system for NYC
• Democratic primaries in Arizona, Florida, and Illinois.
  Biden wins all three states. Biden has 1,180 delegates and Sanders has 885.
  Progressive Marie Newman defeats incumbent conservative Congressman Dan Lipinski (D-IL) in the 2020 Illinois Democratic primary.
  Mark Andrew Green, the head of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), resigns. Green enjoyed bipartisan support.
• The Justice Department quietly drops charges against Russian business charged in the Report on the Investigation into Russian Interference in the 2016 Presidential Election.

03/18/20

• Bermuda confirmed its first two cases.
• Bangladesh confirmed its first death.
• Costa Rica confirmed its first death.
• Djibouti confirmed its first case.
• El Salvador confirmed its first case.
• Guatemala confirmed two additional cases, bringing the total to 8.
• Ireland confirmed 74 new cases, the largest to date. 366 total confirmed cases and 2 deaths.
• Italy reported 4,207 new cases and 475 new deaths. The total number of cases reached 35,713 and the total death toll rose to 2,978.
• Kyrgyzstan reported its first cases, three people who had recently returned from a pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia.
• Malaysia confirmed 117 new cases, bringing the total number to 790.
• Mauritius announced its first three cases.
• Moldova confirmed its first death and six new cases, bringing the total to 36.
• Montserrat confirmed its first case, a person who visited the United Kingdom.
• New Caledonia confirmed its first two cases.
• New Zealand confirmed eight new cases, bringing the total to 20.
• Nicaragua confirmed its first case, imported from Panama.
• Palestine confirms 44 cases.
• Singapore confirmed 47 new cases, bringing the total number to 313. This is the highest number of new cases in the country in a single day so far.
• Slovakia confirmed its first death.
• Panama confirmed several new cases, bringing the total to 109.
• The United Kingdom confirmed 676 new cases, taking it to a total of 2,626. 32 additional deaths were announced, taking the total to 104.
• The United States confirmed 2,601 more cases, bringing the total number to 8,736. 37 more deaths were reported, bringing the total number to 150. Sixty-eight deaths are in Washington state, twenty in New York state, sixteen in California, eight in Florida, seven in Louisiana and five in New Jersey. Fifteen other states have recorded deaths which combined are twenty-six.
• Vietnam confirmed ten more cases, bringing the total number to 76.
• Zambia reported its first two cases.
• The Eurovision Song Contest, planned to be held in Rotterdam, The Netherlands, was cancelled.
• The New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT) urged all New Zealanders traveling overseas to return home in response to the spread of the coronavirus.
• The New Zealand and Australian Governments canceled Anzac Day services scheduled to be held at Gallipoli in Turkey in response to travel restrictions and the coronavirus outbreak.
• After cases increased quickly, Singapore announced that Stay-Home Notices will apply to all travelers arriving into Singapore from 20 March. travelers are also advised to delay travel plans, with more social distancing measures soon.
• Panama imposed a nationwide curfew, effective everyday from 9pm to 5pm of the next day. The curfew can be enforced with everyone, regardless of age, race, etc. It was imposed to prevent the spread of the virus. Panamanian president Nito Cortizo ordered the construction of a modular hospital, similar to China's purpose built hospitals, to be completed within a month. Panama also closed its land border with Costa Rica, and began to operate a Whatsapp number to allow people to consult a doctor. Panamanian authorities later began to explore the possibility of a mandatory nationwide quarantine, and allowing only one person per household to buy groceries and pharmaceuticals.
• The United Kingdom announced that all schools, colleges and nurseries would be closed from 21 March until further notice- with the exception for children of "key workers" and vulnerable children- and that A Level and GCSE examinations in May and June would be cancelled in England and Wales.
• President Trump signs the Families First Coronavirus Response Act, a bill providing sick leave, unemployment benefits, free coronavirus testing, and food and medical aid to people affected by the coronavirus pandemic, into law.
• In an effort to slow the spread of the coronavirus pandemic, President Trump and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau close the border between the United States and Canada, allowing only essential traffic through.
• Tulsi Gabbard (D-HI) drops out of the presidential race and endorses Joe Biden.

03/19/20

• Angola confirmed its first case, a Chinese businessman.
• Chad confirmed its first case, a Moroccan national who had traveled to the country from Cameroon.
• China reports no new cases of local infections but confirms 34 new cases from overseas arrivals.
• Fiji confirmed its first case.
• Guatemala confirmed one additional case, raising the total to 9.
• Haiti reported its first two cases.
• Ireland confirmed 191 new cases, the largest to date with more than two and a half times the confirmed cases of 18 March, and a third death, bringing the total number of cases to 557. Approximately 7,000 tests have been administered to date and the Minister for Health, Simon Harris, believes there will be 15,000 tests given a day starting within the next few days.
• Isle of Man confirmed its first case, a person who recently returned from Spain.
• Italy's number of cases rose to 41,035 from a previous 35,713, up by 5,322, a faster rate of growth than the past three days. They also overtook China as the country with the most deaths, registering 3,405 dead, a rise of 427 from the day before.
• Malaysia confirmed 110 new cases, bringing the total number to 900.
• New Zealand confirmed eight new cases, bringing the total to 28.
• Niger confirmed its first case, a local 36-year-old man who traveled a lot to Togo, Ghana, Ivory Coast and Burkina Faso due to work.
• *Ibrahim Milhem confirmed three new cases bringing the total to 47. He said in the daily briefing that two cases were students returning home from France and quarantined before being in contact with anyone. The third is for a person from Nablus previously suspected of having the disease and was kept in home quarantine.
• Palestine confirms three new cases, bringing the total to 47.
• Panama reported several new cases, bringing the total number to 137.
• Pakistan confirmed 70 additional cases.
• Russia confirmed its first death.
• Singapore confirmed 32 new cases, bringing the total number to 345.
• Spain reported a large increase in cases, with 17,147 cases and 767 deaths.
• The United Kingdom's total of diagnosed cases rose to 3,229, an increase of 603, with the death toll rising to 144.
• The United States confirmed 4,397 more cases, bringing the total number to 13,133. 46 more deaths were reported, bringing the total number to 195. The Denver Nuggets, Los Angeles Lakers, Philadelphia 76ers, and the Boston Celtics all reported that some of their players had tested positive for the virus. The players had not been named.
• Vietnam confirmed nine more cases, bringing the total number to 85.
• Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced that Australia would be closing its borders to all non-residents and non-Australian citizens from 9pm on 20 March.
• The Royal New Zealand Returned and Services' Association canceled all Anzac Day services, scheduled for 25 April. New Zealand Health Minister David Clark advised the cancellation of mass indoor events with more than 100 people with the exception of workplaces, schools, supermarkets and public transport. Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern closed New Zealand's border to non-citizens and non-residents with the exception of Samoan and Tongan citizens traveling to New Zealand for essential reasons, "essential health workers" and those seeking to enter the country for humanitarian reasons.
• Argentine President Alberto Fernández announced a mandatory quarantine, in effect from midnight on 20 March until 31 March.
• Playboy magazine ceases print production in part to disruptions in its supply chain.
• The mayor of Boise, Idaho, Lauren McLean, orders the closure of all restaurants and bars (with the exception of those with take-out, delivery, or drive-thru options) for 30 days effective as of 12:01 a.m. Friday.
• Muhammad Masood, 28, a Pakistani doctor working in the U.S., is arrested on terrorism charges in Minnesota.
• thehill.com- On a Thursday conference call featuring more than 200 members of the House Democratic caucus, lawmakers one by one laid out a sweeping wish list of provisions they want to see included in the nascent package, including a boost in infrastructure spending, an expansion of Social Security benefits and funding for states to set up an all-mail voting system in the event the pandemic extends into November's elections.
  "This is a tremendous opportunity to restructure things to fit our vision," Majority Whip James Clyburn (D-S.C.) told lawmakers, according to a source on the call.
  Many of those proposals transcend the scope of the $1 trillion package introduced Thursday by Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), which features cash payments to individuals, low-cost loans for small businesses, new funding to boost the health care system, and a financial lifeline for the hardest hit industries, like aviation and cruise lines.
  Pelosi (D-CA) to Democratic lawmakers- "Let's not worry about the cost. It's an investment in the health of the economy,"
• UN Secretary General, urged countries to embrace the Paris Agreement and United Nations sustainability agenda as part of their response to the Covid-19 crisis.

03/20/20

• Cape Verde confirmed its first case, a 62-year-old English tourist.
• East Timor confirmed its first case.
• Guatemala confirmed three additional cases, bringing the total to 12.
• Ireland confirmed 126 new cases, less than that of 19 March. 683 total confirmed cases and 3 deaths.
• Madagascar reported its first three cases.
• Malaysia confirmed its third death. In addition, 130 new cases were confirmed, bringing the total number to 1,030.
• New Zealand confirmed 11 new cases, bringing the total to 39.
• Palestine confirms a new case, bringing the total to 48. Authorities also report that 17 have recovered.
• Panama reported over 60 new cases, bringing the total number to 200.
• Papua New Guinea confirmed its first case.
• Singapore confirmed 40 new cases, bringing the total number to 385.
• Uganda confirmed its first case.
• Ukraine confirmed 15 new cases, bringing the total number to 41.
• The United Kingdom confirmed that positive test results had risen to 3,983 and there had been 177 deaths.
• The United States confirmed 5,630 more cases, bringing the total number to 18,763. 63 more deaths were reported, bringing the total number to 258.
• Vietnam confirmed six more cases, bringing the total number to 91.
• Zimbabwe confirmed its first case.
• The Auckland Council closes all public libraries, swimming pools, and recreational centres in Auckland, New Zealand's largest city. The University of Auckland and Massey University suspend classes in order minimise face-to-face contact.
• In Panama, the government announced the banning of all international passenger flights to and from Panama effective 22 March, for 30 days. Copa Airlines announced a temporary cease of operations, also effective 22 March for 30 days. The government also announced the forceful temporary closure of all businesses, with the exception of those working on the food, pharmaceutical, health, banking, construction, logistics, telecommunications, transport, agroindustrial, animal feed, security and other related industries, as well as supermarkets, convenience stores, lawyers, veterinary clinics, call centers, funeral homes and laundromats. Restaurants may only serve take-out, drive-thru or delivery orders. Church services involving over 50 people were also suspended. The national lottery also suspended its draws. The government established several "epidemiological fences" to prevent unauthorized persons from spreading the virus to the areas protected by the fences.
• The Dominican government began to enforce a curfew, similar to Panama's curfew, but effective from 8 PM to 6 AM of the next day, until April 3.
• Chris Meekins, a former assistant secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) for preparedness and response, alleges that the delays in testing occurred because leaders at the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) "lied" to the president, and to HHS Secretary Alex Azar, about the center's ability to produce the kits. He cited private discussions he has held in recent weeks with top federal officials and physicians and scientists employed in private-sector industries that are active in the anti-coronavirus effort. Meekins described his contacts on the White House Coronavirus Task Force as "friends," some of whom he has known for many years.
• The Federal government made a major move to use the US military to initiate and lead an effort to rapidly grow Covid-19 intensive care facilities nationwide. The US Army Corps of Engineers, under existing statutory authority that comes from authorizations and powers of FEMA, will be rapidly leasing a large number of buildings across the US in hotels and in larger open buildings to immediately grow the number of rooms and beds with ICU capability for patients of the 2020 coronavirus pandemic. A public briefing of the plan was given by Army General Todd Semonite. The Corps of Engineers will handle leasing and engineering, with contracts for rapid facility modification and setup issued to local contractors. The plan envisions that the operation of the facilities and the provision of medical staff would be entirely handled by the various US States rather the Federal government.
• Secretary of State Mike Pompeo criticized the Communist Party of China for delaying information about the coronavirus. A Chinese spokesperson shot back, noting that China had notified the U.S. government about the outbreak on January 3, 2020, but that the U.S. Embassy in Wuhan did not notify its residents until January 15.
• Senator Richard Burr (R-NC) faces calls for his resignation after allegations that he used insider information about the coronavirus pandemic to make millions off the stock market.
• Senators Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), Kelly Loeffler (R-GA), and James Inhofe (R-OK) also made questionable deals. Burr asks for an ethics review.
• Bill De Blasio told MSNBC "He's (Trump's) not acting like a commander in chief because he doesn't know how. He should get the hell out of the way,"
• www.timesofisrael.com- Teva to send US millions of malaria pills with potential to help COVID-19
• Hydroxychloroquine one of several drugs cited in recent days as being possibly effective against coronavirus; Israeli firm says it will provide as many as possible at no cost
• Bloomberg's Campaign Transfers $18 Million to DNC, aimed at strengthening the DNC's battleground program, which includes 12 states and is run in coordination with the state party committees.. Mr. Bloomberg has also offered to transfer the ownership of many of his field offices to state party committees.
• Wikipedia contributors have waged a fierce debate over whether they should change the name of diseases (such as Spanish Flu) to be more PC as the virus from Wuhan, China reaches across the world.
• The Pentagon successfully tests a Mach 5 hypersonic missile.
• Michael Bloomberg's 2020 presidential campaign transfers $18 million to the Democratic National Committee.

