Shrimp Seller in Wuhan identified as Coronavirus Patient Zero

In a release, Wuhan Municipal Health Commission confirmed that patient zero, a 57-year-old shrimp seller named 'Wei' was among the first 27 patients to test positive for COVID-19 and one of 24 cases directly related to the market. Wei has been identified as one of the first victims from Wuhan, China- where the coronavirus pandemic originated from. The pandemic has lead to more than 7,33,500 confirmed cases globally and caused more than 35,000 deaths. Although identified as 'patient zero',  Wei may not be the first person to have contracted the novel coronavirus in China, the report said. A study in Lancet medical journal claims the first person diagnosed with COVID-19 was identified on December 1.

Wei Guixian, as identified by The Wall Street Journal, was selling shrimps at the Huanan Seafood Market on December 10 when she developed a cold. Believing she had the common flu, Wei went to a local clinic for treatment where she was given an injection.  The feeling of lethargy persisted and Wei visited one of the biggest medical facilities in the region -- Wuhan Union Hospital -- on December 16. It was only until the end of December that she was quarantined and the government officials related the emerging pandemic with the seafood market. This 'live seafood' market has known to be the cause of the coronavirus and was banned temporarily by the Chinese officials. The ban on wildlife meats has now become permanent in China. 

In a recent speech, the World Health Organisation representative of China, Mr.Gauden Galea said that 

As long as people eat meat, there is going to be some risk of infections. 

The coronavirus has already turned the world upside down within 4 months and more severe cases continue to rise. In India, Jackfruit sales have risen as more people have started to avoid meat. The meat and poultry industries have witnessed their worst hit so far. 

Wei regained her health in January. The COVID-19 'patient zero' believes she got the disease from a toilet she shared with meat sellers in the market. Although the mortality rate of covid-19 is very low, she said several vendors trading close to her also contracted the deadly disease.
The United States has close to 1,42,000 COVID-19 cases, surpassing China. With a recovery rate of 98% China has been miraculously able to contain the virus.
 

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