RESIDENTS of the city at the epicentre of the coronavirus have blasted authorities on Weibo for waiting a month to put Wuhan on lockdown after the outbreak that has killed 25.
Locals in Wuhan, which has a population of 11 million, have been told not to travel, to avoid crowds and minimise public gatherings despite Chinese New Year being two days away.
READ: China Locksdown 3 Cities: 20 Million People Cut Off From The Outside World
Latest figures suggest the number of coronavirus cases in China has risen to 616, Sky New reported.
The virus could now be declared a global health crisis after cases of the mystery bug previously quadrupled in just four days.
Police deploy roadblocks in Wuhan amid corona virus outbreak. Credit: Twitter
Xiao, 26, a primary school teacher in Wuhan, told The Guardian: "When I saw the news when I woke up, I felt like I was going to go crazy. This is a little too late now. The government’s measures are not enough."
Others criticised local authorities on the social media platform Weibo as #PrayforWuhan was trending.
One said: "It’s been a month since the first case was discovered and only now do they think of closing the city? This Wuhan emergency response is a little slow, right???"
This image shows the roadblocks that have been put in place in Wuhan to stop people from leaving the city where the virus outbreak is believed to have started. Credit: Twitter
Another added: "The government needs to address this. If things become too expensive, people will definitely panic and when people feel unsafe, terrible things happen. Right now people are fighting over supplies, soon they may just be fighting.”
Locals have shared images of their stockpiles of instant noodles and snacks on the social media platform Weibo.
Medical staff tending to a patient at the The Central Hospital Of Wuhan. Credit: Reuters
One wrote: "No more going out ... so I won’t get sick. Hope Wuhan can get some support soon."
It is unusual of citizens to express such outrage at the Chinese government on the country's microblogging site.
CITY ON LOCKDOWN
Wuhan residents wearing masks as they stockpile on food amid the virus outbreak.
Credit: Getty Images - Getty
Credit: Getty Images - Getty
Supermarket shelves are empty as residents have started stockpiling goods to keep themselves isolated at home to avoid contracting the virus.
Images shared online show food prices have spiked in Wuhan.
The cost of meat has also jumped to US$18.30 (PhP934). Credit: Twitter
Cake Liu left Wuhan last week after visiting her boyfriend there and said everything was normal then, things have changed rapidly.She said: "(My boyfriend) didn't sleep much yesterday. He disinfected his house and stocked up on instant noodles. He's not really going out. If he does he wears a mask."
Wuhan Residentce are complaining that the government’s response was slow.
Police, SWAT teams and paramilitary troops have been out on the streets patrolling the railway stations as authorities have banned travelling on subways and ferries.
The airport and train stations have been shut down to outgoing passengers travelling after 10am local time.
Petrol stations have been rammed with motorists trying to get as much fuel as possible amid rumours reserves had run out.
Authorities guard the train station in Wuhan while wearing masks. Credit: Twitter
Pharmacies have sold out of face masks, residents said.
An Irish teacher in Wuhan has describe the city as a "ghost town" as he's been hold up in his flat.
Ben Kavanagh told RTE Radio’s Morning Ireland: “You are allowed out, but there are so many rumours and people are worried, it’s better not to.
Supermarket shelves in Wuhan are bare as residents scramble to stockpile on goodsCredit: Getty Images - Getty
“It’s almost like a ghost town.
I have enough water for a few more days, but I will probably have to head out to the shops for food.
“I have no idea what to expect."
Seven million people in Huanggang, which is 45 miles away, have been told not to leave after there were confirmed cases.
Public transport stopped running at midnight local time.
And at least one million residents in Ezhou are unable to travel after the rail starions were shut.
The Sun Online travelled to the deadly epicentre as cases rapidly have continued to skyrocket.
Paramedics transport a man believed to be Hong Kong's first Wuhan coronavirus patient to a hospital. Credit: New York Times
The virus has spread from Wuhan to other parts of China as well as South Korea, the US and Thailand.
There have been reported suspected cases in Saudi Arabia, Australia and Russia.
Local authorities are demanding that residents wear face masks in public places.
Authorities guard the train station in Wuhan while wearing masks.
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This article first appeared on The Sun.
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