Flights from abroad originally slated to return to Wuhan have begun arriving in Nanjing. Any passenger found to be carrying 19-nCoV is to be treated in a dedicated facility set up in the Nanjing Public Health Medical Centre in Tangshan.
As these flights arrive, so there are others not going anywhere. Finnair announced yesterday that its flights to both Nanjing and Beijing were being suspended, reported Reuters. In the last hour, the BBC has reported that British Airways is suspending all of its flights to mainland China.
In the crisis centre of Wuhan, the almost-overnight construction of two hospitals in Wuhan for the treatment of coronavirus patients has hit the headlines worldwide.
China Central Television (CCTV) has even set up a live broadcast that is in effect a webcam of the construction taking place. Drawing millions of viewers, the broadcast, with suitably poignant music (the same solo-piano piece on repeat), is at present more popular than most television shows.
Other cities, notably Zhengzhou in Henan Province and Dongguan in Guangdong province, are also undertaking quick builds of temporary hospitals.
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Here in Nanjing, the city has in fact had in place a facility for the treatment of such viral infections since 2016, the so called “Vulcan Mountain” in Tangshan in Jiangning District.
Nanjing Public Health Medical Centre
Located on Kangfu Lu in the Tangshan Subdistrict of Jiangning, the Nanjing Public Health Medical Centre covers an area of 32 hectares, has a total construction area of 109,000 square metres and 900 beds.
After the outbreak of the new coronavirus infection in Wuhan, Nanjing opened the emergency outbreak ward of Building B in the Centre, for the admission of confirmed and suspected patients.
Mayor of Nanjing, the newly-elected Han Liming (韩立明), has also visited the Centre to make a personal inspection.
Among its patients, the Centre shall be treating those infected on Wuhan-destined flights inbound from abroad that have been redirected to Nanjing. A Juneyao Airlines flight from Bangkok brought with it people who, thinking they would be going directly home, had little more than beachwear. Authorities at Nanjing Lukou International Airport were able to ensure they got some warm food and clothing.
Other Chinese cities are also accepting flights originally set to return to Wuhan, and have similar arrangements in place.
Finally, the British Government has requested The Nanjinger to pass on information relating to its evacuation flight(s) from Hubei Province. British nationals with the desire to leave should register via one of two special hotlines; +86(0)1085296600 or +44(0)2070081500. Both hotlines are 24/7. The government wishes to stress that evacuation flight(s) may happen quickly and with little notice. 300 Britons are estimated to be in the area.
