Keep virus measures 'scientific', envoy says

A Chinese diplomat in New York on Tuesday warned against an overreaction by countries in their efforts against the novel coronavirus, saying measures should be taken on "a scientific basis".

"We understand the measures from different countries taken since (the coronavirus) outbreak, but I believe all those measures should be on a scientific basis,"Huang Ping, the Chinese consul general in New York, said at a news conference.

"Since the outbreak, many countries have taken measures in prevention and control, but I think guidance from the World Health Organization is very important," he said, quoting the WHO's advice against restricting travel or business.

WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said on Monday there was no need for measures that "unnecessarily interfere with international travel and trade" in trying to halt the virus' spread.

Huang praised the UN agency's guidance, saying,"We should follow the guidance of the WHO and not overreact."

According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 11 cases are confirmed in the country, and three suspected cases are under investigation in New York City.

The Chinese Consulate General in New York on Saturday issued a notice calling on all Chinese residents from Hubei province who recently arrived in the consular district to report personal information to the consulate, including contact details and whether they have a cough and fever. The consular district covers 11 states in the eastern US, including New York, Massachusetts and Pennsylvania. About 150 cases have been reported in 23 countries outside China.

"We have now collected more than 200 persons' information, and they are all in good condition," said Huang. "We are ready to help if help is needed."

One confirmed case was reported on Saturday in Boston. Huang said the infected individual is in good condition.

According to officials in Boston, the young man, a Chinese national, recently traveled to Wuhan, the capital of Hubei province, and sought medical care soon after his return to Massachusetts. He has been isolated since his return and will continue to remain in isolation until cleared by public health officials.

"I want to remind everyone that it is possible for anyone to get the virus and become sick. We want to make sure we are not letting fear of the coronavirus get the better of us," tweeted Boston Mayor Marty Walsh on Saturday. "We will always treat everyone with compassion and respect."

Commenting on media reports of prejudice against the Chinese amid the outbreak, Huang said that such behavior should be condemned.

"The enemy is not the Chinese but the virus. People should be united to deal with this," he said.