The World Health Organization (WHO) has
warned countries to heighten surveillance for possible cases of infection with the new
coronavirus.
Coronaviruses are enveloped viruses. Coronaviruses primarily infect the upper respiratory and gastrointestinal tract of mammals and birds.
The alert suggests that patients with unexplained pneumonias should be tested. The advice to test is for all patients, even if they have no connection to Saudi Arabia or to Qatar.
Hitherto, the WHO has advised that testing for the new coronavirus should be restricted to patients with severe respiratory infections who recently travelled to or who were residents of a country that had recorded cases.
For more on this news item, see
CBC.
