Covid-19 Pandemic
 Here’s the latest news: Most of world to face Covid without vaccine, virus hunter saysSouth Africa data may underreport virus deaths California school closing brings parent angst and economic worry The looming threat to an unsung hero Saline solution is one of the unsung heroes of the hospital setting, hanging from IV lines all over tiny rooms and fluorescent hallways without much fanfare. But the clear, liquid-filled bags are essential to deliver all kinds of medication. They’re also made largely in Puerto Rico by Baxter International Inc. where logistics could easily become a problem if another major hurricane like Maria were to hit, particularly as hospitals in some parts of the U.S. are overrun with Covid-19 patients. Baxter lost power at its plants in Puerto Rico during Hurricane Maria in 2017, worsening saline supply issues and causing an extreme shortage. The company now has back up, since then having gained clearance from the Food and Drug Administration to make the saline bags internationally should the need arise.  A nurse applies a saline wash through an IV at a hospital in Utah. Saline, though, is typically shipped by boat to save money given the weight of the bags. But that could take a while if you’re coming from somewhere in Europe, meaning Baxter would likely call up air support, something it already did during the pandemic when New York City needed dialysis supplies, Lauren Russ, a spokeswoman, said. But even air travel isn’t certain these days. “The majority comes in the belly of a passenger plane,” David Gaugh, senior vice president at the Association for Accessible Medicines, the lobby group for generic drugmakers, said of typical medicine transport pre-pandemic. This has left makers of all kinds of drugs relying on FedEx and UPS at rates as much as five times more than normal given the dip in commercial flights at the start of the pandemic that hasn’t fully bounced back, Gaugh said. For example, hitching a ride in a 777 used to cost a couple hundred thousand dollars, but using one just for your product cost more like $1.5 million, he said. The trade organization for brand-name drugmakers, PhRMA, has tried to advocate to Congress for help as companies scramble to charter their own flights. They’ve yet to see the government take action. In the meantime, the fragile supply chain carries on as hurricanes lurk and an uncertain fall looms on the horizon.–Anna Edney and Riley Griffin Track the virus Cases Continue to Surge in U.S.  A Covid-19 testing site in Long Beach, California, on Thursday. Photographer: Mario Tama/Getty Images Southern U.S. Sun Belt states are continuing to experience a sharp increase in new cases of the coronavirus. Keep track of case counts and the latest developments with our interactive graphic. Sponsored Content by Siemens America’s factories, power plants, transportation and hospitals all need technology and our technology is only as powerful as the people deploying and maintaining it. Keeping America moving takes more than technology alone. It takes a human touch. Siemens Ingenuity for life. What you should read How Georgia Massaged Its Outbreak Data The state has also barred local officials from setting mask mandates. Tech Replaces Soccer Crowds Spanish La Liga producer adds noise from FIFA video game. China’s Beauty Boom Cosmetic makers are helped by patriotic buying and a shift online. Migrant Blind Spots Sparked Melbourne Crisis Early Covid-19 information was only available in English. The Best Ad Slogans to Get Us to Wear Masks Just wear the damn mask. Know someone else who would like this newsletter? Have them sign up here. Have any questions, concerns, or news tips on Covid-19 news? Get in touch or help us cover the story. Like this newsletter? Subscribe for unlimited access to trusted, data-based journalism in 120 countries around the world and gain expert analysis from exclusive daily newsletters, The Bloomberg Open and The Bloomberg Close. Follow Us Get the newsletter You received this message because you are subscribed to Bloomberg’s Coronavirus Daily newsletter. Unsubscribe | Bloomberg.com | Contact Us Bloomberg L.P. 731 Lexington, New York, NY, 10022 |
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