COVID 19: California issues 'stay home' order

Governor Gavin Newsom urged citizens to leave their home only during an emergency.

"CA is issuing a statewide, mandatory STAY AT HOME order. Those that work in critical sectors should go to work. Grocery stores, pharmacies, banks and more will stay open. We need to meet this moment and flatten the curve together," the Governor said in his tweet.

Meanwhile, for the first time since the COVID-19 outbreak began last December, China has reported no domestic cases of the disease, the head of the UN World Health Organization (WHO) reported on Thursday, calling it “an amazing achievement”.

Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus was speaking during his regular briefing in Geneva where he highlighted latest developments in the UN agency’s support to countries facing what he described as “an invisible enemy against humanity”.

WHO has shipped personal protective equipment (PPE) to nearly 70 countries, while 120 nations have received 1.5 million diagnostic kits. 

The agency is finalizing export arrangements with producers in China so that more supplies can be sent to countries.

“Our aim is to build a continuous pipeline to ensure continuity of supply”, he said.

However, he warned shortages will continue to be a challenge.

The WHO Director-General reported that more than 70 per cent of countries have a national preparedness and response plan for COVID-19, while nearly 90 per cent have lab testing capacity.