WHO says vaccine for new Coronavirus could be ready in 18 months

China’s Coronavirus could be available in 18 months, “so we have to do everything today using available weapons,” World Health Organisation (WHO), Chief Tedros Ghebreyesus, said in Geneva, Switzerland, on Tuesday.

He said the virus had been named COVID-19, explaining that it was important to avoid stigma, adding that other names could be inaccurate.

“The CO stands for Corona, the VI for virus and the D for the disease.”

The United Nations health agency wanted a name that does not refer to a geographical location, animal, an individual or a group of people.

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WHO is leading a two-day global research and innovation forum to mobilise international action in response to the Coronavirus outbreak in Geneva.

China’s National Health Commission said there were 2,478 confirmed new cases in the mainland and 108 additional deaths, most of them in Hubei province.

As of Monday night, the government said a total of 42,638 cases had been confirmed and 1,016 people have died in the country.

The outbreak’s epicentre is in the city of Wuhan in Hubei province, affecting 28 countries and territories of the world.