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Coronavirus: A visual guide to the outbreak Coronavirus: A visual guide to the outbreak
(1 day later)
A fast-moving virus known as the "new coronavirus" has infected thousands of Chinese citizens and spread to more than 20 countries.A fast-moving virus known as the "new coronavirus" has infected thousands of Chinese citizens and spread to more than 20 countries.
The respiratory infection, which has been given the official name Covid-19, has claimed more than 1,300 lives so far - more than the 774 killed in the 2003 Sars epidemic.The respiratory infection, which has been given the official name Covid-19, has claimed more than 1,300 lives so far - more than the 774 killed in the 2003 Sars epidemic.
The outbreak, originating in the Chinese city of Wuhan, has been declared a global emergency by the World Health Organization (WHO).The outbreak, originating in the Chinese city of Wuhan, has been declared a global emergency by the World Health Organization (WHO).
Here are 10 maps and graphics that will help you understand what is going on.Here are 10 maps and graphics that will help you understand what is going on.
1. There have been thousands of cases - the majority in China1. There have been thousands of cases - the majority in China
Across China, tens of thousands of people have been infected with the coronavirus, which causes pneumonia-like symptoms. Thousands more are under medical observation.Across China, tens of thousands of people have been infected with the coronavirus, which causes pneumonia-like symptoms. Thousands more are under medical observation.
There was also a huge increase in the number of cases on Wednesday. This increase is mostly due to a change in the way patients are being diagnosed in Hubei province - the centre of the outbreak.There was also a huge increase in the number of cases on Wednesday. This increase is mostly due to a change in the way patients are being diagnosed in Hubei province - the centre of the outbreak.
The province has started to use a broader definition when diagnosing people and now includes "clinically diagnosed cases" in the figures.The province has started to use a broader definition when diagnosing people and now includes "clinically diagnosed cases" in the figures.
This means following a medical assessment - including a chest scan - a doctor has identified a person as requiring treatment for Covid-19 without, or before, receiving a positive test result for the virus.This means following a medical assessment - including a chest scan - a doctor has identified a person as requiring treatment for Covid-19 without, or before, receiving a positive test result for the virus.
This change means the Chinese National Health Commission's numbers now include almost 15,000 patients in Hubei who show symptoms similar to Covid-19 and signs of lung infection, and not just those who have tested positive.This change means the Chinese National Health Commission's numbers now include almost 15,000 patients in Hubei who show symptoms similar to Covid-19 and signs of lung infection, and not just those who have tested positive.
Hubei province's health authorities say lung imaging will help patients receive treatment quicker and improve their chances of recovery.Hubei province's health authorities say lung imaging will help patients receive treatment quicker and improve their chances of recovery.
The province's health authorities confirmed they had revised old data and previous assessments of suspected cases, suggesting older cases were also included in Thursday's numbers.The province's health authorities confirmed they had revised old data and previous assessments of suspected cases, suggesting older cases were also included in Thursday's numbers.
On Tuesday top Chinese epidemiologist Zhong Nanshan said the epidemic should peak in China this month before subsiding, but the WHO said the outbreak remained hard to assess.On Tuesday top Chinese epidemiologist Zhong Nanshan said the epidemic should peak in China this month before subsiding, but the WHO said the outbreak remained hard to assess.
"I think it's way too early to try to predict the beginning, the middle or the end of this epidemic right now," said Michael Ryan, head of the WHO's health emergencies programme."I think it's way too early to try to predict the beginning, the middle or the end of this epidemic right now," said Michael Ryan, head of the WHO's health emergencies programme.
2. Daily deaths are rising2. Daily deaths are rising
As well as a sharp rise in the number of cases, China has also recorded its highest number of deaths in a single day from the new coronavirus, with 242 on Wednesday.As well as a sharp rise in the number of cases, China has also recorded its highest number of deaths in a single day from the new coronavirus, with 242 on Wednesday.
Figures released by the Chinese authorities show the number of daily deaths rose steadily before a sharp rise following the change in diagnostic methods in Hubei. Figures released by the Chinese authorities show the number of daily deaths rose steadily before a sharp rise following the change in diagnostic methods in Hubei. Friday's total dropped back down to 121.
