The world is so delicate. Here in Manila now a week, and this outbreak in China seems to be spreading.
Concerned for my family there.
And everyone else preparing to start Chinese New Year holiday.
How much is still hidden? Is China safe to visit? Would you go there?China confirms 139 new Coronavirus cases
The Guardian blog post
Excerpt:
A mysterious Sars-like virus has spread around China – including to Beijing – authorities said on Monday, fuelling fears of a major outbreak as millions begin travelling for the lunar new year in humanity’s biggest migration.
The new coronavirus strain, discovered in the central city of Wuhan, has caused alarm because of its connection to severe acute respiratory syndrome (Sars), which killed nearly 650 people across mainland China and Hong Kong in 2002-03.
and the US embassy emailing me:
Health Alert Update: Novel Coronavirus in China 01/17/2020
4 hrs ago
From: americancitizensinchina@state.gov
Jan 18, 2:23am
Anyone, Active
Health Alert Update – Novel Coronavirus in China
Location: Wuhan, Hankou area
Event: U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has issued a Watch Level 1 Alert (be aware and practice usual precautions) for an outbreak of pneumonia in Wuhan, China, preliminarily identified to be caused by a novel (new) coronavirus.
Travelers to Wuhan should:
· Avoid animals (alive or dead), animal markets, and products that come from animals (such as uncooked meat).
· Avoid contact with sick people.
· Wash hands often with soap and water.
· Consult the CDC Website for the most up-to-date information regarding enhanced screening procedures.
If you have traveled to Wuhan and feel sick, you should
· Stay home. Except for seeking medical care, avoid contact with others.
· Don’t travel while sick.
· Seek medical care right away. Before you go to a doctor’s office or emergency room, call ahead and tell the doctor about your recent travel and your symptoms.
· Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve (not your hands) when coughing or sneezing.
Please see https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/notices/watch/novel-coronavirus-china and https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/novel-coronavirus-2019.html for further updates.
U.S. Consulate General Wuhan
New World International Trade Tower I,
No. 568, Jianshe Avenue
Hankou, Wuhan 430022
China
Telephone: +(86)(027) 8555-7791
Emergency After-Hours Telephone: +(86)(10) 8531-4000
Fax: +(86)(027) 8555-7761
Please note that Wuhan does not provide regularly scheduled consular services. Contact the Embassy in Beijing for consular assistance.
USConsulateWuhan@state.gov
U.S. Embassy Beijing
No. 55 An Jia Lou Road
Chaoyang District, Beijing 100600
China
Telephone: +(86)(10) 8531-4000
Emergency After-Hours Telephone: +(86)(10) 8531-4000
Fax: +(86)(10) 8531-3300
BeijingACS@state.gov
State Department – Consular Affairs – 888-407-4747 or 202-501-4444
China Country Information sheet
Enroll in Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive security updates
Wendy says she is ok, but we need to stay on our toes….
makes me nervous being so far away.
Updates from Friends on Facebook – Flu has killed over 8,000 people in 2019/2020
Strange, this isn’t added to the articles about Corona Virus – but the flu, according to CDC
CDC estimates that, from October 1, 2019, through January 18, 2020, there have been:
15,000,000 – 21,000,000 flu illnesses
7,000,000 – 10,000,000 flu medical visits
140,000 – 250,000 flu hospitalizations
8,200 – 20,000 flu deaths
thanks for that note on Facebook Henk and Ilya!
May Write More On This
Getting requests like this
Just sent you a comment on linkedin. Don’t know if it will get through. But in the letter I urge you to write articles and editorials about the situation in China, from the point of view of an ex-pt American business man whose family is in Shenyang and you are somewhere else. I think I can get these things published for you. Write back to acknowledge receipt.
Update From US Embassy – Feb 18, 2020
Travel Advisory for China to Level 4: Do Not Travel
Feb 18, 6:45pm
americancitizensinchina@state.gov
Feb 18, 5:17pm
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The Department of State has upgraded our Travel Advisory for China to Level 4: Do Not Travel due to novel coronavirus first identified in Wuhan, Hubei province. Those currently in China should attempt to depart by commercial means.
Most commercial air carriers have reduced or suspended routes to and from China, yet seats remain available to depart the country. Commercial travel allows control over where you plan to travel, luggage restrictions, and the transportation of pets.
In the event that the situation further deteriorates, the ability of the U.S. Embassy and Consulates to provide assistance to U.S. nationals within China may be limited. The United States is not offering chartered evacuation flights from China.
