Tag: virus outbreak

Nipah virus outbreak: 9 states at risk, situation under control in Kerala, says Minister Veena George

KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)

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In view of the Nipah virus outbreak, Kerala Health Minister Veena George said that nine states in India, including Kerala, are at risk of Nipah virus occurrences, citing the studies conducted by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and the World Health Organization (WHO).

She said that extensive surveillance confirmed bats as the source of Nipah infection in Kerala. The Nipah virus strain detected in the state is identified as the Indian Genotype (I Genotype), which bears similarities to the strain found in Bangladesh. However, the minister also said, the Nipah outbreak in Kerala is completely under control, and more than 200 samples from the high-risk contacts were tested negative.

#WATCH | Kozhikode, Kerala: “ICMR and WHO had conducted studies on the issue and it was found that 9 states in India have the probability of Nipah occurrence and Kerala is one among them. Also after 2018, we conducted surveillance and we found that the source of Nipah infection… pic.twitter.com/SyL8Vm0BUS

— ANI (@ANI) September 18, 2023

In an interview with PTI, the minister said so far 1,233 contacts have been traced and categorised into high-risk and low-risk contacts.

“A very positive thing is that all four patients under treatment are now stable, and the condition of the nine-year-old boy, who was on ventilator support, is improving clinically. He is now out of ventilator support and is being given minimal oxygen support,” George said.

A round-the-clock control room and 19 teams on the field have helped in the strict implementation of the protocol, bringing things under control. So far, we have six positive cases, and all the samples tested for the last three days were negative,” the minister said.

The Central teams who have been working with the Kerala health department have expressed their appreciation for the work the department has done to effectively contain the outbreak. “They (the Central team members) sit in all discussions. Our team leaders will explain every day in the convergence meeting how a contact, which is very important, a very high-risk contact was identified. So the Central teams have really appreciated our work,” George said.

Three Central teams, one from ICMR, one from NIV, Pune, and one from the Epidemiological Institute, Chennai are in Kerala. They had earlier visited the containment zones and Nipah epicentre in 2018 and have also conducted bat surveillance.

The system responded very well as per the protocol and guidelines, which were twice modified in 2021 and then in 2023, in the treatment and containment of Nipah, the minister said.

“Primarily, we are giving antiviral medicines like Remdesivir. The dosages for infants and adults are all well written. The protocol is being followed by both government and private hospitals,” George said.

Understanding the vulnerability of Kozhikode to the disease outbreak, a strict protocol has been followed since 2018. “We have set up a testing lab at the Medical College, Kozhikode. In August this year, we tested 35 samples for the Nipah virus. This year, hundreds of samples were tested. If anyone has encephalitis, then that sample will be sent for testing for Nipah,” the minister said.

The system has always been on high alert, and a diagnosis protocol was ready. Many studies have been conducted in Kozhikode from 2018 onwards including bat surveillance, she said.

“We are on constant alert, constant vigil, that will continue, and integration of some departments, like we have developed a “one health programme” in Kerala based on our experiences on Nipah. Because this is an era of zoonotic diseases, we cannot stay away from the concept of “one health” and it is only the state of Kerala that has developed that concept,” George said.

“One health” is a programme launched by the state health department where all the concerned departments will get a platform for convergence in fighting against infectious diseases outbreak.

The minister said for better convergence of departments in case of any infectious disease outbreak, the government is planning to set up a One Health Institute in Kozhikode.

Asked about restrictions for anyone visiting Kerala or Kozhikode, she said there is no travel ban. “See, we have a protocol; according to our guidelines, when a Nipah case is reported, the area within the five-kilometre radius is declared as a containment zone. There is movement restriction only in that particular area,” George said.

She said not even the whole of Kozhikode district is affected, but only few wards. Terming contact tracing as very challenging, George said many people do not admit that they were in contact with the positive patient initially. So when health workers called up, they were reluctant to admit the places they visited.

“For example, if a patient visits a hospital, it is easier for us to get the details of other patients and also the list of health workers. But some patients may have more than one bystander, and we may not know that,” George said.

