China Reports First New COVID-19 Case In Wuhan

TOPLINE

China reported its first new case of coronavirus in Wuhan on Sunday, marking the first new case since April 3 and joining a spate of new cases across China and other countries that had seen progress in getting the disease under control and reopening, including South Korea and Germany.

KEY FACTS

Crucial quote

“We must never lower our guard regarding epidemic prevention,” South Korean President Moon Jae-in said in a televised address. “We are in a prolonged war. I ask everyone to comply with safety precautions and rules until the situation is over, even after resuming daily lives.”

Key background

Over 4 million people have been infected worldwide and nearly 280,000 have died since COVID-19 began spreading in late 2019. Experts and government officials are warning of second coronavirus waves amid loosening restrictions. Some countries, like Germany, Italy and France have worked on plans for potential second waves. In the U.S., however, many states have begun reopening even though they don’t meet key criteria in Trump administration reopening guidelines. “We’re risking a backslide that will be intolerable,” Columbia University epidemiology professor Ian Lipkin told the Associated Press. 

Tangent

One German soccer team has been quarantined ahead of the league’s scheduled May 16 reopening date, and will miss their first match of the season. According to the BBC, this setback is representative of the uncertainties faced by leagues around the world working to restart stalled seasons.

Further reading

Here’s Why Experts Expect A Second Coronavirus Wave (Forbes)

Northeast China hit by coronavirus infections, Wuhan reports new case (Reuters)

Bundesliga: Dynamo Dresden’s entire squad in isolation just a week before restart (BBC Sport)

`If this thing boomerangs’: Second wave of infections feared (Associated Press)

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