Sj Desk
The deadly coronavirus is spreading like wildfire with no counteragent in sight. As of early Thursday morning, the virus has resulted in the death of as many of 563 people and infected more than 28000 in China. Globally, the virus has infected more than 150 and killed at least 2. Apart from the crises at home, China is also battling international isolation as more and more countries are banning travellers from China -- both Chinese and foreigners.
Honk Kong, which a few days back registered its first coronavirus case has announced a compulsory 14-day quarantine for anyone coming in from the country.
This death toll is stably increasing and hence, causing widespread panic. On Wednesday, health officials recorded the largest number of deaths and new infections in a single day since the outbreak.
“By the end of Wednesday, a total of 563 people had died of the disease and 28,018 confirmed cases of novel coronavirus infection had been reported in 31 provincial-level regions and the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps in China,” the health officials said, adding that 73 new deaths and 3,694 new confirmed cases were reported on 5 February.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared the outbreak an international public health crisis and announced on Thursday that it was “…working with the travel and tourism industry to discuss real and perceived risks experienced in the industry, measures put in place for customers and employees, and challenges faced due to the outbreak”.
“The total estimated resources required to be mobilised by the international community to implement priority public health measures in support of countries to prepare for and respond to 2019-nCoV for this plan is $ 675.5 million. The resource requirement for WHO as part of this plan is USD 61.5 million. The response requirement period is three months, from 1 February to 30 April 2020,” according to WHO.
One more problem that follows the novel virus is racism and bigotry against people of Asian descent around the world. Uber drivers of Chinese descent in the United States have reported cases of inappropriate comments or cancellations due to their appearance or name.
