Since December, health authoriites in China have been grappling with an outbreak of viral pneumonia that has sickened hundreds of people. Here's a brief article about situation and prevention guide. The mysterious outbreak of pneumonia linked to a new strain of coronavirus was first reported in Wuhan, central China's Hubei Province and now has caused at least 881 cases. Let's check the latest news. Here's what we know so far: - Confirmed cases: At least 881 in China, 11 abroad
- Deaths: 26, in Hubei, Hebei and Heilongjiang provinces
- Human-to-human transmission confirmed
- Health experts say virus has potential to mutate
Top officials from the World Health Organization, or WHO, said on Thursday that the new coronavirus is not yet a global health emergency. "Make no mistake. This is an emergency in China, but it has not yet become a global health emergency." said WHO Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. "WHO's risk assessment is that the outbreak is a very high risk in China, and a high risk regionally and globally."
△ Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus takes part in a news conference after a meeting of the International Health Regulations Emergency Committee for Pneumonia due to the Novel Coronavirus.
Now China are adopting the strictest prevention and control measures against the novel coronavirus.
The authorities of Wuhan, central China's Hubei Province, are suspending all means of public transport, including the cancellation of outbound trains and flights to contain the spread of it.
△ Fuhe Toll Station on the Daihuang Expressway in northern Wuhan is closed, as the city has been put into lockdown because of the ongoing pneumonia outbreak.
Cities like Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, etc. has launched highest level for a public health emergency. Experts have warned the virus can be passed from person to person, suggesting the public should stay at home and avoid crowds. Therefore, many cities decide to shut the public places like library, museum, cinema, etc. Producers of all seven big films once scheduled for the lucrative Spring Festival holiday announced they would cancel screening on Thursday.
△ A scene from Detective Chinatown 3, which will open across Chinese theaters on the first day of Chinese New Year.
Chinese health authorities announced Friday that 830 confirmed cases of pneumonia caused by the novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) had been reported in 29 provincial-level regions in the country by the end of Thursday. Among them, 34 had been cured and discharged from hospital, according to the National Health Commission (NHC). A total of 1,072 suspected cases have been reported.
The pneumonia situation had resulted in 25 deaths, including 24 in central China's Hubei Province and one in north China's Hebei Province, according to the commission. As of Friday, the number of the cases has risen. According to CGTN's latest report, China has confirmed 881 cases of coronavirus infection, which has killed 26 people.
© Image | SHINE
WHAT'S THE NOVEL CORONAVIRUS? The disease is thought to be caused by a previously unknown type of coronavirus that may have first spread to humans from animals at a now-shuttered seafood market in Wuhan, where most of the cases have been diagnosed. We've posted an article about it when the situation seemed not severe. Click here to read our previous article. Coronaviruses are a family of viruses that can cause a variety of ailments, among them the deadly severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) and Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS). Most known coronaviruses cause relatively mild cold-like symptoms, but their ability to jump between humans and animals makes them hard to contain.
Wild animals sold at a seafood market in Wuhan could be the source of the outbreak. Chinese health officials have confirmed that the new virus can spread between people, but do not believe it to be as serious as SARS or MERS. Based on the current knowledge, the incubation period of the novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) can be as long as about 14 days, according to a prevention and control plan released Wednesday by the NHC. To prevent catching the infection, here's what you can do:
• Wearing a mask is one of the most effective ways to protect you from getting infected as the virus is predominantly spread in droplets.• Make sure to wear it properly by tightening up the nose clip and pulling the bottom of it over your chin so that your nose and mouth are both covered.• If you're not feeling well or have symptoms such as cough, fever, fatigue and trouble breathing, a mask is also needed to prevent you from spreading germs to others.• Medical masks used by medical workers are not recommended for common people as they may lead to oxygen deficient if worn for long periods. - Cover your coughs and sneeze with tissue
Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze, or you can cough or sneeze into your sleeve, but avoid covering with your hands directly.(A healthy adult can release around 300,000 microbes including bacteria and viruses when coughing or sneezing.) - Wash your hands frequently and properly
Wash your hands with soap and running water thoroughly for at least 15 seconds, especially after:• Touching trash or garbage• Contacting with animals or handling animal wastes - Strengthen your immune system and exercise regularly
• Exercise regularly is one of the most important ways to help you stay away from catching any infections.• Make sure that shared spaces have good air flow and avoid going to crowded places such as hospitals, railway stations and airports. Wear a mask if transport or movement is necessary.• Seek prompt medical attention if you have symptoms of fever and respiratory infection.• Avoid close contact with people who have flu or cold-like symptoms.• Eat thoroughly cooked meat and eggs. Avoid contact with wild animals or farmed livestock without any protection.
EVENT
To celebrate the upcoming Chinese New Year, here's a great gift for you!
HACOS conduct a solicitation of the most festive scenario of Chinese New Year.
What do you think of Chinese New Year? What makes you feel the strongest festive atmosphere? Please take a photo or video, and send it to our official WeChat account!
We'll post the best 10 contributions on Jan 31, and the top 3 of those who get the highest number of votes will win a Starbucks Gift Card for each!
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SOURCE | Xinhua / ECNS / CGTN