14 bin 840 new cases reported in Hubei province, the epicenter of outbreak on Wednesday. A total of confirmed cases rose to 48 bin 206 in the province.

The virus was first detected in Wuhan city, Central China, in December 2019. It is believed to have originated from wild animals, passing to humans due to the wildlife trade and wet markets. The virus spread to other China provinces in early and mid-January 2020, helped by the Chinese new year migration.

Cases started to be detected in other countries, carried by international travelers, typically to major trade partners: Thailand, Japan, United Arab Emirates, South Korea, Taiwan, the U.S., Singapore, Vietnam, France, Nepal, Malaysia, Belgium, Finland, Australia, Canada, Germany, Sri Lanka, Italy, Russia, Sweden and Spain.

WHO declared the new coronavirus outbreak as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern on January 31.  (ILKHA)