U.S. Secretary of Health Alex AzarImage: AFP / Archive / Joseph Prezioso
–
–
–
US researchers have started to develop a vaccine against the novel coronavirus. NIH Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Director Anthony Fauci said Tuesday that the research process is expected to be lengthy and uncertain, “but we are proceeding as if we need to use a vaccine.” Fauci added: “In other words, we are assuming the worst scenario – that there will be a major outbreak.”
The U.S. Department of Health has since called on China to work more closely with international health agencies. “We urge China to be more collaborative and transparent, which are the most important steps that need to be taken for a more effective response,” said Secretary of Health Alex Azar on Tuesday.
In China, the number of infected people has risen to more than 4,500, and more than a hundred patients have already died. The Chinese authorities have isolated more than a dozen cities in the fight against the virus, which means that almost 60 million people are effectively quarantined. As a new protective measure, the current school and semester break for the Chinese New Year was extended indefinitely on Tuesday.
© 2020 AFP
–
