MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, Fla. – There are no confirmed coronavirus cases in South Florida, but authorities are advising residents to practice good hygiene, which can also prevent the spread of the flu.
There are 60 cases in six U.S. states: California, Arizona, Illinois, Massachusetts, Washington, and Wisconsin. There have been more than 83,000 people infected with the virus, also known as COVID-19. The World Health Organization is watching several countries closely.
The latest fatality reports: China reported 2,788 deaths, Iran reported 26, Italy reported 15, South Korea reported 13, Japan reported 8, Hong Kong reported 2, France reported 2, Taiwan reported 1 death and the Phillippines reported 1 death.
Since the cases in the U.S. are travel-related, some companies are advising people to avoid nonessential travel overseas. If travel out of the country is necessary, experts say it’s important to be prepared for the possibility of travel disruptions due to the coronavirus and have emergency cash.
Experts say wearing a face surgical mask is not necessary if you are not sick. The N95 masks are meant to prevent people from spreading the disease and for health care workers, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control.
Despite their advice, the supply of masks is running low in some stores in South Florida amid a global run on sales. Walgreens, Home Depot and Lowe’s are among the stores reporting an increase in demand in the U.S.
While local authorities in South Florida are working on contingency plans, some residents are also trying to find ways to prepare for the possibility of the virus spreading.
Here is a list of essentials some people who are under a coronavirus quarantine overseas believe you will need if the virus spreads where you live and authorities force a quarantine:
- A month supply of vital medications, pain killers, decongestants, vitamins
- Stock on a month supply of bottled water, food and snacks
- Stock on toothpaste, shampoo, toilet paper, pet food and litter.
- Prepare financially for the possibility of not being able to work outside from home for about a month.
The latest figures as of Friday
The Associated Press
— Mainland China: 2,788 deaths among 78,824 cases, mostly in the central province of Hubei
— Hong Kong: 92 cases, 2 deaths
— Macao: 10 cases
— South Korea: 2,022 cases, 13 deaths
— Japan: 918 cases, including 705 from the Diamond Princess cruise ship, 8 deaths
— Italy: 650 cases, 15 deaths
— Iran: 254 cases, 26 deaths
— Singapore: 96
— Kuwait: 43
— Thailand: 40
— Bahrain: 33
— Taiwan: 32 cases, 1 death
— Australia: 23
— Malaysia: 23
— Germany: 21
— France: 38 cases, 2 deaths
— Spain: 17
— Vietnam: 16
— United Kingdom: 15
— United Arab Emirates: 19
— Canada: 14
— Iraq: 6
— Russia: 5
— Switzerland: 5
— Oman: 6
— Philippines: 3 cases, 1 death
— India: 3
— Croatia: 3
— Greece: 3
— Israel: 3
— Lebanon: 3
— Pakistan: 2
— Finland: 2
— Austria: 2
— Sweden: 7
— Egypt: 1
— Algeria: 1
— Afghanistan: 1
— North Macedonia: 1
— Georgia: 1
— Estonia: 1
— Belgium: 1
— Netherlands: 1
— Romania: 1
— Nepal: 1
— Sri Lanka: 1
— Cambodia: 1
— Norway: 1
— Denmark: 1
— Brazil 1