A high-ranking Chinese figure in Wuhan has reportedly ordered residents infected with coronavirus be quarantined in mass camps and for officials to ensure there are "no deserters" in "these wartime conditions".
The New York Times is reporting that Sun Chunlan, a vice premier tasked with leading the Chinese Government's response to the illness in Wuhan, where the virus originated, has called for all those infected to be rounded up. More than 28,000 people have the sickness worldwide, with the vast majority of cases in Wuhan.
Chunlan has ordered the infected be placed into isolation, quarantine or designated hospitals. Officials have also been told to go to each house to check the temperatures of every resident and interview infected residents' relatives and friends.
"Set up a 24-hour duty system. During these wartime conditions, there must be no deserters, or they will be nailed to the pillar of historical shame forever," Sun said, according to The Times.
It's reported that makeshift mass quarantine camps have been set up and will help take the stress off local hospitals where those in a critical condition are placed. The camps have been organised at stadiums and building complexes. However, as the New York Times reports, there are concerns about the conditions of the camps with frequent power failures and staff shortages.
Wuhan, home to 11 million people, is one of many Chinese centres that have become ghost towns since the outbreak. It is in lockdown, with flights and public transport banned. Goods and services are also low, while there has been a shortage of medical equipment.
On Wednesday, Kiwis were evacuated from Wuhan on an Air New Zealand flight. They are currently in isolation at the Whangaparaoa Military Camp
More than 600 people have died from the illness which continues to spread across the globe.
There have been no confirmed cases of the sickness in New Zealand, but it has been detected in countries such as Australia, the United Kingdom, the United States and Canada.
WHO was first informed of cases of the virus in Wuhan on December 31. It was identified as a coronavirus on January 7 and can spread through human-to-human transmission.
"Common signs of infection include respiratory symptoms, fever, cough, shortness of breath and breathing difficulties. In more severe cases, infection can cause pneumonia, severe acute respiratory syndrome, kidney failure and even death," WHO says.
"Standard recommendations to prevent infection spread include regular hand washing, covering mouth and nose when coughing and sneezing, thoroughly cooking meat and eggs. Avoid close contact with anyone showing symptoms of respiratory illness such as coughing and sneezing."
There is currently no vaccine for the sickness.
