Colored transmission electron microscopy image of coronaviruses. Credit: cdc / Dr. Fred Murphy & Sylvia Whitfield.

Visit our Covid-19 microsite for the latest coronavirus news, analysis and updates

Follow the latest updates of the outbreak on our timeline.

How well do you really know your competitors?

Access the most comprehensive Company Profiles on the market, powered by GlobalData. Save hours of research. Gain competitive edge.

Company Profile – free sample

Thank you!

Your download email will arrive shortly

Not ready to buy yet? Download a free sample

We are confident about the unique quality of our Company Profiles. However, we want you to make the most beneficial decision for your business, so we offer a free sample that you can download by submitting the below form

By GlobalData
Visit our Privacy Policy for more information about our services, how we may use, process and share your personal data, including information of your rights in respect of your personal data and how you can unsubscribe from future marketing communications. Our services are intended for corporate subscribers and you warrant that the email address submitted is your corporate email address.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in the US has reported the first case of the new coronavirus, named 2019-nCoV, in a man who returned from Wuhan city of China to Washington.

The US patient returned to the country on 15 January, with infection confirmation taking place on 21 January. The patient is assumed to be relatively healthy, now isolated at a medical centre as a precaution.

Following the report, the Dow and broader stock market saw a drop in the stock.

While the risk to the general public is low, US officials have been preparing to address a potential outbreak in the country.

In addition to alerting clinicians and screening at airports, CDC is developing a diagnostic test to identify the virus in clinical specimens. The organisation intends to share the tests to partners globally in the coming weeks.

On 16 January, the German Center for Infection Research (DZIF) at Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin researchers announced the development of the first diagnostic assay to detect the virus. The laboratory test has been made publicly available and is in a joint evaluation study by an international consortium.

Coronavirus symptoms are similar to those caused by flu, such as pneumonia. The virus has been linked to a seafood market in Wuhan, where the outbreak began. Death toll from the virus has increased to nine as of 21 January, said Chinese officials.

Alongside China, cases of the new coronavirus have been reported in Thailand, Japan and Korea. On 21 January, Taiwan reported the first case of coronavirus infection in a woman who returned from Wuhan.