Coronavirus News: Wednesday, September 2 – Steroids Could Help Sickest Patients, Cuba Orders Curfew

By Anna Breuer on 2 September 2020
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The worldwide number of reported virus cases, which topped the 25 million mark on Saturday, now stands just short of 26 million, an increase of over half a million cases in the past 48 hours.  The number of deaths stands at over 862,569, and 18.26 million people have recovered, based on data compiled by Worldometer, a service that aggregates and makes available world statistics.

There are 6.8 million active cases across the globe.

The United States continues to lead the world in the number of coronavirus cases reported, crossing the 6 million mark on Thursday, with 6.26 million. Officials reported over 44,000 new infections on Tuesday, and the coronavirus death toll stands at almost 189,000. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention now predicts that the death toll will be over 195,000 by September 12.

A new research study showed that inexpensive steroid drugs could help the most critically ill Covid-19 patients survive. Published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, the study used an analysis that pooled data from seven randomized clinical trials that evaluated three different steroids in over 1,700 patients.

Citing its authority “to take measures that are reasonably necessary to mitigate the spread of communicable disease,” the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued an order that would bar evictions for most renters for the remainder of the year.

Government reports and forecasts indicate that Germany’s economy is recovering faster than had been anticipated just a few months ago. The economy has been helped by a mild and short coronavirus lockdown, a large-scale fiscal stimulus, and close trade links with China.

New Jersey’s gyms, theaters, and other indoor venues will be allowed to reopen along with indoor dining at restaurants, all with severe capacity restrictions.

Several days earlier, California Governor Gavin Newsom said he would allow indoor dining in some parts of the state including San Diego and San Francisco as early as next week, and permit gyms and houses of worship to reopen as well, albeit with severe capacity restrictions.

Cuba, which has seen an increase in coronavirus cases, announced its first curfew since the start of the pandemic. Beginning Monday, people will be required to remain at home in Havana from 7 p.m. to 5 a.m. local time.

(Photo: Accura Media Group)

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