She said these people later admitted their presence after a counselling session. To handle such cases, the Kerala government sought the help of the police department to confirm the location through mobile tower analysis.

The health minister said that in none of the previous outbreaks, the entire contact list could be traced. The total number of cases of Nipah infection confirmed in the state are six, of which two persons have died and four persons are being treated.

(With PTI inputs)

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Marburg virus disease outbreak in Equatorial Guinea: What is it, what are the symptoms and treatment

KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)

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The African country of Equatorial Guinea recorded its first outbreak of the rare Marburg virus disease (MVD). Following nine deaths in the country’s western provinces, preliminary tests identified the virus in one of the samples tested. About 16 people are suspected to have the disease.

Equatorial Guinean health authorities have begun to track people who may have come in contact with infected individuals. The authorities will provide care and help isolate those suspected of being infected with the disease.

The World Health Organisation (WHO), which has confirmed the outbreak, is mobilising health emergency experts in epidemiology, case management, infection prevention, laboratory and risk communication along with medical equipment to contain the outbreak.

“Thanks to the rapid and decisive action by the Equatorial Guinean authorities in confirming the disease, emergency response can get to full steam quickly so that we save lives and halt the virus as soon as possible,” said Dr Matshidiso Moeti, World Health Organisation Regional Director for Africa.

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What is MVD? 

Marburg virus disease (MVD) is a rare but severe and often fatal illness caused by the Marburg virus, a member of the filovirus family. Other members of the filovirus family include the virus that causes the deadly Ebola disease. About 88 percent of all infected people with MVD die, according to the WHO.

How does it spread? 

The Marburg virus is primarily transmitted to people from fruit bats or from direct contact with bodily fluids of infected individuals or contaminated surfaces. Person-to-person transmission can occur through contact with blood, secretions, organs or other bodily fluids of infected people, and indirect contact with environments contaminated with such fluids. An infected person’s body is able to spread the virus even after death. Some of the bodily fluids that can contaminate others include urine, saliva, sweat, faeces, vomit, breast milk, amniotic fluid, and semen.

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As a result, hospital staff, healthcare workers and family members who are taking care of sick individuals are at the highest risk of contracting the viral disease. The disease is extremely virulent and can spread with relative ease.

Symptoms

The onset of MVD is extremely fast with severe haemorrhagic symptoms presenting within seven days of infection. The first symptoms like malaise, fever, and body aches can present within a couple of days.

Here are the other common symptoms associated with the disease. If you are present in a region with an MVD outbreak and experience any of the symptoms, immediately inform healthcare authorities.

Sudden onset of high fever

Headache

Muscle aches

Fatigue

Nausea and vomiting

Diarrhoea

Chest pain

Sore throat

Skin rash

Bleeding from multiple orifices, such as eyes, nose, and gums

Prevention and treatment 

There is no specific treatment for the Marburg virus disease. No specific antiviral medication or vaccine exists to treat or prevent MVD infections. Supportive care such as maintaining hydration, electrolyte balance, and blood pressure is important. Experimental treatments like antiviral drugs and blood transfusions have been used in some cases.

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The best way to remain safe from the disease is by taking adequate preventive measures. Avoid contact with bats and other animals that may carry the virus. Taking precautions when caring for people with Marburg virus disease or handling their bodily fluids is important. Using protective clothing, such as gloves, gowns, masks, and goggles when in contact with potentially infected individuals can help stop the spread of the disease.

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Iran’s death toll from coronavirus reaches 724 as 113 die in 24 hours

KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)

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Iran’s death toll from the new coronavirus has reached 724, with 113 new deaths in the past 24 hours, an Iranian health official tweeted on Sunday, adding that some 13,938 people have been infected across the country.

“In the past 24 hours, 1,209 new cases have been confirmed … with 113 deaths in the past 24 hours, the death toll has reached 724,” Alireza Vahabzadeh, an adviser to Iran’s health minister, tweeted.

