The COVID-19 pandemic could have killed 40 million deaths by the end of 2020 in the absence of any preventative measures, according to Imperial College London (UK).
Researchers included a number of scenarios, such as
- What would have happened if the world had not reacted to COVID-19,
- Two scenarios incorporating social distancing, which result in a single-peaked epidemic
- And several scenarios for suppressing the spread of the disease that can have the largest overall impact in terms of reducing disease and deaths.
It is noted that ignoring all security measures would lead to a worse development of the coronavirus epidemic and infection of seven billion people. This number would be halved if the number of contacts had been reduced by 40 percent for children, young people and adults, and 60 percent for older people.
Dr Patrick Walker, an author of the report from Imperial, said: "We estimate that the world faces an unprecedented acute public health emergency in the coming weeks and months. Our findings suggest that all countries face a choice between intensive and costly measures to suppress transmission or risk health systems becoming rapidly overwhelmed. However, our results highlight that rapid, decisive and collective action now will save millions of lives in the next year"
The study shows that poor countries will lose far more people than developed ones. A press release from the British university emphasizes that the problem of COVID-19 is common to all countries on Earth.
The modelling showed that implementing measures early on can have a dramatic impact.
If all countries were to adopt this strategy at 0.2 deaths per 100,000 population per week, 95 per cent of the deaths could be averted, saving 38.7 million lives.
However, if this strategy is adopted later (1.6 deaths per 100,000 population per week), then this figure drops to 30.7 million.
In March, Chinese experts published a study in JAMA Cardiology, which claimed that diseases of the cardiovascular system increases mortality by almost 4.5 times from coronavirus.
As of today, the 25th of March the coronavirus has killed more than 20,912 people worldwide and the majority of them are from Europe, reaching a number of 13,582 people, according to AFP.
The number of cases infected with coronavirus passed 463,408, while 113,802 have recovered. More than 328,704 patients are in mild conditions and 14,379 are in either serious or critical condition.
Italy is the most affected country with over 7,503 death followed by Spain with 3,434 deaths and China, with 3,281.
As more countries are faced with complete lockdown, US Senate leader have agreed a $2 trillion stimulus package with the White House.
India is now on a lockdown for 21 days, with more than 1.3 million people on quarantine. Narendra Modi, the prime minister, told Indians that he was banning people from leaving their homes in order to save the country, all the citizens and their family. He also stressed that if after 21 days the situation will not stop or improve then the country’s development risked being set back 21 years.
New Zealand has declared State of National Emergency after reporting more than 200 cases of coronavirus. Jacinda Ardern, the prime minister, called on every citizen to ‘act like you have Covid-19’ and warned that those violating compulsory stay-at-home rules would face “no tolerance”.
As of today, there are more than three billion people living under lockdown measures in order to stop spreading the coronavirus, which the United Nations warned that is threatening all of humanity.
“Covid-19 is threatening the whole of humanity – and the whole of humanity must fight back,” UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres said, launching an appeal for $2 billion to help the world’s poor.
“Global action and solidarity are crucial. Individual country responses are not going to be enough.”
The Slovenian government has announced the end of the new coronavirus pandemic in the country, with the news being the first country in the European Union. Slovenian authorities have confirmed less than seven contaminations a day in the past two weeks.
People coming to Slovenia from other EU member states are no longer required to be isolated for at least seven days, as they have been since early April, the government said in a statement on Thursday. Slovenia, a country with 2 million inhabitants bordering Italy, Croatia and Austria, has a total of 1,500 infections and 103 deaths from COVID-19, with few new contaminations in recent days.
Slovenia, a country of two million people, has reported 1,464 infections with the new coronavirus and 103 deaths from covid-19. "Slovenia has calmed the pandemic in two months. Today, Slovenia has the best epidemiological homage in Europe, "Prime Minister Janez Jansa announced in Parliament on Thursday.
Some restrictions will remain, such as banning public gatherings, wearing a mask and complying with social distancing rules. Earlier this week, the Slovenian government announced the lifting of most restrictions starting next week, including the reopening of shopping malls and hotels with less than 30 beds.
Thousands of Britons and Dutch stormed the beaches, taking advantage of the fact that thermometers have indicated 27 degrees Celsius in recent days. On the beach of Scheveningen, near The Hague, you had almost nowhere to throw a needle as many people had come to the beach.