We strongly urge U.S. citizens remaining in China to stay home as much as possible and limit contact with others, including large gatherings. Consider stocking up on food and other supplies to limit movement outside the home. U.S. citizens remaining in China should follow the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Chinese health authorities’ guidance for prevention, signs and symptoms, and treatment (https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-nCoV/summary.html).
The Chinese government is taking a number of steps to try to control the spread of the virus and those steps may vary from place to place. Travelers should be prepared for the possibility of travel restrictions with little or no advance notice. U.S. citizens should also be aware of local public health requirements. Remember that while in China, U.S. citizens are subject to the laws of China.
In Hubei province, the United States does not have any further evacuation flights departing Wuhan International Airport. American citizens currently in travel restricted areas in Hubei province and other areas in China should shelter-in-place, limit contact with others, and consider stocking up on food and other supplies to limit movement outside the home.
If you are in Hubei and believe your health is in danger, seek out a medical professional. The Wuhan Municipal Health Commission has identified a list of hospitals (http://wjw.wuhan.gov.cn/front/web/showDetail/2020012009078) that can test for the coronavirus. This page is in Chinese, yet you may use Google Translate page to see page in English.
Chinese authorities have imposed strict travel restrictions in the area around Wuhan. Travelers should be aware that the Chinese government could prevent them from entering or exiting parts of Hubei province. Travelers should be prepared for travel restrictions to be put into effect with little or no advance notice. The U.S. government has limited ability to provide emergency services to U.S. citizens in Hubei province.
For U.S. citizens in Hubei province, please provide personal information for yourself and for all U.S. family members to CoronaVirusEmergencyUSC@state.gov. Note that we will not respond individually to these emails, but will record the responses in the event future evacuation opportunities arise. If you have already provided your information, there is no need to report it again.
1. Full Name as in your Passport
2. U.S. Passport Number
3. Chinese Visa Information
4. Legal Permanent Residents/Chinese Nationals:
a. Description of Direct Relationship to American Citizen Family (i.e. spouse, child, parent or guardian)
b. LPR Number:
c. Chinese Passport Number:
5. Date of Birth
6. Gender:
7. Email Address:
8. Phone Number:
9. Point of Origin:
10. Vehicle License Plate:
11. Driver’s Name:
12. Driver’s National ID:
______________________________________
To receive the most up-to-date travel advisories and information, we strongly encourage U.S. citizens, whenever they travel abroad, to enroll their travel plans on www.travel.state.gov using the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (https://step.state.gov/).
You can read about the virus with the CDC here:
https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/notices/alert/novel-coronavirus-china
The U.S. Consulate General in Wuhan is closed until further notice and is not providing consular services. The full range of consular services remain available at the U.S. Embassy in Beijing and U.S. consulates in Chengdu, Guangzhou, Shanghai, and Shenyang. Please see below for contact details.
U.S. Embassy Beijing
Website: https://china.usembassy-china.org.cn/embassy-consulates/beijing/
No. 55 An Jia Lou Road Chaoyang District, Beijing 100600, China
Telephone: +(86)(10) 8531-4000
Emergency After-Hours Telephone: +(86)(10) 8531-4000
Fax: +(86)(10) 8531-3300 BeijingACS@state.gov
U.S. Consulate General Chengdu
Website: https://china.usembassy-china.org.cn/embassy-consulates/chengdu/
No. 4 Lingshiguan Road Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, China
Telephone: (28) 8558-3992
Fax: (28) 8558-3520 AmcitChengdu@state.gov
U.S. Consulate General Guangzhou
Website: https://china.usembassy-china.org.cn/embassy-consulates/guangzhou/
No. 43 Huajiu Road, Zhujiang New Town, Tianhe District, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
Telephone: 020-3814 5775
Fax: 020-3814 5572 GuangzhouACS@state.gov
U.S. Consulate General Shanghai
Website: https://china.usembassy-china.org.cn/embassy-consulates/shanghai/
9/F, Westgate Mall, No. 1038 West Nanjing Road Shanghai, China
Telephone: 021-8011 2400
Fax: 021- 6148 8266 ShanghaiACS@state.gov
U.S. Consulate General Shenyang
Website: https://china.usembassy-china.org.cn/embassy-consulates/shenyang/
No. 52, Shisi Wei Road, Heping District Shenyang, Liaoning China
Telephone: 024 – 2335 5188, 024 – 2322 1198 ext. 5188
Fax: 024 – 2323 1465 ShenyangACS@state.gov
Email I received o Feb 21 from US embassy
Just to keep this blog complete- another email I just received
Emergency Alert: Novel Coronavirus
Current Outbreak of Coronavirus Disease 2019
There is an ongoing worldwide outbreak of a respiratory illness first identified in Wuhan, China, caused by a novel (new) coronavirus. On February 11, 2020 the World Health Organization announced an official name for the disease that is causing the current outbreak of coronavirus disease, COVID-19.
