Coronavirus (COVID-19) Epidemic in China and Elsewhere - Latest Developments

As of 24:00 on 24 February 2020, 31 provinces (autonomous regions, municipalities) and the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps, reported a cumulative total of 77,658 confirmed cases of coronavirus infection. There have been 2665 deaths. The city of Wuhan and the province of Hubei continue to report the majority of the cases recorded in China. The number of cases reported in Hong Kong SAR increased to 87 cases (with 2 deaths) while the number remained unchanged in Macau SRA (10 cases). In other developments:

• Following the diagnosis of an infected person, a four-star hotel in Spain’s Canary Islands was placed in quarantine on Tuesday, with all 1,000 guests barred from leaving until further tests were done. The first case in mainland Spain was reported from Barcelona.
• Switzerland, Austria, and Croatia reported the first cases in their countries.
• Reported cases continue to increase at different rates in countries outside China where the virus has been introduced.
• Afghanistan, Bahrain, Belgium, Cambodia, Egypt, Finland, India, Iraq, Israel, Kuwait, Lebanon, Nepal, Oman, Philippines, Russia, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sweden, United Arab Emirates have reported 1 to 10 cases.
• Canada, France, Germany, United Kingdom, Vietnam have reported between 11 and 20 cases,
• Australia, Malaysia, and Vietnam have reported between 21 and 30 cases while Taiwan and Thailand have reported between 31 and 40 cases.
• Iran and the United States have reported between 51 and 60 cases while Singapore has reported 93 cases.
• Japan has reported 147 locally-acquired cases (does not include 693 cases linked to Diamond Princess cruise ship).

Advice

Although the World Health Organization does not recommend any travel restrictions at this time, international airlines, rail services, and cruise ships are either cancelling or limiting services to China. In addition, many countries are isolating China by denying visas or entry for foreign nationals arriving from China.

At present, travellers should avoid all travel to the epidemic centre in the city of Wuhan and the province of Hubei. It is prudent to restrict non-essential travel to other areas of China. Until more details are available, the World Health Organization (WHO), the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and other countries have issued the following general advice for travellers to reduce the risk of infection by this virus if travelling in or from affected areas:

• Avoid close contact with people suffering from acute respiratory infections.
• Wash hands frequently, especially after direct contact with ill people or their environment; use soap and water for at least 20 seconds or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available.
• Avoid close contact with live or dead farm or wild animals and products that come from animals (such as uncooked meat).
• Travellers with symptoms of acute respiratory infection should practice cough etiquette (maintain distance, cover coughs and sneezes with disposable tissues or clothing, and wash hands).
• Older travellers and those with underlying health issues may be at risk for more severe disease and should discuss travel to Wuhan with their healthcare provider.
• Seek medical attention immediately if symptoms develop after visiting the city of Wuhan, Hubei Province or other areas where transmission is occurring.

These recommendations may change on short notice.