WHO to reconsider declaring global emergency as China virus evacuations begin

[webfact]

WHO to reconsider declaring global emergency as China virus evacuations begin

By Se Young Lee and Stephanie Nebehay

 

Personnel in protective clothing approach an aircraft, chartered by the U.S. State Department to evacuate government employees and other Americans from the novel coronavirus threat in the Chinese city of Wuhan, after it arrived at March Air Reserve Base in Riverside County, California, U.S., January 29, 2020. REUTERS/Mike Blake

 

BEIJING/GENEVA (Reuters) - Foreign governments flew their citizens out of the epicentre of China's coronavirus outbreak on Wednesday, as the number of deaths jumped to 133 and the World Health Organization voiced "grave concern" about person-to-person spread in three other countries.

 

The WHO said its Emergency Committee would reconvene behind closed doors on Thursday to decide whether the rapid spread of the new virus from China now constitutes a global emergency.

 

"In the last few days the progress of the virus especially in some countries, especially human-to-human transmission, worries us," WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus told a news conference in Geneva, naming Germany, Vietnam and Japan.

 

"Although the numbers outside China are still relatively small, they hold the potential for a much larger outbreak."

 

There have been 6,065 cases of the flu-like virus in 15 countries worldwide - all but around 70 in China - according to the latest WHO figures. All the deaths so far have been in China, where the National Health Commission said there had been 132 fatalities as of end-Tuesday. Another death was reported in Sichuan province on Wednesday.

 

The Chinese city of Wuhan is scrambling to build two new hospitals in its race to contain the spread of the coronavirus that has infected nearly thousands of people.

 

The situation remained "grim and complex", said Chinese President Xi Jinping, who on Tuesday had vowed to defeat the "devil" virus. U.S. President Donald Trump said he had spoken to Xi and his administration was working closely with China on containing the outbreak.

 

Some major airlines suspended flights to China, and a senior economist predicted a major impact on growth.

 

The WHO's panel of 16 independent experts twice last week declined to declare an international emergency, but will re-evaluate the situation on Thursday.

 

"We are at an important juncture in this event. We believe these chains of transmission can still be interrupted," said Mike Ryan, Executive Director of the WHO's Health Emergencies Programme.

 

Ryan also praised China's response, saying: "They are taking extraordinary measures in the face of what is an extraordinary challenge."

 

STREETS DESERTED

In many Chinese cities, streets were largely deserted. Tourist attractions were closed, while Starbucks coffee shops required people to have their temperatures taken and to wear masks.

 

"It's my first time here in Asia, I feel very unlucky," said Brazilian tourist Amanda Lee, 23, cutting short a trip. "I couldn't even see the places I wanted, like the Great Wall."

 

Almost all the deaths so far have been in the central province of Hubei, home to about 60 million people and now under virtual lockdown. The virus emerged last month in a live wild animal market in the provincial capital Wuhan.

 

"I was extremely worried that I was stuck there," said Takeo Aoyama, who arrived in Tokyo on a chartered plane carrying 206 Japanese out of Wuhan as some governments began evacuating their citizens.

 

The United States flew about 210 Americans out of Wuhan, to be screened several times on arrival in California. France said a first flight of French nationals would leave on Wednesday night and Britain said it would put 200 citizens on a charter plane on Thursday. Canada was also organising evacuations.

 

The virus is weighing heavily on the world's second-biggest economy, with companies cutting corporate travel to China and tourists cancelling trips. Various airlines are cutting flights, from British Airways and Lufthansa to Tanzania's national carrier that postponed maiden flights.

 

A government economist said the crisis could cut China's first quarter growth by one point to 5% or lower as the crisis hits sectors from mining to luxury goods.

 

Hong Kong stocks took a beating on the first day of trading after the Lunar New Year break. Casino and financial stocks led the Hang Seng index 2.5% lower to a seven-month trough.

 

"In our view, the worst is yet to come," securities firm Nomura said, warning of a severe, near-term blow to China's economy.

 

'LESS DEADLY THAN SARS'

But in a potentially major step towards finding a vaccine, scientists in Australia said they had developed a lab-grown version of the virus, the first recreated outside China.

 

The researchers at the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity said they would share the sample, grown from an infected patient, with the WHO and global laboratories in the hope of hastening immunisation and detection.

 

The number of cases of the new virus in China now exceeds the 5,327 that were infected with the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS), which also originated in China and killed about 800 people globally in 2002 and 2003.