What is COVID-19?
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is caused by a virus (more specifically, a coronavirus) identified as the source of an outbreak of respiratory illness first detected in Wuhan, China. Early on, many of the patients in the outbreak in Wuhan, China reportedly had some link to a large seafood and animal market, suggesting animal-to-person spread. However, a growing number of patients reportedly have not had exposure to animal markets, indicating person-to-person spread is occurring.
What we recommend
U.S. citizens are urged to:
· The Department of State’s Travel Advisory for China is currently a Level 4- Do Not Travel to China due to novel coronavirus.
· Avoid contact with sick people.
· If you decide to travel to China discuss your travel with your healthcare provider. Older adults and travelers with underlying health issues may be at risk for more severe disease.
· Avoid animals (alive or dead), animal markets, and products that come from animals (such as uncooked meat).
· Wash hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available.
· Follow local authority instructions.
· Closely monitor Travel.state.gov and CDC.gov for important information.
Before you travel
Due to the current public health situation, many countries have begun implementing strict screening procedures in order to prevent the spread of the COVID-19.
· Any U.S. citizen returning to the United States who has been in Hubei province, China in the previous 14 days may be subject to up to 14 days of quarantine.
· Any U.S. citizen returning to the United States who has been in the rest of mainland China within the previous 14 days may undergo a health screening and possible self-quarantine.
· Please read these Department of Homeland Security supplemental instructions for further details.
· U.S. citizens are encouraged to monitor media and local information sources and factor updated information into personal travel plans and activities. You may also follow us on Twitter and Facebook.
· If you travel, you should enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program to receive updates.
Presidential Proclamation on Novel Coronavirus
On Friday, January 31 President Trump signed a proclamation barring entry to the United States of most foreign nationals who traveled to China within the past 14 days. The proclamation is in effect as of February 2. This action follows the declaration of a public health emergency in the United States related to the COVID-19 outbreak in Wuhan, China. The full text of the presidential proclamation is available on the White House website at: https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/proclamation-suspension-entry-immigrants-nonimmigrants-persons-pose-risk-transmitting-2019-novel-coronavirus/.
Passengers on Cruise Ships
U.S. citizens should reconsider travel by cruise ship to or within East Asia and the Asia-Pacific Region. U.S. citizens planning travel by cruise ship elsewhere should be aware that, due to the current public health situation, many countries have implemented strict screening procedures in order to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus that causes COVID-19. This is a dynamic situation and U.S. citizens traveling by ship may be impacted by travel restrictions affecting their itineraries or ability to disembark, or may be subject to quarantine procedures implemented by the local authorities. While the U.S. government has successfully evacuated hundreds of our citizens in the previous weeks, repatriation flights should not be relied upon as an option for U.S. citizens under the potential risk of quarantine by local authorities. U.S. citizens should evaluate the risks associated with choosing to remain in an area that may be subject to quarantine and take the appropriate proactive measures. Passengers who plan to travel by cruise ship should contact their cruise line companies directly for further information on the current rules and restrictions, and continue to monitor the Travel.state.gov website for updated information.
China
On January 30, the Department updated the Travel Advisory for China from a Level 3: Reconsider Travel to Level 4: Do Not Travel due to COVID-19 first identified in Wuhan, China. In an effort to contain the COVID-19, the Chinese authorities have suspended air and rail travel in the area around Wuhan. On January 31, the Department of State ordered the departure of all family members of U.S. personnel under age 21 from China. The U.S. government has limited ability to provide emergency services to U.S. citizens in Hubei province.
We strongly urge U.S. citizens in Hubei Province, China, to contact concerned family members in the United States and elsewhere to advise them of your safety.
