In a video message, President Dr Lobsang Sangay urged the Tibetans inside Tibet to strictly follow the basic protective measures against the new coronavirus. Photo: TibetTV

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Dharamshala, India – As media reported the first suspected case of the coronavirus in Central Tibet, President of the Central Tibetan Administration, previously known as the Gadan Phodrang, the Government of Tibet, strongly urged the Tibetans inside Tibet to strictly follow the basic protective measures against the new coronavirus.

Sikyong Dr Lobsang Sangay conveyed a message of hope and reassurance to the Tibetans inside Tibet effectively through a video, saying that the epidemic would soon be contained and in the meantime, advised them to strictly follow the basic protective measures against the new coronavirus, according to the official media.

“There must be a lot of panic and fear among Tibetans in Tibet. However, based on scientific studies of the virus, it is dangerous at this stage of the outbreak but it will surely be contained very soon. In the meantime, the most important practice is to follow the necessary precautions as instructed by health experts, in addition to observing collective prayers as His Holiness the Dalai Lama has prescribed to his devout Chinese and Tibetan followers and similarly, other religious traditions.”

Sikyong also said he is praying for the Tibetans inside Tibet as well as those affected by the coronavirus spreading in China. Sikyong recently attended the ongoing Monlam ceremonies in Bodh Gaya where he dedicated prayers for the Tibetans inside Tibet.

As advised by His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Tibetan Buddhist monasteries of various traditions across India and worldwide have been observing mass prayers to pacify the physical and mental pain suffered by the Tibetans inside Tibet, Chinese brothers, and sisters and people worldwide as well as to pray for China’s sustained and strengthened ability to combat the virus.

TPI learned that the virus: The coronavirus outbreak has killed more than 560 people and infected over 28,000 -- the vast majority in China. Outside China, it has spread to over 25 countries and territories, infected more than 250 and killed two people.

Crisis in China indicates that close to 60 million people remain under lockdown in China, with three cities reporting over a thousand confirmed cases each. The Wuhan coronavirus has spread throughout the world since the first cases were detected in central China in December.

There are now at least 250 confirmed cases of the Wuhan coronavirus in more than 25 countries and territories outside mainland China:

  • Australia (at least 14 cases)
  • Belgium (at least 1 case)
  • Cambodia (at least 1 case)
  • Canada (at least 5 cases)
  • Finland (at least 1 case)
  • France (at least 6 cases)
  • Germany (at least 12 cases)
  • Hong Kong (at least 21 cases, 1 death)
  • India (at least 3 cases)
  • Italy (at least 2 cases)
  • Japan (at least 45 cases, including 20 in cruise ship quarantine)
  • Macao (at least 10 cases)
  • Malaysia (at least 12 cases)
  • Nepal (at least 1 case)
  • Philippines (at least 3 cases, 1 death)
  • Russia (at least 2 cases)
  • Singapore (at least 28 cases)
  • South Korea (at least 23 cases)
  • Spain (at least 1 case)
  • Sri Lanka (at least 1 case)
  • Sweden (at least 1 case)
  • Taiwan (at least 11 cases)
  • Thailand (at least 25 cases)
  • Tibet (at least 16 cases: U-Tsang 1, Amdo 1, Kham 14)
  • United Arab Emirates (at least 5 cases)
  • United Kingdom (at least 2 cases)
  • United States (at least 12 cases)
  • Vietnam (at least 10 cases)