Global Health

A pack of Plaquenil, (Hydrochloroquine) is displayed in a Parisian pharmacy on Tuesday in Paris, France. Chloroquine or Hydroxychloroquine, is now one treatments being evaluated in clinical trials as a possible preventative or treatment for COVID-19.

Health & Safety

Clinical Trials Set To Determine If Anti-Malaria Drug Effective Against COVID-19

2:14pm March 31, 2020

by Joe Palca

At least one team of scientists hopes to determine if hydroxychloroquine — touted by President Trump as a possible treatment for COVID-19 — could actually work to prevent the disease.

The grave of St. Charbel has long been visited by people seeking comfort and healing.

In Lebanon, Some Turn To Beloved Local Saint For Solace And Protection From COVID-19

1:38pm March 31, 2020

by Alice Fordham

St. Charbel is revered for his healing miracles. "He gives us faith and strength, especially in this time of sickness," says a pilgrim visiting his tomb. "He is the only cure, in my opinion."

Rohingya refugees wait at a relief distribution point in the Kutupalong refugee camp in Bangladesh on March 24.

Refugee Camps Face COVID-19: 'If We Do Nothing, The Harm Is Going To Be So Extreme'

1:26pm March 31, 2020

by Malaka Gharib

NPR spoke to humanitarian aid researcher Paul Spiegel about his analysis of conditions in the Rohingya camps in Bangladesh — and the outlook for refugees everywhere as the coronavirus looms.

Christian Drosten, director of the Institute of Virology at Berlin's Charité hospital, is pictured after a news conference in Berlin on March 26, to comment on the spread of the novel coronavirus in Germany.

'Das Coronavirus' Podcast Captivates Germany With Scientific Info On The Pandemic

12:04pm March 31, 2020

by Rob Schmitz

Produced by the public broadcaster NDR, the program features scientist Christian Drosten giving clear information about COVID-19, but so far it's in German only.

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Indians line up to buy medicines in Hyderabad on Sunday. Prime Minister Narendra Modi apologized for imposing a three-week national lockdown, but said it was "needed to win" the battle against the coronavirus pandemic. India just surpassed 1,000 cases in

As Pandemic Spreads, The Developing World Looks Like The Next Target

11:57am March 31, 2020

by Greg Myre

So far, the coronavirus has hit hardest in the wealthy countries of Asia, Europe and the U.S. But the pandemic appears poised to explode in the developing world — which has far fewer resources.

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Sign Of The Times: Germany's Top Podcast Deals With Coronavirus

6:22am March 31, 2020

by Rob Schmitz

After two daily episodes, Das Coronavirus Update, a podcast by one of the world's leading virologists, shot to No.1 in Germany. When does a top coronavirus researcher find time to do a podcast?

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News Brief: COVID-19 Tests, Hospital Capacity, Coronavirus Lockdowns

6:15am March 31, 2020

President Trump says more coronavirus tests will be made available. States ramp up hospitals'capacity as COVID-19 cases multiply. And, Palestinian and Israeli leaders lauded for tight lockdowns.

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People walk in Frederiksberg Gardens in Copenhagen, Denmark, on March 28.

'The Danish Way' Is Working: Prime Minister Hints At A Gradual Reopening For April

8:57pm March 30, 2020

by Sidsel Overgaard

Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen is expressing cautious optimism that her country will be able to begin a gradual reopening after Easter. "The Danish way of doing things is working," she said Monday.

Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador at a news conference at the presidential palace in Mexico City, on March 24.

Mexico's President Greets El Chapo's Mom And Lawyer, Ignoring Coronavirus Rules

6:33pm March 30, 2020

by Carrie Kahn

Andrés Manuel López Obrador drew criticism for failing to model good social distancing by shaking hands with the drug boss' mother, even after telling Mexicans to stay home to avoid COVID-19.

A person wearing protective equipment at a coronavirus testing site for first responders, on Monday in Los Angeles.

Health & Safety

If Most Of Your Coronavirus Tests Come Back Positive, You're Not Testing Enough

6:25pm March 30, 2020

by Pien Huang

The World Health Organization says that a high percentage of positive tests means that local health authorities are focusing on obvious cases and not getting a clear picture of epidemic's scope.