Wednesday, January 29, 2020

China Curbs Travel To Hong Kong As Projections Suggest 300,000 Already Infected By "Devil Virus"

The virus has now spread across China and another 17 countries/autonomous territories globally, according to BBG. But the most important announcement made overnight - at least as far as global markets are concerned - was Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam's decision to suspend high-speed rail and ferry service, while halving the number of flights between HK and the mainland.

This news helped send US stock futures higher in early trade, after health experts yesterday urged Lam to use 'draconian' measures to curb the spread, for fear of a repeat of the SARS epidemic, which killed some 300 people, according to the BBC. "The flow of people between the two places needs to be drastically reduced" amid the outbreak, Ms Lam told the South China Morning Post.

China said it would stop individuals from traveling to Hong Kong to try and curb the virus.

Speaking at a press briefing in Beijing on Tuesday, Jiao Yahui, deputy head of the NHC's medical administration bureau, said shortage of medical supplies was a major constraint in China's efforts to contain the outbreak and treat infected people.

Tens of thousands of patients are under observation in China after displaying one or more symptoms of the virus.

China is already in a "Full-blown epidemic." The US will likely face some limited outbreaks, but Gottlieb said we have the tools to suppress the virus and prevent the same thing from happening in the US. The FDA announced plans to advance development of "Medical countermeasures" against the virus.

Jiao said China was sending about 6,000 medical personnel to Hubei from around the country - with more than 4,000 already there and 1,800 more due to arrive by Tuesday evening - to work in Wuhan and seven other cities in the province.

https://www.zerohedge.com/geopolitical/china-curbs-travel-hong-kong-sends-6000-medics-hubei-death-toll-soars

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