Things have been taking a sharp turn in China over the past few weeks as the country works round the clock to contain a new coronavirus that originated in Wuhan. However, the situation is also starting to look grim outside home turf.
- Asian and western countries confirm new coronavirus cases
According to the New York Times, Thailand already reported eight cases of the novel virus. Asian countries have also reported new cases. Malaysia, Japan, Singapore, and South Korea reported four patients who tested positive for the disease.
France reported three confirmed cases, Vietnam and Canada confirmed two patients, while Germany, Cambodia, and Nepal each reported one case. Macau, Australia, and Taiwan also confirmed five people who contracted the novel virus.
- 100 people in the U.S. under monitoring for potential infection
In the United States, five people have been infected while 100 others are being observed for suspected infection. While there are no deaths confirmed to date outside China, the Philippines revealed late Monday that 14 people are being monitored for potential infection of the Wuhan coronavirus, CNN reported.
- Philippines monitors 14 potential cases
The patients under observation are in hospitals across the nation, including: Pasay City, Camiguin, El Nido Palawan, Cebu City, Tacloban, Muntinlupa City, and Kalibo Aklan.
In Manila, three Chinese nationals were admitted, with two of the said patients having been admitted at the San Lazaro Hospital since Friday. Several of the patients under investigation (PUIs) have already been discharged as their test results were negative.
On Monday, multiple outlets reported that countries are working out ways through which their diplomats and citizens can be flown out of Wuhan despite the transport ban that was implemented last week as the city had to be quarantined.
- Multiple countries work to repatriate citizens out of Wuhan
According to Reuters, Morocco is expected to evacuate 100 citizens. Most of these citizens are students enrolled in Wuhan schools. Germany will also transport 90 citizens, while France is looking to repatriate up to 100 people.
There are around 800 French citizens living around the Wuhan area and evacuees will be quarantined for 14 days before they can get back to their families in France to ensure that the virus will not be contracted by others.
Both Spain and Japan confirmed that they are working with the Chinese government to repatriate their citizens as soon as possible. Japan, in particular, has reportedly set its eyes on charter flights as early as Tuesday.
- Canada has yet to confirm if it will evacuate nationals
In western governments, things are also escalating. The United Kingdom is mulling potential ways to get its British nationals out of the outbreak's epicenter. While the United States is also hard at work in getting its people out of Wuhan, Canada has yet to confirm whether it will repatriate any Canadians soon.
- Over 4,500 cases confirmed in China as of Tuesday
Meanwhile, the death toll remains at 106 but China's confirmed cases continue to climb by the hour. According to The Guardian, the confirmed patients toll of 4,193 hiked to 4,515 in less than two hours as revealed by state-run outlet Global Times.
China has been hard at work in containing the virus, with Wuhan and neighboring towns having been put in quarantine since last week. Canada, the U.S., and Germany have all updated their travel warnings to strengthen containment efforts against the coronavirus.