Coronavirus has now overtaken the 2003 Sars epidemic in both confirmed cases and deaths.Coronavirus has now overtaken the 2003 Sars epidemic in both confirmed cases and deaths.
The Sars - severe acute respiratory syndrome - outbreak lasted around eight months and killed 774 people out of around 8,100 confirmed cases.The Sars - severe acute respiratory syndrome - outbreak lasted around eight months and killed 774 people out of around 8,100 confirmed cases.
3. China introduced a number of measures to try to halt the virus's spread3. China introduced a number of measures to try to halt the virus's spread
Tight restrictions to contain the disease remain in place in China, despite some workers heading back to their jobs this week following an extended Lunar New Year holiday.Tight restrictions to contain the disease remain in place in China, despite some workers heading back to their jobs this week following an extended Lunar New Year holiday.
Authorities have cancelled flights, closed factories and schools and ordered some cities to go into lockdown in a bid to reduce infections.Authorities have cancelled flights, closed factories and schools and ordered some cities to go into lockdown in a bid to reduce infections.
Many companies are opening a selected number of workplaces as well as limiting staff numbers and staggering working hours.Many companies are opening a selected number of workplaces as well as limiting staff numbers and staggering working hours.
Hubei province remains the worst affected, seeing by far the biggest number of cases of the virus as well as most of the deaths.Hubei province remains the worst affected, seeing by far the biggest number of cases of the virus as well as most of the deaths.
Its capital city of Wuhan, home to 11 million people, remains in virtual lockdown, with its train stations and airports shut and roads sealed.Its capital city of Wuhan, home to 11 million people, remains in virtual lockdown, with its train stations and airports shut and roads sealed.
The origins of the new coronavirus have been linked to illegally traded wildlife at Wuhan's seafood market, which sells live animals including bats, rabbits and marmots. However, the exact source of the outbreak has not been identified.The origins of the new coronavirus have been linked to illegally traded wildlife at Wuhan's seafood market, which sells live animals including bats, rabbits and marmots. However, the exact source of the outbreak has not been identified.
4. Two dozen countries have also had cases4. Two dozen countries have also had cases
The WHO declared the crisis a global health emergency on 30 January as a result of the virus's spread outside China.The WHO declared the crisis a global health emergency on 30 January as a result of the virus's spread outside China.
Infections have now been recorded in 25 countries including Japan, Thailand, the US, Canada, France, Germany and the UK. The majority of these cases are in people who had been to Wuhan.Infections have now been recorded in 25 countries including Japan, Thailand, the US, Canada, France, Germany and the UK. The majority of these cases are in people who had been to Wuhan.
In addition, 218 passengers out of a total of 3,700 have tested positive for the virus on a cruise ship quarantined in Japan. The latest cruise ship numbers haven't yet been included in the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control figures in the above map. So far, there have been only three deaths outside mainland China - the latest was in Japan. One other was recorded in Hong Kong and another in the Philippines.
So far, there have been only two deaths outside mainland China - one in Hong Kong and one in the Philippines. Both men had been in Wuhan, the epicentre of the outbreak.
The WHO has been able to track down the source of transmission in all but eight of the global cases of the virus, it says.The WHO has been able to track down the source of transmission in all but eight of the global cases of the virus, it says.
A growing number of countries have advised their citizens to avoid all non-essential travel to China and many have announced screening measures for passengers arriving from the country.A growing number of countries have advised their citizens to avoid all non-essential travel to China and many have announced screening measures for passengers arriving from the country.
Some countries have also been evacuating their citizens from Wuhan and placing them in quarantine to monitor them for symptoms and avoid contagion.Some countries have also been evacuating their citizens from Wuhan and placing them in quarantine to monitor them for symptoms and avoid contagion.
The US has declared the outbreak a public health emergency and the UK has declared it a "serious and imminent threat" to public health, announcing new powers to fight its spread.The US has declared the outbreak a public health emergency and the UK has declared it a "serious and imminent threat" to public health, announcing new powers to fight its spread.
