Global Health

Police officers wear face masks Wednesday in front of a hotel on Tenerife, the largest of Spain's Canary Islands. Spanish officials say a hotel on the island has been placed under quarantine after an Italian doctor staying there tested positive for the ne

Coronavirus: More New Cases Are Now Reported Outside China Than Inside

2:22pm February 26, 2020

by Bill Chappell

South Korea, Italy and Iran have each confirmed at least 10 deaths from the coronavirus disease COVID-19, a mark that surpasses the death toll reported in many Chinese provinces.

News Brief: Democratic Debate, Voter Spotlight, Coronavirus Warning

6:56am February 26, 2020

Democratic presidential candidates had a chaotic debate in South Carolina. NPR picks key communities to focus on this election year. And, health officials warn the coronavirus will spread in the U.S.

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A woman wears a mask in New York out of concern for the newly emerged coronavirus. However, experts say that the commonly worn surgical masks aren't very effective protection.

Health Officials Warn Americans To Plan For The Spread Of Coronavirus In U.S.

8:37pm February 25, 2020

by Rob Stein

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is urging Americans to prepare for the possibility of more aggressive measures to stop the new coronavirus in the United States.

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Many refugees, who have fled the fighting in Syria's Idlib province, are living in tents during a cold and snowy winter.

Health & Safety

U.N.: Humanitarian Crisis In Syria Reaches 'Horrifying New Level'

6:33pm February 25, 2020

by Fran Kritz

As fighting escalates in northwest Syria, the U.N. estimates that thousands of Syrians are being displaced every day.

An American Teacher Stuck In Wuhan Comments On Coronavirus Confinement

4:30pm February 25, 2020

Meg Stewart is a 22-year-old American teacher who is stuck in Wuhan, China due to the coronavirus lockdown. She didn't get out when other Americans were evacuated.

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A medical worker in a protective suit tends to a patient in a hospital in Wuhan, China.

Health & Safety

What Happens If You're Critically Ill In China — But Not With Coronavirus

1:46pm February 25, 2020

Residents say their relatives have been unable to get care for cancer, for childhood diseases and more as Wuhan and other cities put a priority on treating COVID-19 patients.

Coronavirus Spreads To Wall Street; Dow Drops 1,032 Points

12:20pm February 25, 2020

by Jim Zarroli

U.S. markets fell sharply amid widening concern that the continuing spread of cases could lead to a global pandemic. The Dow Jones Industrial Average had its worst performance in more than 2 years.

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Health & Safety

Why Is The WHO Not Calling The Coronavirus A Pandemic?

12:18pm February 25, 2020

by Richard Harris

The COVID-19 virus has spread in Asia, North America, Europe and the Middle East, but the World Health Organization is holding off on calling it a pandemic, at least for now.

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During the H1N1 swine flu pandemic, President Barack Obama was vaccinated by a White House nurse. It took a little more than five months from the discovery of the virus to develop a vaccine.

Health & Safety

H1N1 Was The Last Pandemic. Here's Why COVID-19 Isn't Yet In That Category

12:07pm February 25, 2020

by Richard Harris

The new coronavirus disease has been diagnosed in 28 countries, and new outbreaks are worrisome. But the World Health Organization sees some encouraging trends.

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A woman wearing a face mask talks on her phone as she walks in the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele shopping arcade in downtown Milan on Monday. Italy's Health Ministry says the country now has 229 coronavirus cases, with six deaths.

Coronavirus Spikes In Italy, With 229 Confirmed Cases And 6 Deaths

8:20pm February 24, 2020

by Bill Chappell

Italy's health experts haven't been able to trace how the coronavirus got a foothold. The WHO's chief says COVID-19 has the potential to be a pandemic.

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