Chinese government is taking stringent steps to contain the deadly CoronaVirus, though the virus has been spread to many neighbouring countries
Huanggang, a city in the Eastern-most Hubei Province of People’s Republic of China, has become the 2nd Chinese city, after Wuhan, to face lockdown as authorities beef up security to prevent the spread of deadly coronavirus.
Started since December 2019, coronavirus, has so far killed 17 people and infected 571. Coronaviruses, in humans, causes rare but potentially lethal respiratory infections, although these are often mild. There are no vaccines or antiviral drugs that are approved for prevention or treatment. Coronaviruses belong to the subfamily Coronavirinae in the family Coronaviridae,
Huanggang, which borders the Central City of Wuhan, has said they would suspend public bus and railway operations from midnight. They have also asked the indoor entertainment venues including movie theatres and internet cafes to shut down. They have requested the inhabitants to not to leave the city unless urgent.
The announcement gains significance as hundreds of people are travelling across China for the Lunar New Year holiday, which starts on Saturday, January 25, 2020. Apart from China, the cases have also been reported in Hong Kong, Thailand, South Korea and the United States (U.S.)
Globally, around 600 people have been infected. The World Health Organization (WHO) is considering declaring the outbreak a global health emergency. According to WHO standards, global health emergency is an extraordinary event that constitutes a risk to other countries and requires a co-ordinated international response to tackle the matter.
The twitter handle of WHO Western Pacific read, “The total number of confirmed cases of the 2019 novel #coronavirus reported globally to date is 581. The total number of cases from mainland China 🇨🇳 is 571. This includes 95 severe cases and 17 people who have died. #nCoV2019”
The total number of confirmed cases of the 2019 novel #coronavirus reported globally to date is 581.
— World Health Organization Western Pacific (@WHOWPRO) January 23, 2020
The total number of cases from mainland China 🇨🇳 is 571. This includes 95 severe cases and 17 people who have died.#nCoV2019 pic.twitter.com/cf5gslJDP6
In Thailand, 4 cases have been confirmed. Japan, South Korea, U.S. Taiwan and Macao have reported 1 case each. All of these infected people were either from Wuhan or had travelled Wuhan.
Besides, people in Wuhan have been queuing to buy face masks, which are restricted to one pack per customer. Medical workers in protective suits were carrying supplies and stretchers into Wuhan Medical Treatment Center, where some patients are being treated.
Besides, officials believe it is too early to compare the new virus with Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) or the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS). They are working on the assumption that the outbreak resulted from human exposure to wild animals being sold illegally at a food market in Wuhan and that the virus is mutating.
