BEIJING/WUHAN, Feb 2:
China on Sunday resorted to more drastic measures like isolating coronavirus patients to designated areas and restricting the movement of residents in regions hit by the rapid spreading virus that has killed 305 people and infected over 14,000 others.
The Philippines on Sunday reported the first death outside China from the deadly virus that has spread to 25 countries, including India, taking the total toll to 305.
The victim, a 44-year-old Chinese man, was the companion of a 38-year-old Chinese woman who arrived in the Philippines on January 21 from Wuhan, the epicentre of the virus outbreak.
So far over 140 coronavirus cases have been reported from abroad, including India where a second case of virus was reported from Kerala on Sunday.
India airlifted 647 Indians and seven Maldivians on Saturday and Sunday from Wuhan. The evacuated Indians would be monitored for any signs of infection for two weeks by a qualified team of doctors and staff members.
India also temporarily suspended e-visa facility for Chinese travellers and foreigners residing in China in view of the rapid spread of the virus.
Two Indians who were not allowed to get into the special flight in Wuhan on Friday after they reported high fever told PTI that their temperatures have now come down to normal level and wished to travel back home.
A total of 10 Indians were not allowed to board the AI flight by Chinese immigration officials after they were found to have high fever.
Indian Ambassador to China Vikram Misri told PTI that about 100 Indians are still believed to be residing in Hubei province.
By the end of Saturday, a total of 304 people had died of the disease in the country, China’s National Health Commission said.
The state-run CGTN reported that there were 14,411 confirmed cases of virus. However, the Hong Kong-based South China Morning Post said that the virus has infected 14,562 people.
The commission said 19,544 people were suspected of being infected with the virus of which the condition of the 2,110 patients remained severe.
Chinese health experts have been saying that the casualties will increase sharply for the next two weeks before they start declining.
This is so because millions of travellers especially those from Wuhan and Hubei province who travelled to China and abroad during the New Year holidays are returning home. (PTI)
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