Covid-19: Day 48: Feb 16th: Almost 70,000 confirmed cases: 11,272 in a serious condition: Prominent Xi critic has internet cut after house arrest: The first coronavirus death outside Asia belongs to France

Locations with Confirmed COVID-19 Cases Global Map Credit CDC

Covid-19: Day 48: Feb 16th: Headlines

Today in China according to the National Health Commission of the People's Republic of China there are 8,228 suspected cases. 68,500 confirmed cases, 3%increase and slowing down. 11,272 are in a serious condition, 19.6% increase and rising. Death toll 1,665 unfortunate people, (who should be in our thoughts.)

Exclusive: Chinese doctors say Wuhan coronavirus reinfection even deadlier Instead of creating immunity the virus can reportedly reinfect an individual and hasten fatal heart attack Taiwan News

‘This may be the last piece I write’: prominent Xi critic has internet cut after house arrest Guardian

A further 70 people on the Diamond Princess cruise ship quarantined in Japan have tested positive for Covid-19, bringing the total to 355, as three countries say they will fly their citizens on the ship home. Guardian

Chinese President Xi Jinping has called for tightened control over online discussion and increased policing to ensure "positive energy" and social stability, state media said Saturday, as the country struggles to contain the deadly new coronavirus. Yahoo

The first coronavirus death outside Asia, a Chinese tourist in France, and new cases in Japan, Singapore, Thailand and Malaysia suggest no let-up in the outbreak. The UN’s top doctor warned the virus is unpredictable as he called for nations to get all units of government involved. Yahoo

Coronavirus Wuhan diary: 'He got a hospital bed three hours before he died' BBC

Coronavirus: China announces a drop in new cases for a third straight day BBC

Estimated 30,000 pets abandoned in Wuhan

It is estimated that more than 30,000 pets have been left stranded after the Chinese government sealed off Wuhan following the coronavirus outbreak. In response, people trapped in Wuhan have been volunteering and checking in on the animals whose owners are stuck outside the city. Here's Ye Jialin's story of helping those who are currently not allowed to return home

Credit:

Timeline

30–31 December 2019 On 30 December 2019, an "urgent notice on the treatment of pneumonia of unknown cause" was issued by the Medical Administration and Medical Administration of Wuhan Municipal Health Committee. 27 people with pneumonia of an unknown cause were reported to the WHO on 31 December. Most were stallholders from the Huanan Seafood Wholesale Market, seven of whom were in critical condition.

1January2020 Hunan Seafood Wholesale Market, the source of the initial pneumonia cases, was closed on 1 January 2020 for cleaning and disinfection.

2 January 41 admitted hospital patients were identified as laboratory-confirmed 2019-nCoV infection in Wuhan. 27 (66%) patients had direct exposure to Hunan Seafood Wholesale Market.

3 January Thailand began screening passengers arriving from Wuhan at four different airports. Singapore began screening passengers at Changi Airport on the same day.

5 January Early investigations into the cause of pneumonia ruled out seasonal flu, SARS, MERS and bird flu. The number of suspected cases reached 59 with seven in a critical condition. All were quarantined and 163 contacts commenced monitoring. At this time, there were no reported cases of human-to-human transmission or presentations in healthcare workers.

6 January Wuhan's city Lianghui started. City representatives met until its closure on January 9. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a travel watch at Level 1 ("Practice usual precautions") on 6 January, with recommendations on washing hands and more specifically advising avoiding animals, animal markets, and contact with unwell people if travelling to Wuhan

9 January The WHO confirmed that a novel coronavirus had been isolated from one person who was hospitalised. The first death from the virus occurred in a 61-year-old man who was a regular customer at the market. He had several significant medical conditions, including chronic liver disease, and died from heart failure and pneumonia.

10 January The gene sequencing data of the isolated Wuhan coronavirus, a virus from the same family as the SARS coronavirus, was posted on Virological.org by researchers from Fudan University, Shanghai. A further three sequences from the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, one from the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, and one from Jinyintan Hospital.

11–12 January In China, more than 700 close contacts of the 41 confirmed cases, including more than 400 healthcare workers, had been monitored, with no new cases reported in China since 5 January. The WHO published initial guidance on travel advice, testing in the laboratory and medical investigation.