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Coronavirus spreads to more countries as new cases slow in China

KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)

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The coronavirus spread to ever more countries and world capitals Monday — and the US death toll climbed to six — even as new cases in China dropped to their lowest level in over a month.

A shift in the crisis appeared to be taking shape: Hundreds of patients were released from hospitals at the epicenter of the outbreak in China, while the World Health Organization reported that nine times as many new infections were recorded outside the country as inside it over the past 24 hours.

Alarming clusters of disease continued to swell in South Korea, Italy and Iran, and the virus turned up for the first time in New York, Moscow and Berlin, as well as Latvia, Indonesia, Morocco, Tunisia, Senegal, Jordan and Portugal. The worldwide death toll topped 3,000, and the number of those infected rose to about 89,000 in 70 countries on every continent but Antarctica.

Global health officials sought to reassure the public that the virus remains a manageable threat.

“Containment is feasible and must remain the top priority for all countries,” WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said.

Around the world, the crisis reshaped the daily routines of millions of people.

Across Japan, children stayed home after the government announced the closing of schools until April. In Paris, the galleries of the Louvre museum were off limits. With Israel holding a national election, special voting booths were set up for those under quarantine. In Germany, Chancellor Angela Merkel was rebuffed by her interior minister when she extended her hand to greet him.

At the United Nations, officials said they were postponing a major conference on women that had been expected to bring up to 12,000 people from its 193 member countries to New York next week.

The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development warned that the world economy could contract this quarter for the first time since the international financial crisis more than a decade ago.

“Global economic prospects remain subdued and very uncertain,” the agency said.

Nevertheless, the Dow Jones Industrial Average soared nearly 1,300 points, or 5 percent, as stocks roared back from a seven-day rout on hopes that central banks will take action to shield the global economy from the effects of the outbreak. Finance ministers and bank leaders from the Group of Seven major industrial countries said they will confer by phone Tuesday to discuss an economic response.

Health officials in Washington state, where a particularly troubling cluster of cases surfaced at a nursing home outside Seattle, said four more people had died from the coronavirus, bringing the number of deaths in the US to six, all in Washington. New cases were also reported in New Hampshire and New York.

In Seattle, King County Executive Dow Constantine declared an emergency and said the county is buying a hotel to be used as a hospital for patients who need to be isolated.

“We have moved to a new stage in the fight,” he said.

Over 100 cases have been confirmed in the US, with more almost certain in the coming weeks. Thousands of test kits were on their way to state and local labs, and new guidelines intended to expand screening were put in place.

“In this situation, the facts defeat fear. Because the reality is reassuring. It is deep-breath time,” New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo said.

The message was echoed by global health officials, who said they were encouraged that even in some countries that had taken far less aggressive measures than China’s, the virus remains largely in check.

Because the virus is not transmitted as easily as the flu, “it offers us a glimmer … that this virus can be suppressed and contained,” said Dr. Mike Ryan, the WHO’s emergencies chief.

China reported just 202 new cases, its lowest daily count since January 21, and the city at the heart of the crisis, Wuhan, said 2,570 patients were released. At the largest of 16 temporary hospitals that were rapidly built in Wuhan in response to the outbreak, worries over the availability of supplies and protective gear eased, along with the pressure on the medical staff.

Dr. Zhang Junjian, who leads a temporary hospital in Wuhan with a staff of 1,260, said optimism is high that the facility will no longer be needed in the coming weeks.

But in other places, problems continued to multiply.

South Korea, with the worst outbreak outside China, reported 599 new cases, bringing its total to 4,335. The death toll rose to 26.

In Iran, a confidant of Iran’s supreme leader died from the virus. The Islamic Republic confirmed 1,501 cases and 66 deaths, but many believe the true number is larger. Its reported caseload surged more than 250 percent in just 24 hours.

Italy’s caseload rose to 2,036, including 52 deaths. Officials said it could take up to two weeks before they know whether measures including quarantining 11 towns in northern Italy are slowing the spread of the virus.

