China Says US Causes Coronavirus Panic: BBC News

China is on the defensive after the United States declared the coronavirus a public health emergency, limiting travel and denying entry to foreign nationals who have visited China in the past two weeks. China has more than 17,000 confirmed new coronavirus cases and more than 350 deaths; the US has 11 confirmed cases.Some public health officials suggest that the case estimates could be low because not all patients show symptoms. The US also ordered evacuation of all non-emergency US personnel and family from the Wuhan area, and evacuees returning to the US are quarantined for two weeks. The disease was first identified in late December, and countries unroll varied public health responses, even with so many unknowns and reports that the disease initially presents with symptoms similar to a common cold. “The WHO has actually warned that closing borders could accelerate the spread of the virus, if travellers enter countries unofficially,” reports BBC News. “The WHO instead recommends introducing screening at border crossings.” Patients with mild symptoms are reported to recover in one week. China encouraged closures, crowds and celebrations during its lunar new year holiday for multiple provinces, and the country’s stock markets fell by about 8 percent on February 3. – YaleGlobal