 

While some experts believe the new strain, known as "2019-nCoV", is not as deadly as SARS, alarm has grown over its rapid spread and many unknown attributes.

 

"There have been more cases in China, but so far with a lower death rate than the SARS outbreak," said Michael Head, a health researcher at Britain's University of Southampton.

 

Like other respiratory infections, the new virus is spread by droplets from coughs and sneezes, with an incubation time between one and 14 days.

 

(Reporting by Cheng Leng in Shanghai, Se Young Lee, Lusha Zhang, Gabriel Crossley, Tony Munroe, Huizhong W, Judy Hua, Nanlin Fang and Joyce Zhou in Beijing and Stephanie Nebehay and Emma Farge in Geneva; Additional reporting by Michelle Nichols at the United Nations, Matthias Blamont in Paris, Akira Tomoshige in Tokyo, Kate Kelland in London, Ben Blanchard in Taipei; Writing by Robert Birsel, Andrew Cawthorne and Alex Richardson; Editing by Clarence Fernandez, Nick Macfie and Hugh Lawson)

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2020-01-30

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[ExpatOilWorker]

'LESS DEADLY THAN SARS', in absolute numbers yes, but it is killing faster than SARS.

 

 

 

 

[Curt1591]

1 hour ago, webfact said:

Starbucks coffee shops required people to have their temperatures taken and to wear masks.

I've found it difficult to drink wearing a mask.

[faraday]

11 minutes ago, Curt1591 said:

I've found it difficult to drink wearing a mask.

And where do they put the Thermometer....?

 

????

 

 

 

 

[Laughing Gravy]

It will be a matter of when not if from the WHO.

Here in China the situation is getting progressively worse.

 

Which means it will increase in cases across the globe.  I reckon by early next week the WHO will declare it a global emergency.

[jollyhangmon]

 

》 The virus is weighing heavily on the world's second-biggest economy, with companies cutting corporate travel to China and tourists cancelling trips. Various airlines are cutting flights, from British Airways and Lufthansa to Tanzania's national carrier that postponed maiden flights.

 

A government economist said the crisis could cut China's first quarter growth by one point to 5% or lower as the crisis hits sectors from mining to luxury goods.

 

Hong Kong stocks took a beating on the first day of trading after the Lunar New Year break. Casino and financial stocks led the Hang Seng index 2.5% lower to a seven-month trough.

 

"In our view, the worst is yet to come," securities firm Nomura said, warning of a severe, near-term blow to China's economy 《

 

... a windfall to others of course, as usual ... Japanese manufacturer of facemasks, +400% ... chaching!!

 

 

[Redoubt]

Few people outside of China are aware that the vast majority of Chinese People believe only in "Traditional Chinese Medicine".  This means that they do not believe that microorganisms, such as bacteria and viruses actually cause illnesses and diseases!!  Thus, they do not use soap to wash hands, and will not seek modern medicines for inoculations or remedial drugs, etc.  This fact will certainly lead to the protracted term of misery this latest virus may visit upon the Chinese People of the PRC.

[chilli42]

Has the Thai government completed the evacuation of their citizens from China?

[URMySunshine]

1 hour ago, Redoubt said:

Few people outside of China are aware that the vast majority of Chinese People believe only in "Traditional Chinese Medicine".  This means that they do not believe that microorganisms, such as bacteria and viruses actually cause illnesses and diseases!!  Thus, they do not use soap to wash hands, and will not seek modern medicines for inoculations or remedial drugs, etc.  This fact will certainly lead to the protracted term of misery this latest virus may visit upon the Chinese People of the PRC.

As troll posts go that is pretty damn weak , how's the wall going ?

[stevenl]

IMO there is no global emergency.

 

The real reason the WHO is considering a new declaration is the pressure from governments, who are again pressured by the publicum, largely based on uninformed social media opinions.

[URMySunshine]

3 minutes ago, stevenl said:

IMO there is no global emergency.

 

The real reason the WHO is considering a new declaration is the pressure from governments, who are again pressured by the publicum, largely based on uninformed social media opinions.

+10

[URMySunshine]

The WHO defines a global emergency, formally known as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC), as “an extraordinary event which is determined to constitute a public health risk to other States through the international spread of disease and to potentially require a coordinated international response.

 

The logic seems to be China is 'freezing' it's population to buy time to find out exactly what this is and how it can be treated and stop the spread. Other countries can use this hiatus to identify and isolate the few that have got out and hopefully very soon once the coast is clear the unlock can come again. And we can all go back to more mundane day to day issues. Like the smoke......

