Chinese scientists from the Shenzhen Third People's Hospital now float the possibility that the deadly coronavirus could be transmitted through human feces. The scientists found traces of the live virus in the feces of infected patients.
The experts now encourage more about proper hygiene. Washing hands thoroughly with soap and water pr applying alcohol is the best means to combat the spread of the virus.
The ribonucleic acid, or the molecule that carries the genetic codes of some viruses, showed that coronavirus could thrive in human feces after entering the intestine and, multiplying in the digestive tract of infected individuals.
The lead scientist of the team said the virus could even thrive and turned into vapor by the force of a toilet flushing.
Before this new information, health authorities thought the only way the virus spread is through coughing and sneezing, as well as touching surfaces with the virus and then touching the mouth and the eyes. The team said further investigation is needed to determine how long does the virus live in the feces.
Meanwhile, the newly built hospital exclusive for Wuhan coronavirus patients is already operational in China. Medical workers from the People's Liberation Army, 1,400 of them, were already deployed to relive doctors and nurses who are working 24/7 since the outbreak struck.
The new hospital, built in just eight days, could house 1,000 patients. A second hospital of this kind is estimated to be finished on Wednesday and will be operational this week.
China now saw new total deaths of 361 and 2,829 new confirmed cases just within 24 hours. The total cases in the country are now at 17,205. Health experts said the number would continue to grow as more people are being monitored for the virus.
As more medical personnel heed the call of their profession in China, Hong Kong medical staff voted to conduct strike for five days. The staff wants the government to close all its borders with the mainland and refused to treat people unless the government does so. The Hospital Authority Employees Alliance has 13,000 members.
With cooperation both with residents and the government, China continues to report more patients recovering from the virus. Hubei reported a total of 37 patients who recovered and discharged from Jinyintan Hospital. One of them is an 88-year-old male patient.
Northwest China's Gansu Province reported two patients who were discharged successfully while Tianjin Municipality reported its first patient who recovered and Sichuan cured one 57-year-old patient after 17 days in the hospital.
Meanwhile, Chinese markets opened for the first time since Lunar New on Sunday but the outlook remains bleak. Chinese stocks fell the lowest, a level that was last seen in 2015.
The CSI 300 Index plunged 9.1% while the Shenzhen component dropped 8.69% and the Shenzhen composite plunged 8.65%.
China's central bank, however, was quick to act by reducing rates and injecting cash of as much as $174 billion worth of liquidity into the markets. The move increased the total liquidity into the country's banking system to around 900 billion yuan more compared to 2019.
To calm market uncertainties, the China Securities Regulatory Commission said it would request for corporate bond investors to extend debt maturity dates. These investors could also launch hedging tools for the A-share market.
As of Monday in China, businesses, schools, and universities in across 24 provinces and other regions canceled work and classes until further notice.
