Key PointsWHO: Some countries may have to reinstate lockdowns as coronavirus pandemic acceleratesSome countries with rapidly spreading outbreaks might have to reinstate lockdowns and other restrictions to curb the spread of the virus, a top World Health Organization official said Wednesday.Countries like Spain and Italy successfully drove back severe outbreaks with a comprehensive public health strategy that mobilized the public, said WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. However, some countries have struggled to contain the virus and many still don't have the best...…Key PointsWHO: Some countries may have to reinstate lockdowns as coronavirus pandemic acceleratesSome countries with rapidly spreading outbreaks might have to reinstate lockdowns and other restrictions to curb the spread of the virus, a top World Health Organization official said Wednesday.Countries like Spain and Italy successfully drove back severe outbreaks with a comprehensive public health strategy that mobilized the public, said WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. However, some countries have struggled to contain the virus and many still don't have the best...WW…

Key PointsGilead CEO Daniel O'Day on remdesivir pricing and ensuring access to treatment announced Monday the much-anticipated pricing for its treatment remdesivir, saying it will cost hospitals $3,120 for a typical U.S. patient with commercial insurance.The company announced its pricing plans in preparation for it to begin charging for the antiviral drug in July. The company has been donating doses to the U.S. government for distribution since it .  it will sell remdesivir for $390 per vial to governments "of developed countries" around the world, and the price for U.S. private...…Key PointsGilead CEO Daniel O'Day on remdesivir pricing and ensuring access to treatment announced Monday the much-anticipated pricing for its treatment remdesivir, saying it will cost hospitals $3,120 for a typical U.S. patient with commercial insurance.The company announced its pricing plans in preparation for it to begin charging for the antiviral drug in July. The company has been donating doses to the U.S. government for distribution since it .  it will sell remdesivir for $390 per vial to governments "of developed countries" around the world, and the price for U.S. private...WW…

Key PointsNew York, New Jersey and Connecticut to quarantine travelers from hotspotsAs coronavirus outbreaks surge in several states across the country, public officials in the New York tri-state region — once the epicenter of the U.S. outbreak — are now  The virus hit the tri-state region hard in March and April, when New York state was reporting around 10,000 new cases every day. At the peak of the outbreak in the northeast, Florida, Texas and other states issued mandatory quarantine orders for anyone traveling from New York, New Jersey and Connecticut in an attempt to...…Key PointsNew York, New Jersey and Connecticut to quarantine travelers from hotspotsAs coronavirus outbreaks surge in several states across the country, public officials in the New York tri-state region — once the epicenter of the U.S. outbreak — are now  The virus hit the tri-state region hard in March and April, when New York state was reporting around 10,000 new cases every day. At the peak of the outbreak in the northeast, Florida, Texas and other states issued mandatory quarantine orders for anyone traveling from New York, New Jersey and Connecticut in an attempt to...WW…

Key PointsCruises from U.S. ports suspended until September 15: Trade bodyMajor cruise lines have agreed to voluntarily extend a suspension of operations out of U.S. ports until Sept. 15, the Cruise Lines International Association announced Friday."Due to the ongoing situation within the U.S. related to COVID-19, CLIA member cruise lines have decided to voluntarily extend the period of suspended passenger operations," CLIA, which represents the largest cruise companies in the world, said in a statement. "It is increasingly clear that more time will be needed to resolve barriers to...…Key PointsCruises from U.S. ports suspended until September 15: Trade bodyMajor cruise lines have agreed to voluntarily extend a suspension of operations out of U.S. ports until Sept. 15, the Cruise Lines International Association announced Friday."Due to the ongoing situation within the U.S. related to COVID-19, CLIA member cruise lines have decided to voluntarily extend the period of suspended passenger operations," CLIA, which represents the largest cruise companies in the world, said in a statement. "It is increasingly clear that more time will be needed to resolve barriers to...WW…

Key PointsScott Gottlieb: I'm more concerned about Covid-19 spread heading into the fallAs new coronavirus cases surge in several states across the American South and West, the hardest-hit areas are now "on the cusp of losing control," former Food and Drug Administration Commissioner told CNBC on Thursday.  The continues to infect about 20,000 people in the U.S. every day, though that national figure masks what's occurring locally as the virus is driven down in cities like New York that were first hit and finds new communities to infect."The question is 'can we keep this from...…Key PointsScott Gottlieb: I'm more concerned about Covid-19 spread heading into the fallAs new coronavirus cases surge in several states across the American South and West, the hardest-hit areas are now "on the cusp of losing control," former Food and Drug Administration Commissioner told CNBC on Thursday.  The continues to infect about 20,000 people in the U.S. every day, though that national figure masks what's occurring locally as the virus is driven down in cities like New York that were first hit and finds new communities to infect."The question is 'can we keep this from...WW…