03/21/20

• Åland Islands confirmed their first two cases.
• China reports no new cases of local infections but confirms 41 new cases from overseas travelers, bringing the total number of overseas infected to 269.
• Eritrea confirmed its first case, a 39-year-old Eritrean national with permanent residence in Norway.
• Guatemala confirmed five new cases, bringing the total to 17.
• Indonesia confirmed 81 new cases, bringing the total to 450. The number of deaths rose by six to 38.
• Ireland confirmed 102 new cases, less than that of 20 March, with a total of 785 total confirmed cases and 3 deaths.
• Malaysia confirmed five more deaths, bringing the total to 8. Separately, 153 new cases were confirmed, bringing the total number to 1,183.
• New Zealand reported 13 new cases, bringing the total to 52.
• Palestine confirms four new cases, bringing the total to 52.
• The Philippines recorded 77 new cases, bringing the total number to 307.
• Singapore confirmed its first two deaths, a 64-year-old Indonesian man and a 75-year-old Singaporean woman. 47 new cases were later confirmed, bringing the total number to 432.
• Transnistria confirmed its first two cases.
• The United Kingdom confirmed that positive test results had risen to 5,018 and there had been 233 deaths. (UK's National Health Service (NHS) reported the biggest single day jump yet in deaths)
• The United States confirmed 4,886 more cases, bringing the total number to 23,649. 44 more deaths were reported, bringing the total number to 302.
• Vietnam confirmed three more cases, bringing the total number to 94.
• New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern introduces a four-level COVID-19 alert system. New Zealand is currently on Level 2 where people over the age of 70 or with compromised immune systems are encouraged to stay at home, and all non-essential domestic travel to be curtailed. Several local body councils around New Zealand in Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, Dunedin, Lower Hutt and Porirua closed public facilities including swimming pools, libraries, recreation centres, community centres, art galleries, and museums.
• In Australia, a human biosecurity emergency was declared by the federal government under the Biosecurity Act 2015, after a National Security Committee meeting the previous day with state and territory governments. The Department of Health had earlier devoted a web page to the pandemic, as had the states.
• Global streaming services Netflix and YouTube reduce their video quality in the European Union to help prevent Internet gridlock as tens of millions of Europeans work at home or self-isolate.
• Disney will close the Aulani resort in Hawaii from 24 March until the end of the month to protect against the coronavirus.
• Italian Virologist: Fear of Being Called Racist Led to Italy's Wuhan Coronavirus Crisis- "There was a proposal to isolate people coming from the epicenter, coming from China, then it became seen as racist, but they were people coming from the outbreak."
• President Trump announces in a press conference that he will invoke the Defense Production Act to increase production of hospital masks, saying that he views the country is entering a wartime setting.
• Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced nationwide lockdown measures late Friday as British health authorities registered a spike in Wuhan Coronavirus deaths.
• The UK government has ordered the closure of all restaurants, pubs, gyms and other leisure activities across the country, UK media reports said. "Tens of thousands of bars, restaurants, cafes and gyms across the UK have remained closed this morning as the government battles to control the spread of Coronavirus," UK newspaper The Independent reported on Saturday. Schools and colleges have already been told to close indefinitely.
• The Governor of Illinois has announced a stay at home order, making it the latest state to shut down after New York and California
• President Trump refuses to issue a national quarantine in the battle against coronavirus.
• Movie Producer Jason Blum in interview w/ Ben Shapiro- "One of the things I'd agree with the Right about is that I think a lot of Hollywood, including myself I would say, is out of touch with America, with the taste of America, and that bothers me, too."
• Margaret Sullivan writer for Washington Post via Twitter- "The media must stop live-broadcasting Trump's dangerous, destructive coronavirus briefings." (Gives link to her column)
  Rachel Maddow and others call on networks not to broadcast Trump coronavirus press conferences

03/22/20

• China reports 39 new cases, down from 46 a day earlier. All of these cases were overseas travelers.
• Dominica confirmed its first case, a 54-year-old man who recently arrived from the United Kingdom.
• Grenada confirmed its first case, a woman who recently traveled to the UK.
• Indonesia confirmed 64 new cases, bringing the total number to 514.
• Ireland confirmed 121 new cases, more than that of 21 March, and a fourth death, with a total of 906 total confirmed cases and 4 deaths.
• Malaysia confirmed two more deaths, bringing the total to 10. There were also 123 new cases confirmed, bringing the total number to 1,306.
• Mozambique confirmed its first case.
• New Zealand reported 14 new cases, bringing the total to 66.
• Palestine updates the number of cases to 59.
• Romania confirmed its first death, a 67-year-old man suffering from cancer. A total of 367 cases have since been recorded.
• Singapore confirmed 23 new cases, bringing the total number to 455.
• Syria recorded its first case.
• The United Kingdom confirmed that positive test results had risen to 5,683 and there had been 281 deaths.
• The United States confirmed 10,351 more cases, bringing the total number to 34,000. 111 more deaths were reported, bringing the total number to 413.
• Ukraine confirmed 26 more cases, bringing the total number to 73.
• Vietnam confirmed 19 more cases, bringing the total number to 113.
• In response to a rise in imported cases, the Civil Aviation Administration of China decided to divert international flights bound for Beijing to 12 designated airports for quarantine.
• The Canadian Olympic Committee and the Canadian Paralympic Committee have called for the postponement of the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games, warning that they will not send athletes if the Games go ahead on 24 July.
• India observed a 14-hour long curfew both to try and combat the coronavirus pandemic and assess the country's ability to fight the virus.
• Singapore banned all travelers starting from 23 March, 11:59 p.m. This comes after a spike in imported cases of COVID-19. Only people working in essential services like healthcare services and transport will be allowed into Singapore during this time. In addition, the Singapore-Malaysia Special Working Committee have agreed to have Malaysians with work permits to continue working in Singapore. Discussions are ongoing.
• The British television channel ITV suspends production of several television programmes including Coronation Street, Emmerdale, and the talk show Loose Women.
• A stimulus vote in the United States to lessen the coronavirus impact fails to pass after falling short of the required votes. This comes after several Democrats voted against the bill due to insufficient worker protections.
• China's ambassador to Washington, Cui Tianki in an U.S. television interview- Cui said it would be "crazy to spread such theories" (of a U.S. Army role in bringing the disease to China), and that such "speculation helps nobody."
• Reports show CNN, Politico and others also changed news headlines from blaming Democrats for blocking bill, to show partisan blame
• Valentin Dupouey, head of communications for the European Greens says a major overhaul of Democracy is required to force acceptance of the economic de-growth required to address the climate crisis. "We need to be able to tell a French minimum-wage worker that his lifestyle is not compatible with the planet's boundaries, and we need to be able to say to a Chinese average citizen that he will never be able to reach the material lifestyle of a French minimum-wage worker."
• Senator Rand Paul has tested positive for COVID-19. He is asymptomatic. It is discovered that while he waited for the results, he kept going to work, the gym, and the pool. Rep. Mario Diaz-Ballart (R-FL) and Rep. Ben McAdams (D-UT) tested positive last week.
• Josh Lederman- NBC News via Twitter- BREAKING: Pelosi (D-CA) says there is still *no deal* on coronavirus rescue package. "We'll be introducing our own bill," Pelosi (D-CA) says
• John Bresnahan via Twitter- GOP congressional leaders still privately believe there will be a Phase 3 deal as early as today. Could slide into Monday /2 Dems are seeking stronger "worker protection" language & "hundreds of billions of dollars" in supplemental spending portion of package /3 GOP source said Pelosi (D-CA) had a "laundry list" of additional requests, including election security funding. Dems also raised wiping out $10k in student loan debt & host of other issues
• speaker.gov- Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) Press Release- "Today, we are finalizing our Take Responsibility for Workers and Families legislation. As we do so, the Senate continues to engage in negotiation. Leader McConnell had to postpone his 3 p.m. cloture vote on the motion to proceed because, thanks to Leader Chuck Schumer and Senate Democrats, he did not have the 60 votes required."
• Ken Farnaso, Deputy Press Secretary for President via Twiter reports that New York Times changed headline on a major story multiple times:
  Headline #1- Democrats Block Action On $1.8 Trillion Stimulous
  Headline #2- Democrats Block Action On Stimulous Plan, Seeking Worker Protections
  Headline #3- Partisan Divide Threatens Deal On Rescue Bill
  NOTE: Current headline on that story currently reads: Emergency Economic Rescue Plan in Limbo as Democrats Block Action

03/23/20

• Belize confirmed its first case, a local resident who recently returned from Los Angeles.
• Indonesia confirmed 65 new cases, bringing the total number to 579.
• Ireland confirmed 219 new cases, the largest increase to date, and two deaths, with a total of 1,125 total confirmed cases and 6 deaths.
• Myanmar confirmed its first two cases.
• New Zealand confirms 36 new cases, bringing the total number to 102.
• Panama confirmed several new cases, bringing the total number to 345. Panama also confirmed several new deaths, bringing the total number to 6.
• Singapore confirmed 54 new cases, bringing the total number to 509.
• Turks and Caicos Islands confirm their first case.
• The United Kingdom confirmed that positive test results had risen to 6,650 and there had been 335 deaths.
• Vietnam confirmed 10 more cases, bringing the total number to 123.
• Wuhan eases its two-month lockdown on residents including allowing those from compounds deemed virus-free to leave their homes and return to work, if they did not have a temperature and could provide a green code of health. Non-residents were allowed to apply to leave the city. Resumption of train services.
• In response to a spike in cases, the New Zealand Government has raised the national COVID-19 alert level to three in preparation for a nationwide lockdown that will come into effect midnight 26 March. As part of the nationwide lockdown that will come into effect on 26 March, the COVID-19 alert level will be raised to four. Schools, all indoor and outdoor events, most businesses, and cafes will be required to shut down. However, essential services such as supermarkets, petrol stations, and health services will remain open. The Government also released a list of "essential services" that will would be allowed to operate during the four-week lockdown.
• Singapore announced that all arriving travelers will be required to fill up online health declaration forms before undergoing immigration clearance from 27 March as a protection measure against the coronavirus.
• Former American film producer and convicted sex offender Harvey Weinstein tests positive for the coronavirus.
• Senate colleagues Martha McSally (R-AZ) and Kyrsten Sinema (D-AZ) call Rand Paul (R-KY) "absolutely irresponsible" for going out in public and using the Senate pool and gym after testing positive for Covid-19.
• Savannah Guthrie, NBC's Today show- "Overnight, Senate Democrats block the nearly $2 trillion coronavirus aid package, saying it has a slush fund for big business. Republicans warning their rivals are playing with fire as the economy tanks,"
• The Senate Democrats once again defeated the procedural vote to allow the Senate to begin debate on the coronavirus bill. The Senate needed 60 votes. The end vote was 49-46. 41 Dems have voted nay.

• Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) drafted her own bill, which is over 1400 pages
  Take Responsibility for Workers and Families Act
  Some items in it:
  • $30 billion directly provided to states to help them stabilize their funding for schools.
  • $10 billion to help alleviate the harm caused by the coronavirus on higher education institutions, while providing them with added flexibility to continue operating during the crisis.
  • The legislation also would help current borrowers with their student debt burden and GI Bill benefits.
  • But Also:
  • Elimination Of US Postal Service Debt; Additional Borrowing Authority
  • Grants For Conducting Risk-Limiting Audits Of Results Of Elections
  • Same Day Voter Registration
  • For an additional amount for "Migration and Refugee Assistance", $300,000,000
  • Nullification Of Executive Orders Relating To Federal Employee Collective Bargaining.
  • Carbon Offsetting Program- require each air carrier receiving assistance to fully offset the annual carbon emissions of such air carriers for domestic flights beginning in 2025
  • Improving Consumer Information Regarding Release Of Greenhouse Gases From Flights
  • Research And Development Of Sustainable Aviation Fuels
  • Modification Of Special Rules For Minimum Funding Standards For Community Newspaper Plans
  • Expansion Of Use Of Minority Banks And Minority Credit Unions.
  • Diversity And Inclusion Initiatives.-Any corporation that receives Federal aid related to COVID-19 must maintain officials and budget dedicated to diversity and inclusion initiatives for no less than 5 years after disbursement of funds.
  • $1,000,000 for the Sergeant at Arms and Doorkeeper of the Senate
  • Oversight Panel for business loans, including collecting:
  1. Diversity data from any corporation that receives Federal aid related to COVID-19
  2. Employee Demographics. The gender, race, and ethnic identity of corporate employees
  3. Supplier Diversity. The number and dollar value invested with minority- and women owned suppliers
  4. Pay Equity. A comparison of pay amongst racial and ethnic minorities as compared to their white counterparts
  5. Corporate board demographic data, including total number of board members, gender, race and ethnic identity of board members

03/24/20

• China reports 78 newly confirmed cases including 74 imported cases, bringing the total number of imported cases to 427. In addition, the NHC reported seven deaths in Wuhan.
• Easter Island reports its first case.
• Indonesia confirmed 107 new cases, the largest increase it has had to date, bringing the total number of cases to 686.
• Ireland confirmed 204 new cases, fewer than that of 23 March, and one death, giving a total of 1,329 total confirmed cases and 7 deaths.
• Italy confirmed 5,249 new cases and 743 new deaths, taking the country to a total of 69,176 cases and 6,820 deaths.
• Laos reported its first two cases.
• Libya confirmed its first case.
• Malaysia reported 106 new cases, bringing the total number to 1,624. Malaysia also reported one death, bringing the total number of deaths to 15.
• New Caledonia reported two new cases, bringing the total to nine.
• New Zealand confirmed 40 new cases, and started including probable cases in its count. The inclusion brings New Zealand's total to 155.
• Palestine reports a new case, bringing the total number to 60.
• Panama confirmed 98 new cases, bringing the total number to 443, and 2 deaths, bringing the total number to 8.
• Singapore confirmed 49 new cases, bringing the total number to 558.
• The United Kingdom confirmed that positive test results had risen to 8,077 and there had been 422 deaths. The 8,077 cases included 6,843 in England, 584 in Scotland, 478 in Wales and 172 in Northern Ireland.
• Chinese Premier Li Keqiang reports that the spread of domestically transmitted cases has been basically blocked and the outbreak has been controlled in China.
• The International Olympic Committee, International Paralympic Committee and the Tokyo 2020 Organising Committee announce that the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games and the 2020 Tokyo Paralympic Games will be postponed to a date beyond 2020 but no later than summer 2021. Marking the first time in the 124-year history of the Olympic Games that has ever been postponed, rather than cancelled.
• The New Zealand Government has extended all
• temporary visas until late September 2020; allowing travelers whose visas expire before 1 April to remain if they are unable to leave the country. Foreign Minister Winston Peters has urged New Zealanders stranded overseas to consider sheltering "in place" due to travel restrictions. Peters has estimated there were 80,000 New Zealanders stranded overseas; 17,000 of whom have registered with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade's "Safe Travel" programme.
• Poland's government announced further restrictions on people leaving their homes and on public gatherings to further limit the spread of SARS-CoV-2 infections. The new limits constrained gatherings by default to a maximum of two people (with an exception for families); an exception for religious gatherings, such as mass in the Catholic Church, funerals and marriages in which five participants and the person conducting the ceremony were allowed to gather; and an exception for work places. Non-essential travel was prohibited, with the exception of travelling to work or home, SARS-CoV-2 control related activities, or "necessary everyday activities". Everyday activities qualifying as "necessary" included shopping, buying medicines, visiting doctors, walking dogs, jogging, cycling and walking, provided that no more than two people participate and contact with others was avoided. The restrictions were initially defined for the period from 25 March to 11 April inclusive.
• India's prime minister Narendra Modi announced a total lockdown, effective from midnight on 25 March.
• Panama extended its curfew to 12 hours in length, starting at 5 PM and ending at 5 AM of the next day. The Panamanian government also announced fines of up to US$100,000 for those who refuse to stay in self-quarantine, after being diagnosed. Several businesses began to cover their glass windows with playwood panels and/or bricks to prevent looting. The first of several Lufthansa 747-400s landed in the Tocumen International Airport, to repatriate 700 German tourists. Later in the day, the Panamanian government established a nationwide lockdown until further notice, with citizens only allowed to go outside for 3 hours a day, with the allowed exit time depending on their last ID or passport number digit. So, for example, if one's ID number ends in 7, that person will be allowed to go outside at 6:30 AM, and will have to return home at 9:30 AM. Citizens over 60 will only be allowed to be outside from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM. The government also announced a 50% discount on power bills for those who consume less than 300 Kw/h, and announced a 3-month grace period for users who are unable to pay their power, internet and water bills.
• The 2020 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony was posponed for November 2020.
• In a virtual town hall held at the White House, President Trump declares that his hope is that the American economy will open back up by Easter Sunday, eliciting concerns from the medical and scientific community. He also expressed desire to ease social distancing restrictions set up to control the spread of coronavirus.
• Donald Trump easily fields softball questions in a virtual town hall meeting on Fox News. He compares the coronavirus pandemic to a bad seasonal flu epidemic, promises to help Boeing, and calls for the country to go back to work by Easter.
• A congressionally-mandated commission recommends women should be eligible for the draft.
• The $2 trillion rescue package worked out by Secretary of the Treasury Steve Mnuchin, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY), and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) is held up by Republican Senators Lindsey Graham (R-SC), Tim Scott (R-SC), Ben Sasse (R-Ne), and Rick Scot (R-FL) who fear it is too generous for American workers. Bernie Sanders (D-VT) says he will vote against the bill unless the Republicans drop their demands. (The bill passed the next day 96-0).
• Joe Biden calls for an end to Democratic debates.
• The FBI kills a suspected white supremacist just before he detonated a car bomb outside a medical center in Kansas City, Missouri. 36-year-old Timothy Wilson "espoused white supremacist ideology" and "made a threat that if any agent attempted to [search his property] they should 'bring a lot of body bags," said the FBI alert that circulated on March 25.
• Glenn Kessler, Editor/chief writer of Washington Post's Fact Checker gets angry at Trump, but the quote he shares on Twitter is actually Bill Gates who said it to mock Trump.
• openDemocracy mused that social distancing and quarantine during the Chinese virus pandemic may have revealed the limitations of the private, single-family household and perhaps now there is a chance we can do away with it.

