According to UN News, Mr. Tedros, WHO Director-General, said on February 12 Geneva time that the number of newly confirmed cases of novel coronavirus infection has stabilized, but we should take it prudently as the outbreak “could still go in any direction”. Outside China, 441 cases have been reported in 24 countries, including one death. The number of countries reporting cases has not changed since February 4. Most of the new cases confirmed on February 11 outside China (40 out of 48) are on the Diamond Princess cruise ship, which is currently quarantined in Yokohama, Japan.
Mr. Tedros said, three cruise ships have either experienced delayed port clearance or have been denied entry to ports, which usually without an evidence-based risk assessment. WHO is working closely with the International Maritime Organization (IMO) to issue a communiqué to all countries in accordance with the International Health Regulations (IHR) to call for respect for the principle of "free practice" of ships and appropriate care for all passengers. WHO has published guidance on how to handle such public health events on ships and urged countries and companies to act accordingly.
Mr. Tedros also announced that on February 12, the Cambodian Government decided to allow the Westerdam cruise ship, which had been stranded for several days, to dock in the country. According to WHO, there are no suspected or confirmed cases of novel coronavirus infection on the cruise ship. It was expected to arrive in Cambodia on the morning of February 13.
On February 11, Geneva time, Mr. Tedros announced that novel coronavirus pneumonia was named "COVID-19". The research and innovation forum on COVID-19 was concluded in Geneva on the afternoon of 12th. Mr. Tedros said, research teams were discussing with leading research sponsors to immediately start work on the most urgent issues, including diagnostic program that is easy to apply, the best approaches for infection prevention, potential therapies that could be used to treat patients, existing vaccine candidates and how to spped up efforts to study and make vaccine, and the methods of controlling the overwhelming dissemination of false information.
Mr. Tedros said, in-depth investigations were still being carried out to identify the source of the virus and prevent further transmission from animals to humans.