Chinese lab technicians in Shenyang test samples from patients suspected of being ill with the new coronavirus on Feb. 12, 2020. More than 2,200 people, mostly in China, have died from COVID-19, the illness caused by the virus, since it emerged in late December.
What We're Tracking Coronavirus Spreads Outside China . Chains of COVID-19 infection in secondary and tertiary countries are posing increasing risks globally. South Korea saw a massive spike in its total infections through the week of Feb. 17 in Daegu, the country's fourth-largest city. The coming weeks will be critical for South Korean authorities to contain the spread to prevent broader disruptions to South Korea's economy and supply chains . Elsewhere, Iran reported the Middle East's first confirmed COVID-19 deaths and a rapidly mounting number of cases, with reports of infections in Lebanon and Canada linked to travelers from Iran. In addition to Iran's public health infrastructure deficits, there are risks that Iran's government could obscure helpful information both domestically and from the international community that could make containment difficult. Afghan Peace Talks.
