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Coronavirus:15,000 cases and first death outside China, update on the epidemic

The latest assessment of the coronavirus epidemic reports nearly 15,000 confirmed cases and more than 300 deaths. Wenzhou, a Chinese city of 9 million inhabitants, in turn imposes the confinement of its inhabitants. A first death occurred outside of China, namely in the Philippines. In addition, the situation of French repatriates is positive and research seems to be progressing regarding the development of a treatment.

First death outside China

Since the start of the 2019-nCoV coronavirus epidemic two months ago, all of the deaths recorded have been in China. As the South Morning China Post explains on February 2, 2020, a first death was confirmed in another country. The victim is a 44-year-old Chinese national who arrived in the Philippines January 21. Coming from Wuhan – home of the infection – the man transited through Hong Kong.

The death was also confirmed by the World Health Organization (WHO). Moreover, the announcement of this first death outside of China came just hours after a major announcement made by Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte. The Head of State had announced a ban on flights from China (Hong Kong and Macao included). The latest assessment of the epidemic reports 14,628 confirmed cases for 305 deaths.

Coronavirus:15,000 cases and first death outside China, update on the epidemic

The situation of the French in Wuhan

On January 31, a plane bringing back 180 French nationals landed in Istres. The latter were quickly placed in quarantine in Carry-le-Rouet, in the Bouches-du-Rhône. As Ouest-France explains, a second plane took off from Paris in order to repatriate other citizens.

The French in Wuhan are in isolation in a holiday center. However, these are naturally subject to daily medical monitoring . Moreover, this place of life seems to have sufficient comfort, although circumstances oblige according to the occupants, a strange atmosphere reigns there.

Several treatments under study

According to TVA Nouvelles, several avenues of treatment are being studied against the 2019-nCoV coronavirus. There is talk of using Kaletra (anti-HIV drug), interferon and Remdesivir. Work is currently being carried out with these treatments on other coronaviruses that can impact humans, namely SARS and MERS.

According to Professor Yazdan Yazdanpanah, director of the I3M Institute at Inserm, there are three strategies currently at an advanced level. In addition, the WHO should begin an international randomized clinical trial based on another treatment, this time integrating monoclonal antibodies.

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