Coronavirus Death Toll Exceeds 100, Public Hysteria Worsens

A mystery coronavirus called 2019-nCoV has been prevailing in China and many other countries. The virus seems to be prevailing to people who have not visited the region, with cases popping up in Germany, Japan, Taiwan, and Vietnam.

The death toll has reached 170 fatalities. The total number of coronavirus cases in China that is currently 7,700 has topped that of SARS. Between Nov. 1, 2002, and July 31, 2003, China had 5,327 SARS cases and had a global death toll of almost 800 (1 of 10), said the World Health Organization (WHO). There is still a lesser amount of deaths from the novel coronavirus.

Eighteen countries outside of China have confirmed cases: Cambodia, Australia, Canada, Finland, France, Japan, Germany, Malaysia, Nepal, Singapore, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Thailand, Tibet, the United Arab Emirates, the US, and Vietnam.

The current situation implies more than a limited ability for person-to-person transmission.

The central province of Hubei, where Wuhan is located, is presumed to be the epicenter of the outbreak with most cases confirmed.

Wuhan and a handful of other cities have been quarantined, with all transportation halted.

A team of scientists in Australia has successfully grown a version of coronavirus in the lab. This breakthrough would reportedly help researchers in various countries as they race to develop a vaccine and detection tests.

Meanwhile, China has reported a shortage of test kits.

More than 4,500 cases have been confirmed in Wuhan, according to the local health commission.

Chinese President Xi Jinping labeled the virus a "demon" last Tuesday as the death toll in the country went near the 100 marks. He added that they cannot let this demon hide.

An open, transparent and responsible attitude is the Chinese government's response to the timely release of information on the epidemic to domestic and foreign countries, President Xi assured.

2019-nCoV is a relative of the coronavirus family that has never been encountered before. The virus has come from animals.

As foreign countries evacuated their citizens from Wuhan, apprehension over the economic impact has steadily intensified.

Five individuals in the United States have contracted the virus so far, all of whom had recently visited Wuhan and returned to Arizona, California (two cases), Illinois (Chicago) and Washington state. This was confirmed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Cases have spread to every province and region in China, having originated at a wet market in the city of Wuhan.

According to WHO, the death rate from the coronavirus is currently about 2%.

2019-nCoV is averaging 2 deaths per 100 so far, mostly older people, and it is unknown what level of medical care those cases received.

This virus is also known as the "novel coronavirus." WHO has yet to collaborate to provide a name for the virus.

According to the agency, they are reconsidering whether to declare a global public health emergency as part of their response to the novel coronavirus outbreak.

WHO underscored concerns on human-to-human transmission, especially in Vietnam, Germany, and Japan, as well as the "rapid acceleration" of confirmed cases of the disease.

Most people who have contracted the virus have experienced only mild illness. But Michael Ryan, executive director of the WHO's Health Emergencies Programme, said a relatively mild virus can cause great damage if many people contract it.