China-wide medical emergency: More than 800 coronavirus cases, death toll continues to rise
The coronavirus pneumonia outbreak is spreading rapidly in China, with more than 800 cases and 25 deaths. However, the WHO has confirmed that the disease has not yet become a global incident.
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| Medical staff spray disinfectant at a train station in China. Photo: AFP/TTXVN |
On January 24, China's National Health Commission officially confirmed that there were 830 cases of coronavirus infection nationwide and the disease had claimed the lives of 25 people.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared the coronavirus outbreak a public health emergency of international concern in China, but has not yet become a global emergency.
Meanwhile, US authorities are investigating a second suspected case of coronavirus infection in the country. This is a student in Texas who recently returned from Wuhan city, China - the epicenter of the outbreak.
If confirmed, this would be the second case of coronavirus infection in the US, following the first case of a man in his 30s living near Seattle. Fortunately, this patient is now recovering well and is about to be discharged from the hospital.
In Japan, authorities have also confirmed the second case of coronavirus infection, a middle-aged man from Wuhan City. A few days before the trip, this man had a fever and was hospitalized twice in China.
Universities in many countries around the world are actively monitoring information about the health of students, amid concerns that students returning to school after the Lunar New Year holiday could increase the risk of spreading the virus.
