Even as borders shut off and nations turn inward, scientists are collaborating with their international peers at a frantic pace. Above, Chris Mok of the coronavirus vaccine team at HKU-Pasteur Research Pole, Hong Kong. (Photo by Nicola Longobardi)

Inside the unprecedented global race for a coronavirus cure

As health systems teeter, scientists must rely on informal networks for vital research

PETER GUEST, Nikkei staff writer

April 8, 2020 04:00 JST

TOKYO -- Intensive care beds are beginning to fill up the Sydney hospital where Harriet, a medical registrar, has been working to prepare for a surge in COVID-19 cases. "We keep saying it's going to happen next week," she said. "But we're not there yet."

Australia has had just under 6,000 confirmed cases as of April 6, and Harriet's hospital has done what it can to be ready if that number starts to rise. They have created a COVID-19 ward and a second intensive care unit, and made plans to ratchet up the response by moving junior doctors from their rotations onto the virus response.