Though the virus seems to be readily transmitted between humans, its apparent death rate of about 2 percent is lower than the 9.6 percent for SARS, and recoveries have risen. On the ground: Our correspondent in Wuhan reported from a new, 1,000-bed hospital opened from scratch in 10 days (and still partly under construction). The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries, and Russia, agreed to meet in Vienna to discuss possibly cutting output to stabilize falling prices. Related: Hong Kong’s government said Monday that it would close more border checkpoints, as some medical workers went on strike to demand a complete ban on entries from mainland China. And huge complications have confronted Americans seeking to leave China.

Source: New York Times February 03, 2020 20:48 UTC