The number of cases of Chinese coronavirus in the United States has exceeded 10: what you need to know about the disease

The deadly new coronavirus continues to spread rapidly: more than 20 cases and at least 500 deaths have been confirmed worldwide. The vast majority of diseases and all but two deaths were in China. Writes about it CBS News.

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The Chinese authorities agreed to allow American experts into the country as part of the team of the World Health Organization (WHO), and senior members of the Communist Party recognized the "flaws" in the country's response to coronavirus. President Xi Jinping declared a “people's war” against the epidemic, threatening punishment for those who are thought to neglect their duties as control measures tighten.

As of Tuesday, February 4, 11 cases have been confirmed in the United States, including six in California, one in Washington, one in Arizona, two in Illinois and one in Massachusetts. More than 80 other Americans have been tested for the virus.

The US government has declared a public health emergency and has barred foreign nationals from entering the country within two weeks of visiting China unless they are direct family members or permanent residents.

On the subject: Border closure and quarantine: how different countries fight the Chinese coronavirus

The Department of State has warned Americans of all trips to China and plans to increase the number of evacuation flights to take Americans out of the country. Those evacuated, like everyone who was allowed to enter the United States after a recent stay in the Chinese province of Hubei, will be quarantined for two weeks.

All cruise ships in the Japanese port were checked after 1 confirmed case

On February 4, Japanese medical personnel boarded the Diamond Princess cruise ship moored at Yokohama, with 3711 passengers and quarantined crew, after it was confirmed that an 80-year-old Hong Kong resident infected with the new coronavirus was among those on board .

The ship called at ports in several Japanese cities, as well as in Hong Kong, Vietnam and Taiwan.

Officials said passengers and crew are testing to confirm any additional infections. There are reportedly many other passengers on board with fever and other flu-like symptoms.

China puts US experts on WHO team

China's top leadership acknowledged that the government’s response to the proliferation of the deadly new coronavirus originating in Hubei Province included “flaws and omissions.”

Communist Party leaders have agreed to allow US health experts into the country as part of the World Health Organization team, which will be deployed to help China deal with the rapidly spreading outbreak.

A “multidisciplinary mission of international experts” may arrive in China this week, WHO spokesman Tarik Yasarevich said on Monday, noting China’s cooperation.

“The mission is an international technical mission led by WHO. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) may become part of it,” Jasarevic said.

China detained woman for “concealing” contact with people at risk

A Chinese woman was detained by police for “deliberately concealing” her contact with a person or people from an area affected by a deadly new coronavirus. This was the first recorded incident when a member of the Chinese public was detained for violating the rules introduced to combat the growing outbreak.

On the subject: How to protect yourself and what to expect: answers to important questions about Chinese coronavirus

The 36-year-old woman was accused of harming China’s efforts to contain viruses through her actions and was taken into custody by local authorities for “administrative detention.”

WHO says pandemics can be avoided by strengthening global coordination

The World Health Organization has taken the lead and plans to send a team of experts to China within a few days.

Speaking at WHO headquarters in Geneva, the head of the infectious disease organization, Dr. Sylvie Briand, said that she and her colleagues were confident that a global pandemic could still be avoided.

“I'm not saying it's easy, but we believe it's possible,” Briand said. — We are not currently in a pandemic; "We're at a point where it's a multi-site epidemic, and we'll try to establish the status at each of those sites."

A pandemic is defined as a disease with significant outbreaks in several regions or continents.

Briand said that WHO is working with national authorities around the world to “see how we can harmonize protection against the virus” and share its evacuation experience from China, “so that other countries can realize what works best.”

2 Chinese patients in Italy worsen

The condition of two Chinese patients from Wuhan who are being treated in Italy for coronavirus has worsened. Officials said the couple was suffering from "respiratory failure" and were placed on respiratory support in the intensive care unit.

He was diagnosed in Italy after visiting Wuhan, initially they received treatment with conventional and experimental antiviral drugs. Their condition was described as serious, but stable.

Another 11 people in Italy show symptoms and have been tested for the virus. Another 20 people who came in contact with the infected couple showed no symptoms, but are under observation. As of February 4, 26 patients showed a negative result for the virus and were discharged from the hospital.

American Airlines terminates flights to Hong Kong

American Airlines has announced the termination of flights from two US cities to Hong Kong. The decision was made due to the lack of people who want to fly to China, and not because of fears for the safety of personnel or attempts to stop the spread of the virus.

“We have suspended flights to Hong Kong from Dallas, Texas, and Los Angeles, California, until February 20 due to lack of demand,” the airline said in a statement. “We will continue to monitor the situation closely and make any updates as necessary.”

Chinese doctor forced to remain silent after detecting an outbreak of coronavirus

The Chinese doctor, who was trying to raise the alarm about the new coronavirus before it was identified, received clear instructions to stop "giving false comments." Since then, he himself has become infected with the coronavirus, and in Chinese social networks he is praised as a hero for his statements.

On the subject: About the panic and actions of the authorities: what our people living in China say about the coronavirus

An ophthalmologist Li Wenliang, who works in one of the main hospitals in the epicenter of Wuhan, at the end of December discovered a group of cases of the flu-like illness, which seemed to him similar to the SARS virus that swept the whole world in 2003. He sent a chat message to fellow doctors, warning them of the need for protection.

Just four days later, officials visited him and accused him of "seriously disturbing public order." They presented him with an official letter that said: "We solemnly warn you: if you continue to be stubborn, with such impudence and continue this illegal activity, you will face justice." He signed the document.

A week later, he contracted a new coronavirus from a patient with glaucoma whom he was treating. He was only diagnosed a couple of weeks later, and then on January 30, he signed up for Weibo, a popular social network in China, to confirm that he had a virus. This post received thousands of comments, and many Chinese expressed their support.

"Dr. Li Wenliang is a hero," one person wrote, expressing concern that the government's treatment of his integrity could frighten other Chinese medical workers. “In the future, doctors will be afraid to give early warnings when they detect signs of disease.”

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About the panic and actions of the authorities: what our people living in China say about the coronavirus

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