In the US, meanwhile, four Americans exposed to the virus aboard a Japanese cruise ship were released from quarantine in Nebraska after testing negative.

One of them, Jeri Seratti-Goldman of Santa Clarita, California, said leaving the hospital was bittersweet, because her husband remained quarantined. Another, Joanne Kirkland of Knoxville, Tennessee, said: “My only question is, will my friends shun me after this?”

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Thursday’s filing dispelled some doubts, though Musk still has work to do. He and his advisers will spend the coming days vetting potential investors for the equity portion of his offer, according to people familiar with the matter

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Gatherings banned, travel restricted as coronavirus cases grow worldwide

KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)

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Leaders in Europe, the Middle East and the Americas rolled out bans on big gatherings and stricter travel restrictions as cases of the new coronavirus spread around the world.

The United States on Saturday reported its first death from the disease, a man in his 50s in Washington state, where officials said two of the state’s three cases have links to a nursing home with dozens of residents showing disease symptoms.

Although most Americans face a low risk from the virus, more US deaths could be imminent following the nation’s first, CNN quoted vice president Mike Pence as saying.

“We know there will be more cases,” Pence told CNN’s Jake Tapper in a clip released on Saturday, echoing President Donald Trump’s earlier comments that additional cases in America were “likely.”

Travelers from Italy and South Korea would face additional screening, Trump and top officials told a White House news briefing, warning Americans against traveling to coronavirus-affected regions in both countries.

Pence said an entry ban on travelers from Iran would be expanded to include any foreign nationals who have visited Iran in the last 14 days.

The United States may also restrict travel on its southern border with Mexico, officials said. However, they encouraged Americans to travel around the country, including states that have recorded some of its more than 60 cases.

The outbreak is disrupting flight demand and many airlines have suspended or modified services in response. After Saturday’s press conference, the White House held a call with airlines to discuss new travel restrictions.

American Airlines Inc said late on Saturday it was suspending all US flights to Milan.

New cases

Ecuador on Saturday reported its first case, in a woman who had traveled from Madrid, while Mexico reported four cases, all in people who had visited Italy.

Brazilian officials confirmed that country’s second case, a patient in São Paulo who recently visited Italy.

As governments worldwide stepped up efforts to halt the spread of the virus, France announced a temporary ban on public gatherings with more than 5,000 people in confined spaces. It reported 16 new cases for a total of 73, and canceled a half-marathon of 40,000 runners scheduled for Sunday.

Switzerland said it is banning events expected to draw more than 1,000 people.

More than 700 tourists remain quarantined at a hotel in the Canary Islands, after several Italian guests there tested positive for coronavirus.

Schools and universities in Italy, which is experiencing Europe’s worst outbreak of the disease, will stay closed for a second consecutive week in three northern regions. The country has reported more than 1,100 cases and 29 deaths.

Analysts have warned that the outbreak looks set to shunt Italy’s fragile economy into its fourth recession in 12 years, with many businesses in the wealthy north close to a standstill and hotels reporting a wave of cancellations.

Focus on Iran

Iraq reported five new cases of the disease, bringing its total to 13, and Qatar reported its first Saturday, leaving Saudi Arabia as the only Gulf state not to have signaled any coronavirus cases.

The majority of infections in other Gulf countries have been linked to visits to Iran or involve people who have come into contact with people who had been there.

Armenia reported its first infection on Sunday, in a citizen returning from neighbouring Iran.

Tehran has ordered schools shut until Tuesday and extended the closure of universities and a ban on concerts and sports events for a week. Authorities have also banned visits to hospitals and nursing homes as the country’s case load hit nearly 600.

One Iranian lawmaker, elected in February 21 polls, has died from the disease along with more than 40 other Iranians, and several high-ranking officials have tested positive for the virus.

Azerbaijan said on Saturday it had closed its border with Iran for two weeks to prevent the spread of coronavirus. Two Azerbaijanis who traveled to Iran have tested positive for the disease and quarantined.

