Four days ago we reported on the Coronavirus outbreak in China. The number of confirmed cases is now 1,975 with 56 confirmed dead from the illness.
Related: Coronavirus Spreads but Source Identified
The outbreak has prompted widening curbs on movements within China, with Wuhan, a city of 11 million, on virtual lockdown, with transports links all-but severed except for emergency vehicles.
Health authorities in Beijing urged people not to shake hands but instead salute using a traditional cupped-hand gesture. The advice was sent in a text message that went out to mobile phone users in the city on Sunday morning.
Beijing is also postponing the reopening of the city’s schools and universities after the Lunar New Year holiday state radio reported. Hong Kong had already delayed the reopening of schools to Feb. 17.
This is a big deal. Cities in China are packed tight with masses of human beings. And authorities suspect the “ability of the new coronavirus to spread is strengthening and infections could continue to rise.”
As for infections outside China, four days ago there were confirmed cases in Japan, Thailand, and one case in the US. We can add Australia and France to that list.
Despite promises from the Chinese to open and transparent about the infections, there are rumors floating around the internet (don’t act surprised) that the numbers of infected and dead in China from this outbreak are much higher than what has been reported.
I’m sure that is true, if only because there will be cases that are not reported or linked. But that’s not what the rumor mongers are implying. They’re suggesting the government is suppressing details to hide the truth.
I have no opinion on that either way but I’m sure it’s at least partly true to prevent panic and chaos. We’ll keep watching to see who is saying what but the thing I’m waiting for is some high-ranking public official to use this to advance climate socialism. If it hasn’t already happened and I missed it.
Remember to wash your hands often, it helps limit the spread of the Flu too!
1/26/20 7:36 AM | Reuters
1/26/20 Update: 5:23 pm
A patient in Orange County, Calif., tested positive for the Wuhan coronavirus, according to the Orange County Health Care Agency on Saturday. Meanwhile, officials from the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health reported a second new case in California on Sunday. Both counties said the cases had been confirmed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
According to health officials in Orange and Los Angeles counties, both cases involved people traveling from Wuhan, China, the epicenter of the infectious disease outbreak. Officials said both patients are receiving care at local hospitals.