WHO calls world to action on China Virus ahead of crisis talks
China added more than 1,500 new cases of the coronavirus on Thursday as countries stepped up their efforts to evacuate their citizens trapped in Wuhan, at the epicenter of the growing outbreak. Some 50 million people in Hubei Province have been restricted to their region as authorities try to stem the spread of the virus.
With experts saying a vaccine is still a long way off, more international cases of the illness appeared on Thursday. Australia, Vietnam and South Korea all announced new coronavirus infections, while India, UAE and the Philippines had their first ones.
WHO will reconvene its emergency committee Thursday to determine whether the coronavirus outbreak amounts to a public health emergency of international concern, as the total number of people infected in mainland China surpassed those infected with SARS during the 2002-2003 epidemic.
India prepares to airlift its first batch of citizens from China's Coronavirus-hit Wuhan city on Friday, the Indian Embassy in Beijing said on Wednesday. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has said it has asked Indians in China's Hubei Province, the epicentre of the Coronavirus outbreak, whether they want to return. "We do not have any confirmation about any Indian being affected by coronavirus," said the ministry.
The development came on the same day when India reported its first confirmed case of novel Coronavirus, from Kerala, after a student tested positive post her return from China's Wuhan university.
New Zealand’s government is chartering a plane from national carrier Air New Zealand to get people home from Wuhan. Foreign Minister Winston Peters says the plane will take up to 300 passengers. He says officials are working through operational requirements with authorities from both countries and that the flight is still subject to approval from China.
The death toll has risen to 170 in China, with more than 7,7oo confirmed cases of infection as of Thursday morning local time — an increase of more than 1,500 from the previous day.
Taiwan repeated its offer to help China fight the new coronavirus on Thursday, but said it also wanted China to help send back to the island some 400 Taiwanese who have been stranded in the epicentre city of Wuhan by a lockdown.
The Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is urging “closer coordination” with Chinese authorities to help identify people traveling from China to African nations who might have the new virus.
The statement on Wednesday came as the World Health Organization expressed concerns about “weaknesses” in disease surveillance and control in parts of Africa.
The Africa CDC acknowledged the problem earlier this week, saying it’s possible there are already cases on the continent.
No cases in Africa have been confirmed, but a growing number of suspected cases in several countries has been reported.
The mysterious killer virus has rattled global markets and started to dent the Chinese economy.
The Self-ruled Island has so far reported nine cases of the virus, which started in the central Chinese city of Wuhan.
The statement on Wednesday came as the World Health Organization expressed concerns about “weaknesses” in disease surveillance and control in parts of Africa.
The Africa CDC acknowledged the problem earlier this week, saying it’s possible there are already cases on the continent.
No cases in Africa have been confirmed, but a growing number of suspected cases in several countries has been reported.
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