Confirmed Cases of Wuhan Pneumonia in China Near 2,100... Wuhan Market Likely to Face Accountability Following Incident

2,076 Confirmed Cases in Greater China Including Mainland, Hong Kong, and Macau

56 Deaths Reported

Controversy Over Initial Response; Wuhan Mayor Likely to be Held Accountable

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kwon Jaehee] The number of deaths and confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus, known as 'Wuhan Pneumonia,' is increasing exponentially. In China alone, daily deaths are rising into double digits, raising concerns that early containment efforts have already failed.

As of the 26th, there have been 2,076 confirmed cases of 'Wuhan Pneumonia' across Greater China, including mainland China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, and Macau. The death toll stands at 56.

The number of deaths surged by 15 in just one day, from 41 on the 24th to 56 on the 25th.

The additional 15 deaths were confirmed as 6 in Hong Kong, 5 in Macau, and 4 in Taiwan.

In the capital Beijing, three doctors have been reported to have contracted Wuhan Pneumonia and are receiving isolated treatment. Two of them had recently traveled to Wuhan on business, and another doctor who attended a meeting with one of them has also been infected.

Outside China, confirmed cases of Wuhan Pneumonia are steadily increasing. Thailand has reported 8 cases; Singapore, Japan, Australia, and Malaysia each have 4; South Korea, the United States, and France each have 3; Vietnam, Finland, and Italy each have 2; and Nepal and Canada have each reported 1 case.

Despite the Lunar New Year holiday, President Xi Jinping unusually convened an emergency meeting of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee on the 25th to devise countermeasures against Wuhan Pneumonia.

President Xi instructed frontline leaders to work diligently on-site and ordered the full mobilization of related medicines and supplies.

Particularly, Zhou Xianwang, the mayor of Wuhan, is facing criticism for inadequate initial response at the outbreak site and is unlikely to escape responsibility.

Measures to prevent Wuhan Pneumonia, such as mandatory mask-wearing and suspension of bus services, are continuing. Beijing city has suspended intercity bus operations starting from the 26th. Citizens returning home for the Lunar New Year have been advised to self-quarantine for two weeks, and some schools have postponed reopening until February 17.

All flights and trains departing from Wuhan, the outbreak epicenter, have been shut down, and highways and regular roads in Wuhan have been completely blocked. On the same day, Shanghai also suspended all long-distance bus services.

Guangdong Province, Jiangxi Province, and cities including Nanjing, Ma'anshan, and Xinyang have mandated mask-wearing for citizens, with strict measures to be taken against those who fail to comply.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.