China Locks Down 2nd City Amidst Viral Outbreak

Chinese authorities have cordoned off the city of Huanggang over fears of a new virus – currently referred to as the coronavirus – spreading, after nearby city Wuhan entered lockdown.

Situated 80 kilometers east of Wuhan, the home of 7.5 million citizens had its public transport services suspended this morning, Thursday 23 January, while airport and rail services will not allow outgoing passengers.

The World Health Organisation has explained that the coronavirus is related to the same strain of virus that eventually mutated into the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) – the same disease that started in China and killed 774 people globally in 2002/03.

As per reports, the virus has currently killed at least 17 people, and left over 570 grievously ill.

The authorities have told people to not leave, but many are concerned about possible shortages, describing it as “the end of the world”.

The lockdown comes at a time when many Chinese citizens are travelling for the lunar new year, and major transport hubs are especially at risk for spreading the virus.

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