COVID-19: key developments for Thursday, April 9, 2020

Over 80,000 new cases have been reported worldwide in just one day, pushing the global total above 1.5 million. The United States remains the epicenter of the outbreak, with over 30,000 additional cases and more than 1,800 deaths recorded since yesterday. Spain has overtaken both Italy and Germany, surpassing 150,000 confirmed cases. Meanwhile, New York State is nearing 150,000 cases, making it one of the hardest-hit regions globally.

A third of American renters are struggling to make rent payments this month. While some tenants are temporarily shielded from eviction, they face the harsh reality that falling behind on rent could become an insurmountable challenge. With 16.5 million people filing for unemployment in the past three weeks, the financial strain on households may persist for months, if not longer.

The federal government is reducing funding for coronavirus testing sites across the country. While some facilities will transition to state management and continue operating, others are set to close entirely. For instance, officials in Pennsylvania are outraged as critical testing sites shut down during what appears to be the peak of the state's outbreak. Adding insult to injury, academic labs with unused testing capabilities remain idle due to regulatory hurdles, hindering their ability to contribute effectively to the public health response.

Emerging research suggests that the tuberculosis vaccine might offer protection against COVID-19, based on correlational studies conducted worldwide. However, confounding variables could be influencing these findings. Further investigation and stronger evidence are necessary before reaching definitive conclusions.

States urgently require individuals skilled in COBOL to assist with processing unemployment claims. These legacy systems, dating back four decades, are overwhelmed with applications, and there are few experts left who can manage them. Meanwhile, countless Americans have spent weeks attempting to file claims. Over 10% of the workforce is currently unemployed, creating an unprecedented backlog.

Here are some practical guidelines from the CDC for essential workers returning to work after potential virus exposure. The recommendations focus on safety measures to minimize risk upon resuming duties.

Is it viral reinfection or reactivation? Either scenario is deeply concerning. If either proves true, returning to normalcy after mitigation efforts cease could trigger a second wave of infections.

Our pandemic preparedness infrastructure once stood as a model—until it was dismantled. By mid-March, the U.S. had tested fewer than 350 people per million residents, one of the lowest rates globally. Although progress has been made since then, the nation still trails most developed countries in terms of testing capacity and coverage.

Genetic analysis indicates that most cases in New York originated from Europe. Travel restrictions targeting China were implemented in January, but similar measures for European hotspots weren’t enacted until February, by which point the virus had already infiltrated the U.S. On a positive note, the virus’s mutation rate appears relatively slow.

In enclosed environments, maintaining six feet of distance may not suffice. Additionally, the six-foot guideline applies uniformly in all directions: