COVID-19 PANDEMIC: Day 112: Avoid taking ibuprofen for Covid-19 symptoms, says WHO
.Airport security workers wearing protective gear amid concerns of the Covid-19 coronavirus help passengers at Shanghai Pudong International Airport in Shanghai on Wednesday. (AFP)
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Avoid taking ibuprofen for Covid-19 symptoms, says WHO
GENEVA (AFP) – The World Health Organisation recommended on Tuesday (March 17) that people suffering Covid-19 symptoms avoid taking ibuprofen, after French officials warned that anti-inflammatory drugs could worsen effects of the virus.
The warning by French Health Minister Olivier Veran followed a recent study in The Lancet medical journal that hypothesised that an enzyme boosted by anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen could facilitate and worsen Covid-19 infections.
Asked about the study, WHO spokesman Christian Lindmeier told reporters in Geneva the UN health agency’s experts were “looking into this to give further guidance.”
“In the meantime, we recommend using rather paracetamol, and do not use ibuprofen as a self-medication. That’s important,” he said.
He added that if ibuprofen had been “prescribed by the healthcare professionals, then, of course, that’s up to them.”
His comments came after Veran sent a tweet cautioning that the use of ibuprofen and similar anti-inflammatory drugs could be “an aggravating factor” in Covid-19 infections.
“In the case of fever, take paracetamol,” he wrote.
The French minister stressed that patients already being treated with anti-inflammatory drugs should ask advice from their doctor.
Paracetamol must be taken strictly according to the recommended dose, because too much of it can damage the liver.
The Covid-19 pandemic, which has infected around 190,000 people worldwide and killed more than 7,800, causes mild symptoms in most people, but can result in pneumonia and in some cases severe illness that can lead to multiple organ failure.
Even before the pandemic, French authorities sounded the alarm over serious “infectious complications” linked to the use of ibuprofen, which is sold under various brands like Nurofen and Advil, and other anti-inflammatory drugs.
The spokesman said Reckitt Benckiser was “engaging with the WHO, EMA (the European Medicines Agency) and other local health authorities” on the issue and would provide “any additional information or guidance necessary for the safe use of our products following any such evaluation”. .
A spokesman for British pharmaceutical company Reckitt Benckiser, which makes Nurofen, said in an email statement that the company was aware of concerns raised about “the use of steroids and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAIDs) products, including ibuprofen, for the alleviation of Covid-19 symptoms.”
“Consumer safety is our number one priority,” the spokesman said, stressing that “Ibuprofen is a well-established medicine that has been used safely as a self-care fever and pain reducer, including in viral illnesses, for more than 30 years.”
“We do not currently believe there is any proven scientific evidence linking over-the-counter use of ibuprofen to the aggravation of Covid-19,” the statement said.
Travel curbs tighten, billions in stimulus: Virus update
Airport security workers wearing protective gear amid concerns of the Covid-19 coronavirus help passengers at Shanghai Pudong International Airport in Shanghai on Wednesday. (AFP)
European leaders agreed to restrict most travel into the continent and German Chancellor Angela Merkel signalled she may be open to joint European Union debt issuance. The Trump administration is considering a stimulus plan that could reach $1.2 trillion.
Bonds plunged on concern about a deluge of debt as nations unveiled plans to spend their way out of the crisis. Stocks fell on mounting worries about the scale of the crisis, with more than 193,000 people infected around the world.
Companies including BMW AG and the owner of fashion giant Zara issued profit warnings, while some supermarkets in Britain are resorting to rationing.
Key Developments:
Cases hit 193,093 worldwide, deaths exceed 7,800
Japan Olympic committee still planning for the summer event
Australia tells citizens not to travel abroad; PM shames hoarders
Taiwan bars most foreigners, Hong Kong considering similar step
Most new China’s cases come from abroad, domestic transmission subsides
Updates (latest first)
Euro-area banks get $112 billion from Fed
Euro-area banks took $112 billion made available by the US Federal Reserve on Wednesday to ease funding stress during the coronavirus pandemic. Lenders from the 19-nation bloc borrowed $75.8 billion for 84 days at 0.38% in a special operation coordinated by the European Central Bank. They borrowed $36.3 billion for 7 days at 0.45%. That’s the biggest use of the swap lines since the financial crisis more than a decade ago.
Japan adds travel curbs
Japan will ban visitors from Italy and Spain from Thursday and impose voluntary quarantine of 14 days on visitors from 38 countries including Iran and nations in Europe.
Natixis’s H2O apologises for heavy losses on virus
London-based H2O, which is majority-owned by French bank Natixis SA, has endured large losses across many of its funds this year as bets on the oil price rising, calmer markets and Italian bonds soured. Its funds were hit hard again on Monday, with its Multiequities fund dropping by more than 24%, according to data compiled by Bloomberg.
Italy could extend lockdown
Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte may extend a national lockdown beyond April 3, as coronavirus cases continue to climb in Europe’s worst outbreak, newspaper La Stampa reported.
Conte is likely to maintain measures including travel restrictions and the closure of schools as well as of virtually all retailers. Italy has the world’s second-highest number of diagnosed cases, with more than 30,000 known infections and more than 2,500 deaths. The government has approved a 25 billion-euro package ($27.5 billion).
Earlier, French Health Minister Olivier Veran said the country may start to see the number of new cases level out after 8-12 days of confinement measures, while the Robert Koch Institute warned Germany could have up to 10 million infections in two to three months if residents don’t follow the social distancing recommendations in place.
Meanwhile, JPMorgan Chase strategists extended their projected peak of active cases in Italy to about 38,000 and said it’s still possible for Italian cases to peak in the next seven days. If adjusted for the more pessimistic Italian scenario, JPMorgan’s model now would project a peak across Germany, France, Italy, Spain and the UK of close to 95,000 cases, rather than 80,000 toward the end of March.
UK doesn’t see need for rationing
The UK doesn’t see a need for the government to step in to ration food after a run on key goods, Chief Secretary to the Treasury Steve Barclay told Bloomberg TV on Wednesday. He said supermarkets are well prepared and that preparations for Brexit had given the country a good understanding of its supply chain.
“The message from the industry is that they are very well prepared and they will continue to be able to supply as required,” Barclay said. He also said the outbreak won’t force Britain to delay its departure from the post-Brexit transition period beyond December, because the negotiators aren’t involved in the response to coronavirus.
Earlier on Wednesday, two of Britain’s biggest grocers stepped up their response to the coronavirus pandemic as shoppers crowd stores, with J Sainsbury Plc rationing purchases and Wm Morrison Supermarkets Plc planning to hire 3,500 people to expand its home-delivery service.
Euronext CEO says there’s no reason to close markets
Euronext NV sees no need to shut stock markets during the coronavirus epidemic as they’re functioning efficiently and providing liquidity, Chief Executive Officer Stephane Boujnah said. “There is no reason whatsoever to close markets,” he said in an interview on Bloomberg Television. “It’s extremely important to provide a home for liquidity and price formation.”
HKEX also said it remains committed to keeping its markets fully operational amid the coronavirus outbreak.
The spreading coronavirus has shocked investors this year, erasing nearly $20 trillion in value from the MSCI All-Country World Index in the past four weeks. Italy’s market regulator this week banned short selling for three months as it seeks to curb volatility amid the sell-off, and France and Belgium imposed similar prohibitions for a month each.
Hong Kong has biggest daily jump on record
Hong Kong found 14 new confirmed coronavirus cases, according to the Department of Health. This is the biggest daily jump on record, according to data compiled by Bloomberg, and brings the total confirmed cases to 181, including 9 returnees from the Diamond Princess cruise. All but one case had travel history, Cable TV reported.
Separately, Indonesia pledged to boost stimulus efforts aimed at countering the crisis by as much $1.8 billion, as Southeast Asia’s biggest confirmed 55 more cases taking its total to 227.
Earlier, China reported 13 additional coronavirus cases by end of March 17, with all but one imported. The only one locally reported case was from Wuhan. South Korea reported 93 new coronavirus cases, roughly on par with the increase in recent days, with the total reaching 8,413.
Germany to let banks tap capital buffer
Germany’s financial watchdogs eliminated a key capital requirement for the country’s banks, cutting the countercylical capital buffer to zero from 0.25%. The buffer, meant to strengthen banks in good times for a downturn, will remain there until at least through December. As a result, banks will be able to release more than 5 billion euros ($5.5 billion) of capital they were in the process of building up.
Japanese researchers to test blood thinner for virus treatment
A blood thinner used to treat pancreatitis and kidney disease has been identified as a potential therapy for coronavirus patients, with clinical trials in Japan possibly set to begin within a month, researchers at the University of Tokyo said.
The drug, known by the scientific name nafamostat, is an enzyme inhibitor typically used to prevent blood clots. That mechanism could potentially suppress the protein that the virus needs to enter human cells, according to a statement Wednesday from the University of Tokyo’s Institute of Medical Science.
UBS CFO says able to withstand ‘even severe stressed scenario’
Chief Financial Officer Kirt Gardner said that the bank built up $5 billion of CET1 capital last year, according to a presentation on Wednesday at the Morgan Stanley European Financials Conference. He also said the bank has seen “little to no disruptions” in service to clients and has successfully managed very high volumes across its businesses after the outbreak.
Profit warnings pile up
Profit warnings from UK restaurant and pub companies are quickly piling up as the virus-induced carnage in leisure stocks cements the FTSE 250’s misery.
Marston’s expects to reduce 2020 guidance, Mitchells & Butlers said the virus is having a material impact, while Restaurant Group is seeking covenant holidays with its lenders.
BMW says it’s difficult to offer an accurate forecast
The German luxury carmaker said that 2020 group pretax profit will be significantly lower than last year and announced plans to shutter plants in Europe and South Africa. The spread of the coronavirus will contribute to a decline in worldwide automotive deliveries, the company said Wednesday.
BMW’s warning followed news that car sales in Europe are off to their worst start to a year since 2013. Passenger registrations declined 7.2% in February after a similar drop in January, according to the European Automobile Manufacturers Association. Even those figures may be the best for several months as major European markets like France close dealerships and manufacturers idle plants.
In China, regulators are exploring relaxing some emissions standards to provide relief for automakers battling an unprecedented slump in the world’s largest car market, according to people familiar with the matter.
Barclays signals bonus cuts, warns on profit goal
Barclays Plc may struggle to reach its profitability target for the year as the coronavirus pandemic disrupts its business, joining a string of global lenders warning of uncertainty.
The UK lender might delay some of its investments and cut costs by slashing bonuses, according to Tushar Morzaria, the company’s finance director said on Tuesday. “In a year like this, we have those levers available,” and “obviously variable compensation is one,” Morzaria said.
Zara owner takes $316 million provision for coronavirus
Inditex SA, owner of fashion giant Zara, took a 287 million-euro ($316 million) provision for the coronavirus outbreak, reducing the value of its spring-summer collection and postponing any decision on a dividend.
The coronavirus outbreak has damaged three of Inditex’s largest markets: China, Italy and Spain, all of which have had stringent lock-downs.
Chinese vaccine approved for human testing at virus epicentre
A Hong Kong-listed company said it received Chinese regulatory approval to start human trials of a vaccine against the novel coronavirus. The vaccine, co-developed by CanSino Biologics Inc and China’s Academy of Military Medical Sciences, will undergo clinical trials in Wuhan, CanSino Biologics said in a statement to the Hong Kong Stock Exchange on Wednesday.
It’s another example of a potential weapon against the illness that’s being fast-tracked for testing. Progress is occurring at unprecedented speed in developing vaccines as the highly infectious pathogen that causes Covid-19 looks unlikely to be stamped out through containment measures alone.
Japan moves ahead on Olympics despite coronavirus
Japan’s Olympics organisers will continue with preparations for the Tokyo Games this summer, emboldened by the International Olympic Committee’s statement that the games will go ahead as planned in an “unprecedented situation”. The Tokyo organising committee said in an emailed statement it would “prepare for games that will be safe.”
“There is no need for any drastic decisions at this stage,” the IOC said in a separate statement Wednesday, while acknowledging that the situation is changing “day-by-day”.
Hong Kong may bar foreigners from entering city
Hong Kong may bar all foreigners from entering as it faces a fresh wave of imported coronavirus cases, Radio Television Hong Kong reported, citing Executive Council member Lam Ching-choi on a radio program. If it is found that there are foreigners who travel to Hong Kong to receive medical treatment on purpose, the government would consider introducing such measures, though that’s not yet been seen, RTHK reported.
Taiwan to shut borders to foreign nationals
Taiwan plans to bar all new arrivals by foreign nationals after a sharp increase in imported coronavirus cases over the past few days.
