Coronavirus: Japan and USA citizens airlifted from Wuhan in evacuation efforts

Japan and the United States have executed operations to evacuate their citizens from the Chinese city of Wuhan where the coronavirus epidemic originated. Hundreds of foreign nationals were airlifted out of the city as China’s government confirmed an overnight spike in the 2019 nCOV death toll at 132 casualties. Almost 5,974 cases — and counting — have been confirmed within the country.

A government-chartered aircraft carried 206 Japanese citizens from Wuhan to Tokyo on Wednesday. Four of which were rushed to the hospital in separate ambulances after it was found that had suffered from coughs and fevers. They are currently undergoing treatment and testing.

Japan’s government spokesman Yoshihide Suga told reporters the confirmation has yet been given if they were infected with the lethal virus.

China is facing global pressure to mitigate the spread of the disease as countries have taken their own measures to keep its citizens safe from the epidemic. Its national health commission announced on Wednesday that the total number of cases in the country’s mainland have overtaken the 5,327 confirmed cases during the Sars epidemic back in 2003.

Meanwhile, US officials reported that 200 citizens were flown back to America from Wuhan including staff members of the US consulate.

The US state department spokeswoman Morgan Ortagus told The Guardian, “These travelers will be carefully screened and monitored to protect their health, as well as the health and safety of their fellow Americans.”

Meanwhile, United Kingdom’s flag carrier airline British Airways confirmed on Wednesdays that direct flights to and from mainland China have been suspended indefinitely as part of a preventive measure.

Danny Manly
Danny Manly
Danny is a reporter and news columnist for Best in Australia. He covers world news the latest world news headlines and international news including US News and Europe, Middle East News.
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