The WHO has warned against closing borders, saying it would accelerate the spread of the virus if travellers started entering countries unofficially.The WHO has warned against closing borders, saying it would accelerate the spread of the virus if travellers started entering countries unofficially.
5. The symptoms are respiratory5. The symptoms are respiratory
Coronaviruses are common, and typically cause mild respiratory conditions, such as a cough or runny nose.Coronaviruses are common, and typically cause mild respiratory conditions, such as a cough or runny nose.
But some are more serious - such as the deadly Sars and Mers - Middle East respiratory syndrome.But some are more serious - such as the deadly Sars and Mers - Middle East respiratory syndrome.
This outbreak - known as Covid-19- is a new strain that has not been previously identified in humans.This outbreak - known as Covid-19- is a new strain that has not been previously identified in humans.
It seems to start with a fever, followed by a dry cough and then, after a week, leads to shortness of breath.It seems to start with a fever, followed by a dry cough and then, after a week, leads to shortness of breath.
But in more severe cases, infection can cause pneumonia, severe acute respiratory syndrome, kidney failure and even death.But in more severe cases, infection can cause pneumonia, severe acute respiratory syndrome, kidney failure and even death.
A report on the early stages of the outbreak by the Lancet medical journal said most patients who died from the virus had pre-existing conditions.A report on the early stages of the outbreak by the Lancet medical journal said most patients who died from the virus had pre-existing conditions.
Medical researchers and scientists say it is too early to accurately predict how the virus will spread or calculate the death rate, partly due to mild cases remaining untested and unrecorded and a time lag of reporting infections.Medical researchers and scientists say it is too early to accurately predict how the virus will spread or calculate the death rate, partly due to mild cases remaining untested and unrecorded and a time lag of reporting infections.
There is not yet a specific anti-viral treatment for coronavirus, so people with the infection are currently being treated for their symptoms.There is not yet a specific anti-viral treatment for coronavirus, so people with the infection are currently being treated for their symptoms.
The existence of coronavirus was first flagged by a Chinese doctor in late December, but he was reprimanded by local police for "spreading rumours".The existence of coronavirus was first flagged by a Chinese doctor in late December, but he was reprimanded by local police for "spreading rumours".
Dr Li Wenliang, a 34-year-old ophthalmologist, has since died from the illness. His death was met with an intense outpouring of grief on Chinese social media as well as anger towards Chinese authorities.Dr Li Wenliang, a 34-year-old ophthalmologist, has since died from the illness. His death was met with an intense outpouring of grief on Chinese social media as well as anger towards Chinese authorities.
6. You can do things to reduce your chances of catching it6. You can do things to reduce your chances of catching it
The WHO is advising people in affected areas to follow standard procedures to reduce the chance of catching the virus.The WHO is advising people in affected areas to follow standard procedures to reduce the chance of catching the virus.
They include hand and respiratory hygiene as well as safe food practices.They include hand and respiratory hygiene as well as safe food practices.
People are advised to avoid close contact with people suffering from acute respiratory infections; wash hands regularly, especially after direct contact with ill people or their environment; and avoid unprotected contact with farm or wild animals.People are advised to avoid close contact with people suffering from acute respiratory infections; wash hands regularly, especially after direct contact with ill people or their environment; and avoid unprotected contact with farm or wild animals.
Avoiding eating raw or undercooked animal products is also advised.Avoiding eating raw or undercooked animal products is also advised.
According to the WHO, although it may be possible that people with coronavirus may be infectious before showing significant symptoms, people showing symptoms are, so far, causing the majority of virus spread.According to the WHO, although it may be possible that people with coronavirus may be infectious before showing significant symptoms, people showing symptoms are, so far, causing the majority of virus spread.
Those with symptoms should practise "cough etiquette", including maintaining distance, covering coughs and sneezes with disposable tissues or the inside of an elbow, and washing hands.Those with symptoms should practise "cough etiquette", including maintaining distance, covering coughs and sneezes with disposable tissues or the inside of an elbow, and washing hands.