Key PointsWHO rushes to clarify comments on asymptomatic coronavirus transmissionWorld Health Organization officials on Tuesday walked back the comments below that were made on Monday after drawing criticism from epidemiologists across the world. Dr. Maria Van Kerkhove, head of the WHO's emerging diseases and zoonosis unit, said Tuesday that asymptomatic spread is a "really complex question" and much is still unknown. "We don't actually have that answer yet," she said. "I was responding to a question at the press conference. I wasn't stating a policy of WHO or anything like...…Key PointsWHO rushes to clarify comments on asymptomatic coronavirus transmissionWorld Health Organization officials on Tuesday walked back the comments below that were made on Monday after drawing criticism from epidemiologists across the world. Dr. Maria Van Kerkhove, head of the WHO's emerging diseases and zoonosis unit, said Tuesday that asymptomatic spread is a "really complex question" and much is still unknown. "We don't actually have that answer yet," she said. "I was responding to a question at the press conference. I wasn't stating a policy of WHO or anything like...WW…

Key PointsLocal health officials in California announced Wednesday the state's first COVID-19 death, bringing U.S. fatalities to at least 11.The patient was an elderly adult with underlying health conditions, county officials said, adding that the person was the second confirmed COVID-19 case in the county and is now the first death related to the virus in the state."We extend our deepest condolences to the loved ones of this patient," Placer County Health Officer Dr. Aimee Sisson said in a statement. "While we have expected more cases, this death is an unfortunate milestone in our efforts...…Key PointsLocal health officials in California announced Wednesday the state's first COVID-19 death, bringing U.S. fatalities to at least 11.The patient was an elderly adult with underlying health conditions, county officials said, adding that the person was the second confirmed COVID-19 case in the county and is now the first death related to the virus in the state."We extend our deepest condolences to the loved ones of this patient," Placer County Health Officer Dr. Aimee Sisson said in a statement. "While we have expected more cases, this death is an unfortunate milestone in our efforts...WW…

Key PointsThe threat of a global pandemic is rising as the new  rapidly spreads across the world from Asia, to Europe, the Middle East and now parts of the United States, World Health Organization officials said Monday."Now that the virus has a foothold in so many countries, the threat of a pandemic has become very real," WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus told reporters on a conference call from the organization's Geneva headquarters Monday.a day agoWhile the virus is slowing in China, where it originated in December, it's picking up pace across other parts...…Key PointsThe threat of a global pandemic is rising as the new  rapidly spreads across the world from Asia, to Europe, the Middle East and now parts of the United States, World Health Organization officials said Monday."Now that the virus has a foothold in so many countries, the threat of a pandemic has become very real," WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus told reporters on a conference call from the organization's Geneva headquarters Monday.a day agoWhile the virus is slowing in China, where it originated in December, it's picking up pace across other parts...WW…

Key PointsPublic officials on Wednesday banned large gatherings in San Francisco and the Seattle area as cities seek to curb the spread of the new flu-like coronavirus that's infected more than 121,000 people across the world since December.Washington Gov. Jay Inslee said he's banning gatherings of more than 250 people in several counties across the state to try to contain the COVID-19 outbreak that that has killed at least 23 residents. Inslee's order applies to King County, which encompasses Seattle, as well as nearby Snohomish and Pierce counties. About 4 million people live in the...…Key PointsPublic officials on Wednesday banned large gatherings in San Francisco and the Seattle area as cities seek to curb the spread of the new flu-like coronavirus that's infected more than 121,000 people across the world since December.Washington Gov. Jay Inslee said he's banning gatherings of more than 250 people in several counties across the state to try to contain the COVID-19 outbreak that that has killed at least 23 residents. Inslee's order applies to King County, which encompasses Seattle, as well as nearby Snohomish and Pierce counties. About 4 million people live in the...WW…

Key PointsThe coronavirus has mutated in a way that might help the pathogen spread more easily, White House health advisor Dr. Anthony Fauci said Thursday.Research is underway to confirm the possible mutation and its implications, Fauci said, adding that "there's a little dispute about it." Viruses naturally mutate and scientists have previously said they have observed minor mutations in the coronavirus that have not impacted its ability to spread or cause disease in any significant way. The possible mutation that Fauci cited was  on by investigators at Los Alamos National...…Key PointsThe coronavirus has mutated in a way that might help the pathogen spread more easily, White House health advisor Dr. Anthony Fauci said Thursday.Research is underway to confirm the possible mutation and its implications, Fauci said, adding that "there's a little dispute about it." Viruses naturally mutate and scientists have previously said they have observed minor mutations in the coronavirus that have not impacted its ability to spread or cause disease in any significant way. The possible mutation that Fauci cited was  on by investigators at Los Alamos National...WW…