The island’s government announced 10 new cases Tuesday, all of them imported by people returning from overseas travel, in the biggest single-day jump since the beginning of the outbreak. By contrast, Taiwan has seen a slowdown in local transmissions of the disease.
Exceptions to the ban on arrivals, which starts Thursday, will be granted to those with residence permits, diplomats and anyone arriving to carry out commercial contracts, according to Chen Shih-chung, the head of Taiwan’s coronavirus command center.
Japan reportedly considers cash handouts
Japan’s government is considering a cash handout of at least 12,000 yen ($112) per person as part of a coronavirus stimulus package, TV Asahi reported, citing an unidentified government official. A similar handout was given during the financial crisis, and measures topping that may be needed, the official was quoted as saying.
Australia adds travel curbs, PM shames hoarders
Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison told all Australian citizens not to travel abroad indefinitely and banned non-essential gatherings of 100 people or more, in a dramatic escalation of the government’s response to the coronavirus outbreak.
Morrison also called for his nation’s citizens to stop hoarding, after scenes of chaos in stores across major cities prompted by panic buying among those fearing a months-long lockdown. “It’s been one of the most disappointing things I’ve seen in Australian behaviour in response to this crisis,” he said. “It’s ridiculous, it’s un-Australian and it must stop.”
The nation’s biggest supermarket chain tightened purchase limits during the coronavirus outbreak, after initial caps on necessities proved insufficient. Shoppers at Woolworths Group Ltd stores can now only buy two items of most packaged goods such as coffee and cereal, the company said Wednesday.
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COVID-19 PANDEMIC:
NOW EPICENTER:
EUROPE’S MILAN, Italy.
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ROME- Italy reports 475 new deaths, highest one-day toll of any nation
ROME (AFP) – Italy on Wednesday (March 18) reported 475 new deaths from the novel coronavirus, the highest one-day official toll of any nation since the first case was detected in China late last year.
Total deaths in Italy have reached 2,978, more than half of all the cases recorded outside China, while the number of infections stood at 35,713.
The previous record high of 368 deaths was also recorded in Italy, on Sunday.
READ MORE: https://www.straitstimes.com/world/europe/coronavirus-death-toll-in-italys-lombardy-jumps-319-in-a-day-say-sources
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ZURICH- Swiss hospitals face collapse in 10 days if virus keeps spreading
ZURICH (REUTERS) – Switzerland’s health-care system could collapse by the end of the month if the new coronavirus keeps spreading at current rates, a government official warned on Tuesday (March 17).
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Swiss authorities estimated that 2,650 people had tested positive for the coronavirus and said 19 people had died, while predicting cases will likely soar in the weeks ahead.
A tourist wearing a mask is seen in front of the Swiss House of Parliament in Bern, Switzerland, on March 13, 2020. PHOTO: AFP
READ MORE: https://www.straitstimes.com/world/europe/coronavirus-swiss-hospitals-face-collapse-in-10-days-if-virus-keeps-spreading
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Britain makes a U-turn, spooked by projections warning of 260,000 deaths
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Britain’s Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak has pledged support for workers facing redundancy as a result of the economic slowdown caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, including the possibility of making direct cash payments to people hit hardest.
Mr Sunak’s latest promise comes in addition to an unprecedented £350 billion (S$601 billion) bailout package unveiled by the British government earlier this week to keep businesses and households afloat.
READ MORE: https://www.straitstimes.com/world/europe/britain-makes-a-u-turn-spooked-by-projections-warning-of-260000-deaths.
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EPICENTER:
ASIA’S WUHAN, HUBEI PROV., China
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China stirs to life from virus stupor
Beijing retiree Wang Huixian was among a dozen women practicing the national pastime of dancing in unison to music from portable speakers in a public park—but now with a gap of three metres (10 feet) between them.“During the epidemic, everyone was very tense and afraid. So we want to relax now,” said Wang, 57.
But she added: “Everyone is cautious and keeping a distance from each other to avoid getting infected.”Alongside more than 3,200 deaths and over 81,000 total infections, the coronavirus outbreak has left further scars.China, the world’s second-largest economy, was shut down for weeks, with factories silent and massive cities locked down.
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BRUNEI- Brunei COVID-19 cases rise to 68 
Minister of Health Dato Seri Setia Dr Haji Mohd Isham bin Haji Jaafar. PHOTO: BAHYIAH BAKIR
Brunei Darussalam recorded 12 new cases of the COVID-19 virus, bringing the total confirmed cases in the country to 68 yesterday.
