Coronavirus: Foreign Affairs Ministry activates hotlines for parents, guardians with wards in Wuhan

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs says no Ghanaian living in China has contracted the Coronavirus.

According to the Ministry, it is liaising with authorities in China to ensure that Ghanaians living in China and for that matter, Wuhan, were safe.

The Ministry has also has announced two telephone numbers; *86 18612084232 or *86 186 12959040, for parents or guardians with wards in Wuhan and its environs to contact and get first-hand information on the situation on the ground.

A statement issued on Tuesday, January 28, said the Embassy of Ghana in Beijing and the Consulate-General in Guangzhou are in contact with leadership of the Ghanaian community and the National Union of Ghana Students - China and receive frequent briefing from them on the welfare of all Ghanaian nationals.

“The Mission has advised all Ghanaians to stay indoors and adhere to preventive precautions outlined by Chinese authorities,” the statement said.

“Currently, no Ghanaian has contracted the novel coronavirus even though we have about One Hundred and fifty-two (l 52) students in Wuhan where the virus was first reported. Again, the Embassy is in contact with the students and is liaising with their leadership, the Wuhan Foreign Office and Universities to ensure the continued safety of our students and the provision of necessities,” the statement added.

Meanwhile, the Ministry has advised Ghanaians who intend to travel to China to buy medical insurance and acquaint themselves with the nearest medical facility where they treat high fevers and also speak English  or have a  translator  who can  help in case of any emergency.

The BBC reports that more than 100 people have died in China, with confirmed infections surging to more than 4,500.

The virus has spread across China and to at least 16 countries globally.

On Monday, Germany and Japan confirmed that they had cases involving people who had not travelled to China but caught the virus from someone who had.