Comment on Hong Kong is shutting down its schools until February 17 to limit the spread of the Wuhan coronavirus

AP Photo/Achmad Ibrahim Hong Kong is declaring a citywide emergency and closing down its schools until February 17 in an attempt to limit the spread of the Wuhan coronavirus, officials announced on Saturday. Hong Kong's chief executive Carrie Lam announced that in addition to the school cancellations, the city will temporarily suspend all planes in and out of the city, cancel train service between Hong Kong and the mainland, and call off planned festivities for Chinese New Year. As of Saturday, officials reported at least 41 confirmed deaths and over 1,300 known individuals affected with the virus, which originated in the central Chinese city of Wuhan. There are at least five confirmed cases of the virus in Hong Kong, a city of 7.3 million people, and an additional 122 people being treated for potential symptoms of the flu-like disease. Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories. Hong Kong is declaring a citywide emergency and closing down its schools until February 17 in an attempt to limit the spread of the Wuhan coronavirus, officials announced on Saturday.