Mainland China reported 573 new confirmed coronavirus cases on February 29, up from 427 the previous day, national health officials said on Sunday in China. The number of deaths stood at 35, down from 47 the previous day, taking the toll in mainland China to 2,870.

The epidemic, which began in China, has killed almost 3,000 people worldwide, the ministry said.

Thailand reported its first death from the virus on Sunday, while in Australia, a former passenger on the Diamond Princess cruise ship quarantined off Japan died in the western city of Perth.

Churches closed in South Korea as many held online services instead, with authorities looking to rein in public gatherings, as 376 new infections took the tally to 3,526 cases.

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KV Prasad Journo follow politics, process in Parliament and US Congress. Former Congressional APSA-Fulbright Fellow

Nineteen dead, 139 infected with coronavirus in Iran

KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)

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Nineteen people have died and 139 people have been infected by coronavirus in Iran, health ministry spokesman Kianush Jahanpur said on Wednesday in an announcement on state TV.

Iran has had the highest number of deaths from coronavirus outside China, where the virus emerged in late 2019.

Iranian officials announced the first deaths and infections from coronavirus in the Islamic Republic last week, and the spike in numbers in a short period of time has led Iranians to criticize authorities online and accuse them of a cover-up, a charge officials have denied.

Several of Iran’s neighbours have closed their borders and banned flights from Iran due to fears over the virus, which could hurt the Islamic Republic’s already fragile economy.

Kuwait, Iraq, Bahrain, Oman, Lebanon, the United Arab Emirates and Afghanistan have all reported cases of coronavirus involving people who traveled to Iran.

President Hassan Rouhani said on Wednesday that coronavirus must not become an enemy weapon that prevents business in Iran, according to the official presidency website.

Iran’s economy has been battered since the United States withdrew from a multilateral nuclear deal in 2018 and reimposed sanctions on Tehran.

“Corona should not be turned into a weapon of our enemies for shutting down work and production in the country,” Rouhani said. “The Americans and our enemies during this time, around two years of which have passed, have wanted, with their sanctions and propaganda, to shut down production and economic activities in this country and for the people to suffer.”

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KV Prasad Journo follow politics, process in Parliament and US Congress. Former Congressional APSA-Fulbright Fellow

Coronavirus China’s biggest health emergency, says President Xi Jinping

KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)

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China President Xi Jinping has said that the coronavirus epidemic that has killed over 2,400 people is China’s “biggest public health emergency”.

“It has the fastest transmission, widest range of infection and has been the most difficult to prevent and control,” Xi said at a meeting in Beijing to advance the work on coordinating the prevention and control of the COVID-19 and economic and social development.

Xi Jinping stressed on unremitting efforts on the prevention and control of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) epidemic and coordination in advancing economic and social development, Xinhua news agency reported.

The meeting was presided over by Premier Li Keqiang and also attended by Li Zhanshu, Wang Yang, Wang Huning, Zhao Leji and Han Zheng.

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KV Prasad Journo follow politics, process in Parliament and US Congress. Former Congressional APSA-Fulbright Fellow

South Korea raises alert to highest level as coronavirus cases jump

KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)

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South Korea raised its disease alert to the highest level on Sunday after a surge in coronavirus infections and two more deaths, while China state media warned the outbreak there had yet to reach a turning point despite some signs of easing.

South Korea’s president said he was putting the country on “red alert” due to the rapid rise in new cases, which are largely being traced back to church services. Health officials reported 169 new infections, bringing the total to 602, having doubled from Friday to Saturday.

The escalation in the alert level allows the government to send extra resources to Daegu city and Cheongdo county, which were designated “special care zones” on Friday.

South Korea’s Yonhap News Agency said it also enables the government to forcibly prevent public activities and order the temporary closure of schools, though the government gave no immediate details on what steps could be taken.

In China, the health commission confirmed 648 new infections — higher than a day earlier — but only 18 were outside of Hubei province, the lowest number outside of the epicentre since authorities started publishing data a month ago and locked down large parts of the country.

