Many of China’s usually teeming cities have almost become ghost towns during the past two weeks as Communist Party rulers ordered virtual lockdowns, cancelled flights, closed factories and shut schools. Total confirmed coronavirus cases in China stood at 37,198, commission data showed. An update from the Public Health Agency of Canada said four cases are in British Columbia and three are in Ontario. Hebei province, which surrounds Beijing, will keep schools shut until March 1, the People’s Daily newspaper said. Several provinces have shut schools until the end of February.

Source: National Post February 10, 2020 00:56 UTC