Five of the new confirmed cases are from a family of six.
All cases are in the National Isolation Centre where two people are in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) in a critical condition and in need of respiratory assistance. Two individuals are in need of close monitoring and the remaining are in a stable condition./ James Kon
READ MORE: https://borneobulletin.com.bn/brunei-covid-19-cases-rise-to-68-2/
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PHNOM PENH- COVID-19 infection increases to 37
The Health Ministry has detected two more cases of COVID-19 in Tboung Khmum province, bringing the number of infection to 37.
The ministry said in a statement issued late today that two Cambodian men who had just returned from Malaysia tested positive for the virus.
READ MORE: https://www.khmertimeskh.com/50703118/covid-19-infection-increases-to-37/
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VIENTIANE, Laos- Govt suspends tourist visas, closes all education institutions
The government has suspended the issuance of visas for foreign tourists for 30 days and suspended all levels of education in the latest move to prevent coronavirus (Covid-19), Prime Minister Thongloun Sisoulith announced yesterday.
All types of visas on arrival and electronic visas (E-visas) are suspended, the premier said as he concluded the first day of the monthly cabinet meeting for March when measures to prevent and control the virus dominated the discussion.
READ MORE: http://www.vientianetimes.org.la/freeContent/FreeConten_Govt56.php
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JAKARTA- Indonesian deaths climb to 19, highest death toll in South-east Asia
JAKARTA – Indonesia on Wednesday (March 18) reported 14 more deaths from the coronavirus, making it the South-east Asian country with the highest number of fatalities.
The death toll now stands at 19, ahead of the Philippines, which has recorded 14 deaths so far. READ MORE: https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/se-asia/coronavirus-indonesia-reports-55-new-cases-biggest-daily-increase-as-deaths-rise-to-19
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JAKARTA- Thousands of Muslim pilgrims ignore virus risk to gather in Indonesia
JAKARTA/KUALA LUMPUR (REUTERS) – Thousands of Muslim pilgrims from across Asia gathered in Indonesia on Wednesday (March 18), despite fears that their meeting could fuel the spread of a coronavirus, just two weeks after a similar event in Malaysia caused more than 500 infections.
Organisers and regional officials said the event in the world’s fourth most populous nation had begun, although the regional police chief said he was making a last-ditch effort to persuade organisers to call it off.
READ MORE: https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/se-asia/thousands-of-muslim-pilgrims-ignore-virus-risk-to-gather-in-indonesia
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KUALA LUMPUR- Desolate streets as Malaysia’s movement control order kicks in.
Empty roads in downtown Kuala Lumpur are seen on the first day of the Movement Control Order issued by the newly formed Perikatan Nasional government in Malaysia, on March 18, 2020.ST PHOTO: TRINNA LEONG / Trinna Leong – Malaysia Correspondent
KUALA LUMPUR – Empty streets, deserted malls, busy food delivery riders and silent queues at coffeeshops.
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A sign outside a shuttered shop is seen in downtown Kuala Lumpur, on the first day of the
It was Day One of the movement control order issued by the newly formed Perikatan Nasional government in Malaysia.
After more than a day of confusion, panic buying and an exodus from the major cities – following Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin’s announcement to restrict movement and close borders – Malaysians appeared to have calmed down.
A McDonald’s worker in Sepang taking the temperature of a customer on March 18, 2020, after Malaysia’s government announced the movement control order to curb the spread of the coronavirus.PHOTO: REUTERS
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READ MORE: https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/se-asia/some-malaysians-chat-in-coffee-shops-go-jogging-on-first-day-of-movement-curbs
HUNDREDS INFECTED IN MALAYSIA
A police officer wearing protective mask stands guard outside the Seri Petaling Mosque in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on March 18, 2020. PHOTO: REUTERS
About two-thirds of Malaysia’s 790 infections have been traced to the meeting at a mosque complex on the outskirts of Kuala Lumpur, the capital.
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YANGON, Myanmar- Yangon markets to be cleaned regularly to prevent outbreak
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The Yangon City Development Committee (YCDC) deployed more workers in markets around the city to clean up every two hours as part of the effort to prevent an outbreak of COVID-19.
U Than Htike, head of the Markets Department, said the market cleaning programme started on Tuesday.
