Developments in the coronavirus saga took another turn for the worse this morning as Beijing woke up to news that human-to-human contact has been confirmed as a means to infection. This comes as millions of folks across the country gear up for Spring Festival travel within and outside of China’s borders.
Speaking to state media, respiratory expert and representative of the Chinese government Zhong Nanshan said that “two people in Guangdong province in southern China caught the virus from family members,” the Associated Press (AP) reported today. Likewise, citing China Daily, it was reported that “Some medical workers have also tested positive for the virus.”
With 200 cases and three deaths confirmed, beginning in the epicenter of Wuhan, and including, as of Monday, five in Beijing, 14 in Guangdong, and seven suspected cases across Sichuan, Yunnan, and Shanghai, the outbreak has caught the attention of both the World Health Organization (WHO) and Xi Jinping.
“The recent outbreak of novel coronavirus pneumonia in Wuhan and other places must be taken seriously,” said President Xi. “Party committees, governments and relevant departments at all levels should put people’s lives and health first.”
Though they haven’t officially declared a global health crisis, WHO announced that it would hold an Emergency Committee meeting in Geneva on Wednesday to gauge the seriousness of the situation, according to AP.
It bears mentioning that hundreds of people exposed to those with the virus have not fallen sick, and thus the municipal health commission stands by its assertion that human-to-human contact is not occurring at a rapid click. Moreover, for those of you planning on traveling in the coming days and weeks, “Based on currently available information, WHO does not recommend any restriction of travel or trade.”
Nevertheless, there are doubtlessly some precautions you and your family should take, peppered throughout this post, to mitigate the risks of infection. And if you begin to show any of the following symptoms, you should both consult a doctor immediately, and take further care not to infect those around you.
Common signs of infection include respiratory trouble such as shortness of breath and difficulty breathing, fever, or cough. If left untreated, coronavirus can lead to pneumonia, severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), kidney failure, and in very extreme cases, death.
In terms of facemasks, the standard N95 and KN95 is approved by the FDA as “one part of an infection-control strategy.” These can be picked up at just about any 7-Eleven in the city, and should be worn when in heavily populated areas such as airports and subways.
While it’s always a good idea to work immune-boosting foods into your diet, it would be particularly useful now. After all, the greatest defense against getting sick is a healthy body.
Photos: Greshampediatrics.com, World Health Organization, WebMD
