Global Health

Norwegian Jewel passengers — and their family members back home — are still struggling to get answers about when they'll be back on solid land again.

Norwegian Jewel Cruise Turned Away From Port — Again

5:55pm March 19, 2020

by Colin Dwyer

The ship, which has reported no cases of coronavirus, has been repeatedly denied port. Now, Hawaii also won't accept the Norwegian Jewel or another ship, the Maasdam, and passengers are worried.

Coronavirus Hits Older People Hardest. But Millennials, Gen Xers Can Be Vulnerable

4:50pm March 19, 2020

by Allison Aubrey

An analysis of preliminary data from the CDC shows that the risk of serious disease and death from COVID-19 is higher in older age groups in the U.S. But they aren't the only groups at risk.

A memorial for whistleblower Li Wenliang sits on UCLA's campus in Southern California last month. Chinese authorities are now apologizing for the reprimand that the doctor received after warning of the coronavirus.

Chinese Authorities Admit Improper Response To Coronavirus Whistleblower

4:37pm March 19, 2020

by Amy Cheng

Li Wenliang's warnings about the virus initially got him reprimanded by authorities in Wuhan. Now, six weeks after he died of COVID-19, Chinese investigators say they should have acted differently.

A man carries a toddler on his shoulders on a street in Beijing on Wednesday. While China said it had no new domestic coronavirus cases on Thursday, it reported that dozens more had arrived from abroad.

Health & Safety

China Reports No New Domestic Cases, But Battles Coronavirus Imported From Abroad

4:36pm March 19, 2020

by Scott Neuman

The milestone for a country that saw 14,000 new cases in a single day last month was tempered by the new cases imported from abroad — 34 in mainland China and another 25 in Hong Kong.

A government worker disinfects the Kılıç Ali Pasa mosque in Istanbul last week. Turkey is just one of a host of countries across the Muslim world where Friday prayers have been banned or curtailed to stem the spread of the coronavirus.

Coronavirus Fears Derail Friday Prayers For Muslims Across The World

3:22pm March 19, 2020

by Colin Dwyer

"Islam doesn't permit practices that would put human life in danger," said the head of religious affairs in Turkey, one of a host of Muslim-majority countries to curtail gatherings at mosques.

A display of Turkey's popular Rebul colognes in Istanbul. Cologne is in high demand because its 80% alcohol content helps it double as a disinfectant in the Turkish tradition of splashing hands when arriving at or leaving someone's home, a restaurant or e

In Turkey, Coronavirus Spurs A Surge In Cologne Sales

12:22pm March 19, 2020

by Peter Kenyon

Sales of Turkish-made cologne are skyrocketing. Some colognes, made with 80% alcohol, are being embraced for disinfectant properties. Cologne is traditionally offered to house guests to rub on hands.

The Melbourne Cricket Ground announces a match closed to fans Thursday in the Australian coastal hub. The country, along with neighboring New Zealand, says it is closing its borders in an effort to stem the spread of the coronavirus.

Australia, New Zealand Closing Borders To Foreigners In Bid To Contain Coronavirus

12:00pm March 19, 2020

by Colin Dwyer

Both travel bans will be implemented before the weekend. With few exceptions, all but citizens and residents of the two countries will be turned away at their respective borders.

An Amazon delivery truck seen on Wednesday in Plainview, New York. The online retailer says an employee at a warehouse in New York City has tested positive for coronavirus.

Health & Safety

Amazon Employee At New York Warehouse Tests Positive For Coronavirus

9:07am March 19, 2020

by Scott Neuman

The infection at a delivery station is the first at a U.S.-based warehouse. Amazon says the facility in Queens has been temporarily shut down for cleaning.

Monitoring How Other Countries Are Handling Coronavirus Cases

6:33am March 19, 2020

We've heard a great deal about the experience of the coronavirus pandemic in China and Europe but how is it impacting other countries? We check in with our reporters in Pakistan, Kenya and Mexico.

Queue Listen Now

USNS Comfort, seen in 2017, is one of two U.S. Navy hospital ships — along with the USNS Mercy — that are preparing to deploy to assist medical workers expecting to grapple with an influx of patients in the weeks to come.

U.S. Navy Hospital Ships To Deploy To New York, West Coast

10:12pm March 18, 2020

by Colin Dwyer

The pair of ships, the USNS Comfort and the USNS Mercy, will help local medical workers grapple with an influx of patients. But it remains unclear precisely when they will be ready to go.