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Coronavirus: Death toll climbs to 106 as China tightens measures | Coronavirus: Death toll climbs to 106 as China tightens measures |
(about 2 hours later) | |
China says 106 people have died from the new coronavirus and the cases of newly infected have almost doubled. | China says 106 people have died from the new coronavirus and the cases of newly infected have almost doubled. |
The number of total confirmed cases in China rose to 4,515 as of 27 January, up from 2,835 a day earlier. | The number of total confirmed cases in China rose to 4,515 as of 27 January, up from 2,835 a day earlier. |
The country has meanwhile further tightened travel restrictions to try to curb the spread of the flu-like virus. | |
The city of Wuhan is thought to be the epicentre of it but it has spread across China and internationally. | |
Wuhan, and the province it is located in Hubei, are already effectively in a lockdown with transport restrictions in and out of the area. | |
The coronavirus causes severe acute respiratory infection and there is no specific cure or vaccine. | The coronavirus causes severe acute respiratory infection and there is no specific cure or vaccine. |
Most of the deaths have been of elderly people or those with pre-existing respiratory problems. | Most of the deaths have been of elderly people or those with pre-existing respiratory problems. |
What steps is China taking? | What steps is China taking? |
The outbreak of the virus comes during the Lunar New Year celebration which usually sees millions across the country on the move to visit relatives and friends. | The outbreak of the virus comes during the Lunar New Year celebration which usually sees millions across the country on the move to visit relatives and friends. |
Many of the new year festivities have been suspended and the holiday period has been extended by three days to Sunday, in an attempt to contain the spread. | Many of the new year festivities have been suspended and the holiday period has been extended by three days to Sunday, in an attempt to contain the spread. |
On Tuesday, the country's immigration administration encouraged citizens to reconsider the timing of overseas travel to reduce cross-border movement. | |
Beijing has stopped most of the bus services from neighbouring Hubei while both the capital and Shanghai have introduced a 14-day observation periods for people arriving from Hubei. | |
Of the 106 deaths in China, 100 were in Hubei province while the province's number of reported infections is at 2,714. | Of the 106 deaths in China, 100 were in Hubei province while the province's number of reported infections is at 2,714. |
Authorities postponed the new semester for schools and universities nationwide, without giving a resumption date. | |
In Wuhan, travel from the city of 11 million people has been severely restricted and non-essential vehicles have been banned from the roads. | In Wuhan, travel from the city of 11 million people has been severely restricted and non-essential vehicles have been banned from the roads. |
The city's mayor though said millions of travellers had already left the city ahead of the holidays and before the lockdown. | |
Across China, several major cities have suspended public transport systems, taxis and ride-hailing services. | Across China, several major cities have suspended public transport systems, taxis and ride-hailing services. |
The Disneyland attraction parks in Shanghai and Hong Kong have both been closed. | The Disneyland attraction parks in Shanghai and Hong Kong have both been closed. |
What is the situation internationally? | What is the situation internationally? |
The United States, which has also had several infected cases, has urged its nationals to "reconsider travel" to China and is advising against travel to Hubei. | The United States, which has also had several infected cases, has urged its nationals to "reconsider travel" to China and is advising against travel to Hubei. |
The country plans to fly consular staff and US citizens out of Wuhan in the coming days. | The country plans to fly consular staff and US citizens out of Wuhan in the coming days. |
Many other countries have also warned against any non-essential travel to China while some are planning to help their citizens in Wuhan out of the country. | Many other countries have also warned against any non-essential travel to China while some are planning to help their citizens in Wuhan out of the country. |
The Philippines on Tuesday announced they would stop issuing visas on arrival for Chinese travellers. | |
According to the World Health Organization and national authorities, there have been at least 47 confirmed cases outside China. | According to the World Health Organization and national authorities, there have been at least 47 confirmed cases outside China. |
The latest case to be confirmed is in the German state of Bavaria, only the fourth so far in Europe. | The latest case to be confirmed is in the German state of Bavaria, only the fourth so far in Europe. |
So far, there have been no deaths outside China. | So far, there have been no deaths outside China. |
What is the new coronavirus? | |
The virus causes severe acute respiratory infection and symptoms seem to start with a fever, followed by a dry cough. After a week, some people can experience shortness of breath and need hospital treatment. | |
The virus itself is a new, or "novel" coronavirus - a family that normally affects animals. | |
The effect of the coronavirus family on humans has long been observed mainly in the form of the common cold. In recent decades though, more serious coronaviruses - like Sars or Mers - have proven potentially deadly to humans. | |
Yet even in the cases of severe viruses most people infected were likely to fully recover just like they would from a normal flu. | |
On Tuesday, an expert at China's National Health Commission (NHC) said one week was sufficient for a recovery from mild coronavirus symptoms. | |
According to local media, the NHC also said the virus could infect children, but that their symptoms would be relatively mild. |