(Image source from: cnn.com)
With the rapid spread of the coronavirus pandemic that initiated from the Wuhan province in China, current situation found tens of thousands of people in Wuhan travelling out of the city as the government finally lifts the 73 days lockdown. The numbers of cases have rose between 1000 with two new deaths, leaving people with a fear of resurgence but the government does deem it safe enough to lift the lockdown.
The Chinese health authority reporting the numbers told that 62 new cases have been reported on Wednesday in Mainland China, along with 59 cases of foreign travel, taking the current tally in the country to 1042 cases.
The data also suggests three new domestic cases reported in Shandong Province and Guangdong Province.
The National Health Commission also reported that 137 new asymptomatic cases on Tuesday were reported and around 1,095 asymptomatic cases have been put under medical observation for now.
The asymptomatic cases are the ones which have been tested positive but don’t have the standard symptoms of Covid-19 including cough, sore throat and fever. Aside from these cases, the Chinese health data also suggests two new deaths reported in Shanghai and the other one in Hubei province. The total death count in China as of now is 3,333.
The NHC also reported no deaths since January on Monday. The overall number of confirmed cases has already surpassed 81,000, out of which around 1,100 people are still being treated for the virus and over 79,000 people have already recovered and have been discharged.
It was on Wednesday, April 08, 2020 that China finally withdrew the 73 days lockdown on Wuhan containing 11 million people. No new cases of the novel coronavirus were reported in the Hubei province on Tuesday, deeming it safe enough to lift the ban as of now.
Hubei itself had over 67,000 confirmed cases, out of which, around 50,008 were reported in Wuhan, which is where the coronavirus outbreak happened.
Wuhan was on an indefinite lockdown since January 23, which included suspension of the public transport in the city as well. All the outbound flights and trains were dismissed to further ensure better containment of the virus in the city.
The Wuhan lockdown was lifted even after the epidemiologists warned that the same could contribute to the resurgence of the virus, especially because of the looming numbers of the asymptomatic patients that have yet not been tested.
Just after the lockdown was lifted, thousands of people started departing from the city on Wednesday. The ban has been lifted for the individuals who have been deemed healthy enough by the health authorities.
Cars were found queued on the expressways while people started leaving the city. There was a rush of cars at the Fuhe toll gate that is located in northern Wuhan. Majority of the people who rushed out of the city after the lockdown wanted to go back to their hometown and be with their families.
By Somapika Dutta
