Over 361 Deaths recorded
As cases of the Wuhan coronavirus spread beyond China, global health experts say that the disease seems likely to be a pandemic—meaning an epidemic that exists on two or more continents at once. The Philippines reported the first death outside of China over the weekend: a 44-year-old man who had traveled from Wuhan, where the outbreak began. As of Monday, Chinese officials had confirmed 17,205 cases of the virus and 361 deaths.
It’s still uncertain how much global damage the Wuhan virus will cause, the New York Times reports: Scientists aren’t yet sure how exactly how lethal it is, though it is becoming clear that it is easily transmitted from human to human. As more details about the new virus emerge, experts say the outbreak could be difficult to control, particularly if it’s transmitted by people showing few symptoms. The virus has already appeared in around two dozen countries.
Travel restrictions. Many international airlines have suspended flights to mainland China, and anti-Chinese sentiment is rising along with fear of the virus. On Sunday, the United States issued new rules that will bar entry to almost all foreign passengers who have been in China over the last two weeks. Countries are still evacuating citizens from Wuhan via chartered flights and taking them into quarantine.
Inside China. The coronavirus is straining China’s health resources, particularly at the center of the outbreak in Wuhan. A new hospital in the city—constructed in just eight days—was due to open today, with 1,400 military medical staff arriving to run it. The current crisis presents a serious threat to the legitimacy of the Chinese Communist Party—and particularly local party leaders. FP (co-published with ChinaFile).
