By / Fresh, ScenicSpot.com editorial team
One new domestic case was reported on the 19th, bringing the total to 23. Meanwhile, the number of cases on the Diamond Princess cruise ship has risen to 531. Passengers are gradually disembarking, and five Taiwanese passengers will be brought back to Taiwan on the 21st. The ongoing epidemic situation warrants close attention.
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Incheon Airport in South Korea is nearly empty. (Photo / Grace)
As the epidemic in China continues to spread, tour groups from Hong Kong and Macau remain suspended until the end of April. Most travelers have also postponed their overseas trips, leaving airports largely deserted.
As of the 18th, the latest day for domestic reports, there were 44 newly reported cases of severe pneumonia caused by the novel coronavirus. The cumulative number of reported cases is now 1,913, including 23 confirmed cases, 1,812 ruled out, and the remainder under isolation and testing (30 initial tests negative, others pending).
Among the 23 confirmed cases, one has died while the rest are in stable condition. Currently, 167 close contacts are under home quarantine, with five showing symptoms and having been reported (four ruled out, one test pending).
For the 19th and 20th cases involving a family cluster in central Taiwan, 217 contacts have been tested so far. Four have tested positive (including the sister of the white-plate driver in Case 19, aged 60), 189 are negative, and 24 are currently being tested.
According to data released by China’s Center for Disease Control and Prevention and health commissions across provinces, municipalities, and autonomous regions, a total of 74,185 COVID-19 (Wuhan pneumonia) cases have been confirmed across all 31 mainland provinces, municipalities, and autonomous regions (excluding Hong Kong and Macau), an increase of 1,749 from the previous day. Of these, 11,977 are in serious condition and 2,004 have died. The number of new cases in Hubei Province remained steady, while increases in other provinces and cities have slowed.
Internationally, there are 951 confirmed cases across 27 countries and regions. The highest numbers are found on the Diamond Princess cruise ship in Japan (531 cases, including 4 from the same country), Singapore (81), Hong Kong (62), Japan (59), and Thailand (35). There have been four deaths globally — one each in France, Japan, Hong Kong, and the Philippines. Over 72 countries have now implemented travel restrictions related to mainland China.