New COVID-19 Cases Surpass 4,000... US Raises China Travel Alert to Highest Level

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy New York=Correspondent Baek Jong-min, Beijing=Correspondent Park Sun-mi] On the 28th, the number of confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus infection (Wuhan pneumonia) in China surpassed 4,000. In Hubei Province, the virus's origin, 1,291 new confirmed cases were reported within 24 hours, showing a rapid transmission rate.

On the 28th, the Hubei Provincial Health Commission (Weiguanwei) announced that as of midnight, 1,291 new confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus were reported, bringing the total confirmed cases to 2,714. In Wuhan City, where the Huanan Seafood Market is located, 892 new confirmed cases were reported. The death toll in Hubei Province increased by 24 in one day, reaching a cumulative total of 100, and the total number of deaths nationwide also exceeded 100.

The National Health Commission announced that as of 8 p.m. the previous day, excluding the Tibet Autonomous Region, 2,840 confirmed cases of Wuhan pneumonia were reported nationwide across 30 provinces, as well as Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan, with 81 deaths. Therefore, it is certain that the nationwide cumulative confirmed cases surpassed 4,000 as of that day.

According to the Chinese medical portal site 'Dingxiangyuan,' as of 10:35 a.m. Korean time, the number of confirmed novel coronavirus cases across China is 4,474, suspected cases are 5,794, and deaths are 106. Outside Hubei Province, the provinces with the most confirmed cases are Guangdong (188), Zhejiang (173), and Henan (168). Beijing and Shanghai have cumulative confirmed cases of 80 and 66, respectively.

In the capital Beijing, the first death was reported the previous day. The deceased was a 50-year-old man who had visited Wuhan and was confirmed infected on the 22nd but died during treatment.

The United States, which has reported its fifth confirmed case, has advised its citizens to refrain from traveling to China. Travel to Wuhan City and Hubei Province, the origin of the novel coronavirus infection known as 'Wuhan pneumonia,' has been banned.

On the 27th (local time), the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the State Department issued a travel advisory for China, recommending reconsideration of travel plans. This is the second-highest level among the U.S. State Department's four-tier travel advisories. Previously, on the 4th, the State Department had issued a level 2 travel advisory for China. The State Department imposed the highest level 4 travel ban on Wuhan City and Hubei Province.

The State Department reminded that the Chinese government has implemented strict movement control measures in the Wuhan area and that entry and exit restrictions for Hubei Province could be imposed at any time, emphasizing the need to prepare in advance for possible travel restrictions.

Additionally, it advised consulting a doctor before traveling to China and avoiding contact with sick individuals locally. It warned that elderly people in poor health are at higher risk of severe illness. It also recommended avoiding contact with animals, animal markets, and animal products such as raw meat, which are suspected sources of the novel coronavirus.

The State Department urged that if symptoms such as cough and high fever develop within 14 days after traveling to China, individuals should immediately seek medical attention or contact health authorities. The U.S. government plans to operate a charter flight on the 28th to evacuate its citizens stranded in Wuhan.

The World Health Organization (WHO) published a situation report revising the global risk level of 'Wuhan pneumonia' from 'moderate' to 'high.' The WHO explained that the daily situation reports issued from the 23rd to the 25th mistakenly labeled the global risk level as 'moderate,' and this correction was made accordingly. However, a WHO spokesperson cautioned against overinterpretation, stating it was a simple editorial correction.