COVID-19

Coronaviruses are a family of RNA viruses that typically cause mild respiratory disease in humans. A novel coronavirus (COVID-19) was identified in Wuhan, China in December 2019.

Our experts are closely following and analyzing updates on this outbreak. The following resources will be routinely updated.

Situation Reports

Updates on the emerging novel coronavirus from the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security.

• 11 March
• 10 March
• 9 March
• 6 March
• 5 March
• 4 March

View all of the situation reports.

Fact Sheets

Coronaviruses Fact Sheet (PDF)
Coronaviruses (CoV) are a family of RNA viruses that typically cause mild respiratory disease in humans. A novel coronavirus was identified in Wuhan, China, in December 2019.

US Travel Screening (PDF), as of January 22, 2020
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Department of Homeland Security’s Customs and Border Protection (DHS/CBP) agency are implementing returning traveler screening for all travelers on direct or connecting flights from Wuhan, China.

COVID-19 Genetics (PDF)
A summary of findings from the latest phylogenetic research on COVID-19.

Financing for epidemic response activities (PDF)
There are several major sources of money that could be used to support outbreak response activities.

WHO’s Role During Health Emergencies (PDF)
As the health lead for the United Nations, the World Health Organization (WHO) has the primary responsibility to respond to natural disasters and disease outbreaks.

Diagnostic Testing for COVID-19 (PDF)
Diagnostic testing for the novel coronavirus COVID-19 is undertaken using 2 approaches: whole genome sequencing and real-time reverse transcriptase PCR (rRT-PCR).

Blame and Discrimination Attached to COVID-19—An FAQ for US Elected Leaders and Health Officials (PDF)
When fear of disease and fear of others collide

Ventilator Stockpiling and Availability in the US (PDF)
Mechanical ventilation is a vital component of critical services for patients exhibiting severe acute respiratory failure.

Serology testing for COVID-19 (PDF)
Serology tests are blood-based tests that can be used to identify whether people have been exposed to a particular pathogen.

Experts in the Media

The Washington Post
Social distancing could buy U.S. valuable time against coronavirus, feat. Caitlin Rivers, PhD, MPH

Fox News
[Video] Infectious disease expert on concerns surrounding mass quarantines in response to the coronavirus, feat. Amesh Adalja, MD

Here & Now | WBUR
[Audio] Why Coronavirus Testing Has Been Slow In The U.S., feat. Crystal Watson, DrPH, MPH

The New York Times
Politicians’ Use of ‘Wuhan Virus’ Starts a Debate Health Experts Wanted to Avoid, feat. Monica Schoch-Spana, PhD

The Hill
Trump pitches tax cut to ease panic, feat. Jennifer Nuzzo, DrPH

VOA
World Facing Coronavirus Pandemic, Health Expert Says, feat. Eric Toner, MD

CBS News | 60 minutes
Coronavirus: How U.S. hospitals are preparing for COVID-19, and what leading health officials say about the virus, feat. Tom Inglesby, MD

A thread on Twitter
Dr. Tom Inglesby shares comments on Twitter on:

• 1/26/2020 (PDF)
• 2/2/2020 (PDF)
• 2/6/2020 (PDF)
• 2/10/2020 (PDF)
• 2/15/2020 (PDF)
• 2/17/2020 (PDF)
• 2/22/2020 (PDF)
• 2/25/2020 (PDF)
• 3/09/2020 (PDF)

Testimonies

March 3: Center for Health Security director Dr. Tom Inglesby testifies at US House of Representatives Committee on Homeland Security on COVID-19

February 5: Center for Health Security expert Dr. Jennifer Nuzzo testifies at first open congressional hearing on 2019-nCoV

Health Security Special Online Issue on Coronaviruses

10 relevant articles from Health Security on coronaviruses, outbreak preparedness and response, infection control, and public health policy are freely available through February 29, 2020 to facilitate the conversation around health security.

Resources

Visit the Johns Hopkins Coronavirus Resource Center where our experts help to advance understanding of the virus, inform the public, and brief policymakers in order to guide a response, improve care, and save lives.

Clinicians’ Biosecurity News 02/27/2020: What US Hospitals Should Do Now to Prepare for a COVID-19 Pandemic

Other Important External Resources

CCDC: Surveillance programme (PDF)
CCDC: Epidemiological investigations (PDF)
CCDC: Contact tracing (PDF)
CCDC: Laboratory diagnostics (PDF)

Pandemic | Ready.gov

Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) | CDC
Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Peer-Reviewed Publications (list maintained by the CDC)

Tracking the Coronavirus

The Center for Systems Science and Engineering at JHU is tracking the COVID-19 spread in real-time.