TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 2020: PORT OF SPAIN, TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO - As of February 4, 2020, the National Health Commission has confirmed 20,438 cases of the coronavirus (2019-nCoV). The virus has now been confirmed in 25 countries and territories since the first case was reported last December in the Chinese city of Wuhan.

There has been a total of 425 confirmed deaths with about 80 percent of these persons being over the age of 60 and 75 percent of the victims having a pre-existing underlying medical condition. As health officials and authorities work tirelessly to develop a vaccine to contain the spread of the virus, 632 persons have been cured and discharged from the hospital. A total of 171,329 persons who have made close contact with infected persons are under medical observation and a total of 12,755 people have been freed from observation.

At the World Health Organization (WHO) Executive Board Meeting yesterday, Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus acknowledged the effectiveness of China's measures, stating that "if it wasn't for China's efforts, the number of cases outside China would have been very much higher." International delegates at the Executive Board Meeting expressed their appreciation for China's swift actions and called on the global community to work together to strengthen cooperation.

As China continues to put effective measures in place to battle the coronavirus, a new 1000-bed hospital that was built in just 10 days has been opened in Wuhan with a staff compliment of 1,400. Three construction companies and more than 7,500 labourers worked around the clock to construct the Huoshenshan Hospital. A second 1600-bed hospital is being built in the city of Wuhan that is expected to open later this week.

The National Development and Reform Commission has expressed full confidence in China's capability to minimise the epidemic's impact on economy. While certain sectors, such as transport, manufacturing and tourism, have been affected, growth has been marked in industries such as online gaming, e-commerce and entertainment. The strength and resilience of China's economy cannot be underestimated and China will persevere in strengthening measures to bolster its healthcare and economy.

The Embassy of the People's Republic of China will continue to monitor the entry of Chinese nationals into Trinidad and Tobago and to work closely and openly with the Government of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago. To date, there have been no suspected cases of the coronavirus in Trinidad and Tobago.

ENDS