21st Century Necromancer-Chapter 448: Don’t Panic (Explanation about the illness is in the latter half)

"What on earth is going on?" said Chen Yu, his eyes wide with surprise after reading the news, he looked at the Glasses Doctor standing before him, waiting for an explanation.

"This is a breaking news alert from this morning. It says that an outbreak of pneumonia caused by a novel coronavirus has erupted in China. Currently, three confirmed cases have been found in Japan, one in Hokkaido and two in Tokyo. All of them are tourists from China and have been taken to the hospital for isolation," the Glasses Doctor hurriedly explained to Chen Yu.

"Novel coronavirus pneumonia? Similar to SARS and MARS?" Hiromi, who was standing by, heard the Glasses Doctor’s words. Although she and Tashiro Nanaori were most concerned about their own business, as a doctor, she felt a genuine concern and fear for coronavirus pneumonia, especially since Tokyo had just encountered an outbreak of MARS the previous year.

"Yes, it’s indeed pneumonia triggered by a novel coronavirus," the Glasses Doctor nodded and continued to explain, "Supposedly, it’s caused by the consumption of wild animals. The transmission is very quick and has already affected most areas in China. The three cases found in Japan were previously confirmed to be from the outbreaks’ origin. It seems that the Ministry of Health and Welfare is already issuing notices."

After listening to the Glasses Doctor’s briefing, Chen Yu fell into great concern. Although he had just visited his family in China during the New Year, the current situation unavoidably plunged him into worry.

Pulling out his cell phone, Chen Yu gestured an apology to the Glasses Doctor, stood up, and walked to the window behind him to make a phone call to his father: "Dad, it’s me, Ah-Yu. How are things over there? I’ve heard in Japan that... "

While Chen Yu was on the phone, Jounouchi Hiromi also inquired the Glasses Doctor for more detailed information: "Glasses Doctor, do you know the current specifics? To which hospitals were the two confirmed cases in Tokyo sent? Has the Ministry of Health and Welfare issued any specific notices?"

"I’m not quite clear on the specifics at the moment, but it’s said that the situation isn’t too severe since no infections were found in Japan before. Perhaps the Ministry of Health and Welfare will issue a similar notice to what was done during the MARS event," the Glasses Doctor admitted, clearly still in the dark about the details. In the face of such an emergency, no one was prepared to speculate.

As both of them spoke, Chen Yu finished his call. After apologizing to the Glasses Doctor, he continued, "Since the situation is unclear, we’ll just wait for the official information. Worrying won’t help us. Besides, this is a matter for the respiratory medicine department, not for we surgeons to meddle in. If there’s nothing else, you can go back to your duties. Don’t be too anxious—I’ve just called China and heard that several patients have already been cured and discharged. The situation isn’t as frightening as it seems."

"Understood, Professor," said the Glasses Doctor upon hearing Chen Yu’s words. He nodded and then left Chen Yu’s office.

Seeing the Glasses Doctor depart, Chen Yu then turned to Hiromi and Tashiro Nanaori, saying, "I’m not interested in dealing with your matters right now. Hiromi has already agreed to stand up for you, so you can just discuss it with her. If there’s nothing else, go back to work."

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"We understand, thank you, Professor Chen Yu," Hiromi and Tashiro Nanaori exchanged glances, accepting the situation, and left Chen Yu’s office together.

Watching Qingdai and Tashiro Nanaori leave, Jounouchi Hiromi then turned to Chen Yu with concern and asked, "Mr. Chen Yu, how are your uncle and aunt doing?"

"The situation isn’t too serious. Although the atmosphere is indeed tense, my dad said that the nation and government have already started taking response measures. Currently, the main issue is that the outbreak occurred during the Spring Festival. Because of the movement of people, the epidemic has spread across the country, but the primary infected areas are still where the outbreak began. Nearly all patients from other provinces have been admitted to the hospital for treatment, and some people have already been discharged," Chen Yu explained, clearly having obtained a lot of information from his recent phone call home. Despite this, he was still searching for related reports on his computer.

"Coronavirus pneumonia... no matter how I think about it, it still seems very scary. Mr. Chen Yu, did you remind your uncle and aunt to take preventive measures?" Jounouchi Hiromi watched as Chen Yu browsed for information online, so she stood beside him with concern, looking at the computer screen with him.

"Yes, my dad bought a bunch of medical surgical masks. He said to avoid going out as much as possible and to wear a mask when he does. When he gets home, my mom uses medical alcohol to disinfect the things he brings back, even frequently used items like cellphones and keys are wiped down with alcohol when he gets home," Chen Yu explained to Jounouchi Hiromi the protective measures his parents were taking. Because his grandmother was a specialist in infectious diseases, these precautions were very thorough.

"That’s good. But have you told your uncle and aunt how to dispose of used masks properly?" Jounouchi Hiromi couldn’t help but remind Chen Yu.

Chen Yu smiled and, while continuing to search for news, said, "No problem there. My mom used to work in a hospital, too. She keeps all used masks in a special plastic bag, sprays them with alcohol before throwing them in the trash to avoid spreading the virus as much as possible. And after taking off the mask, my mom always insists that my dad wash his hands thoroughly. Even the clothes worn outside are hung in a ventilated area to air out."

As Chen Yu explained, he pulled up a vast amount of information online. Being a doctor, he knew of some professional websites that were typically visited by medical professionals only, where the information was naturally much more reliable than ordinary online comments.

"The susceptible population includes the elderly and those with lower immunity. Initial symptoms are hypoxia. About 70% of patients exhibit mild symptoms. For severe cases, oxygen therapy is effective; patients can see significant improvement within 5-7 days, and although there isn’t a good drug treatment, the vast majority can be cured," Chen Yu said to Jounouchi Hiromi, who didn’t understand Chinese, summarizing the information he had found: "Currently, the epidemic area mainly faces a shortage of medical supplies and is calling for donations from society. Ordinary cold and fever patients flooding hospitals are resulting in a shortage of hospital beds and also risk cross-infection, so it is recommended that patients with mild symptoms and temperatures not exceeding 38°C self-isolate at home, which is safer than going to the hospital."

Reading this, Chen Yu couldn’t help but scoff, "I knew that would be the case. Those other rumors I found earlier about tens of thousands infected, uncollected corpses in hospitals, and patients dying at home—they’re all just rumors!"

"A common cold and fever can still cause fear, can’t they?" Jounouchi Hiromi could understand these concerns, but she didn’t think that going to the hospital during a cold or fever was a better option: "From what you’ve found, Mr. Chen Yu, the main symptoms of this pneumonia are fever, breathing difficulties, and chest tightness, quite different from just a cold or fever."

"That’s why in times like these, the most important thing is not to panic," Chen Yu sighed in frustration. How easily said than done is it not to panic in such situations?