According to China’s National Health Commission, as of end of January 31, there were a total of 11791 confirmed cases of corona virus in the country. There were 2102 new confirmed cases, comparing with 1982 new confirmed cases a day ago. Death tolls rose 46 to 259, comparing with 43 new deaths on Jan 30. Serious cases rose from 1527 to 1795. Suspected cases rose from 15238 to 17988. Number of people tracked increased from 113579 to 136987.
The World Health Organization insisted that trade and travel restriction on Chins is not needed. Gauden Galea, WHO representative for China argued that “we would want countries to focus on the mitigation efforts of identifying the possible importation of cases and responding to any domestic outbreak.” Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said earlier in the week that the organization “doesn’t recommend – and actually opposes” restrictions on travel or trade with China. Tens of thousands of people have signed a petition calling for Ghebreyesus’s resignation, for failing to be politically neutral.
US announced yesterday to foreign nationals who have recently visited China, to enter its own territory. Americans who have traveled to China’s Hubei province in the past week weeks are now subject to a mandatory quarantine of 14 days. On Thursday, US State Department warned its citizens not to travel to China.
Separately, Australia announced today to deny entry of all foreign nationals traveling from mainland China. Prime Minister Scott Morrison said “we’re in fact operating with an abundance of caution in these circumstances, so Australians can go about their daily lives with confidence.”