He denied rumours of a plan to shut down public markets to address the pandemic, which has killed over 8200 people in over 157 countries.
Myanmar has yet to report a confirmed COVID-19 case since the outbreak began in Wuhan, China, in December. But the Health Ministry said three Myanmar citizens living abroad have contracted the disease, including a 25-year-old woman in Singapore and two inmates in Hubei province in China.
READ MORE: https://www.mmtimes.com/news/yangon-markets-be-cleaned-regularly-prevent-outbreak.html
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MANILA- 75k cases in 3 months unless…
Timely cure stems community spread, health exec warns
As of noon on March 18, the number of confirmed positive COVID-19 cases in the Philippines stood at 202, with 17 deaths and 7 recovered patients, the Department of Health said in a statement.Vergeire said the 75,000 figure was based on the “modelling estimate” made by Filipino and World Health Organization experts and epidemiologists in the country. byMacon Ramos-Araneta
READ MORE: https://manilastandard.net/news/top-stories/319992/75k-cases-in-3-months-unless-.html
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SINGAPORE- Singapore sees record 47 new coronavirus cases; S’poreans, residents told to defer all overseas travel
SINGAPORE – Singaporeans and residents returning to the country will all have to serve a 14-day isolation period, while people in the country should defer all travel overseas, the authorities announced on Wednesday (March 18), as the country saw 47 new cases, an all-time high.
This brings the total number of cases to 313.
In line with recent trends, 33 of the new cases are imported and 30 of them involve Singapore residents returning from abroad.
READ MORE: https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/covid-19-all-time-high-of-47-new-cases-in-singapore-14-day-stay-home-notice-will-now-apply
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BANGKOK, Thailand- PM: Third-stage Covid-19 would justify countrywide lockdown Thailand still at stage 2, he says
The government is making preparations to cope with a third-stage outbreak of the coronavirus, should it come to that – and it would include a countrywide lockdown, Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha said on Wednesday.
READ MORE: https://aseanews.net/2020/03/19/aseanews-covid-19-4/
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HA NOI- First Vietnamese Americans die of COVID-19 in US
HÀ NỘI — Two Vietnamese Americans have reportedly died of COVID-19 in Washington state, United States.
The first patient was a 74-year-old woman, who died on March 16 in Seattle, Washington. The state has recorded the highest mortality rate due to the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States so far.
She was suspected to have contracted the virus at a nursing home on March 9. She was immediately admitted to a medical centre for a check-up, and later tests proved she was infected with the virus. She died after a week-long stay in hospital.
The second case is an elderly, blind citizen living in another nursing home, also in Washington state.
READ MORE: https://vietnamnews.vn/society/653814/first-vietnamese-americans-die-of-covid-19-in-us.html
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NEW DELHI- Indian prisons make and sell face masks to meet surging demand
The coronavirus pandemic has become a leveller for thousands of prisoners across the country. As the number of Covid-19 cases reached 152 in India, most states have called on jail inmates to manufacture cloth masks and even hand sanitisers.
Among the first to heed this call were prisons in the southern state of Kerala. The state director-general of prisons Rishi Raj Singh said nearly 8,000 prisoners across 35 jails are making about 10,000 masks a day.
READ MORE: https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/south-asia/jailhouse-masks-indian-prisons-make-and-sell-face-masks-to-curb-coronavirus-outbreak
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Coronavirus outbreak
US health system headed for crisis as infections spike
Hospital staff voice anger over shortage of protective gear, poor planning
Some time over the weekend, the trickle of patients started becoming a stream.
And now, starting days ago in Washington state but increasingly seen in hospitals across the country, N95 masks are being reused. Some hospitals are on their last ventilators.
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WASHINGTON- Trump says he will invoke wartime act to fight ‘enemy’ coronavirus
WASHINGTON (REUTERS) – US President Donald Trump moved on Wednesday (March 18) to accelerate production of desperately needed medical equipment to battle the coronavirus pandemic and said an estimate that US unemployment could conceivably reach 20 per cent was a worst-case scenario.
Scrambling to address the virus after initially downplaying it, Trump said he is invoking the Defence Production Act, putting in place a law that will allow the US government to speed production of masks, respirators, ventilators and other equipment needs.
READ MORE: https://www.straitstimes.com/world/united-states/coronavirus-trump-says-he-will-invoke-defence-production-act-to-fight-bug
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