03/25/20

• British Virgin Islands reported their first two cases.
• Guinea-Bissau reported its first two cases.
• Ireland confirmed 235 new cases, the largest increase to date, and two deaths, giving a total of 1,564 total confirmed cases and 9 deaths.
• Latvia reported 24 new cases, among them the first five untraceable cases, raising the total number to 221.
• Mali reported its first two cases.
• New Zealand reported 50 new cases including probable cases, bringing the total number of confirmed and probable cases to 205.
• Palestine confirms its first death. Authorities also confirm two news cases, bringing the total to 62.
• Peru confirmed two deaths, bringing the death toll to 9.
• Saint Kitts and Nevis reported its first two cases.
• Singapore confirmed 73 new cases, bringing the total number to 631.
• The United Kingdom confirmed that positive test results had risen to 9,529 and there had been 463 deaths.
• The number of deaths in the United States from the coronavirus disease is 826. Two hundred eighty-six are in New York state, one hundred twenty-six in Washington state, fifty-eight in California, forty-six in Louisiana and thirty-eight in Georgia. Thirty-six other states have recorded deaths which combined are two hundred seventy-four.
• Hubei's Health Commission eliminates all travel restrictions in and out of the province with the exception of Wuhan.
• In response to a sharp spike in coronavirus cases to 205, New Zealand's Civil Defence Minister Peeni Henare declared a national state of emergency lasting seven days, which may be extended. This supplements the Coronavirus alert level 4 rating that comes into action at 11:59 pm.
• Diamond Comics Distributors, a major distributor for most major US publishers including Marvel Comics and DC Comics, announces that it will stop shipping new comics to stores commencing 1 April. Diamond's sister company Alliance Game Distributors also adopted a similar policy, shutting down both its distribution systems the previous day.
• Charles, Prince of Wales, heir apparent to the British throne, tests positive for the Covid-19 virus.
• Egypt begins disinfection on the Giza pyramid complex.
• A 17-yer-old boy in Lancaster, California died of COVID-19 after being denied health care because he did not have health insurance.

03/26/20

• Anguilla reported its first two cases.
• Iran reported 2,389 new cases and 175 deaths within the last 24 hours, bringing Iran's total death toll to 2,234.
• Ireland confirmed 255 new cases, the largest increase to date, and ten deaths, the largest jump in deaths to date (previously 2 deaths in one day), giving a total of 1,819 total confirmed cases and 19 deaths.
• New Zealand reported 78 confirmed and probable cases, bringing the total to 283. A total of 27 people have recovered from the virus.
• Palestine confirms 13 new cases, bringing the total to 86.
• Panama confirmed 116 new cases, bringing the total to 674, and confirmed a new death, bringing the total to 9.
• Russia confirmed 182 cases, bringing the total to 842.
• Singapore confirmed 52 new cases, bringing the total number to 683.
• Spain confirmed a further 655 deaths, taking the country's death toll to 4,000.
• India announces a 1.7 trillion INR economic stimulus plan to help millions of people affected by a nationwide lockdown. The Minister of Finance Nirmala Sitharaman also confirmed that the Indian Government plans to distribute five kilograms of staple food grains like wheat or rice for each person free of charge in order to feed about 800 million poor people over the next three months.
• Russia halts all international air traffic with the exception of flights repatriating Russian citizens back to the country. Moscow closes all restaurants, bars, parks, and shops but allows grocery stores and pharmacies to remain open.
• Panama began to limit the number of people that may attend a funeral. Now only five attendees will be allowed per funeral. The Panama Metro closed some of its stations, due to a reduction in ridership.
• US President Trump pledges that the United States would cooperate with China in combating the Covid-19 pandemic, signalling a fresh détente between Washington and Beijing after weeks of rising tensions.
• That same day, following a video call summit with other G20 leaders, Trump stated that the US was cooperating with international allies to stop the spread of the coronavirus and to increase information sharing.
• The United Arab Emirates imposes night curfew and begins disinfection across streets.
• The Green Party of the United States says the COVID-19 pandemic will keep third parties off the ballot in 2020 unless petitioning requirements are relaxed.
• Venezuela President Maduro wanted by DOJ for drug trafficking
• Preacher claims COVID-19 Is A 'Plague' On Synagogues Because Jews Oppose Jesus
• New York Times Op-Ed- "Make Abortion More Available During the Pandemic - Not Less. This crisis has underscored the need for greater access to reproductive health care."
• Over 70 journalism / comms professors + journalists have written an open letter about the Fox News's coronavirus coverage, describing it as "a danger to public health." "Viewers of Fox News, including the president of the United States, have been regularly subjected to misinformation..."
• The United States Senate passes a US$2.2 trillion Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (H.R. 748), also known as the CARES Act, in a vote of 96-0, which is to date the biggest rescue deal in US history.
  The bill was carefully written to prevent President Donald Trump and his family from profiting from the federal fund.

03/27/20

• China reports 67 new imported cases, bringing the total number of infected cases to 81,285.
• Ireland confirmed 302 new cases, the largest increase to date, and 3 deaths. This gives a total of 2,121 confirmed cases and 22 deaths. The government issued strict guidelines beginning at midnight where people must stay at home with specific exceptions such as essential employees for essential businesses. Notably, residents are allowed to leave solely for going to the grocery store, pharmacy, for a medical appointment, or for exercise with a maximum 2 km radius from their house where social distancing must be practiced and exercise time must be kept short.
• Italy confirmed a new highest single-day death toll with 919 deaths (surpassing Spain's total released earlier in the day), increasing the country's total to 9,134. Overall confirmed cases of infection rose by 5,959 to 86,498.
• Malaysia confirmed its 24th death, a 35-year-old man who traveled to Indonesia earlier in the month. The country has reported a total of 2,031 cases, the highest in Southeast Asia.
• New Zealand confirmed 85 new confirmed and probable cases, bringing the total to 368.
• Palestine confirms seven new cases, bringing the total to 91.
• Panama confirmed 112 new cases, bringing the total to 786, and confirmed 5 new deaths, bringing the total to 14.
• Singapore confirmed 49 new cases, bringing the total number to 732.
• South Africa confirmed its first death at the same time as when the lockdown in the country began.
• Spain recorded the highest single-day death toll worldwide to date, with 769 deaths. There were now 64,059 confirmed cases, up from 56,188.
• The United States confirmed at least 101,242 cases based on figures collated by Johns Hopkins University, overtaking China (81,782) and Italy (80,589). The US death toll surpassed 1,500.
• News reports citing a government document reported that a 57-year-old woman, who tested positive for the coronavirus disease on 10 December 2019 and was described in The Wall Street Journal on 6 March 2020, may have been patient zero in the coronavirus pandemic.
• The first oil refinery shutdowns in India and Europe were announced while global refinery runs drop in response to plunging demand as countries worldwide implement lockdowns.
• In response to a rise in imported cases, the Chinese Government announces that it will close China's borders to foreigners starting on 28 March in an effort to stop imported cases of the coronavirus from entering China. The ban also includes foreigners with visas and residency permits. Other measures include restricting both Chinese and foreign airlines to a single route and destination a week.
• In Colombia, President Iván Duque announced the extension of the national quarantine in April.
• Malaysian Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin announces the RM 250 billion Prihatin stimulus package to help people, businesses and the economy to weather the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic. The Prihatin stimulus package consists of RM128 billion for welfare assistance, RM100 billion to support small and medium businesses, RM2 billion to strengthen the country's economy, and a RM20 billion stimulus package that was announced previously.
• Japan's professional basketball league B.League cancels the remainder of the season in response to the coronavirus pandemic.
• British Prime Minister Boris Johnson tests positive for COVID-19.
• Shenzhen Bioeasy Biotechnology began to replace the defective test kits it had sent to Spain.
• The United States House of Representatives pass the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act via voice vote, and was signed by Donald Trump afterwards. The USNS Mercy arrives in Los Angeles for assistance. Fanatics, Nike, Under Armour and others began to produce face masks.
• The government of the Republic of Ireland announced restrictions on movement to be in place until 12 April.
• In a press conference on the coronavirus pandemic, President Trump announces that the government will buy more than 100,000 ventilators to meet growing demand. Officials were doubtful if the ventilators could be produced in time to help hospitals that are currently overwhelmed with patients.
• The House passes the $2 Trillion Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) previously approved by the Senate, with President Trump signing the Act into law later that same day.
• After, Pelosi (D-CA) says more money will be needed.
• Hours After Bailout Is Signed, The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts- guaranteed $25 Million via the Bailout- Tells Musicians their last paychecks will be 4/3

03/28/20

• Ireland confirmed 294 new cases and 14 deaths, the largest death toll to date. This gives a total of 2,415 confirmed cases and 36 deaths.
• Italy surpassed 10,000 deaths attributed to the virus.
• New Zealand reported 83 new cases including 78 confirmed and five probable cases, bringing the total to 451.
• Palestine confirms six new cases, bringing the total to 97.
• Panama confirmed 115 new cases, bringing the total to 901, and confirmed 3 new deaths, bringing the total to 17.
• Singapore confirmed 70 new cases, bringing the total number to 802.
• The United Kingdom confirmed that positive test results had risen to 17,089 and there had been 260 new deaths, increasing the total to 1,019.
• Clashes break out on a bridge connecting Hubei and the neighboring Jiangxi province when Hubei travelers attempted to storm a Jiangxi checkpoint. This clash was the result of a disagreement between police from both provinces over how to verify people from Hubei allowed to enter Jiangxi. In response, provincial authorities have announced that checkpoints will be removed and no special documentation would be needed to cross.
• After 63 new cases are confirmed in the United Arab Emirates, the country announced that disinfection and curfew will be extended to 5 April.
• In Nicaragua, many citizens began to express anger and disappointment at their government for not doing enough to control the virus.
• In the United States, the FDA authorized the emergency use of a quick COVID-19 testing kit developed by Abbott laboratories.
• China has reported 3,299 coronavirus-related deaths, with most taking place in Wuhan, but shipments of urns (10,000 to one funeral home alone) in Wuhan raise questions about China's coronavirus reporting
• 'This cannot be our final bill': Pelosi (D-CA) looks ahead while Republicans want to see effects of $2 trillion coronavirus package
• Russian oil giant Rosneft PJSC sells its assets in Venezuela to the Russian government, in what may be a maneuver to avoid any U.S. sanctions in an escalating fight between Caracas, Washington and Moscow.

03/29/20

• Ireland confirmed 200 new cases and 10 deaths. This gives a total of 2,615 confirmed cases and 46 deaths.
• Israel reported 628 new cases, bringing the total to 4,247. The country also reported three new deaths, bring the total number to 15.
• Malaysia reported seven new deaths, bringing the total to 34. The country also confirmed 150 new cases, bringing the total number to 2,470.
• New Zealand reported 60 new confirmed and 3 new probable cases, bringing the total number of confirmed and probable cases to 514. The country also recorded its first death.
• Northern Mariana Islands confirmed the territory's first two cases.
• Palestine confirms nine new cases, bringing the total to 108.
• Panama confirmed 88 new cases, bringing the total to 989, and confirmed 7 new deaths, bringing the total to 24.
• Singapore confirmed its third death. At the same time, 42 new cases were confirmed, bringing the total to 844.
• According to a Guardian report, Western and African expatriates have encountered increased racial hostility and discrimination in response to a shift in recent cases reported in China from local to "imported" ones. Hostility towards foreigners have taken the form of being denied entry to restaurants, shops, gyms, and hotels, being subjected to further screening, and verbal abuse and ostracism.
• Malaysian Minister of Defence Ismail Sabri Yaakob confirmed that 649 people had been detained as of yesterday while 73 people had pleaded guilty to various offenses including illegal public gatherings, obstructing public officials, and breaking through police blockades.
• The New Zealand Police launches a new online form on their website for people to report COVID-19 Alert Level 4 restriction breaches including isolation breaches and businesses operating illegally.
• Panama began to make its own reagents for COVID-19 test kits.
• The Argentine government announced the extension of the mandatory nation-wide quarantine, originally intended to end on 31 March, until mid April.
• House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) on CNN- "As the President fiddles, people are dying. We just have to take every precaution."

03/30/20

• Botswana recorded its first three cases.
• France reported 418 deaths in the past 24 hours, bringing the total number of fatalities to 3,024. France has 44,550 confirmed cases.
• Iran confirmed 2,757 official deaths, with more than 40,000 confirmed cases.
• Ireland confirmed 295 new cases and 8 deaths. This gives a total of 2,910 confirmed cases and 54 deaths.
• New Zealand reported 76 new cases, bringing the total number of confirmed and probable cases to 589.
• Palestine confirmed seven new cases, bringing the total number of cases to 115.
• Panama confirmed 86 new cases, bringing the total to 1,075, and reported 27 deaths so far.
• Singapore confirmed 35 new cases, bringing the total number to 879.
• Spain reported that 812 people have died from the coronavirus in the period between Sunday and Monday.
• In the United States, New York state's official death toll exceeds 1,000.
• Chinese Communist Party general secretary Xi Jinping announces that the Government will introduce measures to help small and medium-sized enterprises affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
• In Hungary, the National Assembly passes a law allowing Prime Minister Viktor Orbán to rule by decree. Other measures include imprisonment for spreading misinformation and maintaining a national state of emergency.
• The International Olympic Committee and the International Paralympic Committee move the 2020 Summer Olympics and 2020 Summer Paralympics 364 days from their original schedules, to be held between 23 July and 8 August 2021 and 24 August and 5 September 2021, respectively.
• In Israel, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu goes into self-isolation after coming into contact with infected people.
• Japan bans entry by foreign citizens travelling from the United States, China, South Korea and most of Europe. Returning Japanese citizens will be required to self-quarantine for 14 days.
• In Nigeria, authorities in Lagos place the city under a two-week lockdown commencing on Monday night.
• In Russia, Moscow authorities have placed the capital into lockdown after many residents ignored official requests to stay at home. Under strict isolation measures, residents are not allowed to leave their homes unless for a medical emergency, to travel to essential jobs, obtain groceries and medicine, and to walk their dogs.
• South Korea requires all travelers returning from overseas to undergo two weeks of quarantine from 1 April.
• The United Nations calls for a US$2.5 trillion emergency package to help developing countries cope with the economic impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.
• In the United States, President Trump extends the country's national shutdown and social distancing rules until 30 April.
• Ford and General Electric unveiled plans to manufacture 50,000 ventilators in 100 days.
• The FDA authorized the emergency use of anti-malarial drugs hydroxychloroquine and chloroquine, for the treatment of seriously ill COVID-19 patients.
• Some Instacart and Amazon workers protested, demanding more stringent hygiene and safety standards.
• Reports show U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents at Detroit Metro Airport stopped a Chinese scientist carrying vials believed to contain the MERS and SARS viruses in November 2018 - just over a year before the first reported Wuhan coronavirus case.

