Coronavirus; WHO warns window of opportunity narrowing.

The World Health Organization warned Friday, that the window of opportunity to contain the international spread of the epidemic that has killed more than 2,200 people was closing, amid concern over a surge in cases with no clear link to China, as the virus has spread to over 28 countries with a large cluster in South Korea and recent outbreaks in Iran, Lebanon and Italy.

The warning came as Italy moved to close public spaces in ten towns. Over 50,000 people have been asked to stay at home in the areas concerned in northern Italy while all public activities such as carnival celebrations, church masses and sporting events have been banned for up to a week.

U.S. health officials on Friday said they are preparing for the possibility of the spread of the new coronavirus through U.S. communities that would force closures of schools and businesses.

WHO chief Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, said on Feb. 21 in a press briefing "Although the total number of COVID-19 cases outside of China remains relatively small, we are concerned about the number of cases with no clear epidemiological link, such as travel history to China or contact with a confirmed case".

He also said, “We call on all countries to continue their commitment for containment measures while preparing for community transmission, if it occurs. We must not look back and regret that we failed to take advantage of the window of opportunity that we have.”

SOURCE (RETUERS, AFP, WHO, CNBC)