Coronavirus outbreak infected 27 foreign nationals in China, two died

coronavirus outbreak infected 27 foreign nationals in China and two of m have died, Chinese Foreign Ministry said on Monday, assuring that country attaches great importance to health and safety of all foreign citizens.

SARS-like coronavirus outbreak has killed 908 people and at least 40,000 ors have been infected by 2019-nCoV, which is believed to have emerged late last year in a market in Wuhan.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang during his online media briefing here said 27 foreign citizens in China were diagsed with vel coronavirus. Among m, three patients have recovered and discharged from hospital, he said.

Two foreigners -- an American woman and a Japanese man -- died from coronavirus on Saturday in Wuhan while 22 ors are undergoing treatment, Geng said.

While China has t given details of foreign nationals who contracted virus, earlier reports said four Pakistanis and two Australians were being treated for coronavirus attack.

Geng said China provided best treatment to 60-year-old American woman who died due to virus.

“While medical workers were doing best to treat her in hospital, Chinese side has also been in contact with her family in China. We offer deepest condolences over her passing. We have tified US through diplomatic channels and will offer necessary assistance to US side and his family," he said.

Weng also expressed condolences to family of Japanese national who died in Wuhan due to coronavirus.

Geng said China attaches great importance to health and safety of all foreign nationals in Hubei province capital Wuhan, epicentre of outbreak.

“We have taken effective measures to timely respond to ir reasonable concerns and requests. WHO director general Tedros also stressed many times that flying out in a rush is t recommended, best way is being stay put and enhancing self-protection," he said

“We hope that WHO’s professional recommendations will be respected. For those countries that wish to take home ir nationals, China will make relevant arrangements and offer necessary assistance consistent with international practices and our domestic epidemic control measures," he said.

death toll from vel coronavirus has overtaken global fatalities in 2002-03 SARS epidemic and virus has spre to around 26 countries including India where three people in Kerala who returned from Wuhan contracted virus.

only fatalities outside mainland have been a Chinese man in Philippines and a 39-year-old man in Hong Kong.

Several countries have banned arrivals from China while major airlines have suspended flights.

While India has evacuated 647 Indians and seven Maldivians from Wuhan, Indian officials say still over 80 Indians are held up re including 10 who could t board Air India flight as y were stopped by Chinese immigration officials after y tested for high temperature.

Over 700 Pakistanis are also stuck in Hubei province and Pakistani government has t heeded to ir pleas to evacuate m from re.