13 January The CDC announced that the genome had been posted on the NIH genetic sequence database, GenBank. On the same day, Thailand witnessed the first confirmed case of 2019-nCoV, first outside China. The affected 61-year-old Chinese woman, who is a resident of Wuhan, had not visited the Huanan Seafood Wholesale Market but was noted to have been to other markets. She had arrived in Bangkok on 8 January.

14–15 January On 14 January, two of the 41 confirmed cases in Wuhan were reported to include a married couple, raising the possibility of human-to-human transmission. A second death occurred in a 69-year-old man in China on 15 January.



16–17 January On 16 January, the WHO was alerted by Japan's Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare that a 30-year-old male Chinese national had tested positive to 2019-nCoV during a hospital stay between 10 and 15 January. He had not visited the Huanan Seafood Wholesale Market, but possibly had close contact with an affected person in Wuhan. On 17 January, Thailand's second confirmed case was reported in a 74-year-old woman who arrived in Bangkok on a flight from Wuhan. The number of laboratory-confirmed cases rose to 45 in China. The Big Wobble's first report on the virus A second person has died in China from a mystery virus that has stricken dozens and has appeared in Thailand and Japan: Human-to-human transmission "cannot be excluded"

18 January After the first 41 laboratory-confirmed cases were identified on January 2, 2020, 16 days elapsed with no further confirmed cases before China reported 17 additional laboratory-confirmed cases, with three cases in critical condition. The number of laboratory-confirmed cases rose to 62 in China, with the ages ranging from 30 to 79, of which 19 were discharged and eight remain critical. On the same day, the Wuhan government organised an annual banquet of forty thousand families. They shared meals and ate together. The Big Wobble reports New Chinese virus infected hundreds: "I am substantially more concerned than I was a week ago," disease outbreak scientist: Actual number could be over 2,000 infected NOT 45 confirmed cases 

20 January Chinese premier Li Keqiang has urged decisive and effective efforts to prevent and control the epidemic. First confirmed case reported in South Korea. Beijing and Guangdong reported an additional three and thirteen laboratory-confirmed cases, respectively. Shanghai confirms its first case, bringing the total number of laboratory-confirmed cases in China to 218. The investigation team from China's National Health Commission confirmed that the coronavirus can be transmitted between humans. At least two people had become infected whilst living hundreds of miles from Wuhan.

21 January The World Health Organization announced that it would hold an emergency meeting on the virus the following day to determine if the virus is a "public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC)". Confirmed cases were reported in several new locations in China. The total number of laboratory-confirmed cases in China increased to 312 and the death toll increased to six. 15 Wuhan medical staff infections were reported, of which 14 were from a suspected super-spreader. Taiwan reported its first laboratory-confirmed case, and the United States reported its first laboratory-confirmed case in the state of Washington, the first in North America.

22 January New cases: Macau and Hong Kong reported their first laboratory-confirmed cases, with Hong Kong reporting its second on the evening of 22 January. The total number of laboratory-confirmed cases in China increased to 571 and the death toll to 17. In response, the government announced a quarantine until further notice, cancelling outgoing flights and trains from Wuhan, and suspending public transportation in Wuhan.  However, statistics compiled by the Chinese Railway Administration showed that on the same day approximately 100,000 people had already departed from Wuhan Train Station by the deadline.  Furthermore, many Wuhan residents bypassed the checkpoints by taking antipyretics, having seen tips shared on Sina Weibo. Internationally, two more laboratory-confirmed cases were reported in Thailand, raising the total number of laboratory-confirmed cases in Thailand to four. New data showed indications of the current rapid spread of the disease and an increase in the rate of transmission.

23 January In all, the total number of laboratory-confirmed cases in mainland China increased to 628 while the death toll remained at 17. Singapore reported its first laboratory-confirmed case, a 66-year-old man from China. Vietnam confirms its first two laboratory-confirmed cases, a 66-year-old father and 28-year-old son from China. Wuhan suspended all public transportation from 10 a.m. onwards, including all bus, metro and ferry lines. Additionally, all outbound trains and flights were halted. In Wuhan, construction began near midnight for a specialist emergency hospital, modelled after the Xiaotangshan Hospital during the 2003 SARS outbreak in Beijing, after it was proposed earlier in the afternoon. The new Huoshenshan Hospital is expected to open by 3 February with a capacity of at least 1,000 beds.

