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Pathogen Seen as Seasonal; Singapore Boosts Tests: Virus Update

(Bloomberg) -- China’s top scientists said the novel coronavirus will not be eradicated, joining a growing consensus that the pathogen will likely return in waves, as global cases passed the 3 million mark. Hong Kong announced plans to reopen government offices and some public facilities, and New Zealand began to emerge from almost five weeks of nationwide lockdown. Singapore said it has more than doubled its daily testing capacity since early April as cases jump.The Trump administration issued a strategy to expand U.S. testing, including partnering with retail chains. A vaccine for the virus could be available as early as this year, according to a key group at the heart of the global development effort.Key DevelopmentsVirus Tracker: Total cases 3 million; deaths pass 211,000White House strategy envisions tests reaching 2% of publicJohnson urges U.K. to stick to lockdownEuropean nation with fewest virus deaths proves speed is keyBack to school brings a bleak new normal for China’s studentsStudy finds virus lingers in air of crowded spacesSubscribe to a daily update on the virus from Bloomberg’s Prognosis team here. Click VRUS on the terminal for news and data on the coronavirus.Virus Is Here to Stay and Likely Seasonal: Scientists (11:05 a.m. HK)China’s top scientists said the novel coronavirus will not be eradicated, joining a growing consensus around the world that the pathogen will likely return in waves like the flu. It is unlikely for the new virus to disappear the way its close cousin the SARS virus did 17 years ago, as it infects some people without causing obvious symptoms like fever. This group of asymptomatic carriers makes it hard to fully contain transmission as they can spread the virus undetected, a group of Chinese virus and medical researchers told reporters in Beijing at a briefing on Monday.A consensus is forming among top researchers and governments that the virus is unlikely to be eradicated, despite costly lockdowns that have brought much of the global economy to a halt.Singapore Boosts Testing Capacity as Infections Jump (10:53 a.m. HK)As part of Singapore’s strategy to bring down coronavirus infections in the weeks to come, the government said it has more than doubled its daily testing capacity since early April as the number of cases jumped beyond 14,000.The city-state now has capacity to conduct more than 8,000 tests a day, up from an average of 2,900 less than a month ago, the health ministry said in a statement. To date, the Southeast Asian nation has tested about 2,100 per 100,000 persons, higher than the rates in the U.S. and the U.K.China’ Moutai Sees Profit Gain Despite Lockdowns (10:23 a.m HK)Kweichow Moutai Co. reported a gain in profit for the first quarter as demand for its popular baijiu liquor held up in the face of lockdowns that kept people from social gatherings during the coronavirus outbreak.The results come amid some of the most challenging conditions Moutai has faced. Yet scarcity of the high-end baijiu helped keep demand strong. Consumers still sought out Moutai’s fiery liquor, which has become...

Pathogen Seen as Seasonal; Singapore Boosts Tests: Virus Update

(Bloomberg) — China’s top scientists said the novel coronavirus will not be eradicated, joining a growing consensus that the pathogen will likely return in waves, as global cases passed the 3 million mark.

Hong Kong announced plans to reopen government offices and some public facilities, and New Zealand began to emerge from almost five weeks of nationwide lockdown. Singapore said it has more than doubled its daily testing capacity since early April as cases jump.

The Trump administration issued a strategy to expand U.S. testing, including partnering with retail chains. A vaccine for the virus could be available as early as this year, according to a key group at the heart of the global development effort.

Key Developments

Virus Tracker: Total cases 3 million; deaths pass 211,000White House strategy envisions tests reaching 2% of publicJohnson urges U.K. to stick to lockdownEuropean nation with fewest virus deaths proves speed is keyBack to school brings a bleak new normal for China’s studentsStudy finds virus lingers in air of crowded spaces

Subscribe to a daily update on the virus from Bloomberg’s Prognosis team here. Click VRUS on the terminal for news and data on the coronavirus.

