1st Russian plane evacuates 80 from virus-hit China

By Elena Teslova

MOSCOW (AA) - A Russian military plane, evacuating 80 people from coronavirus-hit China, landed in the Siberian city of Tyumen on Wednesday.

The Russian Defense Ministry said in a statement that a medical staff accompanied the passengers -- citizens of Russia, Belarus, Armenia, and some other former Soviet countries -- in the Airspace Forces plane.

"Among the evacuated citizens no cases of infection were identified,” the statement said.

The military doctors reported "the satisfactory condition of those who arrived from China,” it added.

All the evacuees will be in quarantine for 14 days, the incubation period of the novel coronavirus.

On Tuesday, Russia dispatched two planes for evacuation from China, with the second plane is yet to return Russia.

The fatal virus has killed 491 people in China so far, with more than 24,000 confirmed case.

The virus, which originated in the central Wuhan city, is said to have been transmitted to humans from animals, particularly bats.

It has raised alarm worldwide, with cases reported across Asia, Europe, the U.S., and Canada.

Beyond China, the virus has spread to over 20 countries, including Belgium, Japan, South Korea, Thailand, the U.S., Singapore, France, Vietnam, Malaysia, Cambodia, Sri Lanka, the Philippines, India, Nepal, Russia, and Canada.

Travelers from China are being screened for the virus at airports worldwide. Several airlines have suspended flights to Wuhan.