Originating in China, the coronavirus outbreak has become a world health crisis. Spreading quickly, the number of casualties is rising. At least 427 people have died, and there are more than 20,000 cases of people contracting the virus. There has been no confirmation made about the virus reaching Africa and Latin America, even though cases have been confirmed in North America, Europe, and Australia.

On Tuesday, Malaysia, Singapore, and Thailand confirmed the presence of the virus, although citizens had not traveled to China in recent weeks. Over four-hundred people have died in China, with one death also being confirmed in Hong Kong. The Philippines have also confirmed a death, as well a few cases of the virus. 

Nations are trying to get all of their citizens out of the infected areas in China. The UK government has told all Britains to leave China if they get a chance. Deputy Prime Minister of Russia Tatyana Golikova has said that the Russian government will set up a quarantine in Siberia for those returning from China. She said that the people who return will be isolated for two weeks in the Syberian region. “I want to say and reassure everyone that the citizens who fly from Wuhan and Hubei are healthy citizens,” Golikova said, adding, “Our colleagues from China do not let those infected leave from their territory, from the quarantine territory.”

Nations are taking other precautions as well. Taiwan has recently announced that they will deny entry to anyone who has been to China in the past fourteen days. It has also been announced that Macau, a region of China, known for being their main gambling hub, will close down all its casinos. United States President Donald Trump has set a ban on people who have visited China in the fourteen days before coming to the United States. A Canadian citizen was turned away at the Northern border as a result of the ban. 

On February 6, a Chinese doctor who tried to warn others of the dangers of the virus died after contracting the virus himself. Li Wenliang worked at the Wuhan Central Hospital, and was sent out to warn to medics about the virus near the end of December. The police then told him to stop spreading the news and to keep the virus under wraps. He was investigated for “spreading rumors” and told to sign a letter that claimed he was making false comments. 

The coronavirus starts with a fever, includes a dry cough, and causes respiratory infections. The World Health Organization (WHO) is trying to find a cure for the quickly spreading virus. There have been some cases in which people have defeated the virus on their own.