In China, protective face masks are in widespread use - both among the general population and medical staff.In China, protective face masks are in widespread use - both among the general population and medical staff.
Although virologists are sceptical about their effectiveness against airborne viruses, there is some evidence to suggest the masks can help prevent hand-to-mouth transmissions.Although virologists are sceptical about their effectiveness against airborne viruses, there is some evidence to suggest the masks can help prevent hand-to-mouth transmissions.
Medical advice in China is to change masks regularly - as often as four times a day for medical teams - and Chinese authorities have appealed to other countries to help with supplies.Medical advice in China is to change masks regularly - as often as four times a day for medical teams - and Chinese authorities have appealed to other countries to help with supplies.
7. If a case is suspected, there are processes to follow7. If a case is suspected, there are processes to follow
The Chinese government has classified the outbreak in the same category as the Sars epidemic.The Chinese government has classified the outbreak in the same category as the Sars epidemic.
This means people diagnosed with the virus in the country must be isolated and can be placed in quarantine.This means people diagnosed with the virus in the country must be isolated and can be placed in quarantine.
Within healthcare facilities, the WHO advises staff to implement enhanced standard infection prevention and control practices, especially in emergency departments.Within healthcare facilities, the WHO advises staff to implement enhanced standard infection prevention and control practices, especially in emergency departments.
The WHO advises that patients should be assessed quickly and treated for the level of severity of the disease they have - mild, moderate, or severe.The WHO advises that patients should be assessed quickly and treated for the level of severity of the disease they have - mild, moderate, or severe.
It also recommends immediately implementing infection prevention measures. These include staff wearing protective clothing and limiting patient movement around the hospital.It also recommends immediately implementing infection prevention measures. These include staff wearing protective clothing and limiting patient movement around the hospital.
In the UK, the Department of Health has declared the new coronavirus as a "serious and imminent threat" to public health, giving authorities in England new powers to keep people in quarantine.In the UK, the Department of Health has declared the new coronavirus as a "serious and imminent threat" to public health, giving authorities in England new powers to keep people in quarantine.
England's chief medical officer, Professor Chris Whitty, said the UK strategy was focussed on containment and isolation - and that work was under way to work out how to delay any potential outbreak in the UK.England's chief medical officer, Professor Chris Whitty, said the UK strategy was focussed on containment and isolation - and that work was under way to work out how to delay any potential outbreak in the UK.
Arrowe Park Hospital, on the Wirral, and Kents Hill Park conference centre, in Milton Keynes, have been designated as "isolation" facilities in the UK.Arrowe Park Hospital, on the Wirral, and Kents Hill Park conference centre, in Milton Keynes, have been designated as "isolation" facilities in the UK.
Evacuees from Wuhan who travelled to the UK on two evacuation flights chartered by the Foreign Office are currently in quarantine at the locations.Evacuees from Wuhan who travelled to the UK on two evacuation flights chartered by the Foreign Office are currently in quarantine at the locations.
People quarantined on the Wirral are set to be released after testing negative for the virus.People quarantined on the Wirral are set to be released after testing negative for the virus.
British businessman Steve Walsh, one of the nine UK cases of coronavirus, has also left hospital having fully recovered.British businessman Steve Walsh, one of the nine UK cases of coronavirus, has also left hospital having fully recovered.
He was the third case of the virus to be confirmed in the UK, following two Chinese nationals testing positive in York.He was the third case of the virus to be confirmed in the UK, following two Chinese nationals testing positive in York.
Mr Walsh contracted coronavirus on a business trip to Singapore and unknowingly passed it on to 11 other people - five of whom then returned to the UK.Mr Walsh contracted coronavirus on a business trip to Singapore and unknowingly passed it on to 11 other people - five of whom then returned to the UK.
By Lucy Rodgers, Wesley Stephenson, Mike Hills, Mark Bryson and Irene de la Torre Arenas.By Lucy Rodgers, Wesley Stephenson, Mike Hills, Mark Bryson and Irene de la Torre Arenas.