Recent reports coming from China confirmed the death of 106 people who were affected with the deadly Coronavirus. The number of total cases in China rose to 4,515 as of 27 January, up from 2,835 a day earlier. To curb the spread of the flu-like virus, the country has further tightened travel restrictions.
The city of Wuhan is thought to be the epicentre of it but it has spread across China and internationally. The coronavirus causes severe acute respiratory infection and there is no specific cure or vaccine. Most of the deaths have been of elderly people or those with pre-existing respiratory problems.
Scientists are still working to understand the origin and transmission of the virus and to develop effective treatment methods.
The virus has landed into several other countries which has made the state authorities to take measures to control the spread of it.
In Australia the New South Wales government has announced that it is changing its advice with regards to parents sending their children back to school after the long summer break.
Children who have returned from China in the past two weeks have been asked to stay home from school.
“This is one of the most difficult decisions I have made,” said the NSW health minister, Brad Hazzard. “We have decided that New South Wales is the epicentre of what’s occurring,” he said. “We apologise to parents who may find themselves in this situation.”
The decision will apply to teachers and students in the NSW health system as well.
Scott Morrison, the Australian prime minister, has just been been speaking about the virus and its impact on Australian in China and at home, where there have been five confirmed cases.
He said the cabinet’s national security committee met yesterday to discuss the threat posed by the virus and would continue to meet every few days.
Japan’s government will send a chartered flight to Wuhan on Tuesday night to evacuate its nationals wishing to return home, according to the Reuters news agency. The country’s foreign minister, Toshimitsu Motegi, told reporters the flight could carry around 200 passengers, but added about 650 Japanese citizens are hoping to come back to Japan. Motegi said the government is making arrangements for additional flights that will leave for Wuhan as early as Wednesday.
The Philippines has suspended its usual practice of issuing visas upon arrival (VUA) to Chinese visitors in an effort to contain the spread of the virus. The bureau of immigration commissioner Jaime Morente said in a statement ; “The Civil Aeronautics Board has already suspended direct flights from Wuhan province,” said Morente. “We are now temporarily suspending the issuance of VUA for Chinese nationals to slow down the influx of group tours,” he added.
With millions largely confined to their homes because of the coronavirus in China, social media is awash with novel ways to stave off boredom – from indoor fishing to singing and dance challenges.
Netizens are also praising the bold nurses and doctors who, without worrying about themselves are serving the country and are treating the patients. A doctor at Wuhan’s Jinyintan Hospital showed on CCTV footage, how she prepared herself before entering the quarantined section guarded by two layers of glass doors.
The medic, firmly wrapped by medical clothing and donning a face mask, went through two rounds of sterilisation – first by an air shower and then by ultraviolet light.
The CCTV video then shows a number of nurses and doctors treating patients at their bedside. It is said that the medics would need to take turns every four hours.
One doctor and 13 nurses in Wuhan have been infected, while looking after one patient because the hospital neglected the patient’s symptoms, the city’s mayor has revealed.