 

The horror situation would be what if this had started at the Hajj in Mecca or in an Indian city - doesn't bear thinking about. 

Edited January 30, 2020 by URMySunshine

[lovesthespicy]

18 minutes ago, stevenl said:

 

The real reason the WHO is considering a new declaration is the pressure from governments, who are again pressured by the publicum, largely based on uninformed social media opinions.

 

Interesting that so many doctors and scientist are feeling different then you. I'll take their word over random forum poster or social media opinion. 

[stevenl]

7 minutes ago, lovesthespicy said:

 

Interesting that so many doctors and scientist are feeling different then you. I'll take their word over random forum poster or social media opinion. 

So far we have had I think 2 people contracting the virus abroad, 1 in Japan and 1 in Germany.

I would recommend to stay away from Wuhan.

 

BTW, I speak to many scientists, molecular biologists due to having extensive contacts in that field, who are of the same opinion as I am.

Edited January 30, 2020 by stevenl

[NCC1701A]

21 minutes ago, stevenl said:

So far we have had I think 2 people contracting the virus abroad, 1 in Japan and 1 in Germany.

Mainland China:  7,678

Thailand:  14

Japan:  11

Hong Kong:  10

Singapore :  10

Taiwan:  8

Australia:  7

Macau:  7

Malaysia :  7

France:  5

US:  5

Germany:  4

South Korea:  4

United Arab Emirates:  4

Canada:  3

Vietnam:  2

Cambodia:  1

Finland:  1

Nepal:  1

Sri Lanka:  1

 

 

Total Confirmed

7,783

 

 

Edited January 30, 2020 by NCC1701A

[stevenl]

4 minutes ago, NCC1701A said:

Mainland China:  7,678

Thailand:  14

Japan:  11

Hong Kong:  10

Singapore :  10

Taiwan:  8

Australia:  7

Macau:  7

Malaysia :  7

France:  5

US:  5

Germany:  4

South Korea:  4

United Arab Emirates:  4

Canada:  3

Vietnam:  2

Cambodia:  1

Finland:  1

Nepal:  1

Sri Lanka:  1

 

 

Total Confirmed

7,783

 

 

Please don't quote me if you don't reply to my post. How many of those have contracted the virus abroad China?

[TheDark]

5 minutes ago, NCC1701A said:

Mainland China:  7,678

Thailand:  14

Japan:  11

Hong Kong:  10

Singapore :  10

Taiwan:  8

Australia:  7

Macau:  7

Malaysia :  7

France:  5

US:  5

Germany:  4

South Korea:  4

United Arab Emirates:  4

Canada:  3

Vietnam:  2

Cambodia:  1

Finland:  1

Nepal:  1

Sri Lanka:  1

 

 

Total Confirmed

7,783

You listed the number of known infected people. 

 

So far there is only known 2 cases where a person, who has not been to China, has become infected. One in Japan and one in Germany.

 

[khunpa]

39 minutes ago, stevenl said:

So far we have had I think 2 people contracting the virus abroad, 1 in Japan and 1 in Germany.

I would recommend to stay away from Wuhan.

 

BTW, I speak to many scientists, molecular biologists due to having extensive contacts in that field, who are of the same opinion as I am.

In Germany the virus has spread to 3 people, not related to China.

 

You think this virus can only spread from Chinese people?

[ThaiBunny]

Just now, khunpa said:

In Germany the virus has spread to 3 people, not related to China.You think this virus can only spread from Chinese people?

The news reports I've read state that they have all had a recent connection to China - "The first person in Germany to have tested positive for the new coronavirus was infected by a Chinese colleague who attended a company training event in the state of Bavaria a week ago, health officials said on Tuesday" - https://www.dw.com/en/germany-confirms-human-transmission-of-coronavirus/a-52169007

[Haecksler]

40 minutes ago, stevenl said:

So far we have had I think 2 people contracting the virus abroad, 1 in Japan and 1 in Germany.

I would recommend to stay away from Wuhan.

 

BTW, I speak to many scientists, molecular biologists due to having extensive contacts in that field, who are of the same opinion as I am.

Not quite right

4 in Germany. All of them allegedly infected from a Chinese college. She was from Shanghai and got it from relatives from Wuahn.

Interesting the woman did not show symptoms. We don't know whether the relatives which she meet showed symptoms. Many misinformation and many not prudent posts and many BS. I am standing here and don't know what to do. Panicking is wrong in any case but take any risk is out of consideration.

