Health & Safety

"Bottom line, it's going to get worse," Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, said of the coronavirus outbreak in the United States. Fauci testified Wednesday at a hearing of the House Committee on Overs

Coronavirus: Over 1,000 Cases Now In U.S., And 'It's Going To Get Worse,' Fauci Says

6:36pm March 11, 2020

by Bill Chappell

"I can say we will see more cases, and things will get worse than they are right now," said Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases.

The test for the coronavirus that causes COVID-19 isn't simple, like the ones for the flu, strep or pregnancy. The current kits are configured more for a research lab than a hospital.

No Guarantee You'll Get Tested For COVID-19, Even If Your Doctor Requests It

6:28pm March 11, 2020

by Richard Harris

There's still a big gap between what the federal government is promising in terms of testing capacity in the U.S. and what state and local labs can deliver.

Health & Safety

Public Health Experts Encourage Social Distancing To 'Flatten The Curve' Of Infection

5:18pm March 11, 2020

NPR's Ailsa Chang talks with Drew Harris, population health expert at Thomas Jefferson University, about what it means to "flatten the curve" when it comes to curbing the spread of coronavirus.

Queue Listen Now

How The Coronavirus Outbreak May Impact The 2020 Census

5:18pm March 11, 2020

by Hansi Lo Wang

The growing coronavirus outbreak in the U.S. is complicating efforts to count all of the country's residents for the 2020 census. Census workers are heading to homeless shelters soon.

Queue Listen Now

Health & Safety

COVID-19 Is Officially A Pandemic, Declares World Health Organization

5:18pm March 11, 2020

by Jason Beaubien

The World Health Organization has declared COVID-19 a global pandemic, as the number of countries with cases of the viral disease reaches 114.

Queue Listen Now

The World Health Organization called the COVID-19 viral disease a pandemic Wednesday. Here, workers in Spain place a medical mask on a figure that was to be part of the Fallas festival in Valencia. The festival has been canceled over the coronavirus outbr

Coronavirus: COVID-19 Is Now Officially A Pandemic, WHO Says

3:37pm March 11, 2020

by Bill Chappell

It's the first time the WHO has called an outbreak a pandemic since the H1N1 "swine flu" in 2009.

The playground at Lowell Elementary School in Tacoma, Wash., sat empty on Tuesday. According to Tacoma Public Schools, Lowell was closed after someone at the school tested presumptive positive for the novel coronavirus.

When Should Schools Close For Coronavirus?

3:12pm March 11, 2020

Closing schools can slow the spread of disease and, in turn, save lives. But it also causes huge disruptions, especially for children who depend on the free and reduced-cost meals they get at school.

Queue Listen Now

Health & Safety

COVID-19 Concerns Addressed At Winston-Salem Public Safety Conference

3:03pm March 11, 2020

by David Ford

Concerns over coronavirus were addressed at a public safety news conference this morning in Winston-Salem.

Early symptoms of COVID-19 are much the same as those of the flu or a cold. Don't panic. Call your doctor to check in, if you're worried, but treating mild or moderate symptoms at home until you're well will protect you and help stop the spread of whateve

You Have A Fever And A Dry Cough. Now What?

2:16pm March 11, 2020

by Selena Simmons-Duffin

Whether your mild or moderate symptoms mean you have a cold, the flu, or COVID-19 doesn't change the medical advice right now. Stay home, rest, and call or email your doctor if symptoms worsen.

Queue Listen Now

Linda Nalbandian and her children on a previous cruise. The family has struggled to decide whether to cancel an upcoming vacation in April.

Ditching A Dream Cruise Vacation Is Painful Call

1:51pm March 11, 2020

by Chris Arnold

Thousands of people who booked vacation cruises are considering canceling. The federal government has taken the unusual step of advising people not to take a cruise given the coronavirus outbreak.

Queue Listen Now