Malaysia has just confirmed its first local transmission of coronavirus with one of its citizens going back home from Singapore infected with the virus. The 41-year-old Malaysian citizen had been in Singapore where he attended a meeting with his colleagues from China between January 16 to 23. Among his colleagues was a man from Wuhan.
Another new confirmed case in Malaysia is a 63-year-old Chinese who came from Wuhan and arrived at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport on January 18. The country now has 10 confirmed cases of coronavirus infection. Of that nine are Chinese citizens.
Singapore has also reported its first local transmission. Four women who have never been in Wuhan have tested positive for the deadly virus. Two of them work at a health products shops where clients are mostly Chinese. The third is a maid of one of these women while the fourth is merely a tour guide.
Separately, Singapore announced two new confirmed cases. These two were among a group of 92 people who entered Singapore through a scoot flight. In total, Singapore has now 24 confirmed coronavirus cases.
South Korea was the first nation to announce a local transmission. The woman patient tested positive for the virus after coming from Thailand. The 42-year-old woman came back to South Korea from Thailand on January 19.
Present studies suggest that mere droplets from people who had the virus can spread coronavirus. Still, the best preventive measure is washing hands thoroughly with soap and water.
Establishments, especially those that draw crowds whether public or employees are advised to clean premises because the virus can thrive on surfaces.
Hyundai is no longer accepting supplies from its facility in South Korea. Productions are halted until further notice. Hyundai is the first big automaker outside China to decide to do such a measure. Inside China, Hyundai, Tesla, Ford, PSA Peugeot Citroen, Nissan and Honda Motors remained closed.
Disney theme parks also remained closed. The company, during its financial reporting, said it expects a total profit loss of $175 million so far. Cristine McCarthy said Disneyland Shanghai is set to lose $135 million while Shanghai park is set to lose $40 million.
Nike has echoed the same bleak outlook. In its report, Nike said material impact of the coronavirus
Pandora, meanwhile, said business China is at a standstill, without any hints of how to go forward. The jeweler closed 70 of its 240 shops in China while mall locations are experiencing reduced traffic to almost none.
China has just reported total deaths of 490 and 24,324 confirmed cases. Hubei reported new 65 deaths.
As the domestic business sector continues to feel the pain, companies from more established cities are looking into having their employees work from home.
One Shanghai ad agency said working remotely will be challenging during brainstorming sessions where inputs from at least three people are needed. A banker from home chose to contact clients and the office by phone and a laptop. Some hotel staff is also doing tasks from home as long as they only require a laptop, internet, and phone.
Outlook in China's entertainment also look dimmer. Cinemas are closed. Mexican Formula E Chinese racer undergoes quarantine before the contest on February 15. At the same time, matches for the Asian Champion Leagues were postponed. China's women's handball team decided to no longer participate in a Tokyo 2020 Olympics.
