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Health Check: Why is Covid spreading so quickly on cruise ships?

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Quarantined passengers on the Diamond Princess cruise ship

2020/02/19 GMT

Why is Covid spreading so quickly on cruise ships?

BBC World Service - Health Check, Why is Covid spreading so quickly on cruise ships?

First case of Covid in Africa reported as virus spreads rapidly on cruise ship near Japan

Why is Covid spreading so quickly on cruise ships?; Group pregnancy check-ups to help women support each other; Can computers detect our moods by analysing facial expressions?

We hear what could be behind the rapid spread of the coronavirus on board a cruise ship near Japan. Dr Nathalie MacDermott from Kings College, London suggests an investigation should look at the air filtration and sanitation systems and whether a “deep-clean” was carried out in communal areas. She also says sheer exhaustion could be behind the rising number of healthcare workers infected in China – one mistake when removing personal protective equipment could infect them. 

A new trial of group check-ups for pregnant women in the UK aims to help them support each other – as well as receive the best care from midwives. Some women are at risk of giving birth to smaller, premature babies – and it’s hoped that the Pregnancy Circles will help to reduce this risk. Our six-months-pregnant reporter Bobbie Lakhera goes along to a session in north London. 

Technology companies are developing artificial intelligence to detect our moods so that we can interact with “virtual agents” on our computers.  But reading facial expressions like humans do is a huge challenge for current technologies. We hear from a leading expert about how the expressions on our faces don’t always tally with how we are feeling.

Presenter: Claudia Hammond
Producer: Paula McGrath

(Image: Quarantined passengers look out from their balconies on the Diamond Princess cruise ship in Yokohama. Photo credit: Charly Triballeau/AFP/Getty Images)

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