So if you have those contacts would you send your kids to school with 25% mainland Chinese? Nobody know travel history nobody know contact to Wuhan people during Chinese new year. The kids stay home so far.

Your opinion will be appreciated

[NCC1701A]

36 minutes ago, stevenl said:

Please don't quote me if you don't reply to my post. How many of those have contracted the virus abroad China?

you are right. i misread your comment. 

normally i am smart.

[stevenl]

13 minutes ago, Haecksler said:

Not quite right

4 in Germany. All of them allegedly infected from a Chinese college. She was from Shanghai and got it from relatives from Wuahn.

Interesting the woman did not show symptoms. We don't know whether the relatives which she meet showed symptoms. Many misinformation and many not prudent posts and many BS. I am standing here and don't know what to do. Panicking is wrong in any case but take any risk is out of consideration.

So if you have those contacts would you send your kids to school with 25% mainland Chinese? Nobody know travel history nobody know contact to Wuhan people during Chinese new year. The kids stay home so far.

Your opinion will be appreciated

I was right, I said 'I think'.

 

But yes, latest information is 4, very true. Does that mean Germany has to be isolated? My kids go to a private school where now many of the farang kids are being kept at home, leaving just a few of those plus some mainland Chinese. These Chinese kids have been here for quite some time, I really don't panic about that.

 

IMO it is far from a global emergency.

[stevenl]

27 minutes ago, khunpa said:

In Germany the virus has spread to 3 people, not related to China.

 

You think this virus can only spread from Chinese people?

They were all related to a Chinese person they have been in contact with. But yes, they did not contract the virus in China, so the number of people who contracted it outside of China seems to be (worldwide) up to 5 now. I find the development of that number (and of course the development of their sickness) much more interesting than the number of people in China.

 

Your last sentence does not make sense at all.

Edited January 30, 2020 by stevenl

[Haecksler]

30 minutes ago, stevenl said:

I was right, I said 'I think'.

 

But yes, latest information is 4, very true. Does that mean Germany has to be isolated? My kids go to a private school where now many of the farang kids are being kept at home, leaving just a few of those plus some mainland Chinese. These Chinese kids have been here for quite some time, I really don't panic about that.

 

IMO it is far from a global emergency.

What do you mean with "Germany isolated"? I guess the patience where isolated in a Hospital near Munich. Fortunately they doing good as far as I know. It seems Germany is well organized and every flight in has to provide every detail incl. passenger/seat list and other travel details in order to trace contacts of evtl. infected. 40 People which was in contact where identified and handled accordingly.

What I learned all private schools are connected and considering to close down. I also not panic but my risk assessment might be more strict than yours as I think that the potential of transmitting the virus in a school is very high due to sport activities and the contact in the canteen.

I had pneumonia a couple of years ago and I certainly want to save my family from such kind of nightmare at all costs.

Interesting i find is the fact that the classroom of your kid / kids are low occupied and people think different about this topic.

 

[zydeco]

5 hours ago, Redoubt said:

Few people outside of China are aware that the vast majority of Chinese People believe only in "Traditional Chinese Medicine".  This means that they do not believe that microorganisms, such as bacteria and viruses actually cause illnesses and diseases!!  Thus, they do not use soap to wash hands, and will not seek modern medicines for inoculations or remedial drugs, etc.  This fact will certainly lead to the protracted term of misery this latest virus may visit upon the Chinese People of the PRC.

Just returned from teaching my graduate class of PRC Chinese students. We talked today about this subject. Yes, they practice TCM. In effect, this means they use herbal remedies (as I use echinacea and bilberry, who am I to argue?). And, they also take vitamins. Asked about how they were taking precautions, they told me they were wearing masks (all had masks on in the classroom), staying home, cooking and eating at home, using hand sanitizers and sprays and wipes (they used these to open and close the classroom door), and washing hands frequently. They're doing more than I am. All have been back in Thailand for almost three weeks. I'm probably safer around them than they are around me. 

[White Christmas13]

3 hours ago, TheDark said:

You listed the number of known infected people. 

 

So far there is only known 2 cases where a person, who has not been to China, has become infected. One in Japan and one in Germany.

 

Not correct one in Australia as well now, a mine worker up north who never been to China.

[stevenl]

6 minutes ago, White Christmas13 said:

Not correct one in Australia as well now, a mine worker up north who never been to China.

You have a source for this, Google doesn't give any results.