WHO Emergency Committee Reconvenes... 7,251 Confirmed Cases Worldwide (Comprehensive)

- 38 Additional Deaths in China... 'Highest Record'
- 7,711 Confirmed Cases and 170 Deaths in China So Far
- Faster Infection Rate Than SARS... Global Confirmed Cases Expected to Soon Surpass SARS Record

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Beijing=Correspondent Sunmi Park, Reporter Hyunwoo Lee] As of the 30th, the total number of confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus infection (Wuhan pneumonia) worldwide, including 7,711 cases in China, was counted at 7,251. Due to the rapid spread of the novel coronavirus, the World Health Organization (WHO) reconvened an emergency committee to discuss whether to declare an international public health emergency (PHEIC).

On the 30th, the National Health Commission of China (NHC) announced that as of midnight, an additional 1,737 confirmed cases were reported across China. The number of deaths increased by 38 in just one day, marking the highest daily increase since the virus outbreak. In Hubei Province, where Wuhan City?the epicenter of the virus?is located, 37 people died, and one person died in Sichuan Province within a day.

So far, the cumulative number of confirmed novel coronavirus cases across China is 7,711. Among them, 1,370 are severe cases, so the death toll is expected to continue rising. The cumulative number of deaths has been counted at 170.

Preventing the spread and treating the virus within Hubei Province has emerged as the key to resolving the current crisis. The cumulative number of confirmed cases in Hubei Province alone has reached 4,586, accounting for 60% of all confirmed cases in China. The total number of suspected cases nationwide is 12,167, and the number of close contacts of infected individuals has increased to 88,693. Among them, 81,947 are currently under medical observation.

The first foreign infections within China have also occurred. Guangdong Province health authorities confirmed that two Australians and one Pakistani residing in the province were infected with the novel coronavirus. This is the first time foreigners in China have contracted Wuhan pneumonia.

The virus is spreading rapidly outside China as well. Outside mainland China, the cumulative confirmed cases in Chinese-speaking regions are 10 in Hong Kong, 7 in Macau, and 8 in Taiwan. Including confirmed cases in the United States, Europe, and other regions, a total of 7,251 people worldwide have been diagnosed with the novel coronavirus. Within just one month of the outbreak, the novel coronavirus has surpassed the number of confirmed cases of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) in China. SARS infected 8,069 people worldwide and caused 774 deaths during the 2002-2003 outbreak.

China is making every effort to prioritize virus containment and patient treatment, led by President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Keqiang. President Xi described the prevention and control situation of the novel coronavirus as "severe and complex" and instructed the military to actively support local epidemic prevention efforts. He urged military hospitals to devote all efforts to patient treatment and scientific research institutions to focus on research to contribute actively to winning the battle against the virus. He also referred to Wuhan pneumonia as a "demon" and expressed a strong determination to win the fight against it. Premier Li also personally presided over the Central Party’s meeting on novel coronavirus prevention and control the day before.

Construction of dedicated emergency hospitals to treat patients in Wuhan City and Hubei Province, where the novel coronavirus cases are concentrated, is also accelerating. There was a hospital under construction in the Huanggang area next to Wuhan City, originally scheduled for completion in May. The government urgently converted this hospital into a specialized hospital for the novel coronavirus, deploying 500 workers and completing construction in 48 hours. It is equipped with 1,000 beds and has full water, electricity, and internet facilities. Two more dedicated emergency hospitals for the novel coronavirus are under construction in Wuhan City, with completion targeted for early next month.

Considering the importance of the matter, WHO reconvened the emergency committee on the 30th. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus held a press conference at WHO headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland, on the 29th (local time), explaining the reason for reconvening the emergency committee: "There have been three confirmed cases of human-to-human transmission outside China, in Germany, Vietnam, and Japan. There is a possibility of further spread outside China."

If an emergency is declared, under the International Health Regulations (IHR), WHO can recommend travel, trade, and cross-border movement restrictions for countries at risk of infection. Other countries may also take measures such as restricting entry of nationals from at-risk countries based on WHO recommendations. WHO has declared emergencies five times since 2009.

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