The United States is organizing a charter flight to evacuate diplomats and citizens from the Chinese city where the recent coronavirus outbreak originated.
More than 40 people have died, and 1,200 people across the globe have been infected with the mysterious virus, many of whom are in the Chinese city of Wuhan. About 11,000 people from the U.S. are currently in the city, and the American consulate there is offering to get them out, according to the Wall Street Journal.
There are plans for a Boeing 767 that can carry about 230 people to evacuate citizens and diplomats from the sickness-ridden city. The U.S. got approval for the operation from the Chinese government during recent negotiations.
The jet will have medical personnel on board in case anyone appears to be affected by the virus and needs treatment, although it is not clear where the plane will bring those who are evacuated from Wuhan, a city of about 11 million.
The Center for Disease control said on Saturday that it was involved in trying to get U.S. citizens out of Wuhan.
“Department of State has the lead for the safe and expedient ordered departure of all US citizens from Wuhan, China. CDC is aware and coordinating in the planning,” CDC spokeswoman Kristen Nordlund told CNN.
Symptoms of the illness are similar to pneumonia, although videos have been posted that purportedly show afflicted people collapsing on the street, bleeding from their mouths, and being treated by doctors wearing hazmat suits.
The virus has reached the U.S. with cases in both Washington state and Illinois. New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced on Friday four people have been isolated and are being tested for the “rapidly spreading” coronavirus.
