Sharp Increase in Coronavirus Victims and Cases in China

With the intensification of coronavirus cases and rising death toll, another multi-million population city in China has been quarantined. The number of infected cases has increased by three thousand in a single day, reaching over 14,000 people.

According to Chinese officials, by the end of the previous day (Saturday, February 1), the number of coronavirus deaths in China has reached 304 people and the number of infected cases has exceeded 14,000.

Thus, in one day, the number of deaths increased by approximately 50 people and the number of infected cases increased by at least 3,000 people. The sharp spread of coronavirus has forced officials to adopt more severe preventive measures.

According to reports, following Wuhan city in Hubei Province, which is considered the epicenter of the coronavirus outbreak, the mega-city of Nanjing outside this province is now also quarantined and citizen movement within it has been severely restricted.

According to local officials, 256 cases of coronavirus infection have been identified in Nanjing by Sunday morning, and with the increase in infected cases, stringent preventive measures have been implemented.

Severe Restrictions on Citizen Movement

In this city, which is located on the eastern edge of China and has a population of over 9 million, only one person from each household is allowed to leave home once every two days to obtain food and necessary supplies.

In Hubei Province, the spread of the virus has not been limited to Wuhan city alone, and approximately 40 million people in various cities of this province have been quarantined.

In cities where coronavirus cases have been identified, citizens are not allowed to leave the city, public transportation has stopped, all cultural, artistic and public programs have been canceled, and severe health measures are being implemented.

According to China’s state television, by Sunday morning, 294 deaths from coronavirus infection have been recorded in Hubei Province and ten in other parts of the country. Official sources have reported the number of infected cases as 14,380 people.

First Death Outside China

The Philippines Ministry of Health announced on Sunday morning the death of a Chinese citizen infected with coronavirus in the country. The victim was a 44-year-old man from Wuhan city, and his death, which occurred on Saturday, is the first confirmed case of death from coronavirus outside China. He had traveled to the Philippines on January 21.

In recent days, many airline companies from various countries have suspended or limited flights to and from China, and are evacuating their citizens from the country. Some others have prohibited entry of passengers from China.

On Friday, the U.S. government, intensifying its preventive measures, prohibited entry of foreign passengers who had previously been in China into the United States. Accordingly, American citizens who were present in Hubei Province are required to quarantine for 14 days after entering the United States.

The British Embassy had also previously reduced the number of embassy staff in Beijing to the minimum possible. Meanwhile, many airline companies have canceled all flights to and from China.

Australian airline company announced on Friday that it will suspend its flights to Beijing and Shanghai from February 9. This measure will continue at least until March 29. Australia, like the United States, has banned entry of non-Australian passengers who had previously been in China.

The German Air Force dispatched an Airbus aircraft to Wuhan on Friday and brought back approximately 120 German citizens. These individuals, who arrived in Frankfurt on Saturday, are expected to spend 14 days in quarantine.

Symptoms and Methods of Coronavirus Infection

So far, little information is available about coronavirus and no vaccine has yet been developed to prevent it. A hospital affiliated with Wuhan University and the Virology Institute of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, in their research, concluded that coronavirus is transmitted not only through “droplet infection” but also through feces.

Coronavirus infection can be accompanied by symptoms similar to colds and flu, and in some cases by shortness of breath or lung infection.

It is suspected that the coronavirus may have initially been transmitted from wildlife to humans in a market in Wuhan city. The World Health Organization reported the first cases of coronavirus infection in late December.

This United Nations body, in response to the outbreak of coronavirus, declared an international emergency from February 10. Cases of coronavirus infection have also been observed in some other countries so far.

South Korea’s official news agency reported on Sunday that with the identification of three new cases, the number of coronavirus cases in the country has reached 15.

South Korea is one of the countries that intends to prevent entry of passengers who had previously been in Hubei Province. This ban will be implemented from Tuesday.

Indonesia has also announced that it will prevent entry of passengers who have been in China in the past two weeks from Wednesday. Russia and Japan are among other countries that have implemented preventive measures in response to the coronavirus outbreak.

Source: DW