[Asia Economy Reporters Kim Gayeon, Intern Reporter Lim Juhyung] As the death toll from the so-called 'Wuhan Pneumonia' caused by the novel coronavirus in China reaches 26, the Chinese government has intensified chaos by locking down Wuhan (武漢) city.
According to the Chinese media People's Daily, the Chinese government issued a lockdown order on the 23rd (local time) preventing residents of Wuhan, the epicenter of the novel coronavirus outbreak, from leaving the area. From that day, all transportation departing from Wuhan, including airplanes and trains, was suspended, and public transportation within Wuhan city was also reportedly halted.
Additionally, all highways and regular roads leading out of Wuhan were closed, and railway and bus services departing from nearby cities Ezhou and Huanggang were also suspended.
The sudden cutoff of transportation has reportedly intensified chaos within the city. Vehicles attempting to leave Wuhan crowded the highways, causing traffic congestion at major junctions, and Chinese public security and health officials conducted temperature checks on passengers in each vehicle, further worsening the congestion.
According to the Hong Kong daily South China Morning Post (SCMP), panic buying also occurred amid the growing chaos. One citizen told the media, "The price of a head of cabbage rose to 35 yuan (about 5,900 won)."
Meanwhile, rumors spread that gasoline sales at city gas stations would soon be suspended, prompting Wuhan city authorities to issue an urgent statement assuring "continuous supply of gasoline."
On the other hand, according to the National Health Commission of China on the 24th, from the 23rd to that day, the number of confirmed Wuhan Pneumonia cases in Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan, and mainland China reached 868, with 26 deaths.
Among the 868 confirmed cases, 177 are severe, and 34 have been discharged. The number of suspected cases reported so far has reached 1,072.
The Chinese government began construction on the 23rd of an emergency hospital with 1,000 beds for medical quarantine. The hospital construction is scheduled to be completed by February 3.
Additionally, the Ministry of Science and Technology of China decided to conduct emergency scientific research related to the novel coronavirus, and Hubei Province plans to promote quarantine efforts. The Ministry of Finance of China has urgently allocated a budget of 1 billion yuan (approximately 170 billion won) to support these efforts.
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
