Coronavirus Death Toll Surpasses 200 As Outbreak Impacts Travelers Worldwide

The death toll from coronavirus hit 213 by Thursday evening, the Chinese government reported, as health officials internationally are fighting to deal with the deadly outbreak.

The total count of infected patients is edging toward 9,800, according to The New York Times, which cited data from the Chinese and World Health Organization. Six people have been diagnosed with the virus in the United States.

Thursday marked the first person-to-person transfer of coronavirus in the U.S. A woman in Illinois infected her spouse with the virus, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention confirmed in a press call.

“We understand that this may be concerning, but based on what we know now, our assessment remains that the immediate risk to the American public is low,” said Dr. Robert Redfield, who directs the CDC.

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The virus’s outbreak has taken a toll on travelers around the world. Key airports have been screening for symptoms, checking passenger’s temperatures, and taking extra sanitary precautions.

A plane carrying 201 Americans coming from China landed in a Southern California military base Wednesday, where the passengers stayed for further health monitoring before they can be deemed safe to repatriate into the U.S.

In Italy, over 6,000 passengers were held amid concern that a fellow passenger was showing symptoms of coronavirus. They were eventually cleared to disembark.

The World Health Organization deemed the outbreak a global health emergency Thursday.