Better known as the Coronavirus, COVID-19 persists into nearly the first month of its initially recognized emergence, and it’s questionable as to whether it’s done taking its toll on earth.
Most notably, the virus recently claimed 98 additional lives at the start of this week, accruing a total death toll of 1,868 in China. That was the first death total since February 11 that was less than 100. That same day, 1,886 new confirmed infections for a total of 72,436—that number had not been below 2,000 since January 30. These numbers supposedly support the idea that preventive measures taken by China to suppress the spread of COVID-19 are being effective, but it may be too early to say so for sure.
Even still, these measures, such as harsher travel restrictions, have come at a cost to China’s economy, finance, and business. For example, Apple Inc recently pointed out lower revenue as a direct consequence of the epidemic, which naturally jeopardized production due to lack of resources and simply weaker demand for the product. This kind of tension spreads into the smaller-scale companies and business in China as well, reinforcing an anxious and nervous attitude in employers, employees, students, and regular citizens alike.
On another note, finally, after two weeks of quarantine in Japan, the Diamond Princess finally released “over 300 American cruise liner passengers,” including 14 who tested positive for coronavirus, to be flown to military bases in the United States. About half of the known cases of the Coronavirus noticed outside of China were found aboard that cruise-liner where about “400 people tested positive” from the time of the boat’s quarantine.
Moreover, countries like Japan and Singapore have shown symptoms of being afflicted by the indirect effects of the Coronavirus on their respective economies due to how it has affected China’s economy itself. We stand to see how the strain progresses on both the domestic level and international level in the near future.
Darlon Riviere - Staff Writer