24 January Singapore confirmed its second and third cases. Thailand confirmed its fifth case. Hong Kong confirmed three additional cases, bringing the total number to five. Nepal confirmed its first case, a student who returned from Wuhan. France reported its first three confirmed cases, the first occurrences in the EU. The first confirmed incidence of human-to-human transmission outside of China was documented by the WHO in Vietnam. A study by Chinese researchers indicates that people can be symptom-free for several days while the coronavirus is incubating, increasing the risk of contagious infection without forewarning signs.

25 January Australia confirmed its first four cases, one in Victoria and three in New South Wales. Malaysia reported its first three cases in Johor Bahru, and a fourth case later. Japan confirmed its third case. Canada confirmed its first case in Toronto. Thailand added two new cases for a total of seven. Singapore confirmed its fourth case. A 62-year-old doctor reportedly died in the Hubei province from the coronavirus. Wuhan announced building a second emergency speciality hospital, named Leishenshan Hospital, with a planned capacity of 1,300 beds, to be in use in half a month. The United States announces plans to evacuate US citizens out of Wuhan by charter jet. Beijing announced it will halt all inter-provincial bus and train services starting January 26. Xi Jinping, general secretary of the CPC Central Committee, stated that the country is facing a "grave situation" as the number of infected people is accelerating. Hong Kong declares a state of emergency. Hong Kong announced it would close schools until 17 February. A Chinese and a Sri Lankan suspected with the infection were admitted to a hospital in Sri Lanka.
The Big Wobble reports The Wuhan National Biosafety Laboratory is the only lab in China designated for studying dangerous pathogens like SARS and Ebola and had its annual safety drill days before outbreak!

26 January Shanghai reported its first death, an 88-year-old man. China banned all wildlife trade with immediate effect. The United States confirmed its third, fourth, and fifth cases: two in California and one in Arizona. Macau confirmed three additional cases, bringing its total to five. Hong Kong has confirmed its sixth, seventh, and eighth cases. Thailand has confirmed its eighth case. There are another 39 suspected cases awaiting confirmation. Health officials are dealing with a suspected case of coronavirus in Ivory Coast, the country's health ministry has announced. The Beijing Government stated it will not lock-down the city. The death toll has now climbed to above three per cent.
The Big Wobble reports 3 glaringly obvious coincidences missed by the MSM: Flu virus killed 200 million pigs in China last year: The Wuhan Biosafety Lab is the only one in China: Situated just 20 miles from Huanan Seafood Market and none of these points is being discussed or even mentioned by governments or the media, why?

27 January Mongolia closes border with China, shuts down schools until 2 March, and calls for all public gatherings to be cancelled. Wuhan suspends visa, passports services for Chinese citizens until 30 January. The Shanghai government has said companies in the city are not allowed to resume operations before February 9. Canada reported its first confirmed case and another presumptive case. Health officials have confirmed the fifth case of coronavirus in Australia, and have suspected an additional 5. The Sri Lankan Health Ministry confirms its first case of coronavirus, a 43-year-old Chinese woman. Cambodia confirms its first case of the virus, a Chinese man who came with his family to Sihanoukville. Singapore confirms a fifth case, a 56-year-old Chinese national who arrived from Wuhan on 18 January. First confirmed case in Germany, a man in Bavaria had been confirmed to have coronavirus. Three new suspected cases in Austria. 'Matei Balș' Institute reports the first possible case in Romania. Ecuador reported a suspected case of coronavirus. Fiji authorities are holding six Chinese travellers in quarantine in Nadi as a precaution after they failed to gain entry to Samoa due to Samoa's quarantine requirements that were implemented Friday. In Poland, two children were admitted to the Kraków hospital with the suspicion of coronavirus. In Mongolia a 14-year-old girl who was studying in China had fallen ill with a suspected case of pneumonia and laryngitis; she was pronounced dead on the same day. Two Mongolian students returning from Taiwan to Chinggis Khaan International Airport have shown symptoms of high fever and rising temperature and were put into quarantine after landing in Mongolia. In Samoa, two men were put in quarantine over coronavirus fears. In Switzerland, two people are under quarantine at the Triemli Hospital in Zurich, both had previously been to China. Beijing reports first death from coronavirus. The mayor of Wuhan acknowledges criticism over his handling of the crisis, admitting that information was not released quickly enough. The Big Wobble Reports The virus is impossible to contain: Actual number infected thought to be up to 200,000: Virus can spread before symptoms show: Towns around Wuhan barricading roads and motorways to stop people entering.