The Netherlands started relaxing on May 6, but with the conditions to prevent the spread of the disease (distance of 2 meters between people, wearing a mask and hand hygiene). The beaches have not been opened yet, but who cared, even if the number of contaminations reached 44,700 yesterday and the number of deaths reached 5,775. The same thing happened in the UK, where temperatures of 28 degrees Celsius were recorded.
Hackney Marshes Beach in East London, the pools near the British metropolis and the beach in Southend, Essex have been stormed by thousands of people of all ages. The Johnson administration imposed restrictive measures on the spread of COVID-19 after the epidemic reached 36,050 deaths and 251,000 diseases. Some regions have begun to relax restrictive measures, but the risks are extremely high given that around 2,000 new cases are reported overnight.
How to Celebrate Halloween Safely During the COVID-19 Pandemic? 10 tips from health experts
Because of coronavirus, we’ve mastered the Zoom party for this year. The first big event of the autumn holiday season is Halloween, so we have to test our social distance skills and prepare them correctly for this party.
The traditional Halloween rituals like—parties and trick-or-treating—may be different during a pandemic.
Don't get sad or cancel your Halloween costume order yet. With a little knowledge about health tips, you can still have a really cool atmosphere without putting your health or other health in danger. These are some ingenious ideas for a safe Halloween 2020 during the pandemic.
1.The trick-or-treat routine
Check the current state of coronavirus cases in your community will be important on Halloween this year, so you could determine if it is safe or not to trick-or-treat.
If you can’t trick-or-treat as usually due to coronavirus, look for ways to manage it in a new, safe way. You can buy your kid the favorite candy and let her trick-or-treat door to door in your house, also you may walk together with your kid through the neighborhood so managing the show off of the costume, then come back home for a special treat.
2. Invent a safe way to give out the treats
Wrap up the treats by yourself and put them out in your yard on a specially decorated table so people can easily pick them up. Don't forget about a hand sanitizer and also wearing a mask. Please the kids to use hand sanitizer each time they pick a treat.
3.Introduce a real mask in your Halloween outfit
This is the year you have to make a Halloween costume with a mask.
If you choose to wear another mask under the costume mask, it is really safer, but you have to make sure that it doesn't get too hot and you can easily breathe.
4. Organize the party outdoor
Social distancing is still important during Halloween Party 2020. Food and drinks should be already packed for each persona or to be served in single servings. Don't forget about the hand sanitizers that should be everywhere for easy access. Chairs and tables should be placed in such a way so that everyone can be social but still have space between each other. It is recommended to have a party with the closest family members, friends.
5.Inform about parties before you go
If you like to take part in different Halloween events, or you are invited to a party, inform yourself about the location and how the host prepared for a pandemic party. Research the situation to see how they’re planning to make the party safer. An outdoor party is the best option.
6. Get creative on this Halloween
You can set up a movie projector and screen and manage a Halloween movie party in your backyard for a few friends or family members. There are also options like a Zoom Dance Party.
7.Inform your child about the current situation
Children easily come into contact with other children and adults and forget about the existing rules. We, adults, are safer in precautions in a pandemic party. But children will not always follow the rules when joy is in full swing. That is why it is important to inform children and explain to them why it is good to wear a mask, to use a hand sanitizer, and to keep a social distance. Alternatively, you can offer the child a new way of greeting, such as a greeting with a foot or bags of sweets.
8. Don't forget to disinfect the surfaces
If you have organized a table for treats outside, then don't forget to disinfect it as often as possible. After the party and before it disinfect the surfaces. Don't forget to disinfect tables, door handles, and other surfaces in the house or backyard during the party.
9.Choose the right guests
Inform and choose the right guests this time. People who follow all the rules, have complied with quarantine, and maintain order are the right people for such a party. Your health and the health of others is valuable! Ask the guests to disinfect their hands, wear a mask, and to take only their portion of sweets and to make sure that those around them follow the order.
10.Organize an information board
You can make a Halloween-style information board yourself where all the rules for the party are.
It would be good to mention the mask, hand sanitizer, and social distance.
You can also mention that no one should be digging around a candy bowl, touching multiple pieces. Ask them to choose one and stick with it.