This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/science/2020/jan/22/where-has-coronavirus-spread

The article has changed 13 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 2 Version 3
Where has coronavirus spread? Where has coronavirus spread?
(about 4 hours later)
Three maps illustrating the fight against the deadly virus outbreak in Wuhan, China Four maps illustrating the fight against the deadly virus outbreak in Wuhan, China
Where has the virus spread to?Where has the virus spread to?
Authorities in China are battling to contain an outbreak of a deadly coronavirus, which has spread throughout the country and beyond its borders. Latest official figures put the number of cases in China at more than 571 and 17 people have died, all of them in the central province of Hubei where the illness was first detected. UK infectious disease experts have doubled their estimate of the likely number of cases to 4,000. Authorities in China have placed four cities on lockdown as they battle to contain the spread of a deadly coronavirus. Travel restrictions have been imposed in Wuhan, Huanggang, Ezhou and Chiba, which are all in Hubei province where the outbreak originated. Buses, ferries, subways, train stations and airports have been closed in these cities.
Cases have been confirmed in almost all of China’s provinces, as well as the municipalities of Beijing, Shanghai, Chongqing and Tianjin. Five other countries in the region have each reported a single infection while US health officials announced that a man who travelled to Hubei has been diagnosed with coronavirus in Seattle. Latest official figures put the number of confirmed cases in China at more than 633 and 17 people have died, all of them in Wuhan. Infections have been confirmed in almost all of China’s provinces, as well as the municipalities of Beijing, Shanghai, Chongqing and Tianjin. Five other countries in the region have each reported a single case while US health officials announced that a man who travelled to Hubei has been diagnosed with coronavirus in Seattle.
Where did it start and where could it go next?Where did it start and where could it go next?
The outbreak is centred on the city of Wuhan, the capital of Hubei province and home to more than 11 million people. Authorities there have put the city on lockdown by banning all modes of outward transport, including shutting the airport. Supermarkets shelves and local markets have sold out of food while petrol stations have been overwhelmed. Residents and all government workers are now required to wear face masks while in public spaces. The outbreak is centred on the city of Wuhan, the capital of Hubei province and home to more than 11 million people. Supermarkets and local markets have sold out of produce while petrol stations have been overwhelmed. Residents and all government workers are now required to wear face masks while in public spaces.
Wuhan’s international airport serves 104 destinations including 29 outside China. There are three direct flights a week from Wuhan to Heathrow, where arrivals from the affected city will now enter through a separate area. Screening has started at the three US airports where Wuhan flights land. Checks are also in place at airports in the other east Asian countries that have confirmed the virus is present.Wuhan’s international airport serves 104 destinations including 29 outside China. There are three direct flights a week from Wuhan to Heathrow, where arrivals from the affected city will now enter through a separate area. Screening has started at the three US airports where Wuhan flights land. Checks are also in place at airports in the other east Asian countries that have confirmed the virus is present.
Officials are concerned about the week-long Chinese new year holiday that begins on 24 January when millions of people travel home to celebrate.Officials are concerned about the week-long Chinese new year holiday that begins on 24 January when millions of people travel home to celebrate.
How widely did Sars spread in 2003?How widely did Sars spread in 2003?
The Wuhan coronavirus is mainly spread through the respiratory tract. A seafood market selling wild animals in Wuhan is the suspected source of the virus. Scientists believe it likely jumped from an animal to a human and is now transmissible from one person to another, and could mutate further.The Wuhan coronavirus is mainly spread through the respiratory tract. A seafood market selling wild animals in Wuhan is the suspected source of the virus. Scientists believe it likely jumped from an animal to a human and is now transmissible from one person to another, and could mutate further.
Comparisons have been drawn with the Sars outbreak in 2003, which was similarly caused by a coronavirus. China’s handling of Sars was criticised because it played down the first cases. The virus spread to 37 countries, causing global panic, infecting almost 8,500 people and killing almost 1,000.Comparisons have been drawn with the Sars outbreak in 2003, which was similarly caused by a coronavirus. China’s handling of Sars was criticised because it played down the first cases. The virus spread to 37 countries, causing global panic, infecting almost 8,500 people and killing almost 1,000.