China knew of 100 cases in Wuhan by december: study

CORONAVIRUS Study done by CDC says over 6,000 might have been infected across China by January 20

BEIJING/ LONDON: More than 100 people were infected by the novel coronavirus by December 31 at Wuhan, the outbreak’s epicentre, three weeks before the official confirmation of human-to-human transmission and lockdown of the city, it has emerged.

A study by the Chinese Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) also said more than 6,000 might have been infected by January 20 across China besides the worst-hit Hubei province and its capital Wuhan. Data analysed by the CDC showed 15 among the 104 infected in December, 102 among the 653 infected between January 1 and 10, and 310 among the 5,417 infected between January 11 and January 20 died later. The official death toll on January 20 was three and the number of people infected was 225.

For its report, the CDC accessed data on more than 72,000 Covid-19 cases reported until February 11. The the largest study by the CDC suggests authorities did nothing to stop the epidemic from spreading within China and beyond despite knowing about it.

In a statistical table published in the study, the CDC said 104 people were infected with the pathogen by December 31, and 15 later died. The study indicates that health authorities at the provincial level were aware of the disease but chose not to take steps to contain the spread.

As of Wednesday, the outbreak

infected more than 75,000 people globally. The World Health Organization on Wednesday hailed “tremendous progress” in the fight against the virus. “We are making tremendous progress in a short period of time ... trends are very encouraging but we are not at a turning point yet,” said Richard Brennan, WHO’S regional emergency director.

Russia said its entry ban for Chinese nationals will be partial, clarifying a sweeping blockade for Chinese citizens announced on Tuesday. Official, business, humanitarian and transit visa holders will still be allowed, the country’s foreign ministry said.

AFP ■ A Chinese tourist (right), who had tested positive for the Covid-19 infection and isolated for treatment, receives a send-off from Sri Lankan health minister Pavithra Wanniarachchi after she was discharged from a hospital near Colombo on Wednesday.