Virus Is Here to Stay and Likely Seasonal: Scientists (11:05 a.m. HK)

China’s top scientists said the novel coronavirus will not be eradicated, joining a growing consensus around the world that the pathogen will likely return in waves like the flu. It is unlikely for the new virus to disappear the way its close cousin the SARS virus did 17 years ago, as it infects some people without causing obvious symptoms like fever. This group of asymptomatic carriers makes it hard to fully contain transmission as they can spread the virus undetected, a group of Chinese virus and medical researchers told reporters in Beijing at a briefing on Monday.

A consensus is forming among top researchers and governments that the virus is unlikely to be eradicated, despite costly lockdowns that have brought much of the global economy to a halt.

Singapore Boosts Testing Capacity as Infections Jump (10:53 a.m. HK)

As part of Singapore’s strategy to bring down coronavirus infections in the weeks to come, the government said it has more than doubled its daily testing capacity since early April as the number of cases jumped beyond 14,000.

The city-state now has capacity to conduct more than 8,000 tests a day, up from an average of 2,900 less than a month ago, the health ministry said in a statement. To date, the Southeast Asian nation has tested about 2,100 per 100,000 persons, higher than the rates in the U.S. and the U.K.

China’ Moutai Sees Profit Gain Despite Lockdowns (10:23 a.m HK)

Kweichow Moutai Co. reported a gain in profit for the first quarter as demand for its popular baijiu liquor held up in the face of lockdowns that kept people from social gatherings during the coronavirus outbreak.

The results come amid some of the most challenging conditions Moutai has faced. Yet scarcity of the high-end baijiu helped keep demand strong. Consumers still sought out Moutai’s fiery liquor, which has become the toast of China’s elite and is highly coveted by the growing middle class.

Hong Kong Preparing to Re-Open Public Facilities (10:06 a.m. HK)

Hong Kong government employees will start returning to work May 4 and the city is preparing to reopen public facilities that have been closed during the coronavirus pandemic, leader Carrie Lam said. Authorities have yet to decide whether to extend social distancing measures beyond May 7, Lam said at a regular briefing ahead of a meeting of her advisory Executive Council, as the city continues to see success containing daily Covid-19 infections.

JetBlue to Require Customers to Cover Their Faces (9:54 a.m. HK)

JetBlue Airways Corp. will require customers to wear face coverings during travel, a first for U.S. carriers in the age of the coronavirus pandemic.

Under the new policy starting May 4, passengers will have to cover their nose and mouth throughout their trip, JetBlue said in a statement Monday. That includes when they check in, board the plane, fly and exit the aircraft. The New York-based carrier is also asking customers to follow the same rule in airport terminals.

“This is the new flying etiquette,” Chief Operating Officer Joanna Geraghty said.

Apple Retail Chief Sees Store Reopenings in May (9:52 a.m. HK)

Apple Inc.’s retail chief told staff that she expects the company to reopen “many more” of its retail stores in May after closing all locations outside of China in March due to Covid-19.

Deirdre O’Brien, vice president of retail and people, made the disclosure in a weekly video update, according to retail employees familiar with the matter. She didn’t specify which stores or regions, but said “we are continuing to analyze this health situation in every location, and I do expect we will reopen up many more stores in May.” The company declined to comment.

Amazon’s Labor Practices Being Probed by New York (9:50 a.m. HK)

Amazon Inc.’s safety measures and labor practices during the coronavirus pandemic are being investigated by New York’s top law enforcement officer after the company fired the leader of a Staten Island warehouse walkout.

New York Attorney General Letitia James told Amazon in an April 22 letter that the state is looking into whether the company violated federal employment law or ran afoul of state whistle-blower protections by dismissing the worker, Chris Smalls, her spokesperson confirmed on Monday.

China Adds 6 Cases, No Deaths (8:50 a.m. HK)

China reported six additional coronavirus cases and no deaths by the end of April 27. China has a total of 82,836 confirmed cases. The country reported 40 asymptomatic cases, according to a statement from the National Health Commission. It has 997 such cases under medical observation.

South Korea, meanwhile, reported 14 new coronavirus cases and one virus-related death. The country has a total of 10,752 cases.

Illinois Judge Rules Against Stay-at-Home Order (7:46 a.m. HK)

An Illinois judge ruled that Governor J.B. Pritzker’s stay-at-home order violated the liberty of a state lawmaker who sued to block the measure, signaling potential legal hurdles for extended periods of social distancing.

