As of 22 January 2020, Chinese health officials have publicly acknowledged 440 confirmed cases of the 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV), with 17 known fatalities. Most cases have been reported in Hubei province, although at least one case in Macao and another in Hong Kong have also been confirmed. Travel to and from Wuhan has been suspended in an effort to mitigate the risk of human-to-human transmission. The restriction followed an earlier confirmation that the virus was capable of spreading through the respiratory system, although children do not appear susceptible to infection at this point.
China’s regional neighbors are setting up screenings and other precautionary measures, as authorities have publicly acknowledged a limited number of confirmed cases outside of China. At present, four confirmed cases of the 2019-nCoV have been reported in Thailand, as well as one confirmed case each in Japan, South Korea, Taiwan and the U.S. Additionally, health officials in Australia, the Philippines, Singapore and Vietnam are monitoring travelers from Wuhan who have been exhibiting symptoms of the virus; however, no confirmed cases of the disease exist in these countries. North Korea has reportedly banned all foreign tourists from entering the country until further notice. Authorities have implemented health screening procedures at transportation hubs, including airports, as a precaution. Additional information from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) can be found here.
