Novel coronavirus cases outside China reach 153 — WHO

Medical workers in protective suits move a coronavirus patient into an isolation ward at the Second People’s Hospital in Fuyang in central China’s Anhui Province, Saturday, Feb. 1, 2020.  Chinatopix via AP

MANILA, Philippines — The number of confirmed novel coronavirus acute respiratory disease (2019-nCoV ARD) cases outside China has reached 153, the World Health Organization (WHO) said.

“Of the 153 cases outside China, 12 were detected while asymptomatic,” WHO said in its latest situation report dated Feb. 3.

Here is the breakdown of the confirmed cases as of February 3 according to the WHO:

China – 17,238

Japan – 20

Republic of Korea – 15

Vietnam – 8

Singapore – 18

Australia – 12

Malaysia – 8

Cambodia – 1

Philippines – 2

Thailand – 19

Nepal – 1

Sri Lanka – 1

India – 3

United States – 11

Canada – 4

France – 6

Finland – 1

Germany – 10

Italy – 2

Russian Federation – 2

Spain – 1

Sweden – 1

United Kingdom – 2

United Arab Emirates – 5

China has recorded over 360 deaths due to the 2019-nCoV ARD since it was first detected in December last year. The first fatality outside China was recorded in the Philippines on Saturday. The patient, a 44-year-old Chinese man from Wuhan – the epicenter of the outbreak – who traveled to Cebu through Hong Kong on January 21.

Of the 153 cases, 123 involve patients who have travel history to China, 24 are with possible or confirmed transmission outside of China, and six are with site of transmission still under investigation.

In its report, the WHO recorded the 15 confirmed cases in Hong Kong, eight in Macao, and 10 in Taipei in its tally of virus infection in China.

In the Philippines, the number of patients under investigation (PUIs) for suspected novel coronavirus infection has reached 80 as of Monday, including eight close contacts with the country’s first fatality and his partner, a 38-year-old Chinese woman who also earlier tested positive for the virus.

READ: 80 patients now under investigation for new coronavirus – DOH

READ: DOH: 8 ‘close contacts’ of Chinese couple with nCoV showed flu-like signs

Meanwhile, the WHO has announced that there were no new countries that reported cases of nCoV in the past 24 hours.

The WHO has also developed a dashboard for the novel coronavirus with the number of confirmed cases globally, which includes cases in China by provinces, regions, and cities, as well as confirmed cases outside China by country.

It has also prepared a list of answers to common questions it receives from various organizations and individuals.

The WHO added that its operational support and logistics has developed a 2019-nCoV kit similar to prepared treatment kits used for outbreaks of other high-threat pathogens.

“In the coming days, the costing, procurement, and assembly of these kits will be a priority,” said the international health organization.

Edited by MUF