Medical experts have been rushing to come up with more information and studies about the new coronavirus that has taken over 400 lives in China, with one death in the Philippines confirmed. The second death outside China was also confirmed in Hong Kong.
Quick Facts about the Wuhan Coronavirus
First traced to a seafood market in Wuhan in December, the 2019-nCoV was never encountered or identified in the past until it sprung up among people who either worked or shopped at the Huanan seafood wholesale market, The Guardian reported.
The symptoms among those infected are difficulty breathing, fever, and cough. The main symptom found in SARS that is not present in the Wuhan strain is a runny nose.
In severe cases, patients may experience organ failure. Many patients have also been diagnosed with pneumonia - the viral type - meaning, antibiotics will not help during treatment.
Experts have been saying that a patient's recovery will depend largely on how strong his or her immune system is. People who are generally healthy but get infected are more likely to recover, researchers noted.
People Show Support for Quarantined Wuhan
Celebrities, influential people, hedge funds, charitable groups, and other entities have been rallying to support Wuhan residents as the coronavirus' origin city remains under quarantine.
On Monday, spokesman for hedge fund and securities firm Citadel Zia Ahmed revealed that the group has started to wire financial support for the city. The funds are expected to be used for medical assistance as well as other humanitarian aid for residents.
According to Bloomberg, chief executive officer of Citadel Securities, Peng Zhao, noted that the group's priority was the deliver "much needed supplies requested by local medical professionals."
Citadel's donations came following calls from Chinese business moguls such as Guo Guangchang, who appealed for assistance as China continues to battle the fast-spreading Wuhan coronavirus.
Among the Chinese celebrities who have since donated for the cause of helping Wuhan and China contain the virus are Chinese actress Fan Bingbing, Barbie Hsu, Louis Koo, Angelababy, Huang Xiaoming, Han Hong, Chen Xiao, Michelle Chen, Zhu Yilong, and Sun Li.
Other world-renowned business moguls have also joined in the cause of helping Wuhan residents get through the difficulties of being on a lockdown. According to the South China Morning Post, Jack Ma's foundation pledged $14 million for assistance and research.
Other groups such as French luxury brand LVMH and Kering have also donated in the millions. U.S. tech giants have also pledged assistance for those affected, including Cargill, Dell, Apple and Microsoft.
Bill and Melinda Gates have also donated in support of vaccine development, coronavirus treatment, and other cooperative works with the purpose of helping contain the novel virus.
Chinese Tech Firms Join Donation Drive for Locked-Down Wuhan
Aside from Ma's Jack Ma Foundation support, other tech companies in China have also been offering help in various aspects of winning the current coronavirus battle.
ABACUS reported that Baidu's donation of roughly $43 million will be used for research and development (R&D) studies that should help researchers develop an effective treatment for suffering patients. Furthermore, the said amount is expected to help improve screening operations in respective testing checkpoints.
Alibaba Health, on the other hand, has made its telemedicine services available for Hubei residents. The said online services are expected to help reduce the pressure on physical health centers around the area that are already packed with patients from across the province.
Other Chinese firms that pledged assistance through different measures are Qihoo 360, Pingan Good Doctor, iFlyTek, and Meituan Dianping.
