Coronavirus Latest News

Instead of blasting you with coronavirus (COVID-19) news every hour, I’m putting together a roundup of news that I come across during the day. Here you can read about home testing kit for COVID-19 that launches Monday and costs $135, two 20-year old helping deliver groceries to the elderly, botanical garden live-streams plants, Cathay Pacific down to 4 per cent of service, Bank of America letting customers defer loan payments and latest coronavirus numbers.

Austin company to start offering at-home testing kit for coronavirus

Austin-based medical diagnostics company Everlywell says it will begin offering a home testing kit for COVID-19 early next week to help close the shortage of testing methods during the coronavirus outbreak. The company said 30,000 of the tests will be available starting Monday. The tests allow users to collect swab samples at home, which can then be submitted to a government-certified laboratory for testing, the company said. “The test will be available for $135 at no profit to Everlywell, and will be covered by participating HSA and FSA providers,” the company said in a news release.

Two 20-somethings extend ‘invisible hands’ in virus outbreak

Elkind, a junior at Yale, and a friend, Simone Policano, amassed 1,300 volunteers in 72 hours to deliver groceries and medicine to older New Yorkers and other vulnerable people. They call themselves Invisible Hands, and they do something else in the process — provide human contact and comfort, at a safe distance, of course.

A Botanical Garden in Seattle Is Livestreaming Plants

If you need a little digital escape now’s the time to follow the Volunteer Park Conservatory on Instagram. During any other time the conservatory, located in Seattle, would welcome guests with open arms. There, guests can explore the historic landmark and its Victorian glasshouse, which it calls “a true jewel in the crown of Seattle Parks.”

Cathay Pacific down to 4 per cent of services, as HK Express stops flights

Cathay Pacific Airways on Friday said it would operate just 4 per cent of its scheduled services in April and May as its budget unit HK Express declared the suspension of flights for at least five weeks until the end of April. Both airlines cited a significant drop in travel demand and sweeping restrictions in movement amid the coronavirus pandemic for taking the drastic steps.

Bank of America will let customers defer mortgage payments

Bank of America is letting customers request to defer payments on mortgages and small business and auto loans in light of the coronavirus pandemic. The bank made the announcement on Thursday as part of additional support measures it is providing to its customers. It indicated small business and consumer clients could request payment deferments, with the missed payments added to the end of the loans.

US Coronavirus Numbers

And here is a screenshot of the latest numbers in the United States and how it compares to other countries around the world.