Covid-19 News Updates -- February 12, 2020

CNBC: Top CDC official says US should prepare for coronavirus ‘to take a foothold’

* The CDC is preparing for the new coronavirus, which has killed at least 1,115 and sickened more than 45,000 worldwide, to “take a foothold in the U.S.”
* “At some point, we are likely to see community spread in the U.S. or in other countries,” said Dr. Nancy Messonnier, director of the CDC’s National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Wednesday it is preparing for the new coronavirus, which has killed at least 1,115 and sickened more than 45,000 worldwide, to “take a foothold in the U.S.”

“At some point, we are likely to see community spread in the U.S. or in other countries,” Dr. Nancy Messonnier, director of the CDC’s National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, told reporters on a conference call. “This will trigger a change in our response strategy.”

Health officials had confirmed 13 U.S. cases of the virus, now named COVID-19, short for Corona Virus Disease.

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Covid-19 News Updates -- February 12, 2020

Fall in new cases raises hope in virus outbreak in China -- AP
Coronavirus: Xi Jinping sends message on economy and getting back to business -- SCMP
China takes major steps to prop up coronavirus-hit economy -- Reuters
How China rounds up coronavirus suspects: Shocking moment one woman desperately screams after being put into a metal box while another family of four are 'dragged away from their home' by officers in hazmat suits -- Daily Mail
Coronavirus: Why many deaths will never appear in official figures -- SCMP
Japan confirms 39 new virus cases, 174 total on cruise ship -- AP
Quarantine officer among latest coronavirus cases on cruise ship held off of Japan became infected after going door-to-door handing out health questionnaires to passengers -- Daily Mail
Passengers celebrate as Westerdam cruise ship is FINALLY allowed to dock in Cambodia after five countries refused entry over coronavirus fears, despite no cases on board -- Daily Mail
Cruise ship barred by 4 governments set to dock in Cambodia -- AP
Airlines suspend China flights due to coronavirus outbreak -- Reuters
'It's like a war': the fight for rice and toilet roll as coronavirus convulses Hong Kong -- The Guardian
China virus threatens to hobble Gulf economies -- AFP
Coronavirus: Singapore bank evacuated after worker falls ill -- BBC
Coronavirus: ‘some people may succumb’, says Singapore as cases hit 50 -- SCMP
2 Russians flee virus quarantine, in dismay at hospitals -- AP
South Korea releases more 'fully recovered' coronavirus patient -- UPI
Coronavirus: man linked to UK outbreak released from hospital -- The Guardian
Coronavirus: German health minister calls on EU to allocate funds -- DW
Vietnam needs stimulus package to alleviate coronavirus impact, ministry says -- Reuters
China’s virus crisis hits global flows of letters, parcels -- AP
Coronavirus has many U.S. firms waiting for products to ship -- AP