With over 40,000 confirmed cases and more than 900 deaths, the 2019-nCoV coronavirus outbreak has surpassed the SARS epidemic of 2003. Reports from the World Health Organization (WHO) this weekend suggest the situation may be stabilizing. Has the peak finally arrived?
As reported by the South China Morning Post on February 10, 2020, the outbreak has claimed 910 lives amid 40,553 infections. This exceeds the 774 deaths from SARS. Currently, about 6,500 patients remain in serious condition, while 3,342 have recovered and been discharged.
Outside China, Japan leads with potentially over 80 cases, driven by the Yokohama cruise ship incident. Singapore reports 43 cases, including local transmissions, followed by Thailand (32), South Korea (27), Taiwan (18), Malaysia (17), and Australia (14). In Europe, Germany has 14 cases and France 11.
CNBC notes a decline in new 2019-nCoV cases in China over recent days, offering hope that the peak has passed. However, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus urges caution, warning numbers could rise again. "There have been worrying cases of #2019nCoV being spread by people with no travel history," he tweeted Sunday, suggesting the outbreak may be just "the tip of the iceberg."
Research teams have varied predictions: some point to the February 8 weekend, others to April or May.
The WHO is distributing masks, gloves, gowns, and tests globally to curb hoarding, ensuring supplies for hardest-hit areas and preventing price surges that could hinder responses to ongoing crises like Ebola.
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