Coronavirus: As China reports first day without deaths, fears grow in Hong Kong

This is the first time since January when the authorities began reporting deaths. Quarantine remains in some Wuhan residential compounds. Hong Kong extends airport closure to foreign travellers indefinitely.

Beijing (AsiaNews/Agencies) – China reported no coronavirus deaths yesterday. This is the first time since January when the National Health Commission began reporting deaths.

There were however 32 new cases, all people arriving from abroad, bringing the total to almost 82,000, including 1,033 asymptomatic patients. More than 3,331 people have died.

Although doubts surround the accuracy of government figures, for observers the trend is certainly towards an improvement in the overall situation.

In Wuhan, the epicentre of the pandemic, the lockdown is set to be lifted tomorrow.

Residents in the capital of Hubei province will be free to leave the city for the first time since 23 January. Some residential compounds will remain locked down because of the presence of asymptomatic cases.

The authorities are now concerned that a second wave of infections could be brought in by foreign arrivals and returning residents.

The same is the case in Hong Kong, which recorded 24 new cases on Monday, six locally transmitted, for a total of 914 cases, more than double from a fortnight ago.

Local authorities responded by extending the airport closure to international flights indefinitely.

Local residents returning to the city must spend 14 days in solitary confinement at home. Quarantine is also imposed on anyone coming from mainland China, Macau and Taiwan.

China has also reduced international flights with both Chinese and foreign airlines only allowed to operate one international flight a week. Passenger and cargo flights must not be more than 75 per cent full.

• china
• wuhan
• hubei
• hong kong
• taiwan
• macau
• coronavirus
• covid-19
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• epidemic
• pandemic
• quarantine
• isolation
• death toll