03/31/20

• Burundi confirmed its first two cases.
• China reports 48 new confirmed "imported cases" of the coronavirus but no new domestically transmitted cases on 30 March.
• Guam confirmed two new cases, bringing the total number to 58.
• Ireland confirmed 325 new cases, the most to date, and 17 deaths, the most to date. This gives a total of 3,235 confirmed cases and 71 deaths.
• Malaysia reported six new deaths, bringing the total death toll to 43. In addition, 140 new cases were confirmed, bringing the total number to 2,766.
• New Zealand confirmed 58 new confirmed and probable cases, bringing the total number to 647. 74 people have recovered.
• Palestine confirms two new cases, bringing the total to 117 including 10 in Gaza.
• Panama confirmed 106 new cases, bringing the total to 1,181, and reported 3 new deaths, bringing the total to 30.
• Sierra Leone confirmed its first case.
• Singapore confirmed 47 new cases, bringing the total number to 926.
• Sint Eustatius confirms its first two cases.
• Somaliland confirms its first two cases.
• The captain of a U.S. Navy aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt that has more than 100 cases of coronavirus wrote a stunning plea for help to senior military officials.
• The Malaysian Defence Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob announced that all Malaysians returning from overseas would have to undergo two-weeks of quarantine at designated sites across the country.
• The New Zealand Government extends the country's state of national emergency by seven days.
• The Panamanian government began to enforce limits on profit margins for critical cleaning and hygiene supplies. The government also announced the implementation of an absolute quarantine: now citizens will only be allowed to be outside on alternating days depending on the gender specified on their ID card, with everyone staying at home during Sundays.
• The Solomon Islands closes all schools in the country as a precautionary measure against COVID-19.
• General Electric laid off 2,600 employees in an attempt to save money on operating costs.
• Department of Justice Inspector General Michael Horowowitz released a report on FBI practices in making Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) applications to the FISA court. "As a result of our audit work to date and as described below, we do not have confidence that the FBI has executed its Woods Procedures in compliance with FBI policy...we believe that a deficiency in the FBI's efforts to support the factual statements in FISA applications through its Woods Procedures undermines the FBI's ability to achieve its "scrupulously accurate" standard for FISA applications.
• San Francisco Department of Public Health issued a shelter in place order, which includes a reversal of 13 year old Single-Use Plastic Bag Ban.
  To combat transmission of Wuhan coronavirus,... facilities cannot allow "customers to bring their own bags, mugs, or other reusable items from home."

04/01/20

• Albania reported 16 new cases, bringing the total number to 259.
• France reported 509 new deaths in the past 24 hours, bringing the total number to 4,023.
• Germany reported 5,435 new cases, bringing the total number to 67,366. The country also reported 149 deaths, bringing the total to 732.
• Hong Kong reported that a cat has tested positive for the coronavirus, bringing the total number of infected pets in the territory to three.
• Indonesia reported 149 new cases and 21 deaths, bringing the total number of cases to 1,677 and deaths to 157. 103 had recovered.
• Iran confirmed 2,987 new cases, bringing the total to 47,593. Iran also reported 138 deaths, bringing the total to 3,036. The country also reported that 15,473 had recovered from COVID-19.
• Ireland confirmed 212 new cases, significantly fewer new cases than 31 March, and 14 deaths. This gave a total of 3,447 confirmed cases and 85 deaths. About 1,500 people were being tested per day at this stage.
• Italy reported 4,782 new cases, bringing the total number to 110,574. The country also reported 727 deaths, bringing the total to 13,155.
• Libya reported two new cases, bringing the total to 10.
• Malaysia confirmed 142 new cases, bringing the total to 2,908. The country's health authorities also confirmed that 108 patients had recovered.
• New Zealand confirmed that 61 new cases (47 confirmed and 14 probable) were reported, bringing the total to 708 (647 confirmed and 61 probable).
• Palestine confirmed 17 new cases (15 in the West Bank and two in Gaza), bringing the total to 134.
• Panama confirmed 136 new cases, bringing the total number to 1,317. Several new deaths were reported, bringing the total number to 32.
• The Philippines reported 227 new cases and 8 more deaths, bringing the total number of cases to 2,311 and deaths to 96.
• Qatar reported 54 new cases, bringing the total to 835.
• Singapore confirmed 74 new cases, bringing the total number to 1,000.
• South Korea confirmed 101 new cases, bringing the total to 9,887. The death toll stood at 165 while 5,560 people had recovered.
• Spain reported 864 deaths and 102,136 infections.
• Turkey reported 2,348 new cases and 63 new deaths, bringing the total number of deaths to 277.
• Ukraine confirmed 149 news cases and 3 new deaths, bringing the total number to 794 and the number of deaths to 20.
• The United Kingdom reported 563 deaths within the past 24 hours, bringing the total number to 2,352. The country's youngest reported person to die of the virus was a 13-year-old boy named Ismail Mohamed Abdulwahab.
• The United States confirmed a total of over 200,000 cases and 4,394 deaths. Of those deaths, 1.941 are in New York state, 267 in New Jersey, 259 in Michigan, 239 in Louisiana, 225 in Washington state, 184 in California and 139 Georgia. Every other state except for Wyoming has at least one death attributed to the virus.
• The United States Department of State reported the deaths of two local employees at US diplomatic missions in Indonesia and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
• Albania extended a lockdown closing schools, eateries, and other public venues, which has been in force since mid-March and due to end on 3 April.
• The 2020 United Nations Climate Change Conference, scheduled to be held in Glasgow in November 2020, was postponed to 2021.
• President of Russia Vladimir Putin sent a military plane to the United States carrying medical supplies and masks to help the United States fight the coronavirus as a good will gesture to US President Trump. That same day, Putin approved legislation allowing the Russian government to declare a state of national emergency to combat the COVID-19 outbreak.
• UK Housing Secretary Robert Jenrick announced that the British Government aims to test 25,000 people a day by mid-April from its present capacity of 12,750 a day. The All England Lawn
• Tennis Club also announced that the Wimbledon tennis championship, scheduled to have been held between 29 June and 12 July, had been cancelled in response to the coronavirus pandemic.
• The Union of European Football Associations suspended all Champions League and Europa League matches due to the coronavirus pandemic.
• President of the United States Donald Trump posted his "Coronavirus Guidelines for America" on Twitter after warning that the United States faced a "very painful" two weeks as it confronted the virus.
• The White House estimated that the United States could face between 100,000 and 240,000 deaths as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
• The US Food and Drug Administration reported that it was facing a shortage of malaria drugs including hydroxychloroquine and related chloroquine due to a surge in demand caused by the coronavirus pandemic.
• The United States Department of Homeland Security and Department of Justice suspended hearings for asylum seekers in Mexico until 1 May.
• Eritrea announced a three-week lockdown, commencing 2 April to combat the spread of COVID-19.
• Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered all Israeli citizens to wear face masks in public as part of national efforts to combat COVID-19.
• Japan Post suspended services to more than 150 countries. Japan's Nikkei Index dropped more than 4 percent in response to growing economic uncertainty.
• Malaysia extended its Movement Control Order, which was due to have ended on 31 March, by two weeks. Public transportation would only operate for limited hours while private vehicles including e-hailing services would be banned from the roads between 10 p.m and 6 a.m.
• The Qatari Ministry of Administrative Development, Labour and Social Affairs (MADLSA) announced that workers in quarantine and treatment across the country would be paid in full, ordering employers and companies to follow government policy and creating a hotline for workers to voice their grievances.
• Reporters without Borders launched its "Tracker 19" tool to document state censorship, disinformation and their effect on people's access to news and information during the COVID-19 global pandemic.
• Panama began to enforce an absolute quarantine measure, during which, male and female citizens would only be allowed to be outside their homes on alternating days of the week.
• Sierra Leone declared that a three-day lockdown will come into effect on Saturday (4 April).
• Taiwan required all people using public transportation to wear face masks while barring people with fevers from entering stations or airports. The Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen and Foreign Minister Joseph Wu announced that Taiwan would be donating masks and medical supplies to the US, hard-hit European countries, and Taiwan's diplomatic allies. The Taiwanese Government intended to invest US$35 million in economic relief.
• Turkey sent a military airplane carrying masks, face gears, eye gears, overalls and anti-bacterial fluids to Spain and Italy.
• In an interview on The View, Whoopi Goldberg asks Bernie Sanders why he is continuing his campaign for president. Sanders replies, "We are assessing our campaign, as a matter of fact, where we want to go forward. But people in a democracy do have a right to vote."
• President Trump reveals that his decision to extend the social distancing guidelines to April 30 was motivated by models which predicted that if the restrictions were removed as many as 2.2 million people would die and around half of the country would be infected. President Trump also warned that between 100,000 and 240,000 Americans could become infected in the coming days, despite strict isolation and distancing guidelines.
• unwatch.org- China was appointed to a United Nations Human Rights Council panel where it will play a key role in picking the world body's human rights investigators - including global monitors on freedom of speech, health, enforced disappearances, and arbitrary detention
• US Intelligence reports start coming out, showing that China and likely other countries, Concealed the extent of virus outbreak, intentionally under-reporting the death count from coronavirus
• California governor Gavin Newsome during CNN interview- "I'd be lying to you to say that [Trump] hasn't been responsive to our needs. He has. And so, as a question, as a sort of an offer of objectivity, I have to acknowledge that publicly. And the fact is every time I've called the president, he's quickly gotten on the line. And when we asked to get support for that Mercy ship in southern California, he was able to direct that in real time. We've got 2000 of these field medical sites that are up, almost all operational now in the state because of his support. Those are the facts."
• Sean Ono Lennon via Twitter- Been listening to 'respectable' journalists quoting CCP official numbers for months without doubt or hesitation. Calling it the Wuhan Virus but only days later telling ppl who say it's from China they're racist. The official media have lost their legitimacy.
• The husband of Georgia Sen. Kelly Loeffler (R) recently acquired as much as $415,000 in stock in DuPont de Nemours, a chemical company that manufactures protective equipment. The transaction, detailed in a mandatory disclosure, comes as senators in both parties have faced questions about stock transactions they made in the weeks before the coronavirus situation increased.
• Trump Daily Press briefing:
  Fauci: "I believe ... we acted very, very early."
  Birx: We thought it was going to be "more like SARS" and not a "global pandemic" because "we were missing a significant amount of the data" from China.

04/02/20

• Germany reported 6,156 new cases, bringing the total number to 73,522. The country also reported 140 deaths, bringing the total to 872.
• Israel confirmed 31 deaths and 6,211 infected cases, with 107 in serious condition.
• Malawi confirmed its three first cases.
• Malaysia confirmed 208 new cases, taking the total number of cases to 3,116. Five deaths were also reported, taking the death toll to 50.
• New Zealand confirmed 89 new cases (76 confirmed and 13 probable), bringing the total to 797. Of the cases, 92 had recovered and 13 were hospitalised.
• Palestine confirmed 21 new cases bringing the total to 155.
• Singapore confirmed its fourth death. At the same time, 49 new cases were confirmed, bringing the total number to 1,049.
• Ukraine confirmed 103 new cases and 2 new deaths, bringing the total number of cases to 897 and the total number of deaths to 22.
• The United States confirmed a total of over 225,000 cases and 5,345 deaths.
• There are over 1,000,000 confirmed cases in the world.
• New Zealand Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters announced that foreign travelers in New Zealand would be classified as engaging in "essential travel" and thus able to travel domestically when they have a confirmed international flight out of the country, subject to New Zealand Government requirements. In addition, foreign governments would be allowed to evacuate their citizens in charter flights provided they satisfied New Zealand health requirements. To improve travel between New Zealand and Europe, the Government also approved a second daily flight between Doha to Auckland by Qatar Airways.
• President of the Philippines Rodrigo Duterte has warned lockdown violators that he will not hesitate to order the Philippines police and military to "shoot them dead" if they defy lockdown requirements and harm doctors and health workers.
• C-SPAN and other live feeds and recordings of White House Coronavirus News Conferences were blocked on YouTube due to a bogus copyright claim from NBC Universal.
  According to The White House copyright policy, government-produced materials appearing on its site are not copyright protected.
  However, C-SPAN's video of the April 2nd Coronavirus news conference was inaccessible in many countries because NBC Universal had blocked it on copyright grounds, despite not owning the rights to the footage.
  Reports show that NBC and CNN have used bogus copyright claims to take down competitors YouTube feeds many times in the past
• Richard H. Ebright, a molecular biologist who has been quoted as a coronavirus expert by The Washington Post and MSNBC, said Thursday that it's possible that COVID-19 leaked from a Wuhan lab.
  Shi Zhengli, China's leading virologist on bat-borne viruses, said in March that she lost sleep worrying that the virus could have leaked from her lab in Wuhan after she first learned of the virus in December.
  Shi now tells those who share the concerns she once had to "shut their stinking mouths."

04/03/20

• Falkland Islands reports its first case.
• Malaysia confirmed 217 new cases, bringing the country's total to 3,333. The country also reports three more deaths, bring the total death toll to 53.
• New Zealand confirmed 71 new confirmed and probable cases, bringing the total to 868.
• Latvia confirmed its first coronavirus-related death, a 99-year-old woman with various underlying chronic conditions.
• Palestine confirms 32 cases, bringing the total to 193.
• Singapore confirmed its fifth death. At the same time, 65 new cases were confirmed, bringing the total number to 1,114.
• Ukraine reports 175 new cases, bringing the total number to 1,072, as well as 5 new deaths, bringing the total number to 27.
• In the United Kingdom, the ExCel exhibition center in London was opened as a temporary 4,000 bed hospital, branded 'NHS Nightingale' having been constructed over the previous nine days. It was opened by Prince Charles over video link.
• Democratic Senate leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) says more money for the unemployed will probably be necessary after a record 6.6 million people filed for unemployment benefits last week.
• In an interview on CNBC, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) pushes an infrastructure proposal but says that clean water and broadband provisions will probably have to wait in favor of more funding for direct payments to individuals, unemployment insurance, small-business loans, and protective equipment for doctors and other medical professionals.
• President Trump nominates Justin Walker, 37, who was approved just five months ago to a federal judgeship in Kentucky despite having no experience and receiving a "not qualified" rating from the American Bar Association, to a seat on the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit.
• Donald Trump fires Michael Atkinson, who was the Inspector General of the Intelligence Community who revealed the Ukraine whistleblower complaint that led to Trump's impeachment. Thomas Monheim, a career intelligence professional, will serve as acting inspector general.
• Grammarly's browser, email, and Microsoft Office plugins helps detect and correct basic communications matters such as spelling and grammar. But now when you write "Wuhan Coronavirus" It tries to correct you, to write covid-19 or coronavirus, saying: "Phrases like Wuhan Coronavirus can encourage bias and misinformation. Try using the official name used by the World Health Organization instead. In recent years, medical authorities have moved away from naming illnesses after places or groups of people. Using unofficial names that associate a disease with a particular region or group of people can lead to inaccurate assumptions and bias."
• Washington Post- The coronavirus officially claimed 2,563 lives in Wuhan... But evidence emerging from the city ... suggests the real death toll is exponentially higher.... about 42,000 - or 16 times the official number.
• Trump administration edits national stockpile website a day after it contradicted Jared Kushner (President Trump's son-in-law)
  The website of the Strategic National Stockpile was edited a day after media outlets reported that the original version contradicted a claim by senior White House official Jared Kushner.
  "This is language we have been using in responding to inquiries for weeks now. ASPR first began working to update the website text a week ago to more clearly explain to state and local agencies and members of the public the role of the SNS," the spokesperson said.
• New York governor Andrew Cuomo (D) announced an executive order directing the National Guard to take 20 percent of the unused ventilators and personal protective equipment from Upstate hospitals and businesses and deliver them to the New York City region.

