The number of confirmed novel coronavirus cases worldwide has climbed to 40,235 in China and 909 deaths as at 10 February, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).

Outside China, there were 319 cases in 24 countries, with 1 death.

WHO Director General, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said at a media briefing at WHO headquarters in Geneva, that 99 percent of the reported cases are in China and most are mild.

“About 2 percent of cases are fatal – which of course is still too many. A lot of people are asking, where is the outbreak going? Is it getting better, is it getting worse?"

To answer these questions, WHO is holding a meeting on research and innovation.

Dr Ghebreyesus also said an advance team of WHO experts has just arrived in China, led by Dr Bruce Aylward, to lay the groundwork for the larger international team.

“Bruce and his colleagues will be working with their Chinese counterparts to make sure we have the right expertise on the team to answer the right questions.”

Coronavirus concerns

While authorities worldwide have put in place measures to stop the spread of the virus, it now appears people who haven’t been to China are infected.

“In recent days, we have seen some concerning instances of onward transmission from people with no travel history to China, like the cases reported in France yesterday and the UK today,” said Dr Ghebreyesus.

He said the detection of this small number of cases could be the spark that becomes a bigger fire.

“But for now, it’s only a spark. Our objective remains containment. We call on all countries to use the window of opportunity we have to prevent a bigger fire.”

Preparations

WHO is working to equip laboratories to rapidly diagnose cases. Kits have been sent to Cameroon, Cote d’Ivoire, DRC, Egypt, Ethiopia, Gabon, Ghana, Iran, Kenya, Morocco, Nigeria, Tunisia, Uganda and Zambia.

“We have now identified 168 labs around the world with the right technology to diagnose coronavirus,” said Dr Ghebreyesus. “Another shipment of 150,000 tests is being assembled in Berlin today, and is destined for more than 80 labs in all regions.”

“WHO will continue working with all countries to prevent and detect rapidly new cases of coronavirus, and to save lives.”

Tonga

Meanwhile in Tonga, no update has been released by the government on what is happening with the Tongan students and sports athletes currently in China, since its travel advisory [2] on 5 February.

Residents in Tonga's Vava'u Group are worried that cruise ships and other vessel and yachts are arriving directly from overseas at this time. In the past viral outbreaks had been know to arrive on the boats.