Australia isolated citizens returning from China on the island; The number of victims of the virus rose to 136

The state will hold 600 of its citizens returning from Christmas Island for about two weeks, which is about 2,000 kilometers from the mainland. In China it is estimated: the virus outbreak will culminate in ten days

Australia isolated citizens returning from China on the island; The number of victims of the virus rose to 136

Chinese virus outbreak - all headlines

• The number of victims rose to 132
• Australia isolates citizens on a remote island
• The United States, Japan, and European countries evict civilians

Hundreds of foreign nationals were evacuated Wednesday night from the Chinese city of Wuhan, the focus of the outbreak of the Corona virus, as the number of victims continued to rise, reaching 132 in China. At the same time, Australia plans to isolate some 600 of its citizens who have returned from Christmas Island, which is about 2,000 kilometers from the mainland - for two weeks. The United States, Japan and European countries are also reintroducing its citizens.

The sharp increase in the number of infections is attributed to an increase in awareness of the virus, the west after it, and testing. An expert from the Chinese Ministry of Health said it could take another 10 days for the outbreak to peak.

Following human-to-human infection cases in Germany, Vietnam, Taiwan and Japan - as opposed to cases of travelers returning with the virus from China - increased the fear of the virus spreading. China agreed that the World Health Organization would send state experts. "The virus is diabolical and we can't let the devil hide," Chinese President Xi Jinping told the World Health Organization at a meeting in Beijing.

Workers manufacture protective masks at factory in Xinjiang, China, January 28, 2020 (Photo: Reuters)

Meanwhile, the American coffee chain Starbucks has announced it is closing about half of its China branches, which suffered a severe economic blow due to the outbreak of the virus as it marks the Chinese New Year. Mostly, during this time, hundreds of millions of travelers across the nation are returning to their hometown for the holiday, but many cities have imposed travel restrictions on their residents to stop the spread of the virus.

Efforts to curb the disease have begun to suspend flights, rail lines and buses to Wahan, which houses 11 million people. At this point, the blockade has expanded to 17 cities, with about 50 million people living - the most extensive of such measures ever.

China extended the Chinese New Year's holiday for a few days so that offices and factories remained closed and workers remained at home to reduce the risk of infection. In Shanghai, an international economic center, the leave was extended until February 9.

Abandoned streets and hotel checks: a glimpse of life in the Chinese virus center

Beijing's official response has greatly improved since the outbreak of the SARS epidemic in 2002-2003, which also came from China, however, the fear of a global outbreak has not completely been alleviated, says Vishnu and Rattan of Mizuho Bank. Airlines, resorts and other tourism-based companies have suffered heavy losses. Gold and bond prices rose while traders moved money elsewhere.

Scientists are concerned about the new virus, which has been closely linked to other epidemics, including the SARS, which has killed nearly 800 people. So far, the new corona virus does not appear to spread as easily as the SARS or the flu. Most of the infections so far have been among family members or medical workers who have come in contact with patients. This indicates that the virus may not have a high infection capacity.

At the time of the outbreak of the SARS, authorities in China were criticized for reacting slowly to the disease and providing little information. This time, the government reacted more aggressively to the outbreak. Two hospitals have been set up in Wuhan, one with 1,500 beds and another with a thousand more due to the growing number of patients.

The Corona virus family also includes colds but also more serious illnesses such as the SARS. The new virus causes colds and flu-like symptoms, including cough and fever, and in more severe cases, shortness of breath and pneumonia.

It is widely believed that the virus has passed on to humans from animals sold in the market in Wuhan. On Sunday, China banned all wildlife trade and called on the public to refrain from eating the meat of those animals.