Kenya Alert As Deadly Virus ‘Novel Coronavirus’ Kills 17 In China -Airport, Trains, Buses Shut Down

IN SUMMARY 

• Kenya has stepped up surveillance for coronavirus in all entry points, passengers from China to be screened
• Ministry of Health has sent an alert to counties, passengers from China to be screened 

Acting Director-General Patrick Amoth said that all passengers entering Kenya from China will undergo thorough screening for a new virus before being allowed into the country as the ministry is waiting for the World Health Organisation (WHO) to provide further guidance. 

The international health agency’s emergency committee is expected to make a decision on whether it will categorise the outbreak a public health emergency of international concern

Public transportation have been  suspended in Wuhan China starting Thursday, January 23, 2020, according to an announcement from the city’s coronavirus command center.

All city transportation to halt, including local buses, ferries, long-distance buses and subways. Wuhan’s airport and railway stations to be “temporarily closed” for departing passengers.

Eight new deaths from the coronavirus were confirmed in the province of Hubei on Wednesday, according to the health authority in Wuhan, the provincial capital.

The new deaths bring the total number of people who died to 17.

Additionally the number of confirmed cases has risen to 444 in Hubei, bringing the total across mainland China to 509 according to the national health authority and the Wuhan Health Commission.

The command center also advised residents not to leave Wuhan unless they have a “special reason.”

The measures aim to keep the virus from spreading, and to ensure public safety and health, according to the announcement. They take effect at 10 a.m. local time Thursday (9 p.m. ET Wednesday).

The Olympic boxing qualifying tournament for Tokyo 2020 has been canceled due to the deadly coronavirus outbreak, the International Olympic Committee confirmed in a statement Wednesday.

The worldwide number of cases has reached 555 on Wednesday.