This website tracks and maps the spread of coronavirus from Wuhan

From travel advisories and airport screenings to investigations and the country’s first cases, Canada has seen many developments through the latter half of January regarding the novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) that originated in Wuhan, China.

And for those who wish to keep up with the coronavirus in nearly-real-time, there’s now a map for that.

Developed by the Johns Hopkins Centre for Systems Science and Engineering, the interactive map is titled Wuhan Coronavirus (2019-nCoV) Global Cases, and offers a visual representation of all the world’s confirmed cases of the illness.

The dashboard is updated regularly with data from the World Health Organization and the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, among other sources.

• See also:
  • Government of Canada increases travel risk advisory for parts of China
  • Second presumptive coronavirus case in Toronto less severe than first
  • Second presumptive case of coronavirus has been confirmed in Toronto

The map’s view from afar shows a stark red cluster of confirmed ailments in Wuhan, the virus’ city of origin, and a speckle of illnesses in the surrounding region.

Upon closer inspection, the map shows large-by-comparison clusters in Hong Kong, Shanghai, and Beijing.

The view of North America currently shows small, remote markings in a few areas across the United States, including Seattle, Chicago, and San Francisco.

Canada’s only dot currently rests in Toronto.

As of Tuesday, the nation had one confirmed case of coronavirus, and one presumptive case, both of which are in the bustling Ontario city.

The Government of Ontario confirmed that the wife of the province’s first case has tested positive for the virus. The couple, both in their mid-50s, had recently travelled to Wuhan.

François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Foreign Affairs, said the government is in contact with and providing assistance to Canadians currently on the ground in China.

“We continue to advise Canadians to avoid non-essential travel to the province of Hubei, China, including the cities of Wuhan, Huanggang, and Ezhou, due to the heavy travel restrictions that have been imposed,” he said.

Meanwhile, the World Health Organization has announced that the editors of major scientific journals have agreed to share pre-publication 2019-nCoV papers with the WHO.

GREAT NEWS!
The editors of major scientific journals have agreed to share any papers about the new #coronavirus (2019-nCoV) with WHO before publication, with authors’ consent.
This is important to inform our assessment of the situation, our guidance to countries and actions. pic.twitter.com/ooYvWTvefn

— World Health Organization (WHO) (@WHO) January 26, 2020

Normally, it can take anywhere from weeks to months for a paper to reach publication after submission.

The decision to share pre-published works, the organization says, will allow for analysis of the outbreak situation as it evolves, real-time, so that informed action can be taken.