A recent outbreak of a respiratory illness caused by a novel strain of coronavirus (2019-nCoV) was first detected in Wuhan City, Hubei Province, China. Health officials confirmed over 31,000 infected individuals and more than 600 deaths in China (New York Times, 7 February 2020). “Infections with 2019-nCoV, most of them associated with travel from Wuhan, also are being reported in a growing number of international locations, including the United States (CDC, 5 February 2020, para 1). 

Our hearts go out to all that are affected by 2019-nCoV. On Friday, January 31, 2020 the World Health Organization declared a global health emergency. As a result of this health crisis, there is a shortage of facial masks in affected areas.

Bio X Cell has reached out to our Chinese distributing partners affected by the 2019-nCoV crisis and has provided them with disposable facial masks in hopes that the masks help protect them from contracting the illness.