The World Health Organization (WHO) has yet to declare the current coronavirus outbreak[1] a global pandemic. But as the infectious disease continues to spread and public health concerns rise, the WHO categorizes the risk from the virus as "very high"[2]. On Tuesday, WHO Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said that the novel coronavirus disease is more deadly than the seasonal flu, but appears to spread less easily.
As of Wednesday, health officials have reported more than 93,000 confirmed cases of the COVID-19 disease and over 3,200 deaths[3], including 172 outside of mainland China (the epicenter of the outbreak). The virus has been detected in almost 80 countries and territories and the overall effect on global health is till unknown. In the US, officials have reported more than 100 cases in 16 states, including 9 deaths in Washington State. On Tuesday, Vice President Mike Pence announced that travelers coming into the US on direct flights from Italy and South Korea will be screened for symptoms, travelers from China were already being screened.
In last week's Monday Morning Opener, Larry Dignan examined how the COVID-19 coronavirus outbreak is affecting global supply chains and consumer demand[4]. On Friday he looked at how the disease may accelerate the future of work[5], including an increase in telecommuting, greater importance on video conferencing[6] and digital collaboration technology, and less travel. As Larry wrote, "One thing is certain: The coronavirus is likely to mean the definition of business, as usual, will change."
SEE: Coronavirus having major effect on tech industry beyond supply chain delays (free PDF)[7] (TechRepublic)
While we won't know the coronavirus' effects on the overall nature of work for some time, one sector