The outbreak of atypical pneumonia caused by novel coronavirus (COVID-19) in Wuhan, China is still ongoing. As of 19-March, 2020, there have been more than 80,928 confirmed cases of infections and 3,245 deaths in mainland China. Besides, there are 70,420 discharged cases. Confirmed COVID-19-infected cases have been reported in Korea, Japan, Hong Kong, the United States and most of the European countries. While potential human-to-human transmission of COVID-19 has been reported, the estimated basic reproductive number (Ro) of COVID-19 reported in China up to 17-February, 2020 ranges from 2.24 to 3.58. The estimated Ro indicates the progressive outbreaks and more infections by COVID-19 will be diagnosed and recorded.

Keyword: novel coronavirus, COVID-19, reproductive number, pneumonia

Reference

Zhao et al. Int J Infect Dis. 2020; 92:214-217