Coronavirus Continues to Spread Globally … Unchecked!
By AlpLocal News
5 February 2020
HONG KONG, CHINA – Reports of new deaths, all in central Hubei province, the epicenter of the virus outbreak, has prompted China to allow U.S. health experts, part of the WHO mission, to enter the country to help curb the Coronavirus, according to a statement from the White House.
It’s reported that the origin of the Novel Coronavirus was from bats. The Huanan Seafood Market in Wuhan, China, which sold live animals is said to be the original location for the outbreak. The Wuhan Huanan Seafood Market has been closed for weeks as the government tries to contain the coronavirus.
In the provincial capital of Wuhan, 64 people died yesterday with 2,345 new cases. Across China both the death toll and infections have increased.
The Chinese stock market plunged 8% on Monday, erasing $393 billion off the value of Shanghai market.
A 1,000 bed hospital opened on Monday with a second 1,600 bed facility scheduled to open later this week.
The World Health Organization announced last week that the coronavirus is now a global health emergency and the first death outside of China has occurred in the Philippines. A 44-year-old Chinese man died in the Philippines. The Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCOV) has now spread to 23 countries.
Hong Kong closes land and sea access to the city (three checkpoints only) in a bid to prevent more infections in the territory. In response, Hong Kong sealed off three checkpoints but there are calls for the borders to be seal off completely from the mainland continues.
Medical workers went on strike on Tuesday demanding the borders be sealed off completely to prevent more deaths. Many are recalling the SARS epidemic which took the lives of nearly 300 in the city in 2003. With 15 confirmed cases, many medical workers are demanding action now, displaying placards with the words “Save HK Now”.
On Monday, the government announced the closure of four more crossings (total of seven) with mainland China. Now only the international airport and a bridge connecting Macau to the southern Chinese city of Zhuhai and Shenzhen Bay Port are open.
Hong Kong reported it’s first coronavirus death. A 39-year-old man with an unspecified illness, had visited Wuhan city, China in January. He tested positive for the coronavirus and subsequently died from the virus, here in Hong Kong. His 72-year-old mother contracted the virus locally is staying home during the 14-day incubation period.
Macau has ordered all casinos, usually packed with Chinese high-rollers, closed for 2 weeks (14 days), as they try to stop the spread of the coronavirus. Authorities in the territories have advised residents to wear masks when out in public and to stay home as much as possible.
With the rising death toll, China officials are asking families to have down-sized funerals and immediate cremations to help control infections.
Airlines are now canceling flights to and from China. United Airlines is suspending U.S. bound flights from mainland China.
Airlines around the world have stopped flights to China. Some countries with multiple carriers have suspended all flights.
Anyone who has been in China within the last 14 days are being denied entry into the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). This will continue until further notice. These restrictions have been opposed by China as being excessive. However, the CDC is defending the U.S. for taking these precautions.
A cruise ship, The Diamond Princess with 2,666 passengers and 1,045 crew on board, run by Carnival Japan, is at the port of Yokohama. This ship is just off the coast of Japan, and is full of quarantined passengers. It will remain there for 14 days in an effort to contain the coronavirus.
What’s the reason? An 80-year-old man, disembarked in Hong Kong on 25 January and after being reported ill was tested and tested positive for the coronavirus.
Upon notifying the cruise line, the Japanese government required the ship not to dock at port but to remain off shore surrounded by coast guard vessels for at least 14 days, the incubation period of the coronavirus.
Human to human transmission of coronavirus is primarily thought to occur among close contacts via respiratory droplets generated by sneezing and coughing as on a cruise ship. Everyone is advised to cover their mouths when coughing by coughing into their elbows.
This close contact remains a leading reason why airlines are not flying, facilities are closed, passengers on cruise ships remain in their cabins, isolated from other passengers, taxis are not operating, and schools are closed in infected areas.
For more information on local responses to the novel coronavirus also called … 2019-nCoV, contact your local healthcare provider or visit cdc.gov for the United States response to the coronavirus.
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Written by
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