Members of Congress are reacting to the coronavirus outbreak by calling on the Trump administration to do more to combat its spread — with some calling for even harsher restrictions on travel to and from China, where the virus originated.
Where it stands: 11 people in the U.S. have been diagnosed with the disease, per the Centers for Disease Control, and it has killed at least 360 people and infected nearly 18,000 in mainland China, per official data.
Why it matters: About 34 million people are living with HIV/AIDS globally, according to 2018 data from the World Health Organization. South Africa has one of the highest HIV rates in the world, with young women especially at risk.
Pharmacists at large pharmacies like CVS, Rite Aid and Walgreens are warning that their understaffed and chaotic workplaces are putting patients at risk, the New York Times reports.
Why it matters: If a pharmacist makes a mistake while dispensing a patient's medication, the consequences can be dire.
Major health industry groups, governors and state Medicaid directors have all raised significant concerns with a Trump administration proposal that would change the rules and oversight of some forms of state Medicaid financing.
Why it matters: Billions of dollars are on the line for both states and providers, which they say in turn threatens the health care of some of America's most vulnerable people.
Medical teams and supplies were arriving Monday at the newly built Wuhan Huoshenshan Hospital, a 1,000-bed center for the treatment of patients of the novel coronavirus, per Chinese government officials and state media.
Why it matters: Wuhan is the epicenter of the virus that's killed 361 people in China and one person in the Philippines. It has infected more than 17,000 people in mainland China and around 200 in 26 other countries and regions. The hospital was built in 10 days.
Defense Secretary Mark Esper on Saturday approved a request to prepare 14-day quarantine housing for up to 1,000 people returning to the U.S. from overseas travel, amid concerns about the spread of the strain of coronavirus first detected in Wuhan, China, CNN reports.
Why it matters: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention confirmed the eighth case of coronavirus in the U.S. on Saturday. The U.S. declared the virus a public health emergency on Friday.
A 44-year-old man — who was a Wuhan resident but died in the Philippines Saturday — has become the first person outside of China to die from the novel coronavirus, the World Health Organization (WHO) confirmed in a statement.
This is the first reported case outside of China. However, we need to keep in mind that he came from Wuhan, China."
