Story at a glance
- The Wuhan coronavirus killed nearly 100 people Sunday, bringing the death toll to 908.
- This includes a 60-year-old American man based in Wuhan.
- The number of cases on the detained cruise ship in Japan has also risen.
The coronavirus claimed 97 lives based on a count on Sunday, making it the deadliest day yet for the Wuhan virus outbreak. This includes the first American casualty, a 60-year-old man living in mainland China.
The death toll now sits at 908 with approximately 40,171 recorded cases in mainland China and an additional 429 cases reported in other countries, bringing the global total to around 40,600 cases, according to China’s National Health Commission data cited by Reuters.
UPI Health reports that about 3,300 individuals who had the virus have recovered and been discharged.
The majority of cases still lie in Asia, although foreign nationals have been affected as well. Reports state that the Diamond Princess cruise ship, placed in quarantine for about two weeks while docked in Yokohama, has recorded a 66-case increase on board. Reuters reports that this brings the total caseload to 130.
The outbreak has had staggering global effects. The British government just declared the coronavirus “a serious and imminent threat to public health,” according to the Associated Press (AP). This now grants authorities the right to forcibly quarantine infected individuals.
For Americans who are returning home after being evacuated, several have been tested and treated after showing signs of fever. All passengers are being held in a two-week quarantine at the Travis Air Force Base in California, according to The Washington Post.
In mainland China, people began to return to work after an extended Lunar New Year celebration, although companies are being pressured to let employees work from home, according to NPR.
Economically, Chinese inflation spiked to 5.4 percent in late January, according to AP. This is mainly driven by a 4.4 percent jump in food costs as hoarding food in conjunction with self-isolation is creating a slight scarcity.
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