Deaths in China from coronavirus increase to more than 1,700, warning epidemic is unpredictable
The number of deaths from the coronavirus in China’s Hubei rose to more than 1,700 on Monday as international experts began a joint mission with their Chinese counterparts to tackle the epidemic.
Indeed, the total number of cases of so-called COVID-19 in the Asian country has passed the 70,000 mark, according to the latest update from the country’s National Health Commission.
New cases outside of the epicentre have been declining for the last thirteen days
There were 115 fresh cases outside the central province, according to the commission on Monday — sharply down from nearly 450 a week ago.
Together, we are facing #COVID19 & we must use the window of opportunity to intensify our preparedness for it.
And more than ever it’s time to let science & evidence lead policy. If we don’t, we are headed down a dark path that leads nowhere but division and disharmony. #MSC2020— Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus (@DrTedros) February 16, 2020
The World Health Organization (WHO) said its specialists had held their first meetings with Chinese health experts as part of efforts to find out how the new virus is spreading.
WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said it is “impossible to predict which direction this epidemic will take,” he said.
The UN’s health body has also asked China for more information on how diagnoses are being determined.
Two planes carrying Americans from the quarantined cruise ship Diamond Princess have left Japan.
NEW: Dr. Anthony Fauci of @NIAIDNews confirms to @margbrennan 40 Americans have tested positive for #Coronavirus aboard the quarantined Diamond Princess cruise ship. pic.twitter.com/b2nkiIiZpf
— Face The Nation (@FaceTheNation) February 16, 2020
The aircraft chartered by the US government departed Tokyo’s Haneda Airport in the early hours of Monday, Kyodo news agency reported.
There were some 400 Americans on board the ship, which has been held since 3 February due to infections from the new coronavirus which has hit China.
At least 40 US citizens are infected and will be treated in Japan.
The Diamond Princess has been quarantined in Japan’s port of Yokohama with some 3,700 passengers and crew on board.
The ship was held after a man who disembarked in Hong Kong was found to have the virus.
It has the largest cluster of coronavirus cases outside China.
