Corona virus in China: Officials who cover up new cases will be 'shamed for life'
Sunday, June 28, 2020
UPDATimes - Chinese leaders have warned officials not to cover up the outbreak of the corona virus, which has so far infected nearly 300 people.
Anyone who covers up for a new case will be "humiliated for life", said the political institution responsible for law and order.
This warning comes amid official media reports that said six people died from the virus which caused this respiratory problem.
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The World Health Organization (WHO) will consider Wednesday (22/01) whether to establish this case as a public health emergency, such as swine flu and Ebola.
If this declaration is adopted, this step will be considered an emergency call for coordinated international action.
The latest victims include an 89-year-old man who lives in Wuhan, the city center for the spread of new strains of the corona virus.
The news surfaced after the Chinese National Health Commission confirmed two cases in Guangdong Province arising from human-to-human transmission.
In a separate statement, the Wuhan Municipal Health Commission said at least 15 medical workers in Wuhan were also infected with the virus, one of them in critical condition.
All reportedly underwent treatment in isolation.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), there are currently 218 patients infected with this virus.
There were also two Thais, one in Japan, and one in South Korea who were reportedly infected.
This certainty arises in the midst of anticipatory preparations at airports around the world to install body temperature gauges when hundreds of millions of Chinese people travel at home and abroad for the Chinese New Year holiday.
Shares of pharmaceutical companies in China rose sharply amid fears of a new virus spreading across the country.
Several large pharmaceutical companies on the Shanghai and Shenzhen capital markets increased 10% from the limit per day.
But on the other hand, Chinese airlines, travel operators and hotels dropped.
Where has the virus spread?
The virus was first identified in Wuhan, a city of 11 million people, at the end of 2019.
All patients recently traveled to Wuhan.
Airports in Singapore, Hong Kong and Tokyo check passengers from Wuhan.
US officials implemented a similar move last week at San Francisco, Los Angeles and New York airports.
Australian authorities announced they would begin inspecting passengers arriving in Sydney from Wuhan.
Chinese tourists are the most tourists in Australia, with one million last year.
How fast is it spread?
The number of people infected with the mysterious virus in China has tripled with the spread of the virus to other major cities including Beijing, Shanghai and Shenzhen.
There are fears the virus is spreading quickly - and reaching more regions - considering millions of people across China are preparing to return to their hometowns to celebrate Chinese New Year this week.
This massive homecoming has prevented authorities from being able to closely monitor the spread of the disease.
Experts also argue that many cases may not have been detected at this time.
An MRC Report Center for Global Infectious Disease Analysis from Imperial College London estimates there are more than 1,700 cases.
However, Gabriel Leung as dean of the medical faculty of the University of Hong Kong, predicts the number of cases approaching 1,300.
This virus is reminiscent of the Sars virus - which also originates from the corona virus - which killed 774 people in the early 2000s in dozens of countries, mostly in Asia.
SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome), caused by the corona virus, has infected 8098 people in China since the outbreak expanded in 2002. 774 people have died as a result of the virus.
"There is a strong memory of SARS, that is the source of fear. But we are now better equipped to deal with such diseases," said Josie Golding, a health research institute based in London, England.
Corona virus can cause symptoms ranging from mild fever which can lead to death.
In the midst of all this, the Chinese government continues to reassure the public that the virus "can still be prevented and controlled." The Chinese National Health Commission ensures they will increase surveillance during the Lunar holiday.
What do we know about this virus?
This virus, also known as 2019-nCoV, is known as a new strain of the corona virus that was not previously identified in humans.
Chinese officials believe the virus originated from infected animals at the seafood and wild animal markets in Wuhan. But officials and scientists are still not sure how this virus spreads.
The corona virus is a broad family of viruses, but only six (seven if new strains of this virus are counted) are known to infect humans.
WHO directs people to avoid "unprotected" contact with live animals, cook meat and eggs until cooked, and avoid direct contact with people who have fever or flu-like symptoms.
Signs of a person having contracted include respiratory symptoms, fever, cough, shortness of breath, and difficulty breathing.
The Office of the World Health Organization (WHO) in China said a preliminary analysis that the virus originated from infected animals and did not spread between humans was considered useful and helped the authorities make plans to handle the outbreak.
"Much needs to be known about the new corona virus," the WHO said.
Until now, he continued, not enough evidence was collected to make definitive conclusions about the virus, including its methods of distribution and source.
Researchers and medical staff have taken samples of the virus from several patients. The sample has also been analyzed in the laboratory.
Traveling to Wuhan
Authorities in Wuhan City said as many as 136 new cases had been confirmed over the weekend. During this period, a third person died from the virus.
As of Sunday (01/19), local officials said as many as 170 people in Wuhan were still undergoing treatment at the hospital, including nine of whom were in critical condition.
Health officials in Daxing District, Beijing, said two people who had traveled to Wuhan were now being treated for pneumonia related to the virus.
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