Right when China thought they had put their troubles with coronavirus (COVID019) in the past, news coming in from AFP suggests otherwise.
Second coronavirus outbreak on the cards in Wuhan?
On Sunday, China reported that Wuhan has registered its first coronavirus case a month or so after the draconian lockdown was lifted in the city.
This is of particular importance to virologist and medical experts who have been studying the patterns of the virus. Since COVID-19 broke out in Wuhan, in December 2019, infections have almost reached four million. The virus has also claimed 274 361 lives globally, 8 499 of which were registered in the past 24 hours.
Authorities in China have insisted that a second coronavirus outbreak is unlikely and that the situation in Wuhan is under control. Experts, however, disagree with China’s National Health Commission (NHC), criticising the country’s poor handling of the outbreak.
According to AFP:
“China has faced criticism both at home and abroad for downplaying the virus and concealing information about the outbreak when it first emerged in Wuhan. Beijing has insisted it has always shared information with the World Health Organisation and other countries in a timely manner. A top health official said Saturday, however, that the outbreak exposed “shortcomings” in China’s public healthcare system.”
We will keep a close watch on the developments in Wuhan over the next 24 to 48 hours.
COVID-19 in South Africa: What’s the latest?
The implications of reinfection are unfathomable if indeed Wuhan is on the verge of a second outbreak. South Africa has been in lockdown for 46 days and this has done very little to stop the spread of the virus.
According to the latest figures, more than 10 000 people have been infected, with 194 deaths recorded.
The Western Cape is the epicentre of the virus in South Africa.
