2019 Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV) Outbreak: CRS Experts

Summary

On December 31, 2019, the World Health Organization (WHO) was informed of a cluster of pneumonia cases in Wuhan, China. Illnesses have since been linked to a new strain of coronavirus, designated 2019 novel Coronavirus, or 2019-nCoV. As of January 29, 2020, WHO reports that more than 6,000 people have been infected, and more than 130 have died. Most cases and deaths are in China. The disease has spread to several other countries, including the United States. As the scope of the epidemic widened in China, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) stated on January 27, 2020 that “the immediate health risk from the new virus to the general American public is low currently.” The situation is rapidly changing, however, and both WHO and CDC post frequent updates.