(CMR) A 27-year-old Florida cruise passenger with a travel history to the Cayman Islands, Bahamas, Jamaica, and Mexico has tested positive for COVID-19 according to the state's latest report issued today. The passenger's results were confirmed yesterday and it is likely he would have traveled 3-4 weeks ago. Test results take between 7-10 days.
Today the United States achieved the distinction of surpassing China for having the most number of confirmed coronavirus cases at 85,594 with some 1,300 deaths. Critics say the US with its 330 million residents was slow to respond to the virus and appeared disjointed with President Trump initially assuring residents they had no need for concern.
Testing labs have admitted to having disastrous delays in testing that has been a key factor in the spread of the virus. Emergency and health care workers indicate that they have been shortages of protective gear and they are forced to continue working even after being apparently infected – the whole time whilst being denied testing.
Today also marked a new high for the number of deaths in a day – 246. Some hospitals are looking to run out of beds in as little as two weeks. Equipment shortage concerns continue to grow. As of Thursday, more than half of US coronavirus cases were in New York state, with more than 37,000. Patients are being forced to share ventilators with a method called “splitting.”
Critics say Trump's response to the pandemic has been less than impressive with him claiming recently life will be returning to normal by Easter. Medical experts say that conservatively the outbreak could last 12-18 months. Many states have now issued stay at home orders.
US media has shared “A series of missteps and lost opportunities dogged the nation's response.”
The virus has spread to over 171 countries in the world infecting over half a million people. Italy was particularly hard hit with over 8,000 persons dead and videos circulating on social people of people in despair leaping from buildings to commit suicide.
Across multiple states including New York and California over 160 million Americans have been ordered to stay home. New York City was hit particularly hard with over 365 deaths and 23,000 infected.
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