A leading expert told MailOnline the new Chinese coronavirus may have been lurking in animals for decades. 'Environmental samples' taken from the market tested positive for the virus, Wuhan health authorities said. Meanwhile, Hong Kong reported January 9 2020: A preliminary investigation identified the respiratory disease as a new type of coronavirus, Chinese state media reported. The outbreak spread across China, as authorities in Shenzhen in southern China reported one case, and Chinese state media said Beijing had reported two cases. Analysts say the drop followed the Chinese health commission's announcement that the coronavirus outbreak was spreading between people, not just from animals.

Source: Daily Mail January 21, 2020 18:34 UTC