Virus advances around world as medical supplies dwindle

There are now more than 300,000 confirmed Coronavirus cases worldwide

WASHINGTON DC: The virus pandemic advanced Sunday after the US and Europe reported soaring new cases, prompting a scramble in some regions to set up additional hospital beds and replenish much needed medical supplies.

Italy announced its biggest day-to-day increase of infections, which rose by 6,600 with nearly 800 new fatalities from the virus that causes COVID19. The country's total death toll of more than 4,825 has surpassed the number of deaths in China, where the first cases emerged late last year.

In the US, where multiple states have ordered residents to stay indoors, New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo said the government is literally scouring the globe looking for medical supplies.

Health care workers from Oklahoma City to Minneapolis sought donations of protective equipment. Staff at a Detroit hospital began creating homemade face masks for workers. Even rural hospitals were strained as people increasingly felt the pandemic closing in.

In the farming community of Vidalia, Georgia, Dr. Robert Wagner said medical staffers at his emergency room are wearing face masks for their entire 12-hour shifts and changing in and out of full protective gear every time they see people considered a potential Coronavirus case all while dealing with a regular flow of patients injured in car crashes and suffering chest pains or other maladies.