04/04/20 (day I started making this timeline)

• Albania reports 29 new cases, bringing the total to 333 with a total of 18 deaths.
• China reports 19 new cases (18 imported and one in Wuhan), bringing the total number of confirmed cases to 81,639. China also reports four new deaths, bringing the death toll to 3,326.
• France records nearly 5,400 deaths, including 884 previously unreported cases in rest homes.
• Georgia confirms its first death, with the country reporting a total of 157 cases.
• Germany reports 6,082 new cases, bringing the total to 85,778. The country also reports 1,158 deaths.
• Indonesia confirms 106 new cases, bringing the total to 2,092. The country reports 10 new deaths, bringing the death toll to 191.
• Iran confirms 55,743 cases of whom 4,103 are in critical condition. The country also reports 158 deaths, bringing the death toll to 3,542.
• Ireland confirmed 331 new cases and 17 deaths. This gave a total of 4,604 confirmed cases and 137 deaths.
• Israeli authorities report a total number of 7,428 cases and 41 deaths.
• Italy confirms 766 new deaths, bringing the death toll to 14,681. Italy reports 4,585 new cases, bringing the total to 119,827.
• Japan reports 118 new cases in Tokyo, raising the total to about 3,000. The country also has reported a total of 73 deaths.
• Kuwait reports its first death. The country also reports 62 new cases, increasing the total to 479 cases.
• Malaysia reports 150 new cases, bringing the total to 3,486. Malaysia also records four new deaths, bringing the total to 57.
• The Netherlands confirms 164 deaths, bringing the death toll to 1,651.
• Panama reported 128 new cases and 5 new deaths, bringing the total numbers to 1,801 and 46, respectively.
• New Zealand confirms 82 new cases (50 confirmed and 32 probable), bringing the total number to 950. It is reported that 127 people have recovered and that over 3,600 people have been tested on Friday.
• The Philippines reports 76 new cases, bringing the total to 3,094. The country also reports 8 new deaths, bringing the total to 144.
• Portugal confirms a total of 266 deaths and 10,524 cases.
• Qatar reports 250 new cases, bringing the total to 1,213. 16 people have recovered, bringing the total number of recoveries to 109.
• Singapore confirms its sixth death. At the same time, 75 new cases were confirmed, bringing the total number to 1,189.
• South Korea confirms 94 new cases and three new deaths, bringing the total number of cases to 10,156 and deaths to 177.
• Spain reports 809 new deaths, bring the total death toll to 11,744. The number of confirmed cases rises to 124,736.
• Switzerland's number of infected cases rises to 20,278 and the death toll to 540.
• Turkey confirms 76 new deaths, bringing the death toll to 501. The country also reports a total of 23,934 cases. 786 patients have recovered while 1,311 remain in intensive care.
• Ukraine reports 153 new cases and 5 new deaths, bringing the total numbers to 1,225 and 32 respectively.
• The United Kingdom reports a total death toll of 4,313. 183,190 people have also been tested with 41,903 positive cases being confirmed.
• The United States reports a total of 300,915 cases and 8,162 deaths, based on figures by Johns Hopkins University. New York state reports 113,704 cases and a total of 3,565 deaths.
• The first four cases are confirmed in the disputed territory of Western Sahara.
• According to Johns Hopkins University, the number of coronavirus cases worldwide exceeds 1.1 million.
• In Australia, Acting Immigration Minister Alan Tudge urges temporary visa holders, including students, skilled workers, and visitors, to return home in response to a looming economic downturn and unemployment. While Tudge stressed that temporary visa holders in essential industries were welcome, he urged those who were unable to support themselves to return home.
• Bahrain reopens Bahrain International Airport to transit by international travelers but limits entry to citizens and residents.
• China declared Saturday a day of mourning. The country also held three minutes of silence at 10 am local time to commemorate the more than 3,000 health workers and patients who died during the country's COVID-19 pandemic. China's Guangxi region, which borders Vietnam, suspends cross-border and movement with Vietnam in order to contain the coronavirus.
• President of Egypt Abdel Fattah el-Sisi postpones several megaprojects including the Grand Egyptian Museum and moving the capital from Cairo to a new planned city.
• Hong Kong's Labour Department announces that it will conduct mobile broadcasts instructing foreign domestic workers not to gather in public, beginning Sunday. Broadcasts will be in Chinese, English, Filipino, Indonesian, and Thai.
• President of Malawi Peter Mutharika announces several measures to support small and medium businesses including tax breaks, reducing fuel allowances and increasing risk allowances for health workers. The President also announces that he and his Cabinet will take a 10 percent salary cut.
• Nepal's Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation (DNPWC) reports a surge in poaching due to slack monitoring and a drop in public movement.
• The Nigerian Government announces the creation of a 500 billion naira (US$1.39 billion) coronavirus crisis intervention fund to upgrade its healthcare infrastructure.
• Prime Minister of Pakistan Imran Khan issued a statement on Twitter that the Indian subcontinent faced a difficult choice of having to balance between imposing a lockdown to contain the spread of the coronavirus and ensuring that people would not die of hunger and the economy would not collapse.
• Saudi Arabia imposes a lockdown and partial curfew in seven neighbourhoods in Jeddah. Residents in the affected neighbourhoods can only obtain groceries and medical services between 6am and 3pm local time.
• South Korea extends social distance measures for two weeks in response to a spate of cases in the Seoul area.
• The Tunisian Assembly of the Representatives of the People ceded power to Prime Minister Elyes Fakhfakh's government for two months, allowing them to issue decrees, sign purchase agreements and seek finance without consulting parliament.
• The United Arab Emirates extends an overnight curfew indefinitely, requiring people to stay at home between 8pm and 6am local time. During the curfew, UAE authorities will disinfect streets, parks, and public transport facilities.
• Al Jazeera reports that thousands of people have been detained across Central America for violating lockdown measures and curfews: Honduras (2,250 people), Guatemala (5,705), Panama (over 5,000 including 424 for violating rules that limit men and women to leave homes on alternate days).
• United States Attorney General William Barr issues an executive order allowing the Bureau of Prisons to release vulnerable prisoners from federal correctional facilities into home detention. Priority will be given to facilities affected by Covid-19 including Oakdale in Louisiana, Elkton in Ohio, and Danbury in Connecticut.
• Malaysia reported 150 new cases, bringing the total to 3,486. Malaysia also recorded four new deaths, bringing the total to 57.
• New Zealand confirmed 82 new cases (50 confirmed and 32 probable), bringing the total number to 950. It was reported that 127 people had recovered and that over 3,600 people had been tested on Friday.
• Singapore confirmed its sixth death. At the same time, 75 new cases were confirmed, bringing the total number to 1,189.
• Ukraine reported 153 new cases and 5 new deaths, bringing the total number to 1225 and 32 respectively.
• Josep Borrell, the High Representative of the European Union, issued a statement stating that sanctions should not get in the way of the delivery of medical equipment and supplies to countries trying to contain COVID-19.
• German State Minister of the Interior for Berlin Andreas Geisel accused the United States of committing "modern piracy" by allegedly diverting a shipment of masks from Thailand intended for Germany, and outbidding other countries over access to protective equipment. In response, US Embassy spokeswoman Jillian Bonnardeaux, issued a statement on 6 April denying that the US had any "knowledge" of the diversion of the mask shipment from Thailand.
• The Hungarian Government announces the creation of a US$4 billion fund to rejuvenate the economy, using rerouted government resources and the national employment fund.
• Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez announces the extension of Spain's lockdown until 25 April to curb the spread of the coronavirus.
• Ukraine sends a team of 20 medical personnel to assist Italian medical authorities in the central Marche region.
• Al Jazeera reports that thousands of people have been detained across Central America for violating lockdown measures and curfews: Honduras (2,250 people), Guatemala (5,705), Panama (over 5,000 including 424 for violating rules that limit men and women to leave homes on alternate days).
• United States Attorney General William Barr issues an executive order allowing the Bureau of Prisons to release vulnerable prisoners from federal correctional facilities into home detention. Priority will be given to facilities affected by Covid-19 including Oakdale in Louisiana, Elkton in Ohio, and Danbury in Connecticut.
• Voting begins in the U.S. Virgin Islands Republican caucuses

04/05/20

• Albania reports 28 new cases, bringing the total to 361. The country reports a total of 20 deaths and 104 recoveries.
• Canada reports a total of 258 deaths and 14,426 cases.
• China reports 39 new cases (all but one imported) and 78 new asymptomatic cases. China reports one death.
• Ethiopia reports its first two deaths, a 60-year-old woman and a 56-year-old man.
• France reports a total of 90,848 cases. France also reports 357 deaths, bringing the total to 8,078. There are over 28,891 hospitalised patients.
• Germany reports a total of 96,092 cases.
• Haiti reports its first death.
• Iran reports 150 deaths, bringing the total to 3,603. Iran has recorded a total of 58,226 cases, 22,011 recoveries, and 4,057 critical cases.
• Ireland confirmed 390 new cases and 21 deaths. This gave a total of 4,994 confirmed cases and 158 deaths.
• Italy reports a total of 124,632 cases and new 525 deaths.
• Japan reports more than 130 cases in Tokyo, bringing the number of cases in the capital above 1,000.
• Malaysia reports 179 new cases, bringing the number of cases to 3,662.
• New Zealand reports 89 new cases (48 confirmed and 41 probable), bringing the total to 1,039 (870 confirmed and 169 probable). In addition, 29 more recoveries were reported, bringing the total to 156.
• Panama reported 187 new cases and 8 new deaths, bringing the total numbers to 1,988 and 54, respectively.
• Qatar reports 279 new cases, bringing the total to 1,604.
• Russia reports 658 new cases, bringing the total to 5,389. The country also reports a total of 45 deaths.
• Saint Pierre and Miquelon confirms its first case.
• Singapore confirms 120 new cases, bringing the total number to 1,309. This is the highest number of new cases in a day.
• South Korea reports 47 new cases, bringing the total to 10,284. The country reports three deaths, raising the total to 136.
• South Sudan confirms its first case.
• Spain reports 674 new deaths, bringing the total to 12,418 deaths. The country reports a total of 130,759 cases.
• Turkey reports 73 new deaths and 3,135 new cases, bringing the total number of deaths to 574 and the number of cases to 27,069.
• Ukraine reports 83 new cases and 5 new deaths, bringing the total numbers to 1,308 and 37 respectively.
• The United Kingdom reports 621 deaths, bringing the total to 4,934. A total of 47,806 people have tested positive for the coronavirus.
• The United States reports a total of 311,544 cases. New York state also reports 594 deaths, bringing the total to 4,159.
• Johns Hopkins University reports that the number of global confirmed cases has passed 1.2 million with 64,753 confirmed.
• In the Czech Republic, 300 pilots launch a "Pilots to the People" project to use their private planes distribute medical supplies across the country.
• UK Health Secretary Matt Hancock warns that the UK Government may restrict outdoor exercise if people flout lockdown rules. UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who tested positive for Covid-19 ten days ago, is admitted to hospital. Queen Elizabeth II gives a special address to the nation, calling for unity and global cooperation in response to the Covid-19 pandemic.
• Catherine Calderwood resigns as the Chief Medical Officer for Scotland for breaking her own department's advice on self-isolation by visiting her second home twice.
• In Jerusalem, the annual Palm Sunday parade is cancelled due to health concerns. An online service is instead held at the Co-Cathedral of the Most Holy Name of Jesus.
• Malaysian Deputy Foreign Minister Kamaruddin Jaffar announces that the Malaysian Government has repatriated 4,811 stranded nationals and that 2,298 Malaysians remain stranded overseas. Immigration authorities in the state of Johor announce that Malaysians with Singaporean work permits will be allowed to re-enter the country if they pass swab tests proving they are free of the coronavirus.
• President of Sri Lanka Gotabaya Rajapaksa announces that he has released 2,961 prisoners in order to reduce congestion in prisons. These include prisoners that have served the majority of their terms, had been remanded for minor offenses, and had been unable to pay their bail.
• The United Arab Emirates' Cabinet announces that it will strengthen the country's "strategic stockpile." The country's Vice President and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum announces that factories will be redirected to supporting the country's health sector.
• US President Trump urges Americans worried about the coronavirus to take a drug known as hydroxychloroquine, which is used to treat malaria, arthritis and lupus, contradicting advice from US federal public health advisers.
• Lincoln Chafee drops out of the Libertarian race.

