Coronavirus now widespread throughout China: 170 deaths and 7,711 infections

The World Health Organization (WHO) meets today to discuss whether or not the virus represents a "global health crisis".  In these hours, the voluntary evacuations of hundreds of foreign citizens residing in the epicenter of the emergency are underway.

Beijing (AsiaNews / Agencies) - The death toll of the virus identified as "2019-nCoV" in China has risen to 170, while 7,711 people who have contracted pneumonia.  The last 38 deaths since yesterday mark the biggest jump in one day.  This is what emerges from the latest data of the National Health Commission.  With a confirmed case of contagion in Tibet, the virus has now spread to all regions of the country.  The outbreak has reached at least 16 other nations.  The World Health Organization (WHO) meets today to discuss whether or not the virus represents a "global health crisis".

Voluntary evacuations of hundreds of foreign citizens residing in Wuhan - the capital of the Chinese province of Hubei and the epicenter of the emergency - are underway .  Two flights to Japan have already landed at Tokyo's Haneda airport and passengers are being screened at medical institutions.  So far, three have tested positive for the virus, according to Japanese media reports.

About 200 U.S. citizens have been taken away from Wuhan and are now being monitored in the US.  A group of Singaporean citizens have already been repatriated, while people from Wuhan stuck in Singapore due to flight cancellations have been brought back to China.  Flights to bring British and South Korean citizens out of Wuhan were both delayed after the Chinese authorities failed to issue relevant authorizations.  According to the UK government, arriving passengers must be placed in "supported isolation" for 14 days with "all necessary medical assistance".

Australia plans to quarantine its citizens on Christmas Island, 2,000 km from the mainland.  Two planes are expected to bring European Union (EU) citizens home, with 250 French nationals departing on the first flight.  Canada, the Philippines and Malaysia have also announced plans to move their citizens out of Wuhan.  A growing number of countries are advising their citizens to avoid all unnecessary travel to China.

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