China’s National Health Commission have said there are 2,015 confirmed new cases on the mainland and 97 additional deaths related to the new, deadly strain of coronavirus, most of them occurring in Hubei province. 

As of Tuesday night (11/02/2020), the Chinese government said a total of 44,653 cases have been confirmed and 1,113 people have died in the country.

This is not the first time we have come across a coronavirus - Ebola and flu are other examples, and severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) and Middle Eastern respiratory syndrome (MERS) are both caused by coronaviruses that came from animals. 

In 2002, SARS spread across 37 countries (in the process causing global panic), infecting more than 8,000 people and killing more than 750.

This strain of coronavirus basically causes pneumonia. Those who have fallen ill are reported to come down with coughs, fever and breathing difficulties. In severe cases, the victim’s organs have failed. Given the fact that this is viral pneumonia, antibiotics are useless. The medicines that we have developed against flu also won’t work. 

If people are admitted to hospital, they are able to get support for their lungs and other organs and can be given fluids. An individual’s recovery will depend on the strength of their immune system; unfortunately many of those who have died were already in poor health.

One of the questions is – should we panic? The answer provided at this stage is ‘no’. However, should we be concerned, should we watch carefully and take all reasonable precautions? The answer to this (as given by the World Health Organisation (WHO)) is YES!

The WHO has declared the outbreak to be a public health emergency of international concern, and says there is a “window of opportunity” to halt the spread of the disease. 

The key issues seem to be how transmissible this new coronavirus is between people and what proportion become severely ill, end up in hospital or for whom it is fatal. 

The main issue (as I see it) is that there have been other similar viruses before and there are likely to be more coming. It just contributes to the feeling of stress and worry that seems to be everywhere these days. 

The Bible tells us: “And there will be strange signs in the sun, moon, and stars. And here on earth the nations will be in turmoil, perplexed by the roaring seas and strange tides. People will be terrified at what they see coming upon the earth, for the powers in the heavens will be shaken.” (Luke 21:25-26, NLT)

Sound at all familiar? There have been droughts, bushfires, volcanoes, floods, tornadoes and numerous other natural disasters recently – now we can add this new coronavirus into the mix!

Before you think how negative and depressing this all is - read the very next couple of verses in Luke 21: “Then everyone will see the Son of Man coming on a cloud with power and great glory. So when all these things begin to happen, stand and look up, for your salvation is near!” (Luke 21:27-28, NLT)

There is hope! If you’re interested to find out more, search your Bible and feel free to contact us.