As the Wuhan epidemic continues to spread, reports are coming in regarding the number of patients that have been found to be infected with the virus, as well as those that have perished as a result from contracting it. While initial numbers were mortifying enough, the newly updated figures are far, far more horrifying, as reported by Oriental Daily.
Source: Liverpool Echo
As of today (24th January 2020), China has reported over 830 confirmed cases of the Wuhan virus, with a death toll that has risen to 25. These cases were reported in 29 provinces within China, while Wuhan remains under total lockdown. According to the Daily Mail, hospitals within the city have reached a capacity where the city needs to build a whole new hospital within six days to meet the demands for medical attention.
Source: Shanghaiist
Given the increasing number of patients in China suffering from the Wuhan coronavirus, medical supplies used to treat them have also increased in demand, which has resulted in a shortage of protective gear to keep hospital staff safe from the virus itself.
Source: Business Insider
Two sources who have direct knowledge of the situation in hospitals within Wuhan have said that doctors and nurses who are attending to the Wuhan coronavirus patients are being infected themselves at an alarmingly rapid pace.
It is said that one patient that was identified as a ‘super-spreader’, has infected over 14 medical staff alone, who were treating him.
An anonymous doctor who was working within a hospital in Wuhan told SCMP that:
“Many (hospital staff) were not initially informed about the potential for people-to-person transmission and even now we don’t have enough protective gear, test kits and other supplies.
“We are worried about infected colleagues, but for the rest of us there is no other option but to carry on.”
Source: SCMP
All 14 hospitals within the Wuhan city have been stretched thin since the epidemic started, and a number of countries across the globe, including the United States, Singapore, South Korea, Thailand and Vietnam have all reported cases of the Wuhan coronavirus. Despite that, the World Health Organisation has yet to declare a global state of emergency for the virus.
For all of those in Wuhan, we hope that you stay safe and that the city will be able to endure through this incredibly difficult period.
Also read: Market Where Wuhan Virus Originated Sold Rats, Wolf Puppies, & Even Musang As Meat
