Global New Coronavirus Cases Surpass 10,000... US Health Authorities Declare Emergency (Comprehensive)

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunwoo Lee] The number of confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus infection (Wuhan pneumonia) has surpassed 10,000 worldwide, including China. The virus continues to spread in 26 countries around the world, with the first confirmed cases reported in Spain and Sweden. Health authorities in countries such as the United States and Italy have declared states of emergency and increased response measures, including blocking flights to China.

According to the National Health Commission of China, as of midnight on the 1st, the cumulative number of confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus in all 31 provinces of mainland China reached 11,791. This is more than 2,000 additional confirmed cases compared to 9,692 the previous day. The cumulative death toll rose by 46 to 259. In Hubei Province, known as the epicenter of the virus, 45 people lost their lives in a single day.

Confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus continue to increase outside China as well. Spain and Sweden each reported their first confirmed case, and Russia reported two confirmed cases. The United States reported its seventh confirmed case, and South Korea added one more, bringing the total to 12. In Thailand, confirmed cases increased from 14 to 19, and in Japan, one additional case raised the total to 15. While the virus has spread to 26 countries worldwide, no deaths have been reported outside China so far.

Alex Azar, U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS), announced at a press conference at the White House on the 31st of last month (local time) regarding the government's response to the novel coronavirus, declaring a "public health emergency" as a measure to contain the spread.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

As the spread of the novel coronavirus continues, U.S. health authorities declared a public health emergency and announced they would refuse entry to the United States not only to Chinese nationals but also to foreign nationals who have stayed in China. According to foreign media such as the AP News, on the 31st of last month (local time), Alex Azar, U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS), declared a public health emergency regarding the novel coronavirus and announced that starting from the 2nd of this month, foreign nationals who have stayed in China within the past 14 days will be denied entry to the United States. Additionally, 195 U.S. citizens who stayed in Wuhan and arrived at Ontario Air Force Base in California by charter flight will be placed under a two-week quarantine order.

The Italian government also declared a national emergency. The Italian government allocated 5 million euros (approximately 6.6 billion KRW) as an emergency supplementary budget and announced high-level measures to cancel all flights to and from China. They are identifying and checking the infection status of 20 people who had contact with two Chinese tourists staying in Rome who were confirmed positive. Italian authorities also stated that 12 other Chinese nationals from the Wuhan area have been hospitalized and are being observed for signs of infection.

Major airlines worldwide have also suspended flights to China entirely. U.S. airlines such as Delta Air Lines, American Airlines, and United Airlines announced a temporary suspension of all flights following the U.S. Department of State’s issuance of the highest-level travel advisory for China the previous day. Air France announced the suspension of flights to Beijing and Shanghai until the 9th, and British Airways also announced the suspension of its China routes. Lufthansa, one of Europe’s largest airlines, decided to suspend all China routes until the 9th.

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