Clay County Circuit Court Judge Michael McHaney on Monday issued a temporary restraining order barring Pritzker from imposing additional stay-at-home restrictions on state Representative Darren Bailey, who filed suit on April 23. While the decision affects only Bailey, it could spur opposition by other Illinois residents.

New Zealand Economy Gets Back to Work (7:19 a.m. HK)

New Zealand emerged from almost five weeks of strict nationwide lockdown on Tuesday, offering a return to work for as many as half a million people and fanning hopes of a pick-up in economic activity.

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern lowered the alert level to 3, allowing workers to return to factories and construction sites and takeaway food outlets to reopen — welcome relief for a country that has been in strict self-isolation since March 26. But many businesses will continue to operate with employees working from home, while hospitality outlets and retailers must meet tough criteria to ensure physical distancing with customers is maintained.

White House Brings in Retailers to Expand Testing (6:40 a.m. HK)

The White House issued a strategy to expand U.S. testing for the coronavirus, saying it plans to provide enough tests for all 50 states to screen at least 2% of their residents. The intention is to target the most vulnerable communities, including the elderly and minority populations that have seen higher mortality rates for the virus.

The government is partnering with Walmart Inc., CVS Health Corp., Walgreens Boots Alliance Inc. and other chain stores and diagnostics companies to put testing facilities in place nationwide, President Donald Trump said at a news conference in the White House Rose Garden Monday.

“Having pharmacies get involved in testing is a very big deal,” he said.

Australia’s Most Populous State Eases Restrictions (6:17 a.m. HK)

Australia’s New South Wales state, home of Sydney, is easing coronavirus lockdown restrictions and starting Friday will allow people to visit other households.

Premier Gladys Berejiklian told reporters that two adults at a time would be allowed to enter other homes, lifting a restriction that’s seen people largely confined to the bubble of their own household. Online learning resumes this week and the state is hopeful that face-to-face teaching will be taking place full-time by the end of this term, she said.

Florida Counties to Reopen Some Outdoor Areas (5 p.m. NY)

Florida’s three most populous counties are reopening parks, marinas and golf courses on Wednesday in a limited capacity, according to coordinated announcements by their local governments.

Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach rolled out a series of rules to ensure limited contact as park-goers, golfers and boaters return. In Miami-Dade, Florida’s biggest county by population, Mayor Carlos Gimenez told reporters that he would sign an order later in the day making the move official.

California May Ease Rules in Weeks, Newsom Says (4:23 p.m. NY)

California Governor Gavin Newsom said there will likely be “meaningful” changes to the state’s stay-in-place orders in weeks, while the six major counties in the San Francisco Bay area said they will extend their restrictions through May.

Newsom, in his daily briefing, said a relaxing of orders depends on new cases continuing to flatten and ongoing social distancing. He warned residents against becoming lax in their measures, noting that several beaches were crowded this weekend and data show more people on the move. He plans to lay out some details about how California will “phase in” businesses on Tuesday.

U.S. Confirmed Cases Rise 2.3% (4 p.m. NY)

U.S. cases rose 2.3% from the day before to 979,077, the slowest pace since at least April 1, according to data compiled by Johns Hopkins University and Bloomberg News. That was lower than Sunday’s growth rate of 3.3% and below the average daily increase of 3.5% over the past week. Deaths rose 1.8% to 55,563.

Nebraska reported the sharpest surge in new cases, up 11% to 3,031, according to the Johns Hopkins and Bloomberg News data. New York’s cases rose 1.4%, according to the Johns Hopkins and Bloomberg News data.

Ohio to Begin Gradual Reopening (3:12 p.m. NY)

Ohio Governor Mike DeWine announced a gradual reopening of businesses starting Friday, while maintaining restrictions such as social distancing and wearing masks under the slogan, “no mask, no work, no service, no exception.”Starting Friday, health-care procedures that don’t require an overnight stay in a hospital can move forward, and dentists and veterinarians can resume all activity, DeWine said at a press conference in Columbus.

On May 4, manufacturing, distribution, construction, and general offices can reopen with people still encouraged to work from home if possible, DeWine said. Consumer, retail and services firms can reopen May 12 with proper precautions, he said.