But the number of cases continued to climb elsewhere.

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe instructed government agencies on Sunday to urgently prepare medical provisions and draft a comprehensive plan to curb the spread of the virus, after it reported 27 more cases a day earlier.

The US State Department raised its travel advisory level one notch for South Korea and Japan to Level 2 on a scale of 1 to 4.

Concern about the reach and rapid spread of coronavirus also grew in Europe and the Middle East.

Cases in Italy, Europe’s worst hit country, more than quadrupled to 79 on Saturday, with two deaths.

Iran reported a total of 43 infections, with eight deaths — all since Tuesday — forcing some of its neighbours to announce travel and immigration curbs.

The World Health Organization on Saturday stressed that the number of cases outside of China was still relatively few, but it was worried by the detection of infections without a clear link to China.

The disease has spread to some 26 countries and territories outside China, killing more than a dozen people, according to a Reuters tally. It has been fatal in 2 percent of reported cases, with the elderly and ill the most vulnerable, according to the WHO.

The potential economic impact of coronavirus was prominent at a meeting of G20 finance ministers in Riyadh, at which the International Monetary Fund chief said China’s 2020 growth would likely be lower at 5.6 percent, down 0.4 percentage points from its January outlook, with 0.1 percentage points shaved from global growth.

CHURCH CONTAGION

The last time South Korea raised the alert to the highest was 11 years ago during the Influenza A or H1N1 outbreak.

Many of South Korea’s new cases were linked to the Shincheonji Church of Jesus congregation in Daegu after a 61-year-old woman known as “Patient 31” tested positive for the virus last week. The woman had no recent record of overseas travel.

Catholic churches in Daegu and Gwangju have suspended mass and other gatherings, while churches elsewhere saw declines in attendance on Sunday, especially among the elderly.

“If the situation gets worse, I think we’ll need to take more measures. Currently, we’re limiting personal gatherings within the church except for Mass,” said Song Gi-young, 53, wearing a face mask at church.

Heo Young-moo, 88, expressed frustration.

“Devotees shouldn’t go to any risky places … Hasn’t it become so widespread because those people didn’t get checked?”,” he said.

Outside of the church was a sign that said: “All Shincheonji followers are strictly prohibited from entering”.

The foreign ministry said South Koreans aboard a plane to Israel had been denied entry there on Saturday due to concerns about the virus spread.

China said the number of new deaths on Saturday from COVID-19, as the disease caused by the virus is known, was 97, all but one of which were in Hubei.

Eighty-two of those were in the provincial capital Wuhan, where Xinhua news agency said nucleic tests were being carried out on the backlog of cases to try to contain the spread.

In total, China has reported 76,936 cases, and 2,442 deaths. The WHO says the virus is severe or critical in only a fifth of infected patients, and mild in the rest.

NOT OVER YET

Beijing, Zhejiang, Sichuan had no new infections on February 22 for the first time since the outbreak was detected. There were signs of street life in Shanghai, with some cafes serving take-out food and families wearing masks walking their dogs.

State run television on Sunday urged people to avoid complacency, drawing attention to people gathering in public areas and tourist spots without wearing masks.

Analysts have been closely watching out for any signs of a secondary wave of infections as transport restrictions are eased and many migrant workers return to factories and offices. Business activity in the world’s second-biggest economy is only gradually returning to normal after widespread disruptions.

Japan’s health minister apologised on Saturday after a woman who was allowed to leave the coronavirus-struck Diamond Princess cruise ship tested positive despite having underwent quarantine.

At least 623 cases have been reported on the vessel, the biggest outbreak outside China, involving more than a dozen nationalities.

In Italy, schools and universities were closed and some soccer matches postponed in Lombardy and Veneto, the country’s industrial heartland.

Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Iraq have travel and immigration curbs on Iran, while Oman on Sunday urged its citizens to steer clear of countries with high infection rates and said arrivals from those nations would be quarantined.

