Health authorities expect coronavirus spread on US soilA fan wears a protective mask as people wait in line to attend the Celebration of Life for Kobe and Gianna Bryant memorial service at Staples Center on Monday in Los Angeles. (AFP photo)American health authorities said Tuesday they ultimately expect the novel coronavirus to spread in the United States and are urging local governments, businesses, and schools to develop plans like cancelling mass gatherings or switching to teleworking. "Ultimately, we expect we will see community spread in this country," Nancy Messonnier, a senior official with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said during a briefing. In the absence of a vaccine or any form of treatment for Covid-19, authorities are relying on non-pharmaceutical interventions. Hahn's comments came amid reports that the prolonged shutdown of drug makers in China's Hubei province had boosted India's IOL Chemicals and Pharmaceuticals Ltd, the world's biggest producer of ibuprofen, as some Indian drug makers expect to benefit from China's losses.

Source: Bangkok Post February 26, 2020 00:05 UTC