Photos show how China is grappling with the Wuhan coronavirus outbreak as 12 cities are quarantined and hospitals run out of space

Natalie Colarossi

Jan 25, 2020, 04:34 IST

Photos show how China is grappling with the Wuhan coronavirus outbreak as 12 cities are quarantined and hospitals run out of space

Chinese boy hugs relative amid coronavirus outbreak

A rapidly spreading coronavirus that originated in Wuhan, China, has infected at least 900 people and killed 26 worldwide, as of Friday evening.
The virus appears to be spreading from person to person, and Chinese authorities are scrambling to treat a flood of new patients.
By Friday, Chinese authorities had quarantined people in 12 cities, halting transportation and cutting off nearly 33 million people while officials attempt to quell the outbreak.
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At least 900 people have been infected by the mysterious Wuhan coronavirus worldwide, and 26 people have died.

In just a matter of weeks, the virus has spread from an initial outbreak in Wuhan, China, to nine other countries, and has resulted in the quarantine of at least 12 Chinese cities.

Chinese authorities are scrambling to contain the virus and treat an influx of new patients, but a reported lack of medical tests and protective gear are making matters difficult.

From issuing masks, to putting cities on lockdown and panic-building a new hospital, here's a look at how the virus has spread across China.

The first case of the coronavirus was reported in Wuhan in December, and is thought to have originated at the Huanan Seafood Market, a wet market that sold live animals next to seafood and meat.

The Huanan Seafood Market was closed on January 1.

Chinese authorities began an official investigation into the disease in early January, after fear began spreading that this could be like SARS, another coronavirus that originated in China and killed 774 people in the early 2000s.

After the initial outbreak, people began wearing masks to protect themselves from the virus.

When it became known that the virus could spread from human to human contact, China imposed screening precautions in Wuhan and began checking people for the virus at transportation hubs.

Medics wearing Level D Hazmat suits were seen scanning passengers arriving from Wuhan on January 22.

As the death toll climbed to nine, the Chinese government urged people to avoid traveling to Wuhan and stay away from public spaces — a warning that came just as millions of people were planning to migrate for the Lunar New Year.

On January 23, the death toll grew to 17 and the city of Wuhan was put on official lockdown. All transportation was stopped and wearing a protective mask became mandatory.

During the quarantine, people in Wuhan are left to stockpile food and fuel, and urged to avoid the streets.

As panic began to spread throughout China, videos surfaced of infected people being shoved into plastic boxes and tubes as authorities try to contain the virus.

Shortly after Wuhan, two other Chinese cities, Huanggang and Ezhou, closed its transportation, as well. At this point, 19 million people were put on lockdown.

But the virus continued to spread. By the end of the day on January 23, the death toll grew to 26.

By the afternoon of January 24, the virus had infected more than 900 people and spread to nine countries. Authorities in Wuhan struggled to contain an influx of patients.

One doctor in Wuhan said thousands of patients have been left waiting hours for treatment, and many were advised not to work over fears that they could become infected.

Protective gear and test-kits have become so sparse in Wuhan that people have reportedly likened their chances to receiving them as "winning the lottery".

As hospitals struggle to treat an influx of new patients, the Chinese government announced plans to build a new hospital in Wuhan in just six days.

The hospital will be located on the outskirts of the city. It's set to open on February 3 with 1,000 new beds to treat patients.

By Friday, January 24, more than 900 people have been infected worldwide, and 12 Chinese cities have now been quarantined. An estimated 33 million people have now been put on lockdown.

People are being screened for the virus at major transportation hubs around the world.

As of Friday, countries affected by the disease include: China, US, France, Thailand, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Vietnam, Singapore, and Nepal.

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