Hong Kong
On February 8, the Hong Kong government began enforcing a compulsory 14-day quarantine for anyone, regardless of nationality, arriving in Hong Kong who has visited mainland China within a 14-day period. This quarantine does not apply to individuals transiting Hong Kong International Airport and certain exempted groups such as flight crews. However, health screening measures are in place at all of Hong Kong’s borders and the Hong Kong authorities will quarantine individual travelers, including passengers transiting the Hong Kong International Airport, if the Hong Kong authorities determine the traveler to be a health risk. The Hong Kong government temporarily closed certain transportation links and border checkpoints connecting Hong Kong with mainland China and suspended ferry services from Macau. On February 10, 2020 the Department of State allowed for the voluntary departure of non-emergency U.S. government employees and their family members due to COVID-19 and the impact to U.S. Consulate personnel as schools and some public facilities have been closed until further notice.
If you need assistance in China
· U.S. citizens in Hubei Province, China who need emergency assistance can contact the U.S. Embassy at CoronaVirusEmergencyUSC@state.gov.
· To provide us with information about a U.S. citizen who is in Hubei Province, you may:
o Contact the Department of State at CoronaVirusEmergencyUSC@state.gov.
o Call 1-888-407-4747 toll-free in the United States and Canada or 1-202-501-4444 from other countries from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).
More Updates March 6 2020
From: BeijingACS@state.gov
Date: 5 March 2020 at 2:01:17 PM GMT+8
Subject: Health Alert U.S. Embassy Beijing, People’s Republic of China (March 4, 2020)
Reply-To:
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Health Alert – U.S. Embassy Beijing, People’s Republic of China (March 4, 2020)
Location: People’s Republic of China
Event: There is an ongoing outbreak of Coronavirus (COVID-19) first identified in Wuhan, China.
The government of PRC has implemented enhanced screening and quarantine measures to reduce the spread of COVID-19. Travelers should be prepared for travel restrictions to be put into effect with little or no advance notice.
State / local government actions: Effective immediately, cities including Beijing and Shanghai, as well as Guangdong and Sichuan Provinces will require people who have recently visited countries with “severe outbreaks” (including South Korea, Japan, Iran and Italy) to be quarantined for 14 days in a Chinese facility, greatly restricting or eliminating the passengers ability to leave quarantine during the 14-day observation period.
Actions to Take:
· Consult the CDC website for the most up-to-date information.
· For the most recent information on what you can do to reduce your risk of contracting COVID-19 please see the CDC’s latest recommendations.
Visit the COVID-19 crisis page on travel.state.gov for the latest information.
Check with your airlines or cruise lines regarding any updated information about your travel plans and/or restrictions.
· Visit our Embassy webpage on COVID-19 for information on conditions in China.
· Visit the Department of Homeland Security’s website on the latest travel restrictions to the U.S.
· Seek medical care right away if you believe you may have COVID-19 (or similar symptoms) or were exposed to someone who may have COVID-19 in the last six weeks.
· Be aware you may be subject to quarantine for an undetermined period of time if you plan to travel to China.
Assistance:
· U.S. EmbassyBeijing, China
Telephone: +(86)(10) 8531-4000
Emergency After-Hours Telephone: +(86)(10) 8531-4000
Email: BeijingACS@state.gov
Website: https://china.usembassy-china.org.cn/embassy-consulates/beijing/
U.S. Consulate General Chengdu, China
Telephone: +(86)(28) 8558-3992
Emergency After-Hours Telephone: +(86)(10) 8531-4000
Email: AmCitChengdu@state.gov
U.S. Consulate General Guangzhou, China
Telephone: +(86)(20) 3814-5775
Emergency After-Hours Telephone: +(86)(10) 8531-4000
Email: GuangzhouACS@state.gov
Website: https://china.usembassy-china.org.cn/embassy-consulates/guangzhou/
U.S. Consulate General Shanghai, China
Telephone: +(86)(21) 8011-2400
Emergency After-Hours Telephone: +(86)(10) 8531-4000
Email: ShanghaiACS@state.gov
Website: https://china.usembassy-china.org.cn/embassy-consulates/shanghai/
U.S. Consulate General Shenyang, China
Telephone: +(86)(24) 2322-1198
Emergency After-Hours Telephone: +(86)(24) 2322-1198
Email: ShenyangACS@state.gov
Website: https://china.usembassy-china.org.cn/embassy-consulates/shenyang/
· State Department – Consular Affairs
888-407-4747 or 202-501-4444
· China Country Information
· Enroll in Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive Alerts.
· Follow us on Facebook and Twitter