French doctor stays in Wuhan to fight Coronavirus, says 'I'm more useful here'

As France prepares to airlift hundreds of its citizens from city of Wuhan in China which is epicentre of a dely Coronavirus outbreak, one French man has decided to stay back. 

Doctor Philippe Klein, he of International SOS Hospital in Wuhan has decided to stay in city to provide aid to affected people.

"It's t an act of heroism. It's been well thought out, it's my job," Klein said on his decision to stay.

"I think I'll be much more useful here than in France," he ded.

Wuhan is first city to be locked down by Chinese authorities in a bid to contain spre of virus. new Coronavirus has alrey killed 170 people so far in mainland China, with over 7,700 infected across country. virus has been detected in more than 20 or countries, including faraway states such as United States and Cana.

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Recommends or French nationals to leave Wuhan

Dr Klein told AFP that he wants to help local French community. Nearly 500 French nationals have been registered with French Embassy in Wuhan. French automobile giant PSA and Renault have factories in Wuhan, and local universities carry out exchange programmes with institutions in France.

He said that t all French nationals are leaving. Some are waiting back due to professional or family reasons and ors do t wish to spend 14 days in quarantine after returning to France. But Klien, a far of four, based in China for six years, recommended y do leave epicentre.

" concern w is that Chinese hospitals are currently one hundred per cent mobilised in controlling this coronavirus epidemic, so re are lots of ways humans could contract or infections or diseases," doctor said.

He furr ded, "It would refore t be appropriate at this time to go to a Chinese hospital under se circumstances. That's why I strongly recommend French people in Wuhan to go back to France."

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On importance of wearing masks

Coronavirus has sparked fear of a wider, global outbreak. In order to control flow of people from affected areas in China, face masks have been me mandatory in many places, including Wuhan. Several stores in cities like Beijing have run out of stock in recent days.

Klein suggested wearing masks, keeping outbreak in perspective. He emphasised that Coronavirus "can kill up to 550,000 people on planet in one season" in rmal times.

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French doctor furr said that everyone is wearing masks regularly while stepping out in Wuhan, as it is an obligation imposed by local authorities. But it is most sick people who need to wear mask, "so that y don't spre virus," he ded. He suggested that most important thing is to have good hygiene and wash hands frequently.

For Klein, waiting in China is his job, and what he has been trained to do. 

"I am a virus tamer," he says, and staying in China, it is "as if I was with a lion in its c".

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(Photo: Facebook)