Spoke to Toronto infectious diseases physician Dr. Isaac Bogoch about coronavirus. He tells me as situation evolves, NHL, NBA and other leagues need to consider canceling or postponing games or playing without spectators.
More tonight on @SportsCentre
More tonight on @SportsCentre
In a memo to teams sent Friday, the NHL advised frequent hand washing for players/team staff, more teleconference meetings, and monitoring of alerts from Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Also Friday, the Canadian Olympic Committee banned international travel for staff, says spokesman Photi Sotiropoulos.
With 24 documented cases in Canada and 80 in the U.S., Dr. Bogoch says "business as usual" is fine for now but notes we've known about this disease only for a few months.
"Events can change very fast."
"Events can change very fast."
More from Dr. Bogoch:
Comparing this year’s strain of coronavirus and SARS circa 2003 is “insane.”
Dr. Bogoch says the fatality rate of SARS was about 10%, while the coronavirus fatality rate to date is about 2%.
(Seasonal flu fatality rate is roughly 0.1%)
Comparing this year’s strain of coronavirus and SARS circa 2003 is “insane.”
Dr. Bogoch says the fatality rate of SARS was about 10%, while the coronavirus fatality rate to date is about 2%.
(Seasonal flu fatality rate is roughly 0.1%)
Update: The WHO on Tuesday estimated the coronavirus death rate at 3.4% - higher than previously estimated.