04/06/20

• The Czech Republic reports a total of 4,591 cases, 72 deaths, and 96 recoveries.
• Egypt reports 149 new cases, bringing the total to 1,322. The country reports 7 new deaths, bringing the total to 85, and 259 recoveries.
• France reports a total of 8,078 deaths including 6,494 hospital deaths.
• Germany reports 3,677 new cases, bringing the total to 95,391.
• Indonesia reports 218 new cases, bringing the total to 2,491. The country also reports 11 deaths, bringing the total to 209, and 192 recoveries.
• Iran reports a total of 3,739 deaths and 60,500 cases.
• Ireland confirmed 370 new cases and 16 deaths. This gave a total of 5,364 confirmed cases and 174 deaths.
• Italy's death toll rises by 636. The country also reports 3,599 new cases, bringing the total to 132,547.
• Kenya has reported a total of 158 cases and six deaths.
• Kosovo reports two new deaths, bringing the total death toll to 3.
• Malaysia reports 131 new cases, bringing the total to 3,793. Malaysian authorities also report 236 new recovered cases. Malaysia also reports a new death, bringing the death toll to 62.
• New Zealand reports 39 newly confirmed and 28 probable cases, bringing the total to 1,106 confirmed and probable cases.
• Panama reports 112 new cases and 1 new death, bringing the total numbers to 2,100 and 55, respectively.
• The Philippines reports 414 new cases, bringing the total to 3,660. The country also reports 11 deaths, bringing the total to 163, and 73 recoveries.
• Romania has reported a total of 4,057 cases and 157 deaths.
• Russia reports 954 new cases, bringing the total to 6,343. The country reports a total of 47 deaths.
• São Tomé and Príncipe reports its first 4 cases.
• Singapore confirms 66 new cases, bringing the total number to 1,375. Of the new cases, 35 were linked to clusters at foreign dormitories.
• Switzerland reports a total of 584 deaths and 21,652 cases.
• Thailand reports 51 new cases, bringing the total to 2,220. The country also reports three new deaths, bringing the total to 26.
• Turkey reports 3,148 new cases, bringing the total to 30,217. The country also reports 75 deaths, bringing the total to 649.
• The United Arab Emirates reports a total of 1,799 cases and ten deaths.
• The United Kingdom reports 439 new deaths, bringing the total to 5,373. The UK also reports a total of 51,608 cases.
• Johns Hopkins University reports a total of 10,000 deaths and 347,000 confirmed cases. A Malayan tiger named Nadia became the first known non-human animal in the country to test positive for the coronavirus.
• Chancellor of Austria Sebastian Kurz announces plans to reopen small non-essential businesses and DIY shops on 14 April, followed by all shops and malls on 1 May, in order to loosen the nationwide lockdown.
• Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen announces that Denmark will reopen day care centers and schools for children in the first and fifth grade, commencing 15 April, if the number of coronavirus cases remains stable.
• The German Government announces several new public health measures that will come into force after the end of the lockdown on 9 April including making it compulsory to wear masks in public, limiting public gatherings, and the rapid tracing of infection chains.
• In Italy, Poste Italiane makes an agreement for the Carabinieri to deliver mail to Italian pensioners who are at 75 years old and above.
• Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki announces plans to increase testing from 6,000-7,000 to 8,000-9,000 a month in response to predictions that infections will peak in May and June.
• Romanian President Klaus Iohannis extends the national state of emergency by 30 days.
• Spain mobilises 60,000 retired medical personnel in order to facilitate the "contagion slowdown."
• Sweden's central bank, Sveriges Riksbank, extends its 500 billion Swedish crowns loan scheme (US$49 billion) to individual companies affected by the coronavirus pandemic.
• UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson announces that the country now has 10,000 ventilators in its health system.
• The 2020 Open Championship, was originally scheduled to be held between 16 and 19 July, at Royal St George's Golf Club in Sandwich, England.
• The British media company, Daily Mail and General Trust, which publishes the Daily Mail, asks staff to take a pay cut with the difference made up in shares, to help the company cope with the loss of advertising revenue and lower circulation caused by the coronavirus pandemic.
• Alibaba Group CEO Jack Ma donates 500 ventilators, 200,000 suits and face shields, 2,000 thermometers, one million swabs and extraction kits and 500,000 gloves to all 54 African countries.
• Amnesty International warns that older Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh are at risk from the coronavirus due to their overcrowded camps, poor living conditions, and a lack of basic health information. According to the United Nations, about 31,500 of the 860,000 refugees are 60 years old and over.
• In Australia, New South Wales authorities allow the cruise ship Ruby Princess to dock in the state. The New South Wales Police also launch a criminal investigation into whether the ship's operator Carnival Australia breached the Biosecurity Act 2015 (Cwth) and state laws by allowing infected passengers to disembark on 19 March.
• Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other government officials take a 30 percent salary cut as part of government measures to tackle the economic fallout of the coronavirus pandemic.
• Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Abbas Mousavi announces that Iran will not seek American help and demands that Washington lifts its sanctions against Iran. The Supreme Leader of Iran Ali Khamenei announces the withdrawal of €1 billion from the country's sovereign wealth fund to invest in Iran's health services and the unemployment insurance fund.
• Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu implements a national lockdown for the Passover period, beginning 7 April and ending 10 April including banning Israelis from leaving their homes on Wednesday evenings, when families travel for Passover seder meals.
• Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe announces that a state of emergency will come into effect in Tokyo and six other prefectures on Tuesday in order to contain the coronavirus. This state of emergency will empower Japanese governments to order people to stay at home and businesses to close.
• Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta announces a halt to all movement in parts of the country affected by Covid-19 including the capital Nairobi, coming into effect on 7pm on 6th April for a period of 21 days.
• New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters announces that the New Zealand Government will be sending a mercy flight to rescue citizens stranded in Peru. NZ authorities have also gained permission from Chilean authorities to transit through Santiago.
• The Nigerian Government requests a US$6.9 billion fund from international lenders to alleviate the economic impact of the coronavirus.
• Saudi Arabia imposes 24-hour lockdowns on the governorates of Jeddah, Taif, Qatif and Khobar, and the cities of Riyadh, Tabuk, Dammam, Dhahran and Hofuf.
• Singapore quarantines nearly 20,000 migrant workers, mainly Bangladeshis and South Asians, in two dormitories in response to a surge in infection clusters linked to foreign workers.
• The Independent Communications Authority of South Africa introduces an emergency release of broadband spectrum to meet a spike in internet usage caused by the coronavirus pandemic.
• Thailand extends a ban on incoming passenger flights until 18 April.
• World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General Tedros Adhanom advises that public demand for face masks could create a shortage for medical personnel.
• The 2020 Masters Tournament, originally scheduled to be held on 12-15 November at Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Georgia, is postponed.
• Apple Inc. Tim Cook announces that his company will produce and ship 1 million face shields for use by medical workers at its factories in the US and China, focusing on the US for initial distribution.
• In Canada, Premier of Ontario Doug Ford criticizes the United States for blocking the supply of three million masks over the weekend.
• In the United States, New York state Governor Andrew Cuomo (D) extends an order closing non-essential businesses and schools until April 29. Governor of South Carolina Henry McMaster orders all residents to stay at home except for purchasing groceries and exercising.
• The Wisconsin Supreme Court denies Governor Tony Evers's (D) attempt to move his state's primaries from April 7 to June because of the cononavirus pandemic. In addition, the U.S. Supreme Court overturns a U.S. District Court's order that would have extended Wisconsin's absentee voting deadline to April 13. The U.S Supreme Court however still allows the district court's ruling to delay the primary results to April 13.
• OpenSecrets Report shows SuperPac spending for Liberals $67.8 Million vs $33.3 Million for Conservatives
  Overall political election spending so far- $106.7 Million for Liberals $55 Million for Conservatives
• Trump Admin Becomes First Ever to Label White Supremacist Group (Russian Imperial Movement)as a Terrorist Group. The designation of the Russian Imperial Movement reflects growing concerns among U.S. officials about violent white supremacists with transnational links.
• President Trump nominates Brian D. Miller to fill the newly-created position of Special Inspector General for Pandemic Recovery.

04/07/20

• Abkhazia confirms its first case.
• Artsakh confirms its first case.
• Brazil reports a total of 13,717 cases and 667 deaths.
• Canada reports 1,241 new cases, bringing the total to 17,063. The country also reported a total of 345 deaths.
• China reports no new coronavirus deaths for the first time since it started publishing figures on Covid-19 last year. Chinese authorities also report 32 new imported cases and 30 new asymptomatic cases, bringing the total to 1,033.
• France reports more than 10,000 total deaths, including 7,091 hospital deaths and 3,237 deaths in retirement homes.
• Germany reports 3,834 cases, bringing the total to 99,225. The country's death toll also rose by 173 to 1,607.
• Indonesia reports 247 new cases, bringing the total to 2,738. The country also reports 12 new deaths, bringing the total to 221. In addition, 204 people have recovered.
• Iran reports 2,089 new cases, bringing the total to 62,589. The country also reports 133 deaths, bringing the total to 3,872.
• Ireland confirmed 345 new cases and 36 deaths, the largest to date. This gave a total of 5,709 confirmed cases and 210 deaths.
• Malaysia reports 170 new cases, bringing the total to 3,963. Health authorities also report one death, bringing the death toll to 63. In addition, 80 patients have recovered, bringing the total number of recoveries to 1,321.
• New Zealand reports 54 new cases, bringing the total to 1,160. 241 people have also recovered.
• Philippines reports 104 new cases, bringing the total to 3,764. The country also reports 14 new deaths, bringing the total to 177.
• Qatar reports 225 new cases, bringing the total to 2,057. The country reports six deaths.
• Russia reports 1,154 new cases, bringing the total to 7,497. The country also reports 11 new deaths, bringing the death toll to 58.
• Singapore confirms 106 new cases, bringing the total number to 1,481.
• Switzerland reports a total of 641 deaths and 22,242 cases.
• Turkey reports 3,892 new cases, bringing the total to 34,109. The death toll rose by 76 to 725 while the country reported a total of 150 recoveries.
• In the United States, New York state reports 731 new deaths, bringing the death toll in that state to 5,489.
• According to Johns Hopkins University, over 1.3 million people globally have been affected by the coronavirus. More than 74,500 people have died while nearly 285,000 have recovered.
• The Czech Republic extends the state of emergency until late April. Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babiš' government had initially sought to extend the state of emergency until 11 May but lacked sufficiency parliamentary support.
• Finland extends tightened border controls until 13 May in order to contain the spread of Covid-19.
• Slovenian Prime Minister Janez Janša announces that the Slovenian government could ease lockdown measures on factories and service providers if current trends towards the decline of the coronavirus continue.
• UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson remains in intensive care while Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab serves as acting-Prime Minister.
• British Chief Scientific Adviser Patrick Vallance states that while the UK has not seen a rise in the number of coronavirus cases, it remains too early to tell whether the outbreak has peaked.
• Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau confirms that the Canadian Government is working with the United States Government to allow the movement of medical supplies to Canada following complaints that Washington had blocked the shipment of face masks.
• Brazilian Health Minister Luiz Henrique Mandetta warns that the country faces a shortage of respirators.
• Benin's government ordered residents in several cities and towns to wear face masks. The Benin government also placed a "cordon sanitaire" on 12 areas including the capital Porto-Novo and largest city Cotonou, banning travel, public gatherings, and shutting down public transportation. This came into effect the following day.
• The Japanese Government approves a 108.2 trillion Yen (US$993 billion) emergency economic stimulus package worth aimed at combating the economic fallout of the coronavirus pandemic, referring to it as the "biggest crisis" the country's economy has faced since World War II.
• New Zealand Minister of Defence Peeni Henare extends the country's state of emergency by a further seven days in response to a rise in cases. This state of emergency is separate from the four week alert level four lockdown. That same day, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern demoted Health Minister David Clark and stripped him of his associate finance portfolio for breaching lockdown conditions by driving his family on a social outing to a beach.
• Radio New Zealand and Reuters report that over 20,000 Pakistani migrant workers are stranded in the United Arab Emirates. ACF Animal Rescue rescue pet cats, dogs, and rabbits from an abandoned pet market in Karachi's Empress Market.
• Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte extends the lockdown of the country's main island Luzon and its capital Manila until the end of April. Human Rights Watch also calls on the Philippines Government to reduce the number of inmates in response to concerns about a "serious outbreak" in the country's overcrowded prisons. In November 2019, 215,000 prisoners were detained in a system with a maximum capacity of 40,000.
• The Singaporean Government tables a bill to set up provisions for a safe election to be held during the Covid-19 pandemic.
• The Tunisian Interior Ministry warns that people infected with the coronavirus can be prosecuted for manslaughter if they do not abide by governmental directives to self-isolate and cross-contaminate others.
• Uruguay approves a humanitarian flight to evacuate Australian and New Zealand passengers from the Aurora Expeditions cruise ship Greg Mortimer, where 60% of the passengers have tested positive for Covid-19.
• United States Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has announced that the Trump Administration will focus on keeping key medical supplies including personal protection equipment in the United States. Secretary of the Treasury Steven Mnuchin calls upon the Congress to approve an additional US$250 billion subsidy for a small business relief program by Saturday. This would supplement a US$350 billion relief program for small businesses that was launched earlier on Friday.
• President Trump dismisses Glenn A. Fine as acting inspector general for the Defense Department, making him ineligible to chair the recently-created Pandemic Response Accountability Committee that he had been appointed to eight days previously. (independent watchdog for coronavirus funds)
• Amazon.com Inc announces that starting in June, it will suspend its delivery service (and presumably rely more on UPS, USPS and Fed Ex). The company is grappling with a demand surge in the United States, where most residents are under stay-at-home orders to stop the spread of the novel coronavirus that is sweeping around the globe.
• China bans journalists from 3 major U.S. newspapers- The Chinese government announced Tuesday that it will revoke press credentials for American journalists who work for the New York Times, Washington Post and Wall Street Journal and whose credentials were set to expire in 2020, retaliating for state media restrictions by the Trump administration.
• The Wisconsin primaries are held, with the results delayed to April 13 per the district court's ruling.
• President Trump announces that Kayleigh McEnany will become the 31st White House press secretary, replacing Stephanie Grisham, who was moved to be the First Lady's chief of staff.
• Acting Navy Secretary Thomas Modly submits a letter of resignation to Defense Secretary Mark Esper.

