The situation in China is a cause for concern around the world, with reports of rising COVID-19 cases and the Chinese government's decision to stop providing daily COVID data. In response, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has required a negative COVID-19 test or documentation of recovery for passengers from China, Hong Kong and Macau boarding flights to the U.S. Other countries, such as Japan, the European Union, Italy, India, and South Korea, have also announced test mandates for passengers arriving from China.
In the U.S., the seven-day average of new COVID cases fell to a three-week low of 64,410 on Wednesday, and the daily average of COVID-related deaths fell to 345 on Wednesday, also a three-week low. Hospitalization data has been more reliable, and the daily average of COVID-related hospitalizations rose to 40,497 from 39,880 on Tuesday. The number of COVID patients in intensive-care units jumped 10% from two weeks ago to 4,997, the most since early August. The test-positivity rate rose to above 14% on Wednesday, a four-month high, and has increased by 18% in two weeks.
The international community is responding to the growing concern about the situation in China. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has implemented a negative COVID-19 test or documentation of recovery requirement for passengers from China, Hong Kong and Macau boarding flights to the U.S. Similarly, other countries, such as Japan, the European Union, Italy, India, and South Korea, have announced test mandates for passengers arriving from China.
Meanwhile, in the U.S., the number of new COVID cases and deaths have been decreasing, while hospitalizations and test-positivity rates are increasing. The seven-day average of new COVID cases dropped to a three-week low of 64,410 on Wednesday, and the daily average of COVID-related deaths dropped to 345 on Wednesday, also a three-week low. Hospitalizations rose to 40,497 from 39,880 on Tuesday, and the number of COVID patients in intensive-care units jumped 10% from two weeks ago to 4,997, the most since early August. The test-positivity rate rose to above 14% on Wednesday, a four-month high, and has increased by 18% in two weeks.
The international community is keeping a close eye on the situation in China, as well as on the COVID-19 situation in the U.S. Countries have responded to the growing concern by requiring tests or documentation of recovery for passengers arriving from China, as well as by monitoring the number of new cases, deaths, hospitalizations, and test-positivity rates in the U.S. As both countries continue to fight the spread of the virus, the international community is taking proactive steps to ensure public safety.