China Reports Multiple Confirmed Cases of 'Wuhan Pneumonia' Among Medical Staff... Clear Human-to-Human Transmission Evident

[Asia Economy Beijing=Special Correspondent Sunmi Park] The first confirmed case of a group infection of medical staff with the novel coronavirus has been disclosed in China. This officially confirms the possibility of human-to-human transmission of the virus.

Zhong Nanshan (photo), a senior expert team leader of the National Health Commission of China, appeared on the China Central Television (CCTV) program 'News 1+1' on the night of the 20th and stated, "It is now certain that the novel coronavirus can be transmitted between people."

Zhong revealed that 14 medical workers in Wuhan, where the highest number of confirmed cases of the so-called 'Wuhan pneumonia' caused by the novel coronavirus occurred, were collectively infected while treating one confirmed patient. This is the first time that the health authorities have disclosed cases of infection among medical staff. The Wuhan Municipal Health Commission also confirmed that a total of 15 medical workers have been diagnosed with the novel coronavirus.

Until now, Chinese health authorities had only stated that there was "no clear evidence" of human-to-human transmission of the novel coronavirus and that the possibility of limited human-to-human transmission could not be ruled out. Zhong explained that two patients confirmed in Guangdong Province, who had never been to Wuhan, are examples of human-to-human transmission.

So far, China has reported the fourth death from the novel coronavirus infection. The number of confirmed cases has increased to 218. Reflecting the seriousness of the situation, the World Health Organization (WHO) has convened an emergency committee on the 22nd.