04/08/20

• Bangladesh reports a total of 218 cases and 20 deaths.
• Belarus reports 205 new cases, bringing the total to 1,066. The country has reported a total of 13 deaths.
• China reports 62 new cases (nearly all imported), bringing the total number of imported cases to 1,042. China has reported a total of 81,802 cases since the beginning of the outbreak.
• The Czech Republic reports a total of 5,000 cases and 195 deaths.
• Egypt reports 9 new deaths, bringing the death toll to 94. The country also reports a total of 1,450 cases.
• Ethiopia reports a total of 52 cases and two deaths.
• France reports 541 new hospital deaths, bringing the death toll to 10,869. French authorities also report 7,148 people in intensive care.
• Germany reports 254 new deaths, bringing the total to 1,864. The country reports a total number of 103,228 cases.
• Indonesia reports 218 new cases, bringing the total to 2,956. Indonesia also reports 19 new deaths, taking the total to 240. 222 have recovered.
• Iran reports 121 new deaths, bringing the death toll to 3,993. The country also reports 1,997 new cases, bringing the total to 64,586. Iran also reports 3,956 infected people.
• Ireland confirmed 365 new cases and 25 deaths. This gave a total of 6,074 confirmed cases and 235 deaths.
• Israel reports 156 new cases, bringing the total to 9,400. The country also reports six new deaths, bringing the total to 71. 147 are in critical condition while 801 have recovered.
• Japan reports 144 new cases in Tokyo, bringing the total number of cases to 4,768. The country has reported a total of 98 deaths.
• Malaysia reports 156 new cases, bringing the total number to 4,119. The country also reports two more deaths, bringing a total of 65 deaths.
• Myanmar reports a total of 22 cases and three deaths.
• New Zealand reports 50 new cases (26 confirmed and 24 probable), bringing the total to 1,210. 41 new recoveries were reported, bringing the total to 282.
• Pakistan reports a total of 3,546 cases, 57 deaths, and 458 recoveries.
• Peru reports a total of 107 deaths and 2,954 confirmed cases.
• The Philippines reports 106 new cases, bringing the total to 3,870. The country also reports five deaths, bringing the death toll to 182. Philippines reports 12 new recoveries, bringing the total to 96.
• Poland confirms a total of more than 5,000 cases. The country also reports 22 new deaths, bringing the total to 435. Poland has so far tested 100,000 people.
• Russia reports 1,175 new cases, bringing the total to 8,672. Five new deaths reported, bringing the total to 63.
• Singapore confirms 142 new cases, bringing the total number to 1,623. In addition, a person was later confirmed to have COVID-19 after he died, which was caused by a heart condition.
• Somalia reports its first death. Authorities also reported four new cases, bringing the total to 12.
• Switzerland reports a total of 705 deaths and 22,789 cases.
• Thailand reports three new deaths, bringing the death toll to 30. The country has a total of 2,369 cases.
• Turkey reports a total of 38,226 confirmed cases, 812 related deaths, and 1,846 recovered cases. Turkish health authorities have also conducted 24,9900 cases.
• The Emirate of Dubai, which is part of the United Arab Emirates, reports a total of 2,659 cases and 12 deaths.
• The United Kingdom reports 938 new deaths, bringing the death toll to 7,097.
• The United States reports 400,000 confirmed cases and a total of 12,900 deaths.
• Negotiations between European Union finance ministers over an economic rescue package break down due to disagreements between the Netherlands and Italy over what conditions should be attached to Eurozone credit for governments fighting the pandemic. Mauro Ferrari, the head of the European Research Council, resigns in protest at his dissatisfaction with the European Union's response to the Covid-19 pandemic.
• The French Government extends the nation's lockdown until 15 April.
• The World Health Organization's Europe director Hans Kluge issues a statement advising governments not to relax measures aimed at containing the coronavirus.
• The Australian Government approves an Aus$30 billion wage subsidy package to help 6 million Australians, marking the country's largest financial stimulus package.
• Bangladeshi Government imposes a lockdown in Cox's Bazar District, which is home to 2 million Rohingya refugees, prohibiting anyone from entering or leaving the region.
• Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro announces that Brazil will purchase the anti-malaria drug hydroxychloroquine despite scientists warning that there is insufficient evidence that the drug treats Covid-19.
• Chinese authorities lifted the lockdown on Wuhan, which has been put in place since 23 January. Anyone who has a "green" code on a widely used smartphone health app is allowed to leave the city. In addition, train, road and rail connections have now been re-established. In addition, Chinese authorities have launched an investigation of prominent Communist Party member Ren Zhiqiang, who had criticised Chinese Communist Party general secretary Xi Jinping's handling of the coronavirus pandemic.
• Egyptian Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly extends a nighttime curfew, that will start at 8pm, until 23 April to combat the spread of coronavirus. The country's airports will remain closed.
• Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed declares a state of emergency to combat the spread of Covid-19. Ethiopian authorities have already banned public gatherings, closed schools, and required employees to work from home.
• Hong Kong extends social distancing restrictions including bans on public gatherings and businesses until 23 April.
• Supreme Court of India orders that private medical laboratories not charge patients for testing Covid-19.
• The Iranian President Hassan Rouhani appeals to the International Monetary Fund to give the country the US$5 billion emergency loan that Tehran had requested to fight the coronavirus pandemic.
• The Jordanian Finance Minister Mohammed Al Ississ states that Jordan will be able to repay its foreign debt obligations despite the loss of economic revenue caused by the coronavirus pandemic.
• The Lebanese Ministry of Social Affairs launches a 75 billion Lebanese pound aid relief programme. This includes a one-time cash assistance of 400,000 Lebanese pounds (US$140) to about 187,500 families.
• Malaysian contraceptive giant Karex CEO Goh Miah Kiat, which manufactures 20% of the world's condoms, warns that the country's lockdown measures could lead to global shortage of condoms.
• New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern expresses "cautious optimism" that New Zealand may be slowing the spread of Covid-19 after the country reported the lowest number of new daily cases in a fortnight.
• The Pakistani Government announces that it plans to increase its daily Covid-19 testing capacity to at least 25,000 tests a day by late April and to increase the supply of personal equipment to doctors from 9 April.
• President of Peru Martin Vizcarra extends the national state of emergency until 26 April.
• South African President Cyril Ramaphosa orders that the Minister of Communications, Telecommunications and Postal Services Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams be placed on "special leave" for two months for breaching lockdown requirements by having lunch with a former official in her home.
• The President of Turkey's Directorate of Communications announces that the Turkish government will be tracking the mobile phones of citizens to enforce the quarantine through an app called the "Pandemic Isolation Tracking Project."
• In the United Arab Emirates, the Emirate of Dubai's justice department suspends marriages and divorces as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic.
• United States President Trump criticises the World Health Organization (WHO)'s handling of the coronavirus pandemic and alleged that the international organisation had pursued a "very China-centric" approach. In response, the WHO's Director-General Tedros Adhanom has defended his agency's handling of the Covid-19 pandemic in response to President Trump's criticism, urging world leaders not to politicise the pandemic.
• The U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) issue a joint announcement that they will seize exports of medical supplies including respirators, surgical masks and surgical gloves until they can determine whether it should be returned for use in the US, purchased by the US Government, or exported. This followed an earlier memorandum on 1 April by President Trump empowering federal agencies to keep medical supplies within US borders.
• Governor of New York Andrew Cuomo (D) issues a directive for flags to be flown at half-mast in New York state to honor victims of the coronavirus.
• Google announces that it will give gamers two months of free access to Stadia Pro to cope with Covid-19 lockdowns. This offer is available in 14 countries and will be rolled out over 48 hours.
• Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey contributes 28% of his fortune to create a US$1 billion fund known as StartSmall, focusing initially on global relief efforts for the coronavirus pandemic.
• Sanders suspends his campaign, acknowledging that his "path toward victory is virtually impossible", effectively making Biden the Democratic Party's presumptive nominee. Sanders also announces that he is still staying on the ballot in the remaining primaries, collecting as many national convention delegates as he can so they can significantly influence the Democratic Party's platform.
• New Jersey moves its primaries from June 2 to July 7 because of the cononavirus pandemic.

04/09/20

• Brazil reports its first case among the Yanomami people in the Amazon: a 15-year-old boy.
• Canada reports a total of 19,774 cases. Canadian authorities report a total of 461 deaths.
• Chinese authorities in the northeastern city of Suifenhe report 40 new cases, all returning Chinese nationals who had come from nearby Russia.
• Egypt reports 139 new cases, bringing the total to 1,699. Egyptian authorities also report 15 new deaths, bringing the total to 115.
• Hungary reports a total of 980 confirmed cases and 66 deaths.
• Ireland confirmed 500 new cases, the largest to date, and 28 deaths. This brings the total to 6,574 cases and 265 deaths.
• Malaysia reports 109 new cases and two new deaths, bringing the total number of cases and deaths to 4,228 and 67 respectively. The country also reports that 72 people are in intensive care but that 121 people have been discharged.
• The Netherlands reports 1,213 new cases, bringing the total to 21,762. Dutch authorities have reported a total of 2,396 deaths.
• New Zealand reports 29 new cases (23 confirmed and 6 probable), bringing the total to 1,239 (992 confirmed and 247 probable). The country also reports 35 new recoveries, bringing the total to 317.
• Pakistan has a total of 3,713 confirmed cases and 62 deaths.
• Russia reports 1,459 new cases, bringing the total to more than 10,000. The country also reports 13 deaths, bringing the total to 76.
• Singapore confirms 287 new cases, bringing the total number to 1,910.
• South Korea reports 39 new cases, bringing the total to 10,423. The country also reports four deaths, bringing the total to 204.
• Spain reports 683 new deaths, bringing the death toll to 15,238. The country reports a total of 152,446 cases.
• Turkey reports 96 new deaths, bringing the total to 908. Turkey also confirms 4,056 new cases, bringing the total to 42,282.
• The United Kingdom reports 881 new deaths, bringing the total to 7,987. British authorities have also tested a total of 243,321 people, with 65,077 testing positive.
• The United States reports over 15,000 deaths linked to the coronavirus.
• Vietnam announces that 15,461 people including 1,000 healthcare workers linked to a coronavirus outbreak at a Hanoi hospital have all tested negative for the disease.
• Two new cases are confirmed in the disputed territory of Western Sahara, bringing the total to six.
• According to figures released by Johns Hopkins University, there has been a total of 1,502,618 cases, 89,915 deaths, and 339,775 recoveries.
• German Chancellor Angela Merkel has called for "patience" during the coronavirus crisis, stating that society will have to "live with the virus" until a vaccine becomes available.
• Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán extends the nation's lockdown indefinitely.
• Russian retailers report a surge in the sales of alcoholic beverages over the past few weeks during the lockdown. According to market research firm Nielsen, the sale of vodka, whisky and beer rose 31%, 47% and 25% respectively.
• UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson is released from intensive care but remains in hospital.
• Dr John Nkengasong, the Director of the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Protection (Africa CDC), condemns remarks made on 1 April by two French scientists Professors Jean-Paul Mira and Camille Locht that a potential tuberculosis vaccine for the coronavirus be tested on Africa as "disgusting and racist." Mira had issued an apology for his statements via his employer, the Paris network of hospitals, on 3 April, while Locht could not be reached by that date for comment.
• Australian authorities question the Captain of the Ruby Princess and confiscate the ship's black box as part of their homicide investigation into the cruise ship, a major cluster for the coronavirus pandemic in Australia.
• The entire Parliament of Botswana including President of Botswana Mokgweetsi Masisi will be quarantined for 14 days and tested for the coronavirus after a health worker screening lawmakers for the virus herself tested positive overnight.
• Chinese authorities in the northeastern province of Heilongjiang build a new hospital to cope with a cluster of imported cases from Russia. In addition, research published by scientists from the University of Wuhan in the European Respiratory Journal suggests that it is possible for expectant mothers to pass the coronavirus to unborn babies in their womb based on four infected newborns.
• Indian health authorities lockdown several residential districts in the capital New Delhi and the neighbouring Uttar Pradesh state that have been identified as coronavirus hotspots. Residents in those hotspots will not be allowed to leave their homes but will be supplied with food, medicines, and other supplies.
• Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei urges Iranians to spend Ramadan at home during the lockdown. Public gatherings are banned while schools and universities have been closed.
• New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announces that New Zealanders returning home will be subject to compulsory quarantine, commencing by the end of the day.
• The Nicaraguan government releases 1,700 prisoners in response to the coronavirus pandemic but excludes political prisoners.
• The Pakistani government distributes a one-time Rs12,000 (US$70) grant to 12 million low-income families.
• In the Philippines, the International Committee of the Red Cross has worked with the Philippines authorities to establish four isolation centres for prisoners confirmed with mild to moderate symptoms of the coronavirus or suspected of having the disease.
• South African President Cyril Ramaphosa defends the World Health
• Organization (WHO) in response to criticism by US President Trump. President Ramaphosa also extended the country's lockdown, which had stated on 27 March and was due to last 21 days, by a further two weeks.
• The Taiwanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs denies accusations by WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom that it had made racial slurs against him and demanded his apology. Taiwan is not a member of the WHO due to the One China Policy. In response, Beijing accused Taiwan of conspiring with Internet users to attack Tedros Adhanom.
• Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni issues a Twitter post discouraging people from jogging in groups and instead encouraging them to exercise indoors.
• The United Nations delivers 90 tons of medical supplies, sanitation equipment, and water to Venezuela including 28,000 PPE kits for health workers, oxygen concentrators, pediatric beds, water quality control products and hygiene kits.
• The Bangkok-based United Nations Human Rights Office for Southeast Asia calls upon governments to protect the health of migrants from Covid-19 by releasing them from detention centres and suspending deportations.
• The Vietnamese Government implements a 180 trillion dong (US$7.6 billion) tax holiday to help businesses affected by the coronavirus pandemic.
• Canada reports a record 1 million job losses in March with the national unemployment rate soaring to 7.8%. Canadian health authorities also estimate that between 11,000 and 22,000 could die from Covid-19 in Canada.
• The US Centers for Disease Control issues new guidelines advising people working in essential services like healthcare and food supply to check their temperatures before going to work, wear face masks, and practise social distancing.
• According to figures, 6.6 million Americans have filed for unemployment as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.
• The Japanese company Fujifilm enters the second phase of its Avigan anti-flu clinical trial on 50 patients at three hospitals in Massachusetts.
• Uber's Vice President of safety and insurance Gus Fuldner announces that the company will be shipping millions of masks to active drivers and food delivery people around the world to help combat the spread of Covid-19.
• CDC Releases Early Demographic Snapshot of Worst Coronavirus Cases based on hospital reports in 14 states during March
• New research indicates that the coronavirus began to circulate in the New York area by mid-February, weeks before the first confirmed case, and that travelers brought in the virus mainly from Europe, not Asia.

