Update On 2019-nCoV Or COVID-19 As Of February 13, 2020

As of February 13, 2020, 
there are 46,997 confirmed cases globally (1826 new), 
and in China there are 46,550 confirmed (1820 new) and1368 deaths (254 new). 
There are 447 confirmed cases outside China (6 new)
in 24 countries with 1 death. 

Confirmed cases of COVID-19 acute respiratory disease as of February 13, 2020
reported by provinces, regions and cities in China:

 Countries, territories or areas with reported confirmed COVID-19 cases and deaths
as of February 13, 2020:

STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES 

WHO’s strategic objectives for this response are to: 

• Limit human-to-human transmission including
reducing secondary infections among close contacts and health care workers,
preventing transmission amplification events,
and preventing further international spread from China*; 

• Identify, isolate and care for patients early,
including providing optimized care for infected patients; 

• Identify and reduce transmission from the animal source; 

• Address crucial unknowns regarding clinical severity,
extent of transmission and infection, treatment options,
and accelerate the development of diagnostics, therapeutics and vaccines; 

• Communicate critical risk and event information to all communities
and counter misinformation; 

• Minimize social and economic impact through multisectoral partnerships. 

*This can be achieved through a combination of public health measures,
such as rapid identification, diagnosis and management of the cases,
identification and follow up of the contacts,
infection prevention and control in health care settings,
implementation of health measures for travelers,
awareness-raising in the population and risk communication. 

RECOMMENDATIONS AND ADVICE FOR THE PUBLIC 

During previous outbreaks due to other coronavirus
(Middle-East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS)
and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS),
human-to-human transmission occurred through droplets, contact and fomites,
suggesting that the transmission mode of the COVID-19 can be similar.
The basic principles to reduce the general risk of transmission
of acute respiratory infections include the following: 

• Avoiding close contact with people suffering from acute respiratory infections. 

• Frequent hand-washing, especially after direct contact with ill people
or their environment. 

• Avoiding unprotected contact with farm or wild animals. 

• People with symptoms of acute respiratory infection
should practice cough etiquette (maintain distance, cover coughs and sneezes
with disposable tissues or clothing, and wash hands). 

• Within health care facilities,
enhance standard infection prevention and control practices in hospitals,
especially in emergency departments. 

WHO does not recommend any specific health measures for travelers.
In case of symptoms suggestive of respiratory illness
either during or after travel,
travelers are encouraged to seek medical attention
and share their travel history with their health care provider. 

SOURCE: WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION