Dr. Kofi Bonney, a virologist at the Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research (NMIMR), has confirmed that the coronavirus tests on two suspected cases have proved negative.
A Chinese national and an Argentine were taken to the Noguchi for testing but the results revealed that the two do not have the deadly virus.
The two were quarantined at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital when they reported for a medical check showing signs of suspected coronavirus.
But speaking to TV3 today Thursday, January 6, 2020 afternoon, Dr. Bonney urged the public to remain calm.
Japan said Wednesday that 10 people on a cruise ship with about 3,700 passengers and crew aboard tested positive for the virus, and the health minister said everyone is likely to be kept on the ship for two weeks.
The number of confirmed cases of the coronavirus rose above 28,000 by the end of Tuesday, and Hong Kong reported its first death from the virus, which has killed at least 565, all but two of them in mainland China.
Global emergency
The coronavirus has been declared a global emergency by the World Health Organisation (WHO) after the outbreak was discovered in China.
The first coronavirus case was first reported from Wuhan, China, on December 31, 2019.
In China alone, there are now more than 20,000 cases of the virus, with the death toll at over 400.
Outside China, there are more than 150 confirmed cases of the coronavirus with one death in the Philippines.
Various countries have imposed travel restrictions to a varying degree like Singapore, US and Australia which are denying entry to all foreign visitors who have recently been to China.
Some countries are denying entry to foreigners travelling from mainland China whilst others are denying entry to foreigners who have visited Hubei province over the coronavirus fears.
The WHO declares a Public Health Emergency of International Concern when there is “an extraordinary event which is determined to constitute a public health risk to other states through the international spread of disease.”
It had previously declared five global public health emergencies: the Swine flu in 2009, Polio in 2014, Zika in 2016 and Ebola, 2014 and 2019.
Source: mybrytfmonline
