COVID-19: Deadly coronavirus continues its race across the globe

Europe reports first death: A Chinese tourist died in France, the first death outside Asia from the coronavirus, the health ministry said, as the global toll now exceeds 1,500. U.S. citizens and their families on a quarantined cruise ship off the Japan coast, the largest infection cluster outside China, will be evacuated. The U.K. discharged all but one infected patient.

China confirmed 2,641 new confirmed as the virus showed no signs of abating outside the country. Japan, Singapore, Thailand and Malaysia on Saturday confirmed new cases. An 80-year-old Chinese tourist died in Paris, becoming the first fatality of the coronavirus in Europe, France’s health ministry said. The man’s daughter, 50, was also infected and remains in a hospital in Paris. There are now 10 remaining cases in France and four of those have been released from hospital after recovering from the virus, Health Minister Agnes Buzyn said on Saturday. –Yahoo

                     As of February 15, 2020 – map depicts the regions where the COVID-19 virus has spread to

Asymptomatic Carrier Hawaii — A man in his 60s tested positive for the 2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) shortly after returning from a trip to Hawaii. He has not visited China recently. The man is from the Aichi Prefecture in central Japan, and visited Maui and Oahu from January 28th to February 7th. Health officials say the man visited Maui from January 28 through February 3. He showed no symptoms at the time. He took Hawaiian Airlines flight HA265 from Kahului to Honolulu on Feb. 3, the same day he reported having cold-like symptoms. While on Oahu, the man stayed at the Grand Waikikian by Hilton Grand Vacations. Officials say he did not have a fever. Shortly after returning home on February 8th, he was hospitalized with a high fever. He was then diagnosed with pneumonia, and ultimately tested positive for COVID-19.

The governor’s exact words during the news conference were “This is a serious concern.” He adds that the state is prepared for this. Health officials say they believe the man contracted the virus before he got here or on his way here from Japan. “The best evidence we have suggests he was infected while he was in Japan before he came to Hawaii,” said Dr. Bruce Anderson, health department director. The incubation period for Coronavirus is up to 14 days. So, the timeline fits that he could have been infected before leaving Japan. Officials also stress that since the man did not have a fever while he was on either island, he was less likely to spread the infection here.

“That’s somewhat reassuring to us because we know when you have fever, you’re more likely to be more infectious,” said state epidemiologist Dr. Sarah Park. “However, as a precaution we are working with partners to identify potential close contacts.” Officials say close contact means actually sitting down and having a conversation with the man, as opposed to just walking by him. Once those people are found, they will likely be quarantined. –KTSM