04/10/20

• Africa has reported a total of nearly 11,000 cases and 562 deaths.
• Bangladesh reports a total of 27 deaths and 424 cases.
• Brazil reports a total of 19,638 cases and 1,056 deaths. Brazilian health authorities also report that the infected Yanomani teenager has died from the coronavirus.
• China reports 42 new cases (38 of them imported), bringing the total to 81,907. Chinese authorities also report one death, bringing the death toll to 3,336. Another 1,169 suspected cases or those who tested positive but were not showing symptoms are being monitored. More than 77,000 have recovered.
• Ecuador reports 2,196 new cases, bringing the total to 7,161. The country has also confirmed 297 deaths and another 311 likely deaths as the result of Covid-19.
• France reports 987 deaths, bringing the death toll to 13,917. The French Navy has reported 50 cases aboard the aircraft carrier Charles De Gaulle.
• Hungary reports 210 new cases, bringing the total to 1,190. The country has reported a total of 77 deaths.
• Iran reports 122 new deaths, bringing the total to 4,232. The country also reports 1,972 new cases, bringing the total to 68,912, with 3,969 in critical condition.
• Italy reports the death of 100 doctors.
• Japan reports a total of 6,003 cases and 99 deaths.
• Malaysia reports 118 new cases, bringing the total to 4,346 cases, and 70 deaths. Malaysia authorities also reported that 222 patients have been discharged, bringing the total number of recoveries to 1,830 (or roughly 42% of patients).
• Mexico reports two new deaths, bringing the death toll to 194.
• The Netherlands reports 1,335 new cases, bringing the total to 23,907. The country reports 115 deaths, bringing the total to 2,511.
• New Zealand reports 44 new cases (23 confirmed and 21 probable), bringing the total to 1,283 (1,015 confirmed and 267 probable). NZ health authorities also report 56 new recoveries, bringing the total to 373. In addition, New Zealand reports its second death, a Christchurch woman in her 90s.
• Pakistan reports a total of 3,817 cases, 67 deaths, and 712 recoveries.
• The Philippines reports 119 new cases, bringing the total to 4,195. The country also reports 18 new deaths, bringing the total to 221.
• Russia reports 1,786 new cases, bringing the total number to 11,917. The country also reports 18 new deaths, bringing the death toll to 94.
• Singapore confirms 198 new cases, bringing the total number to 2,108. Another death is also confirmed, bringing the death toll to 7.
• South Korea reports 27 new cases, bringing the total to 10,450. The country has a total of 208 deaths. In addition, health authorities reported that 91 people who were thought to have recovered have shown symptoms of the coronavirus.
• Spain reports 4,566 new deaths, bringing the total to 15,843. The country reports 4,576 new cases, bringing the total to 157,022.
• Switzerland reports a total of 805 deaths and 24,308 infections.
• Taiwan reports two new cases, bringing the total to 382. Taiwanese authorities also report the country's sixth death.
• Thailand reports 50 new cases and one death, bringing the total number of cases to 2,473 and the death toll to 33.
• Timor Leste reports its second case. The country had reported its first case on 21 March, who has since recovered.
• Turkey reports 4,747 new cases, bringing the total 47,029. The country reports 98 new deaths bringing the total to 1,006. Turkey also reports 281 recoveries, bringing the total number to 2,423.
• The United Kingdom reports 980 new deaths (886 in England), bringing the total to 8,958 (8,114 in England).
• The United States has reported over 16,500 deaths. Cook County Jail in Chicago reports 450 cases among staff and inmates.
• Yemen confirms its first case of coronavirus in Hadhramaut.
• According to Johns Hopkins University, there have been 1.6 million coronavirus cases, over 100,000 deaths, and 372,000 recoveries.
• The International Monetary Fund announces that it will loan Albania US$190.5 million to deal with the impact of the coronavirus.
• German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas criticises the US' handling of the coronavirus pandemic as "too slow" during an interview with Der Spiegel.
• In Finland, Tomi Lounema, the head of the country's National Emergency Supply Centre, resigns over the purchase of the multi-million Euro purchase of Chinese face masks that proved unsuitable for local hospital usage.
• Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán makes a speech stating that the country's "tough measures" have slowed the spread of the coronavirus but that country's "real test" still lies ahead. Orbán also stated that Hungary needed 8,000 ventilators and intensive care beds.
• Irish Taoiseach Leo Varadkar extends the country's stay-at-home restrictions until 5 May.
• The Italian Government bars entry to Italian ports by international rescue vessels ferrying migrants for the duration of the coronavirus pandemic. Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte announces that the Italian government will be extending the nation's lockdown until 3 May.
• The Swiss-based Cyclistes Professionnels Associé (CPA) issues a statement warning against pay cut for cyclists during the coronavirus pandemic.
• The Russian Prosecutor General announces that it will be blocking access to "fake news" social media posts questioning Moscow's quarantine measures. Mayor of Moscow Sergei Sobyanin announces that the city will introduce a system of travel passes to monitor and regulate citizens' movements the following week.
• The English football club Arsenal announces that it will be providing 30,000 free meals and sanitary products to vulnerable people and join forces with a local church to deliver 15,000 tons of emergency supplies to Islington. The club also pledged to donate £100,000 ($124,000) to local organisations and another £50,000 pounds to a COVID-19 Crisis Fund.
• The Chinese Government tightens restrictions on the export of face masks and other personal protective equipment, calling for the shipment of such items to be subject mandatory customs inspection.
• Malaysian company Top Glove, the world's biggest manufacturer of medical gloves, announces plans to manufacture face masks to meet public demand in response to the coronavirus pandemic. The Malaysian Government extends the movement control order until 28 April.
• The International Monetary Fund (IMF) approves a disbursement of US$147 million under its Rapid Financing Instrument to help Gabon combat the impact of the coronavirus.
• The Jordanian Armed Forces arrested the owner of Ro'ya TV and its news director for airing a news story showing a crowd of labourers complaining about their inability to work as a result of the country's coronavirus lockdown.
• Kazakhstan extends its state of emergency until the end of April. The state of emergency allows the government to lock down all provinces and the capital, and to shut down many businesses.
• Pakistan begins distributing Rs144 billion (US$863 million) in cash grants to low income families across the country. In the first phase, the Government disbursed roughly US$300 million to banks which distributed Rs12,000 (US$70) grants to low income families.
• The Senegalese government bans companies from dismissing employees during the coronavirus pandemic except in cases of gross negligence, commencing 14 April.
• The Singaporean Ministry of Education suspends the use of video conferencing platform Zoom for online education after hackers hijacked a geography lesson and showed an obscene image. The Ministry is working with Zoom to tighten security settings and measures.
• South Korea introduces early voting for coronavirus patients during the 2020 South Korean legislative election, which is scheduled for 15 April. The South Korean Government had set up eight special polling stations for 3,000 coronavirus patients and 900 medical personnel treating them at special treatment centres.
• The Turkish Government imposes a 48-hour curfew on 31 cities including Ankara and Istanbul.
• The Vietnamese Ministry of Finance enters into talks with international lenders including the IMF, World Bank, and the Asian Development Bank for a US$1 billion loan to deal with its economic deficit caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.
• Zimbabwe's national carrier, Air Zimbabwe, which is facing a US$30 million debt, places all its workers on indefinite unpaid leave.
• According to US Government figures, 16.8 million Americans have lost their jobs in the past three weeks as a result of the coronavirus.
• The US Centres for Disease Control extends their "No Sail Order" for cruise ships. There are approximately 100 cruise ships and nearly 80,000 crew off the East Coast, West Coast, and Gulf Coast of the United States. The order can only be rescinded under the following conditions: after the expiration of the US Secretary of Health and Human Services' declaration that COVID-19 constitutes a public health emergency; the CDC Director rescinds or modifies the order based on specific public health or other considerations; or 100 days after the date of publication in the Federal Register.
• United States President Trump calls upon the US Congress to pass a US$251 billion bill providing emergency funding for business. He criticizes the Democratic Party for blocking the bill.
• Governor of California Gavin Newsom reports a 1.9% drop in intensive care unit admissions (roughly 1,132) in Californian hospitals.
• The New York City Department of Corrections reports that about two dozen unclaimed bodies are being buried each day at a mass grave on Hart Island. US immunologist Anthony Fauci warns that it is too early to roll back restrictions despite progress in combating the coronavirus pandemic in New York.
• The Secretary-General of the United Nations Antonio Guterres warns the United Nations Security Council that the coronavirus pandemic is threatening international peace and security, "potentially leading to an increase in social unrest and violence that would greatly undermine our ability to fight the disease."
• Google and Apple Inc. announce that they will work together to develop an app for tracking coronavirus infections using existing Bluetooth and encryption technology.
• Mail-in voting ends in the Alaska Democratic primary. Biden is declared the winner.
• Reports show that since 2017, the FBI knew the key item used in the Trump/Russia investigation was at least partially Russian disinformation.
  Declassified footnotes to a Justice Department inspector general report show that the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) team investigating members of the Trump campaign received classified reports in 2017 identifying key pieces of the Steele dossier as products of a Russian disinformation campaign.
  Other recently declassified information demonstrates that even more disinformation may have been planted in Christopher Steele's reporting.

04/11/20

• Armenia reports 966 total cases and 13 total deaths.
• Belarus reports a total of 23 deaths and 2,226 cases.
• Brazil reports a total of 1,056 deaths and 19,638 cases.
• Canada reports 1,316 new cases, bringing the total to 22,559. Canadian authorities also report 69 new deaths, bringing the total to 600.
• China reports 46 new cases (including 42 involving overseas travel), bringing the total to 81,953. Chinese authorities also report three new cases, bringing the death toll to 3,339. China also reports 34 new asymptomatic cases.
• France reports 353 hospital deaths and 290 nursing home deaths, bringing the death toll to 13,832.
• Indonesia reports 330 new cases, bringing the total to 3,842. Indonesian authorities also reported 21 deaths, bringing the death toll to 237.
• Iran reports 1,837 new cases, bringing the total to 70,029. Iranian authorities also report 125 new deaths, bringing the death toll to 4,357.
• Israel reports a total of 101 deaths and 10,743 cases. Of the infected, 175 are in serious condition, 129 are on ventilators, 154 in moderate condition, and 7,000 are hospitalized at home. 1,341 have recovered from the coronavirus.
• Italy reports 619 new deaths, bringing the total to 19,468. The country has reported a total of over 150,000 cases.
• Kazakhstan reports ten cases at the Tengiz oilfield.
• Malaysia reports 184 new cases, bringing the total to 4,530. Health authorities have also reported 3 new deaths, bringing the total to 73. According to Malaysian authorities, 44% of cases have recovered.
• The Netherlands reports 1,316 new cases, bringing the total to 24,413. Dutch authorities report 132 new deaths, bringing the death toll to 2,643.
• New Zealand reports 29 new cases (20 confirmed and 9 probable), bringing the total to 1,312 (1,035 confirmed and 276 probable). The country also reports 48 new recoveries, bringing the total to 422. In addition, authorities report two new deaths, bringing the total to four.
• Pakistan reports 190 new cases, bringing the total to 4,788. Health authorities also reported five new deaths, bringing the total to 71. Pakistan has reported 50 patients in critical conditions and 762 recoveries.
• The Philippines reports 233 new cases, bringing the total to 4,428. 26 new deaths, bringing the total to 247. 17 patients have recovered, bringing the total number of recoveries to 157.
• Russia reports 1,667 new cases, bringing the total to 13,584. Russian authorities also reported 12 new deaths, bringing the total to 106.
• Saba confirms its first case.
• Singapore reports 191 new cases, bringing the total number to 2,299. The country also reported one more death, bringing the death toll to 8.
• Spain reports 4,830 new cases, bringing the total to 161,852. Spanish authorities also reported 510 deaths, bringing the total to 16,353.
• Switzerland reports a total of 831 deaths and 24,900 cases.
• Thailand reports two new deaths, bringing the death toll to 35. Thai authorities also report 45 new cases, bringing the total to 2,518, and 1,135 recovries.
• The United Kingdom reports 917 deaths, bringing the death toll to 9,875. 269,598 have been tested with 78,991 testing positive.
• The United States reports a total of 20,071 deaths and 522,000 cases. New York state reports 783 new deaths, bringing the death toll to 8,600.
• The global death toll is now over 107,000, global infections number more than 1,7 million, and global recoveries number 396,000.
• The Austrian Federal Railways puts a quarter of its staff (10,000 workers) on short-time work in response to the coronavirus pandemic.
• In Belarus, many soccer fans boycotted matches in response to the Football Federation of Belarus' decision not to suspend matches on the grounds that the country had only reported a small number of cases. World Health Organization official Patrick O'Connor also calls upon Belarus to introduce new measures to combat the coronavirus.
• The Dutch Government calls for proposals to develop smartphone apps or software to battle the coronavirus including conducting contact tracing.
• Pope Francis officiates over a memorial service honoring victims of the coronavirus pandemic including medical personnel.
• Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan extends the country's state of emergency by 30 days. The country has closed all educational institutes, public transportation, and banned foreigners from entering. Armenia has also announced that it would postpone a referendum on changes to its Constitutional Court till after the emergency.
• The Bangladeshi Government extends the nationwide lockdown until 25 April.
• In China, Al Jazeera has reported that African residents in Guangzhou's Yuexiu District have faced heightened hostility and discrimination including forced evictions, arbitrary quarantines, and mass coronavirus testing in response to growing unease over eight recent cases originating in that district, which is home to a sizeable African community. Ethnic tensions had been inflamed after five Nigerians flouted quarantine orders by frequenting local businesses, causing nearly 2,000 people they had come into contact with to undergo testing or quarantine.
• Ecuadorian President Lenin Moreno announces the creation of a humanitarian assistance fund that will be funded by citizens and companies to alleviate the economic effects of Covid-19.
• Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi extends the nationwide lockdown without specifying how long it will be.
• In Iran, "low risk" businesses in most parts of the country except Tehran are allowed to reopen. However, President Hassan Rouhani urged Iranians to comply with social distancing and other health protocols.
• Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe calls for citizens to avoid bars and restaurants as part of the state of emergency in Tokyo and six other prefectures.
• The South Korean Government announces that it will strap wristbands onto people who defy self-quarantine orders as it monitors the spread of the coronavirus.
• The Uruguayan Government announces that it will be repatriating 16 New Zealanders and 96 Australians who had been stranded aboard the cruise ship Greg Mortimer in the La Plata river near Montevideo since 27 March. The passengers will be flown from Montevideo to Melbourne. The New Zealand Government has arranged to fly their nationals back to Auckland on a chartered flight.
• Vietnamese airliners Bamboo Airways and VietJet Air announce that they will resume flights on 16 April after the expiry of a government order for 15 days of physical distancing.
• US President Donald Trump orders top administration officials to take measures to aid Italy including making US military personnel in the country available for telemedical services, setting up field hospitals, and transporting supplies.
• British Home Secretary Priti Patel has apologised for the shortage of PPE equipment among medical personnel and has warned that paedophiles are seeking to exploit children online during the coronavirus pandemic. The British Government has also announced that it would invest more in domestic violence services including online support services, hotlines and a national communications campaign in response to a surge in domestic violence cases. British vaccinologist Sarah Gilbert has expressed optimism that her team at the University of Oxford could develop a vaccine by September 2020.
• US public broadcaster Voice of America has rejected the Trump Administration's allegation that it is promoting Chinese propaganda by tweeting a video of celebrations at the end of Wuhan's quarantine measures, and observing the US had surpassed China's death toll.
• Mayor of New York Bill de Blasio announces that public schools will remain closed for the duration of the school year in order to combat the coronavirus pandemic. New York has reported the highest rate of infections and deaths in the United States.
• The United States Department of Defense announces that it will be invoking the Defense Production Act and investing US$133 million to increase US domestic N95 mask production by over 39 million over the next 90 days.

04/12/20- Easter

• China reports 99 new cases (97 overseas cases), bringing the total to 82,052. The death toll stands at 3,339.
• Guatemala reports 16 new cases, bringing the total to 153. The country has reported a total of three deaths.
• Indonesia reports 399 new cases, bringing the total to 4,241. Health authorities report 42 deaths, bringing the total to 373.
• Iran reports 117 deaths, bringing the total to 4,474. Iranian authorities report 71,686 cases.
• Malaysia reports a total of 153 new cases, bringing the total to 4,683. Three more deaths were reported, bringing the total to 76.
• New Zealand reports 18 new cases (14 confirmed and 4 probable), bringing the total to 1,330 (1,049 confirmed and 281 probable). Health authorities also reported 49 new recoveries, bringing the total to 471.
• The Philippines reports 50 new deaths, bringing the death toll to 297. Authorities also reported 220 new cases, bringing the total to 4,648. 40 patients recovered, bringing the total to 197.
• Russia reports 2,186 new cases, bringing the total to 17,770. Russian authorities report 23 deaths, bringing the total to 130.
• Singapore reports 233 new cases, bringing the total number to 2,532.
• Spain reports 619 deaths, bringing the total to 16,972. Spanish authorities reported a total of 166,019 cases.
• Thailand reports 33 new cases, bringing the total to 2,551. Thai authorities report three new deaths, bringing the total to 38.
• The British Government pledges US$284 million to the World Health Organization (WHO) and charities to help slow the spread of the coronavirus in vulnerable countries. The British Government has allocated 130 million to United Nations agencies while 65 million was allocated to the WHO.
• The United States Internal Revenue Service announces that the first coronavirus stimulus checks have been deposited in taxpayers' accounts. These economic relief payments are part of a US$2.2 trillion package passed by Congress to help people and businesses affected by the coronavirus pandemic. Most adults will get US$1,200 while parents will receive $500 for each qualifying child.
• In China, several African governments have voiced concern about Africans in Guangzhou being subject to hostility, discrimination, and violence in response to local authorities imposing mandatory virus tests and quarantines on anyone with "African" contacts following an outbreak from "imported" cases in Guangzhou. The US Consulate has advised African Americans against traveling to Guangzhou due to ethnic tensions. Suifenhe authorities also strengthen border controls with Russia in order to slow down the spread of the coronavirus. Beijing authorities also announced that they will reopen high schools on 27 April and middle schools on 11 May. Harbin authorities announce that people entering from Russia will be held at a quarantine center for 14 days before self-quarantining at their homes for 14 days. Harbin authorities also announce that they will lockdown residential units in which coronavirus and asymptomatic cases are found.
• The Egyptian Government postpones its bid to sell its stake in the state owned Banque de Caire due to the spread of the coronavirus.
• Indonesia orders curbs on public transportation ahead of the annual exodus to home villages following Ramadan in a bid to combat the spread of the coronavirus. As part of these measures, public buses, trains, airplanes and ships will be allowed to fill only half their passenger seats. Cars will only be allowed to fill half of their seas while motorbikes can only be ridden by one person.
• Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe encourages people to stay at home, posting a Twitter video of himself cuddling a dog and reading a book.
• Myanmar's Ministry of Health and Sports extends a ban on international flights to combat the spread of the coronavirus.
• The North Korean government calls for stricter measures to check the spread of the coronavirus pandemic, without specifying whether there were any reported infections in the country.
• Saudi Arabia orders an extension of the country's curfew until further notice.

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