28 January The Philippines suspends issuance of visa on arrival to Chinese nationals. The CDC stated it was boosting staffing at 20 US airports that have quarantine facilities. Germany confirms the first case of infection. Death toll climbs to 106 as China tightens measures. The number of total cases confirmed by China rose to 4,515 as of 27 January, up from 2,835 a day earlier an incredible surge of 91%. Japan is sending a plane to Wuhan to evacuate its citizens, as efforts to repatriate foreign nationals from the city at the epicentre of the outbreak gather pace. Thailand confirms six more cases, bringing the total infected there to 14. Thailand starts scanning all travellers from China with immediate effect. The virus has spread across China and to at least 16 countries globally...MORE and more patients in the Philippines have been placed under investigation (PUI) for the 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV), said the Department of Health (DOH) Tuesday, January 28, 2020. In a press briefing, DOH Secretary Francisco Duque III said that as of 12 p.m. Tuesday, a total of 27 PUIs have been recorded Japan confirms 2 additional cases, bringing the total infected there to six. Singapore confirms two more cases, bringing the total infected there to seven.

29 January Tibet reported its first suspected case identified on the previous day and declared a level 1 health emergency in the evening, the last mainland provincial division to do so. Suspected cases have now been reported in all 31 mainland provincial divisions. Companies in Hubei are required not to resume services before 13 February, and schools in Hubei are to postpone the reopening of schools. Chinese police drop their case against eight people, accused on 1 January of spreading "false rumours" about a new SARS-like virus, who have been referred to as "the eight brave (八勇士)" by some on Chinese social media. The UAE confirms its first case. Shortly afterwards, an Emirates' news agency confirmed four people from a Chinese family to be infected. Finland reports its first case of the virus in Lapland, found in a tourist who left Wuhan before Wuhan was locked down. Singapore confirms three more cases of the virus, bringing the total infected to 10 cases. Malaysia confirmed three additional cases, bringing its total to seven. Japan reports four additional cases, including a tour bus guide that was on the same bus as one of the cases confirmed on 28 January and three evacuated from Wuhan. France confirmed a 5th case, the daughter of the patient in the fourth case. Two Chinese nationals were placed in isolation wards in Armenia amid the first suspected case of coronavirus in the country. The Chinese nationals were tourists travelling to Armenia from neighbouring Georgia. Liana Torosyan, the head of the Department of Infectious Diseases, advised that samples will be sent to European labs, as Armenia does not have the capacity to test for the novel coronavirus. Brazil now reports a total of 6 suspected cases in the country.

30 January Tibet confirms its first case, which was previously suspected. Cases have now been confirmed in all 31 provincial divisions of mainland China. India confirms its first case of coronavirus in a student who had returned from Wuhan University to the Indian state of Kerala. The Philippines confirms its first case of coronavirus in a female Chinese national who arrived in Manila via Hong Kong on 21 January.  Singapore confirms three more cases, bringing the total to 13. South Korea confirms two more cases, with one of them being the first human-to-human transmission there. Vietnam confirms three new cases, bringing the total to 5. The three became infected during a training trip to Wuhan. France confirms its sixth case. Italy confirms its first two cases in a press conference by the Prime Minister, Giuseppe Conte. Germany confirms its fifth case, an employee of the company where the four previously known cases are also employed. The United States confirmed its sixth case, the spouse of another patient in Chicago. This is the first confirmed case of human to human transmission within the United States. The Huanggang Communist Party committee announced the dismissal of its health chief, Tang Zhihong.

31 January The United Kingdom confirms two patients have tested positive for the coronavirus. Italy suspends air travel to and from mainland China for 6 months. Thailand confirmed 5 more cases with first time human-to-human virus transmission inside the country on a local taxi driver, bringing the total to 19. First Swedish and Spanish cases were confirmed. A seventh confirmed case in the U.S. is in Santa Clara County, California. The fourth case of coronavirus in Canada has been confirmed in London, Ontario. Thailand confirmed 5 more cases with the first human-to-human virus transmission inside the country of a local taxi driver, bringing the total to 19. Chinese health experts warn the public that coronavirus patients can become reinfected. China starts repatriating citizens to Wuhan.

February updates: Wikipedia

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For real-time updates of the Wuhan coronavirus use: https://wuhanviruslive.com/

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