The last few weeks, there’s been nothing on the news other than coronavirus. And rightfully so. Because the virus is spreading rapidly and measures need to be taken to curb it. However, along with legit reporting there has been so much fake news circulating which has caused mass hysteria and panic. Everyone is pitching in their opinion and there’s a constant battle between facts and rumors. 

So, what do we amid all this negativity. Is coronavirus really going to be the end of the world?

We don’t know. But what we do know is that there is positive news about COVID-19. Yes, it hard to believe but there is news that will not make you break into an anxiety attack. Here are 12 positive news stories we think we all could use today.

Decline in number of cases and recovery rate

1) South Korea sees a decline in cases

Cases in South Korea are sharply declining. The country of 50 million only reported 74 new cases yesterday i.e 17th March. This is significantly down from 909 at its peak on 29 February. 

Amid these dire trends, South Korea has emerged as a sign of hope and a model to emulate. The country of 50 million appears to have greatly slowed its epidemic; it reported only 74 new cases today, down from 909 at its peak on 29 February. And it has done so without locking down entire cities or taking some of the other authoritarian measures that helped China bring its epidemic under control.

2) China closes all its coronavirus hospitals due to less new cases

In a dramatic sign that the coronavirus crisis is improving in China, the last two of 16 temporary hospitals in the epicenter city of Wuhan have been shut down, according to a report.

The final group of 49 patients walked out of the Wuchang temporary hospital in the capital of Hubei province on Tuesday afternoon to cheers, according to the Xinhua news agency. However, despite the closures, Wuhan — a city of 11 million — remains under lockdown after more than 50 days. On Tuesday, President Xi Jinping made a high-profile visit to the stricken city, his first since the outbreak began.

3) 103-year-old Chinese woman recovers from coronavirus

A 103-year-old woman has become the oldest person to beat coronavirus and return home. Zhang Guangfen recovered from the disease after receiving treatment for just six days at a hospital in Wuhan – the Chinese city at the centre of the outbreak. The centenarian’s quick recovery was down to her having no underlying health conditions apart from mild chronic bronchitis, her doctor Dr Zeng Yulan told reporters. She was diagnosed at Liyuan Hospital, Tongji Medical College, in Wuhan on 1 March, Chutian Metropolis Daily reports.

Improvement in the test results speed

4) Cleaveland based health centre gives results in only 2 hours

A Cleaveland based health Center can now test COVID-19 samples, a give results in just 2 hours. Currently test results take upto 48 hours in most medical centres around the world. 

Not too gloomy for business anymore

5) Apple is reopening all 42 of its retail stores in China.

A company spokesman confirmed to Reuters that the stores will reopen Friday. Some had been closed in early February as a precaution against the coronavirus.

Scientific Progress

6) Theory that the blood of the recovered can cure the infected

Researchers at Johns Hopkins University, say the key to slowing and treating the coronavirus might just be hidden in the blood of those who’ve already recovered from the disease. Now they are actively pushing to test this theory out. 

7) Biotech company developing a blood-plasma derived treatment for coronavirus

Israel based biopharmaceutical company Kamada is developing a blood-plasma derived treatment against the coronavirus.

8) A U.S. company has started manufacturing vaccine

A U.S based biotech company has identified a vaccine and is now according to the company, in the process of manufacturing it. This is what sets them apart from other companies working on coronavirus vaccine. 

9) First human trail for a vaccine takes place

First COVID-19 Clinical trial officially took place in seattle this Monday. This is the company leading that charge.

Positive news from today i.e. March 18th

10) First coronavirus patient from Delhi recovers

First patient in Delhi who tested positive for Coronavirus, was discharged yesterday. Full recovered. 

11) First 3 patients from Maryland U.S recover

The first three people to test positive for coronavirus in Maryland, US have reportedly recovered completely and have gone back to resuming their normal life. 

12) China okays human trial for vaccine

China gives the go ahead for human trials of a potential COVID-19 vaccine.

The threat of coronavirus still looms but all is not bleak, rather if anything we are getting closer to beating it.

Also read: All the companies working on a COVID-19 vaccine and what we know about them so far