By COLlive reporter
The evolving Coronavirus outbreak that began in China is “a sign that every country needs to be ready to timely detect and manage outbreaks of any type”, the World Health Organization (WHO) said on Saturday.
Virus infections have now been reported on four continents, including in Australia, France and the United States, among recent travelers to China. Several other countries in Asia have reported cases as well.
More than 1,300 cases have been confirmed worldwide, and 41 people have died, including a 62-year-old doctor at a Wuhan hospital who contracted the virus from a patient, according to state media.
Rabbi Dovi and Sarale Henig, Chabad Shluchim and Directors of Chabad in Chengdu, said they are not leaving their city in China’s Sichuan province and are attending to the needs of the local Jewish community.
“The streets here look like Yom Kippur in Israel,” Rabbi Henig said in an interview with Israeli TV. “There is no activity of vehicles. There are strict regulations, no schools, no restaurants, no outings.”
He said Chengdu is about an hour’s drive from the outbreak center in the city of Wuhan, where the risk danger was ranked 4. Chengdu is “only” at level 2.”
Rabbi Henig said a special hospital is being set up near the outbreak. Those that will undergo an examination will be able to exit the quarantine.
Asked if she was afraid, his 7-year-old daughter Chana Henig answered: “No. I attend the Online School of Chabad and don’t need to leave home.”
Rabbi Henig said that this past Shabbos there were fewer people coming to daven.
“Since we came here 7 years ago, there hasn’t been a Shabbos that there weren’t 70-80 people. The Chabad house is bustling with activity. But this Shabbos people were afraid to come and gather…”
Rabbi Henig said he hopes the outbreak is stopped quickly and that “everyone should have a full recovery.”
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My friend Chaya is stuck in China! Plz help her