Coronavirus news updates arrive daily amid the ongoing global epidemic. Case numbers continue to rise, and the World Health Organization (WHO) has officially renamed the virus formerly known as 2019-nCoV to COVID-19 for clarity and ease of use.
According to the South China Morning Post on February 12, 2020, the epidemic has reached 44,794 confirmed cases and 1,112 deaths, with 4,657 patients recovered. In China's Hubei province—home to Wuhan, the outbreak's epicenter—new cases are declining sharply: 381 on February 11 versus 890 on February 3, a 57% reduction in just over a week. Local experts predict new cases could reach zero by around February 23.
Outside China, no new deaths but slight case increases persist. Japan leads with 163 cases, followed by Hong Kong (49) and Singapore (47). The epidemic appears to be stabilizing internationally as well.
As reported by Le Monde on February 11, WHO announced the temporary name "COVID-19" during a Geneva conference, replacing "2019-nCoV." The International Committee on Taxonomy of Viruses (ICTV) will finalize naming in May.
WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus emphasized that, despite 99% of cases in China, COVID-19 poses a very serious threat worldwide. He urged global solidarity, especially in data sharing, to save lives and halt the spread.
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