With over 43,000 confirmed cases and more than 1,000 deaths reported as of February 2020, the novel coronavirus epidemic remains a global concern. Developments on Japan's Yokohama cruise ship continue to unfold, while London authorities warn of a "serious and imminent threat" to public health.
As reported by the South China Morning Post on February 11, 2020, the epidemic had reached 43,098 confirmed cases and 1,018 deaths, with 3,244 recoveries. Recent days showed some stabilization, but the World Health Organization (WHO) director cautioned that it was premature to predict a downturn.
Japan's situation has escalated sharply. Cases rose from around 20 a week prior to 161 total, driven by the Yokohama cruise ship where infections among passengers climbed from 86 to 135 by February 10. Singapore reported 45 cases, the next highest outside China.
Per La Presse on February 10, UK cases doubled from 4 to 8. The British Ministry of Health stated that "the incidence or transmission of the novel coronavirus poses a serious and imminent threat to public health." New measures aim to "delay or prevent further transmission," including the power to isolate individuals against their will if they endanger public health.
This response was partly prompted by a British national repatriated from China who threatened to escape quarantine. Additionally, Le Temps reported that European health ministers would convene in Brussels on February 13 with a WHO representative to discuss strategies to curb the virus's spread across the EU.
Sources: South China Morning Post, La Presse, Le Temps
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