13.68°C Vancouver

Feb 11, 2020 8:22 PM -

New name for disease caused by virus outbreak: COVID-19

Share On
new-name-for-disease-caused-by-virus-outbreak-covid-19
WHO on Tuesday gave the official name for the latest novel coronavirus, that has sickened more than 42,000 people, as 'Covid-19. Photo-ANI.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) on Tuesday gave the official name for the latest novel coronavirus, that has sickened more than 42,000 people, as 'Covid-19,' which stands for coronavirus disease starting in 2019.

The CO stands for corona, while the VI for virus and the D for the disease.

"Under agreed guidelines between WHO, the OIE Animal Health and FAO, we had to find a name that did not refer to a geographical location, an animal, an individual or group of people, and which is also pronounceable and related to the disease," WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said in a press briefing at the agency's headquarters in Geneva.

Ghebreyesus said that the agency wanted to avoid stigmatising or inaccurately naming a group that belongs to a particular geographical location, an animal, or an individual.

According to details, the WHO stated that 42,708 have been infected with the deadly disease in mainland China while the death toll has tragically surpassed over 1000.

Outside China, there are 393 cases in 24 countries, with one death, the director-general added. The virus had been tentatively referred to as 2019-nCoV.

Some people also refer to the respiratory illness as the "Wuhan virus" or "China virus."

"With 99 per cent of cases in China, this remains very much an emergency for that country, but one that holds a very grave threat for the rest of the world," Dr. Ghebreyesus said.

Expert says that there is plenty of researches that have been done to ascertain the period of persistence of viruses on surfaces following the Severe acute respiratory syndrome (Sars) outbreak in 2003.

The virus that caused the outbreak of SARS belongs to the same family as that of the Coronavirus which has spread throughout the world originating from China's Wuhan city.

Latest news

police-cleared-in-fatal-2024-shooting-of-woman-in-surrey-b-c
BCSep 26, 2025

Police cleared in fatal 2024 shooting of woman in Surrey, B.C.

British Columbia's independent police watchdog says an officer was justified in using lethal force in the fatal shooting of a woman threatening her baby.The Independent Investigations Office says in a report released Friday that on Sept. 19, 2024, the Surrey, B.C., officer shot the woman who was holding scissors to her baby's neck.The report says the situation was made worse because the woman spoke little to no English, and there were no Spanish speaking services available other than the use of Google translate.Police had responded to a call after someone reported the woman breaking things and
vpd-investigates-pedestrian-fatality
BCSep 26, 2025

VPD investigates pedestrian fatality

Vancouver Police are investigating a pedestrian fatality that occurred last night, and are asking anyone with information to call police. The pedestrian, a 38-year-old man, was struck by a white Tesla at the intersection of Terminal Avenue and Western Street September 25 just before 8:30 p.m. Despite life-saving attempts from first responders, the pedestrian died at the scene. The driver of the Tesla remained at the scene. Speed and impairment are not considered factors in the collision. Anyone with information is asked to call VPD’s Collision Investigation Unit at 604-717-3012.
canada-not-part-of-mass-walkout-when-israel-pm-netanyahu-spoke-at-un-general-assembly
CanadaSep 26, 2025

Canada not part of mass walkout when Israel PM Netanyahu spoke at UN General Assembly

Canada was not part of a mass walkout this morning during Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's address to the United Nations General Assembly. The office of Canadian Ambassador Bob Rae says he remained seated during Netanyahu's address as dozens of diplomats from other countries walked out of the chamber. The official presiding over the speeches had to call for order multiple times as delegations, including many from developing countries, rose to leave the room. In his speech, Netanyahu said the "disgraceful decision" by countries like Canada to recognize a Palestinian state will encour
talks-to-resume-between-b-c-government-and-its-public-service-union
BCSep 26, 2025

Talks to resume between B.C. government and its public service union

Talks are resuming between the union representing British Columbia's public service workers and the provincial government. Paul Finch, president of the BC General Employees' Union, says the government has reached out to the union saying it has a new offer and negotiations will start again on Monday. Finch says union pickets will remain up. The union has been conducting escalating strike action over the last four weeks, with up to 15,000 workers conducting job actions including picketing and overtime bans. Finch told a gathering in Victoria that there has been unprecedented level
WorldSep 26, 2025

Transportation Department tightens noncitizen truck driver rules after fatal crash in Florida

The Transportation Department will immediately tighten up the requirements for non-citizens to get commercial drivers licenses after three fatal crashes this year in Florida, Texas and Alabama that officials say were caused by immigrant truck drivers who never should have received licenses. The nationwide audit of these licenses began after a fatal U-turn crash in Florida that killed two people caused by a truck driver who officials said was in the country illegally. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said also threatened to revoke $160 million in federal funding for California because inve

Related News