As concerns about the coronavirus outbreak mount, officials continue to urge people to not lose sight of the big picture, including the more than 82,000 people who have recovered.
No longer predominantly affecting China, that new coronavirus that causes COVID-19 is rapidly spreading through Europe, the United States and Iran. On Monday, cases outside China surpassed those within China for the first time since the outbreak started. Of the 204,277 confirmed cases around the world, 8,246 people have died.
COVID-19 is believed to present the biggest threat to those who are over 60 and have underlying health conditions or suppressed immune systems. For many who contract the virus, about 80 percent, the symptoms will be mild and resemble those from a cold or flu. Those people will likely be able to ride out the illness at home without being hospitalized.
As of Wednesday morning, at least 82,091 people worldwide have recovered, according to a Johns Hopkins University tracker.
The majority of the recoveries—69,755—have been in China, where there have been 81,102 cases and 3,241 deaths. Aside from China, where the virus originated, Iran has had the most people recover, compared with any other country. Of the 17,361 cases there, the Johns Hopkins tracker reported that 5,389 people had recovered.
In Italy, where there have been 31,506 cases—the most outside of China—2,941 people are confirmed to have recovered, according to the tracker. To curb the spread of the outbreak, Italy put the entire country under quarantine measures. This prohibited travel except in limited circumstances and ordered people to remain home except to purchase groceries, visit the pharmacy or go to the doctor.
Spain is under a similar lockdown, although it has less than half the number of cases Italy has confirmed. Of the 13,910 cases in Spain, 1,081 people have recovered, according to the tracker.
Regardless of the personal threat the virus poses, officials across the globe are urging everyone to take the outbreak seriously and do their part in preventing it from spreading. President Donald Trump rejected the idea of a national quarantine but said it's a possibility for America's "hot spots." The United States has had 6,519 cases, according to the tracker. All 50 states have reported cases, with the most found in Washington, New York and California.
To curb the spread of the outbreak, officials in multiple states have prohibited large gatherings and limited bars and restaurants to takeout and delivery service. Several counties in California have enacted stay-at-home orders, and New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio said that could happen in the Big Apple as well. New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, however, said it would have to get his approval, which he wasn't ready to give. Cuomo said efforts were focused on limiting the virus' spread to help position hospitals to care for the acutely ill, such as senior citizens with underlying illnesses, in the best way possible.
Extensive data about who has been infected in the U.S. and who has died haven't been released yet. But Dr. Deborah Birx, a member of the White House Coronavirus Task Force, said on Tuesday the group was "digesting" reports from Santa Clara, California, and Seattle. Based on data from other countries, Birx said, the mortality rate for those under 30 is "extraordinarily low." Still, every generation must be part of the mitigation effort.
Vice President Mike Pence, who is leading the task force, said, "For the American people as a whole, the risk of serious illness remains low, but we're asking every American to partner with us in this effort to slow the spread of the virus and especially to be mindful of seniors or others with serious underlying health conditions for whom the threat of the coronavirus can be very significant and very real."
