The death toll from China's coronavirus epidemic jumped to 1,665 on Sunday (Feb.16), as the World Health Organization (WHO) praised the country's efforts to contain the new disease, saying they have "bought the world time" and that other nations must make the most of it. On Saturday(Feb.15) 142 new deaths were reported from coronavirus.
France, meanwhile, reported Europe's first death from the infection, a Chinese tourist from Hubei province, where the disease, known as COVID-19, emerged in December.
More than two dozen countries have confirmed cases, and several have suspended trade and travel links with China in a bid to contain the spread of the virus.
Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, director-general of WHO, urged governments to step up their efforts to prepare for the virus, saying "it's impossible to predict which direction this epidemic will take."
The agency is "concerned by the continued increase in the number of cases in China", and by reports about the number of health workers who have been infected or died, Tedros said, criticizing what he called a "lack of urgency in funding the response from the international community".