The Coronavirus pandemic is worsening, with a reported 56 deaths and 2 000 people worldwide infected, with the majority of these reports coming from China.

On Sunday, January 26, Chinese health authorities announced the new death toll, of which thirteen come from Hubei Province, where the outbreak began, one from Henan Province and the first reported death from Shanghai. The death in Shanghai, one of China’s most populated cities,  is expected to raise anxieties.

The number of confirmed cases in China is currently at 1 975, of which 688 were just diagnosed yesterday, January 25.

Other countries that have reported cases include the United States, Thailand, South Korea, Japan, Australia and France.

Yesterday, the first ‘presumptive’ confirmed case was reported in Canada. The victim had reportedly just returned from a trip to Wuhan, a Chinese city at the centre of the outbreak.

While there have been no reported outbreaks in South Affrica, the Western Cape government have assured that they are prepared.

“Western Cape Government Health is closely monitoring the developments of the novel coronavirus outbreak in China,” reads a statement by Western Cape Government Health.

“Together with the National Department of Health, the National Institute of Communicable Diseases (NICD) has developed and distributed clinical guidelines and case definitions for doctors and nurses in both the public and the private sectors to better detect, identify and respond to a possible 2019-nCoV case.”

“Surveillance systems are in place to rapidly identify and detect any cases in South Africa. This includes the screening and monitoring of anyone with a relevant travel history and close contacts with the area of the outbreak. Western Cape Government Health is prepared and ready to act if necessary.”

Also read: Western Cape prepared for coronavirus

Picture: Twitter / Al Jazeera