Elon Musk forms several ‘X Holdings’ companies to fund potential Twitter buyout

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Thursday’s filing dispelled some doubts, though Musk still has work to do. He and his advisers will spend the coming days vetting potential investors for the equity portion of his offer, according to people familiar with the matter

KV Prasad Journo follow politics, process in Parliament and US Congress. Former Congressional APSA-Fulbright Fellow

Iran says in total 43 infected with coronavirus, 8 dead

KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)

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Iran confirmed 15 new cases of the new coronavirus, health ministry spokesman Kianush Jahanpur said on state TV on Sunday, adding that the death toll has reached eight in the country.

“So far, we have 43 infected cases and the death toll is eight,” said Kianush Jahanpur.

Since Wednesday Iran had confirmed 28 cases in total and seven deaths from the new coronavirus.

Elon Musk forms several ‘X Holdings’ companies to fund potential Twitter buyout

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Thursday’s filing dispelled some doubts, though Musk still has work to do. He and his advisers will spend the coming days vetting potential investors for the equity portion of his offer, according to people familiar with the matter

KV Prasad Journo follow politics, process in Parliament and US Congress. Former Congressional APSA-Fulbright Fellow

‘I’m not reckless’: China courier braves coronavirus to keep city supplied

KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)

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Guo Qiang, a deliveryman, knows his family is worried that he’s returned to work during the coronavirus epidemic.

The 29-year-old went back to his hometown in central China’s Henan province for the Lunar New Year, a once-a-year chance that many in China have to visit their families. When news broke about the fast-spreading coronavirus, he volunteered to return to Beijing.

“I’m not a reckless person,” he told Reuters, as he loaded his electric bicycle with groceries and checked the list of addresses in Beijing he was supposed to deliver them to.

“But how can I say it. It’s for my work, for my life, and I want to contribute to the society to realise a little self-value.”

Guo, who delivers goods for Dada-JD Daojia, an online grocery and delivery arm of JD.com, is one of thousands of workers that are keeping Chinese residents supplied as they isolate themselves at home. The authorities have ordered people to stay indoors and away from crowded, public areas.

The coronavirus, which started in Wuhan city in central Hebei province in December, has killed more than 800 people and infected over 37,000 in China.

Many migrant workers like Guo had already made the long trek home to see their families, but companies recalled workers, urging them to serve their communities and offering to triple their salaries.

To assuage the anxieties felt by customers, firms such as Yum China’s fried chicken chain KFC, Alibaba Holdings’ Ele.me, Meituan Dianping and JD.com have rolled out no-touching “contactless delivery,” and some meal deliveries come with notes detailing the temperature readings of the workers who prepared and delivered the food.

“I have to say I’m indeed worried,” said Guo, when asked about how he felt about his own safety.

“Sometimes I’m nervous even if I have a little cough. That’s why I have a thermometer at home and, sometimes when I come back, I’ll check my body temperature.”

While the coronavirus outbreak has hit sectors such as hospitality and tourism hard, it has shored up demand for mobile and online firms, such as short video apps and games as well as for meal and grocery delivery firms.

Most of those staying at home have been focused on buying the essentials. JD.com said the sales of vegetables, eggs and rice by its supermarket chain 7Fresh each surged on average by about 300 percent during this period compared with last year’s Spring Festival.

China will sputter towards normal on Monday after holiday extensions authorities made to the Lunar New Year holiday end, but many shops are expected to still remain shut with workers being asked to work from home. Huge Chinese cities, including Beijing and Shanghai, currently look like ghost towns.

Guo says that he feels the echoes of the city’s empty streets on his long drives.

“It really feels like a deserted city. It is completely different from the look of a usual Beijing,” he said.

Elon Musk forms several ‘X Holdings’ companies to fund potential Twitter buyout

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Thursday’s filing dispelled some doubts, though Musk still has work to do. He and his advisers will spend the coming days vetting potential investors for the equity portion of his offer, according to people familiar with the matter

KV Prasad Journo follow politics, process in Parliament and US Congress. Former Congressional APSA-Fulbright Fellow