"Where Is the Safest Place?" WHO Declares Emergency Over Novel Coronavirus... Citizens Confused

Citizens Confused by WHO Emergency Declaration
Seoul Ranks 2nd Most Vulnerable City to Virus
Concerns Over Virus Infection Both at Home and Outdoors

On the 30th, a quarantine official is conducting disinfection at a village bus stop in Seongdong-gu, Seoul to prevent the introduction and spread of the novel coronavirus.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Han Seung-gon] "I’m afraid of what might happen tomorrow," "I’ll just stay inside the house over the weekend."

As the novel coronavirus infection known as 'Wuhan Pneumonia' spreads worldwide, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared a 'Public Health Emergency of International Concern' (PHEIC) on the 30th (local time).

Upon hearing the news, citizens expressed mixed voices of anxiety and fear over the risk of infection. In particular, Seoul is reported to be the second most vulnerable overseas city (outside China) to this virus, causing the fear of infection to grow uncontrollably.

Commuters on their way to work after the emergency declaration expressed confusion and anxiety about the risk of pneumonia infection.

A man in his mid-30s, office worker A, said, "I heard the breaking news early this morning," adding, "It seems the whole world is gripped by fear of this virus." He continued, "I hope some medicine comes out soon. There has already been a secondary infection case in Gangnam," expressing his concern.

Another office worker B in his early 40s said, "I plan not to go outside at all this weekend," adding, "Home seems to be the safest place."

Amid the spreading fear of the novel coronavirus infection known as 'Wuhan pneumonia,' on the morning of the 29th, citizens wearing masks are waiting for a bus at a bus stop in Masanhappo-gu, Changwon City.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

◆ South Korea’s Seoul Ranked 2nd Most Vulnerable City to Novel Coronavirus

As news spread that Seoul is the second most vulnerable city to this virus, citizens’ anxiety has increased.

A joint research team including Northeastern University, University of Washington, and University of Florida in the U.S. released a report titled 'Preliminary Assessment of International Spread Risk of Coronavirus (2019-nCoV) Outbreak' on the 27th (local time), which ranked Seoul and Taipei, Taiwan as tied for second place among overseas cities with high risk of spread.

Bangkok ranked first, as it is adjacent to China and has frequent exchanges with other East Asian countries. Following were Tokyo, Japan (3rd), Phuket, Thailand; Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia; and Singapore tied for 4th, with Kaohsiung, Taiwan and Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam tied for 5th.

Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE), and London, United Kingdom, were tied for 6th along with Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; Sydney, Australia; and Osaka, Japan.

This analysis was based on data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA), analyzing air routes in 3,300 locations across 190 countries worldwide using a self-developed 'individual-based mobility model.'

A man in his 40s, office worker C, said, "I heard that WHO declared an emergency and that Seoul has the highest risk of spread," adding, "Going outside seems like the most dangerous thing to do. And this being reality feels like a disaster movie."

Amid concerns over the spread of the novel coronavirus infection known as 'Wuhan pneumonia,' passengers on a flight departing from Guangzhou, China, on the 29th are entering through Terminal 1 of Incheon International Airport, undergoing fever checks and submitting quarantine questionnaires. [Image source=Yonhap News]

◆ "Unprecedented Outbreak Expansion" WHO Declares Public Health Emergency of International Concern

On the 30th (local time), WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said at a press briefing held at WHO headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland, after a meeting of the Emergency Committee, "In recent weeks, we have witnessed the emergence of a pathogen previously unknown, which has expanded into an unprecedented outbreak."

Regarding the global spread of the novel coronavirus, he explained, "Currently, outside China, there have been 98 cases in 18 countries, including 8 cases of human-to-human transmission in four countries: Germany, Japan, Vietnam, and the United States."

He added, "We do not know what damage this virus could cause if it spreads to countries with vulnerable health systems," emphasizing, "We must take measures now to prepare for such possibilities."

Director-General Ghebreyesus stated, "There is no reason to implement measures that unnecessarily interfere with international travel and trade," and stressed, "We call on all countries to implement consistent decisions based on evidence."

This is the sixth time WHO has declared an international emergency. Previously, WHO declared emergencies five times: in 2009 for novel influenza A(H1N1), in 2014 for polio and Ebola in West Africa, in 2016 for Zika virus, and in 2019 for Ebola in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Meanwhile, according to the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as of 9 a.m. on the 30th, the domestic status of novel coronavirus infection is △4 confirmed cases △240 suspected symptomatic cases under investigation △199 released from quarantine, and 41 currently in quarantine.

Regarding overseas cases in Asia, the numbers are: China 7,711 (170 deaths), Thailand 14, Hong Kong 10, Macau 7, Taiwan 8, Singapore 10, Japan 9 (including 2 asymptomatic pathogen carriers), Malaysia 7, Vietnam 2, Nepal 1, Cambodia 1, Sri Lanka 1, UAE 4. The United States has 5 cases, Canada 3, France 4, Germany 4, and Australia 7.

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