Updated on 24 January 2020
The Situation:
As of Friday, 24 January, over 900 confirmed cases and 26 deaths for the novel coronavirus are being reported (see breakdown below). So far, the trend remains that all confirmed cases have direct connections to recent travel to Wuhan, the capital of Hubei province and a major transportation hub.
Human-to-human transmission has been confirmed and there are reports that some 8,420 people are under investigation for having the virus.
Reports on cases are expected to change rapidly as the exact impact of the virus is still under investigation.
The WHO has not yet moved to declare an international state of emergency due to the lack of significant numbers of the virus outside of China.
Number of Confirmed Cases by Country:
Mainland China: 882
Hong Kong: 2
Japan: 2
Macau: 2
Nepal: 1
Singapore: 3
South Korea: 2
Taiwan: 1
Thailand: 5
U.S.: 2
Vietnam: 2
Suspected cases being investigated in: U.S., U.K., Canada, Hong Kong, Australia and Philippines
Death Toll:
26 – all in mainland China
Only two deaths reported outside of Hubei Province (Wuhan is the capital)
One death in Hebei Province more than 600 miles north of Wuhan
One death in Heilongjiang, over 1,500 miles from Wuhan, close to Russian border
A 36-year-old man is among the most recent to have died from the virus, reports that he had no chronic illnesses or other existing health conditions
Travel Impacts:
Chinese authorities have ceased all outbound flights and trains as well as public transport in Wuhan and surrounding cities and advised its citizens not leave unless absolutely necessary. Many other Chinese cities have also chosen to cancel Chinese New Year festivities and major public events indefinitely.
Multiple countries have suspended flights to/from Wuhan and have raised alert levels concerning travel to Wuhan as well as stepped up screening processes for travelers coming from China.
The Centers for Disease Control Alerts:
Symptoms to Watch Out For:
Authorities have advised citizens to be on the lookout for the following symptoms:
Fever
Difficulty breathing
Cough
Pneumonia (secondary infection)
Symptoms may appear between 2-14 days
Mitigating Measures to Apply:
Monitor local authorities for updates
Avoid travel to or through Wuhan
Avoid contact with animals (alive or dead), animal markets, and products that come from animals (such as uncooked meat)
Wash hands frequently with soap and water; use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer if soap and water isn’t available
Older travelers and those with underlying health issues may be at risk for more severe disease and should discuss travel to Wuhan with their healthcare provider
Avoid exposure to those presenting the above symptoms
Allow extra time for temperature screening at airports worldwide
Enroll in a Safe Traveler Program to receive warnings from your preferred embassy
Seek medical care immediately if you experience symptoms and have recently traveled to the infected areas; notify your healthcare provider of your recent travel
DISCLAIMER and Hold Harmless
Disclaimer: LSDS™ gathers information from multiple sources and offers insight and perspective to travelers. Sources cannot be validated for accuracy in every instance. Travelers assume all risk associated with their travel and are responsible for the decisions associated with travel and for their own safety. Users of this reference document agree, to hold harmless LSDS™ (LLC) its employees and clients associated with any risk or injury incurred during travel.
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