SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes Covid-19.
FEBRUARY 26th 2020
By Patryk Krych | The World Daily
Coronavirus Cases Blow Up Worldwide – 400 Infected in Italy
Since the announcement of the existence of the COVID-19 Coronavirus, over 82,000 cases have been confirmed worldwide, along with 2,800 deaths. The most virus heavy hotspot outside of Asia however – Italy, has seen an increase to its case numbers as of late.
Cases of the virus are blossoming worldwide, with the number in the UK rising to 15 recently, due to another 2 infected patients – one of which had come into the country from Italy, contracting the virus from its ever growing case list. According to the Department of Health, the two infected patients had been transferred to specialist National Health Service (NHS) infection centres in Liverpool and London. While maintaining safe quarantine, this does not mean more cases of the virus won’t blossom in the country, as some speculate it could possibly (though unlikely) transfer through residual contact with objects as well as (as has been confirmed) person to person contact, the NHS warned.
Ministers have also warned that they expect more instances of the virus to emerge in the UK, especially due to the unexpected surge of cases in Italy that may have carried over to the UK via travel. One of the two new UK infected cases of the virus are thought to have occurred during the patient’s stay in Tenerife - an island in Spain. According to the BBC, the man infected is from Derbyshire, leading to the closure of a school in the area as a result.
The other patient contracted the virus in Italy, though it is as of yet unclear as to what part of the UK he is from. Of the 400 infected patients in Italy that have surged in the country’s Northern region, at least 12 have been confirmed dead because of the virus by the local authorities. The surge in infected cases represents a 25% increase in only 24 hours. Lombardy, the region around Milan, and Veneto, which is near Venice, have been reported as the worst hit areas in Italy thus far.
After meeting the Italian health minister in Rome, EU Health Commissioner Stella Kyriakides told reporters that "This is a situation of concern, but we must not give in to panic. There are still many unknowns about this virus and in particular its origin and how it spreads."
Several countries have since announced new cases of the virus, tracing its origin to Italy. Overall, at least 40 countries have reported cases of the virus so far, and more are expected to join the fray eventually.
A Brazilian report of a case of the virus marks the introduction of COVID-19 in Latin America. This, along with Pakistan and Algeria, both of which are now bearing also reportedly viral cases.
A warning has been issued against travelling to 11 quarantined towns in Italy, two cities in South Korea and mainland China, by The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO), lest the travel be absolutely essential.
The Department of Health in the UK has issued similar warnings, regarding travel to and from the previous countries, and advise that anyone who’d recently been to the specified, dangerous parts of Italy and South Korea, as well as Iran, since the 19th of February, ought to isolate themselves and call the NHS 111 helpline.
By Patryk Krych | The World Daily, LONDON