Ohio’s restriction on gatherings of no more than 10 people will remain, and restaurants, hair salons and day-care centers will stay closed for now, he said.

Florida May Reopen by Region (1:45 p.m. NY)

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis said his strategy for reopening the economy may differ by region as three of the state’s 67 counties — Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach, all in the southeast — account for 60% of the state’s 32,138 confirmed Covid-19 cases.

“Pretty much the rest of the state has really handled this very well,” DeSantis told reporters Monday in Tampa. “I think that is something that you take into consideration.”

DeSantis’s stay-at-home order is set to expire Thursday, and he hasn’t provided details of how he intends to proceed. Phase one of the reopening would be “a baby step,” he said, and his approach would be “very slow, methodical and data-driven.”

Ireland Warned Not to Reopen (1:25 p.m. NY)

Ireland shouldn’t lift its coronavirus restrictions right now, according to the nation’s chief medical officer, Tony Holohan, even as the country reported its lowest number of deaths since April 12. There were 18 more confirmed coronavirus deaths, with 386 new cases.

“I’m more firmly of that view” not to lift restrictions now “given what we’re seeing,” Holohan said. Intensive-care admissions remained “persistent,” he added. Ireland, which is under a virtual lockdown until May 5, has 19,648 coronavirus cases, with 1,102 deaths.

WHO Warns on Southern Hemisphere (1:15 p.m. NY)

The World Health Organization is concerned about the rising number of cases in Latin America, Africa, some Asian countries, as well as eastern Europe, Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said, adding that the pandemic is far from over. Everyone in the Southern Hemisphere should get the seasonal flu shot now as that season is starting there, he added.

Countries can avoid a second wave if they put the right policies into place, but they need to be vigilant if they try to ease lockdowns. “It’s pretty logical that if you lift that too quickly, the virus can jump back,” said Mike Ryan, the head of the WHO’s health emergencies program.

Countries that followed WHO advice have fared better, and the world should have paid attention when it declared a global public health emergency on Jan. 30, Tedros said. “We don’t have any power to force countries to implement what we advise,” he said. “It’s up to the countries to take our advice or reject it.”

N.Y. Cancels Presidential Primary (12:45 p.m. NY)

New York canceled its presidential primary scheduled for June 23, becoming the first state to do so during the pandemic. At least a dozen states, including New York, have postponed their primaries or moved to mail-in only voting. Democratic candidate Joe Biden has virtually sewn up the presidential nomination as the last of his rivals, Bernie Sanders, dropped out earlier this month.

The state reported 337 deaths from Covid-19, down sharply from daily peaks earlier this month, but still “tragically high,” Governor Andrew Cuomo said. Overall, the state has reported 17,303 deaths due to the virus. New cases rose to 291,996, up from 288,045 the day before.

U.K. Deaths Fall to March Levels (12:25 p.m. NY)

A further 360 people are reported to have died from the coronavirus in U.K. hospitals, the latest figures show, the lowest daily increase since March 28.

Some 4,310 more people were reported to have been tested positive for the disease, figures released by Health Secretary Matt Hancock in the government’s daily briefing show, lower than the five day average daily increase of 5,237 positive cases a day, according to data calculated by Bloomberg. The total number of people who tested positive is currently at 157,149 from 152,840.

Colorado, Nevada Join Western Pact (12:20 p.m. NY)

Colorado and Nevada are joining California, Oregon and Washington in what is coming to be known the Western States Pact, a bloc coordinating policies and strategies to combat the pandemic.

As states try to develop testing-and-tracing capacities and set policy with little help from Washington, regional groups have formed in the Northeast, Midwest and South.

Italy New Cases at Seven-Week Low (12:05 p.m. NY)

Italy posted its lowest number of new coronavirus cases in seven weeks on Monday, as Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte tentatively started to map a way out of a national lockdown and restart the economy.

Civil protection authorities reported 1,739 cases for the 24-hour period — the fewest since March 10 — compared with 2,324 a day earlier. Confirmed cases now total 199,414. The number of recovered patients rose by 1,696 to 66,624.

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