China: Coronavirus death toll touches 490

The death toll from the coronavirus outbreak in China rose to 490 as of Tuesday, after Hubei, the province where the virus is thought to have originated, reported 65 people had died from the flu-like infection, reported AlJazeera.

More medical teams are rushing to central China's Hubei Province to aid novel coronavirus control, reported Xinhua news agency.

A team of 138 medical workers from hospitals in northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region flew to Hubei late Tuesday to join the fight against the epidemic.

Meanwhile, southwest China's Yunnan Province sent its second batch of 102 medical workers to Hubei.

Southern China's Guangdong Province dispatched a team of seven public health emergency response experts and 57 medical workers to Wuhan, the capital of Hubei. So far, Guangdong has sent over 400 experienced doctors and nurses to Wuhan.

In addition, northeast China's Jilin Province also sent 32 medical workers to Hubei Tuesday.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has taken steps to ensure that the coronavirus epidemic that has claimed hundreds of lives in central China does not spark a dangerous social media “infodemic” fuelled by false information.

And in the face of concerns that people of Chinese descent are being discriminated against as fears grow over the spread of the disease, UN chief António Guterres called for international solidarity and an end to any ill-founded discrimination of the outbreak’s victims.

‘Cloud’ rumours false

WHO Director of Global Infectious Hazard Preparedness, Sylvie Briand, told journalists in Geneva on Tuesday that the agency has already moved fast to dispel an online rumour that the virus can be caught from an infectious “cloud”:

“People had suddenly the impression that the virus was in the air and…there is this cloud of virus” that can cause infection, she said. “This is not the situation. Currently the virus is transmitted through droplets and you need a close contact to be infected…So we try to clarify what we know about the science - what is still unknown - and provide recommendations that can help people to protect themselves and their families.”

Dr Briand’s comments echo those of WHO Director-General, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, who on Monday said that the agency was working with major internet platforms to ensure that WHO’s information about the coronavirus appears first in online searches.

Too early to assess full threat

It was also too soon to assess how dangerous the virus is, she added, reiterating the WHO’s advice that handwashing and wearing facemasks when coming into contact with infected individuals, remain the recommended practice.

Highlighting the willingness of the Chinese authorities to tackle the outbreak, Dr Briand said that scientists were keen to get more information on those who had died.

This would to help understand the key underlying health conditions that put people at risk, she said, adding that researchers are currently focusing on pregnant women and young children to see if infection patterns were similar to influenza.

Guterres urges strong support for China, other nations

In a press conference at UN Headquarters in New York on Tuesday, UN Secretary-General António Guterres said WHO had decided on declaring the global emergency over the new coronavirus “at the right moment” and had been very active in lending support to China and other countries grappling with cases.

“We are trying to mobilize our best capacities and best resources” he told journalists, adding that no UN staff member has so far been infected.

He urged “a strong feeling of international solidarity, a strong feeling of support to China in these difficult circumstances and all the countries that might be impacted, and a strong concern to avoid the stigmatization of people that are innocent, and victims of the situation.”

Photo caption and credit:

Man Yi
Emergency room nurses wear face masks at Second People's Hospital of Shenzhen in China.