Disabled Teen Dies Alone After His Father Was Quarantined Over Possible Coronavirus in China

Identified as 16-year-old Yan Cheng, the boy was unable to feed himself due to his condition, according to the BBC. His body was found in his home at Huajiahe Town in Huanggang City, Hubei Province on Wednesday, a week after his father and brother were placed in quarantine.

The incident, which sparked a public outcry on social media, led to the dismissal of both the Huajiahe town mayor and the local Communist Party secretary.

Cerebral palsy is the term used for a group of permanent movement disorders that appear in early childhood. Symptoms vary but often include poor coordination, stiff muscles, weak muscles, and tremors. There may be problems with sensation, vision, hearing, swallowing, and speaking. In some cases, affected patients can be severely disabled.

Prior to Yan Cheng’s death, his father took to Weibo to appeal for help as his son had been left alone in their home without food or water. When news of the boy’s death emerged, local officials announced that the case will be investigated.

Hubei province, where the boy’s family lived, is where the novel coronavirus outbreak began in December.

As of this writing, the novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV or Wuhan coronavirus) has now spread to 27 countries and territories worldwide, with 20,696 confirmed cases, 427 deaths, and 781 recoveries.

Feature Image via Weibo